109 HR 5520 IH: To establish the Office of Veterans Identity Protection

U.S. House of Representatives
2006-05-25
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		109th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5520
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			May 25, 2006
			Mrs. Wilson of New
			 Mexico (for herself, Mr.
			 Platts, Mr. Renzi,
			 Mr. Hayworth,
			 Mr. Gutknecht,
			 Mr. Garrett of New Jersey,
			 Mr. Leach,
			 Ms. Ros-Lehtinen,
			 Mr. Simmons,
			 Mrs. Kelly,
			 Mr. Hefley,
			 Mr. Cole of Oklahoma,
			 Mr. Kline,
			 Mr. Barrett of South Carolina,
			 Mrs. Blackburn,
			 Ms. Granger,
			 Mr. Carter,
			 Mrs. Johnson of Connecticut,
			 Mr. Sweeney,
			 Mrs. Miller of Michigan,
			 Mr. Skelton,
			 Mr. Spratt,
			 Mr. Hall, Mr. Sherwood, Mr.
			 Gerlach, Mrs. Northup,
			 Mr. LoBiondo,
			 Mr. Rogers of Michigan,
			 Mr. Reichert,
			 Mr. McCaul of Texas,
			 Mr. Sullivan,
			 Mr. Burgess,
			 Mr. Gohmert,
			 Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida,
			 Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida,
			 Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida,
			 Mr. Davis of Kentucky,
			 Mr. Hastings of Florida,
			 Mr. Abercrombie,
			 Mr. Meehan,
			 Mr. Miller of Florida,
			 Mr. Aderholt,
			 Mr. Crenshaw,
			 Mr. Jenkins,
			 Mr. Goode,
			 Mr. Jones of North Carolina,
			 Mrs. Cubin,
			 Mr. Rogers of Alabama,
			 Mr. Everett,
			 Mr. Bradley of New Hampshire,
			 Mr. Beauprez,
			 Mr. Gingrey,
			 Mr. Istook,
			 Mr. Tom Davis of Virginia,
			 Mrs. Drake,
			 Mrs. Schmidt,
			 Mr. Lucas,
			 Mr. Kirk, Mr. Wolf, Mr.
			 Rothman, Mr. Shimkus,
			 Mr. Taylor of Mississippi,
			 Mr. Hulshof,
			 Ms. Hart, Mr. Shays, Mr.
			 Langevin, Mr. Wamp,
			 Mr. Salazar,
			 Mr. Porter,
			 Mr. Franks of Arizona,
			 Mr. Sessions,
			 Mr. Hoekstra, and
			 Mr. Hastings of Washington) introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		A BILL
		To establish the Office of Veterans Identity Protection
		  Claims to reimburse injured persons for injuries suffered as a result of the
		  unauthorized use, disclosure, or dissemination of identifying information
		  stolen from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Veterans
			 Identity Protection Act, or the VIP Act.
		2.PurposesThe purposes of this Act are—
			(1)to reimburse
			 injured persons for injuries suffered as a result of the unauthorized use,
			 disclosure, or dissemination of identifying information stolen from the home of
			 an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs on or around May 3, 2006;
			 and
			(2)to provide for the
			 expeditious consideration and settlement of claims for those injuries.
			3.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)DirectorThe
			 term Director means the Director of the Office of Veterans
			 Identity Protection Claims.
			(2)Injured
			 personThe term injured person means an
			 individual—
				(A)whose name or other
			 personal identifying information was part of the data of the Department of
			 Veterans Affairs that was stolen from the home of an employee of the Department
			 of Veterans Affairs on or around May 3, 2006; and
				(B)who suffered an injury as a result of the
			 unauthorized use, disclosure, or dissemination of personal identifying
			 information that was included in the data described in
			 subparagraph (A).
				(3)OfficeThe
			 term Office means the Office of Veterans Identity Protection
			 Claims established under
			 section 4(a).
			4.Office of
			 Veterans Identity Protection Claims
			(a)Office
			 establishedThere is established an independent office of the
			 executive branch to receive, process, and pay claims in accordance with this
			 Act. Such office shall be known as the Office of Veterans Identity Protection
			 Claims.
			(b)DirectorNot later than 30 days after the enactment
			 of this Act, the President shall appoint a director of the Office of Veterans
			 Identity Protection Claims. The Director shall, on behalf of the United States,
			 investigate, consider, ascertain, adjust, determine, grant, deny, or settle any
			 claim for money damages asserted under
			 section 5(b).
			(c)FundingThe
			 Office—
				(1)shall be funded
			 from funds made available to the Director under this Act;
				(2)may reimburse
			 other Federal agencies for claims processing support and assistance;
				(3)may appoint and
			 fix the compensation of such temporary personnel as may be necessary, without
			 regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments
			 in competitive service; and
				(4)upon the request
			 of the Director, may request that the head of any Federal department or agency
			 detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of that department or
			 agency to the Office to assist it in carrying out its duties under this
			 Act.
				5.Reimbursement for
			 injuries suffered
			(a)ReimbursementEach
			 injured person shall be entitled to receive from the United States—
				(1)reimbursement for
			 any injuries suffered by the injured person as a result of the unauthorized
			 use, disclosure, or dissemination of personal identifying information that was
			 included in the data described in
			 section 3(2)(A); and
				(2)damages described
			 in
			 subsection (d)(3), as determined by the
			 Director.
				(b)Submission of
			 claimsNot later than 2 years
			 after the date on which regulations are first promulgated under
			 subsection (f), an injured person may submit
			 to the Director a written claim for one or more injuries suffered by the
			 injured person in accordance with such requirements as the Director determines
			 to be appropriate.
			(c)Investigation of
			 claims
				(1)Applicability of
			 State lawExcept as otherwise provided in this Act, the laws of
			 the State in which the injured person resides shall apply to the calculation of
			 damages under
			 subsection (d)(3).
				(2)Extent of
			 damagesAny payment under this Act—
					(A)shall be limited
			 to actual compensatory damages measured by injuries suffered and interest
			 before settlement or payment of a claim; and
					(B)shall not include
			 punitive damages.
					(d)Payment of
			 claims
				(1)Determination
			 and payment of amount
					(A)In
			 generalNot later than 180 days after the date on which a claim
			 is submitted under this Act, the Director shall determine and fix the amount,
			 if any, to be paid for the claim.
					(B)Parameters of
			 determinationIn determining and settling a claim under this Act,
			 the Director shall determine only—
						(i)whether the
			 claimant is an injured person;
						(ii)whether the injury that is the subject of
			 the claim resulted from the unauthorized use, disclosure, or dissemination of
			 personal identifying information that was included in the data described in
			 section 3(2)(A);
						(iii)the
			 amount, if any, to be allowed and paid to the injured person under this
			 Act.
						(C)Other payments
			 or settlementsIn determining the amount of, and paying, a claim
			 under this Act, to prevent recovery by a claimant in excess of actual
			 compensatory damages, the Director shall reduce the amount to be paid for the
			 claim by an amount that is equal to the total of any payments or settlements of
			 any nature that were paid, or will be paid, to the injured person with respect
			 to the claim.
					(2)Partial
			 payment
					(A)In
			 generalAt the request of a claimant, the Director may make one
			 or more advance or partial payments before the final settlement of a claim,
			 including final settlement on any portion or aspect of a claim that is
			 determined to be severable.
					(B)Judicial
			 decisionIf a claimant receives a partial payment on a claim
			 under this Act, but further payment on the claim is subsequently denied by the
			 Director, the claimant may—
						(i)seek
			 judicial review under subsection (i); and
						(ii)keep any partial
			 payment that the claimant received, unless the Director determines that the
			 claimant—
							(I)was not eligible to
			 receive the reimbursement; or
							(II)fraudulently
			 procured the reimbursement.
							(3)Allowable
			 damagesA claim that is paid
			 under this Act may include otherwise uncompensated damages for loss of
			 property, business loss, or financial loss resulting from the unauthorized use,
			 disclosure, or dissemination of personal identifying information that was
			 included in the data described in
			 section 3(2)(A).
				(e)Acceptance of
			 awardThe acceptance by a claimant of any payment under this Act,
			 except an advance or partial payment made under
			 subsection (d)(2), shall—
				(1)be final and
			 conclusive on the claimant, with respect to all claims arising out of or
			 relating to the same subject matter;
				(2)constitute a
			 complete release of all claims against the United States (including any agency
			 or employee of the United States) under chapter 171 of title 28, United States
			 Code (commonly known as the ‘‘Federal Tort Claims Act’’), or any other Federal
			 or State law, arising out of or relating to the same subject matter; and
				(3)shall include a
			 certification by the claimant, made under penalty of perjury and subject to the
			 provisions of section 1001 of title 18, United States Code, that such claim is
			 true and correct.
				(f)Regulations and
			 public information
				(1)RegulationsNotwithstanding
			 any other provision of law, not later than 45 days after the date of the
			 enactment of this Act, the Director shall promulgate and publish in the Federal
			 Register interim final regulations for the processing and payment of claims
			 under this Act.
				(2)Public
			 information
					(A)In
			 generalAt the time at which the Director promulgates regulations
			 under
			 paragraph (1), the Director shall
			 publish, in newspapers of general circulation in the each of the several States
			 and the District of Columbia, a clear, concise, and easily understandable
			 explanation, in English and Spanish, of—
						(i)the
			 rights conferred under this Act; and
						(ii)the
			 procedural and other requirements of the regulations promulgated under
			 paragraph (1).
						(B)Dissemination
			 through other mediaThe Director shall disseminate the
			 explanation published under
			 subparagraph (A) through brochures,
			 pamphlets, radio, television, and other media that the Director determines are
			 likely to reach prospective claimants.
					(g)ConsultationIn
			 administering this Act, the Director shall consult with the Attorney General,
			 the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of the Defense, the Secretary
			 of Commerce, other Federal agencies, and State and local authorities, as
			 determined to be necessary by the Director to—
				(1)ensure the
			 efficient administration of the claims process; and
				(2)provide for local
			 concerns.
				(h)Election of
			 remedy
				(1)In
			 generalAn injured person may
			 elect to seek reimbursement from the United States for one or more injuries
			 resulting from the unauthorized use, disclosure, or dissemination of personal
			 identifying information that was included in the data described in
			 section 3(2)(A) by—
					(A)submitting a claim
			 under this Act;
					(B)filing a claim or
			 bringing a civil action under chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code;
			 or
					(C)bringing an
			 authorized civil action under any other provision of law.
					(2)Effect of
			 electionAn election by an
			 injured person to seek reimbursement in any manner described in
			 paragraph (1) shall be final and
			 conclusive on the claimant with respect to all injuries resulting from the
			 unauthorized use, disclosure, or dissemination of personal identifying
			 information that was included in the data described in
			 section 3(2)(A) that are suffered by the
			 claimant.
				(3)Arbitration
					(A)In
			 generalNot later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of
			 this Act, the Director shall establish by regulation procedures under which a
			 dispute regarding a claim submitted under this Act may be settled by
			 arbitration.
					(B)Arbitration as
			 remedyOn establishment of arbitration procedures under
			 subparagraph (A), an injured person
			 that submits a disputed claim under this Act may elect to settle the claim
			 through arbitration.
					(C)Binding
			 effectAn election by an injured person to settle a claim through
			 arbitration under this paragraph shall—
						(i)be
			 binding; and
						(ii)preclude any
			 exercise by the injured person of the right to judicial review of a claim
			 described in subsection (i).
						(4)No effect on
			 entitlementsNothing in this Act affects any right of a claimant
			 to file a claim for benefits under any Federal entitlement program.
				(i)Judicial
			 review
				(1)In
			 generalAny claimant aggrieved by a final decision of the
			 Director under this Act may, not later than 60 days after the date on which the
			 decision is issued, bring a civil action in the an appropriate United States
			 District Court, to modify or set aside the decision, in whole or in
			 part.
				(2)RecordThe
			 court shall hear a civil action under
			 paragraph (1) on the record made before
			 the Director.
				(3)StandardThe
			 decision of the Director incorporating the findings of the Director shall be
			 upheld if the decision is supported by substantial evidence on the record
			 considered as a whole.
				(j)Attorney’s and
			 agent’s fees
				(1)In
			 generalNo attorney or agent, acting alone or in combination with
			 any other attorney or agent, shall charge, demand, receive, or collect, for
			 services rendered in connection with a claim submitted under this Act, fees in
			 excess of 10 percent of the amount of any payment on the claim.
				(2)ViolationAn
			 attorney or agent who violates
			 paragraph (1) shall be fined not more
			 than $10,000.
				(k)Applicability of
			 debt collection requirementsSection 3716 of title 31, United
			 States Code, shall not apply to any payment under this Act.
			6.Report;
			 Audit
			(a)Not later than 180
			 days after the date of promulgation of regulations under
			 section 5(f)(1), and semiannually
			 thereafter, the Director shall submit to the Committees on Veterans Affairs,
			 Energy and Commerce, and Judiciary of the House of Representatives, and the
			 Committees on Veterans Affairs, Commerce, Science and Transportation, and
			 Judiciary of the Senate, a report that describes the claims submitted under
			 this Act during the six months preceding the date of submission of the report,
			 including, for each claim—
				(1)the amount
			 claimed;
				(2)a
			 brief description of the nature of the claim; and
				(3)the status or
			 disposition of the claim, including the amount of any payment under this
			 Act.
				(b)The Comptroller
			 General shall conduct an annual audit on the payment of all claims made under
			 this Act, and shall report to the committees described in
			 subsection (a) on the results of this audit
			 beginning not later than the expiration of the 1-year period beginning on the
			 date of the enactment of this Act.
			7.Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere are
			 authorized to be appropriated to the Director such sums as are necessary to
			 carry out this Act, to remain available until expended.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 2053
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			October 29, 2009
			Mr. Carper introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To suspend temporarily the duty on women’s
		  sports bras of stretch fabric with textile or polymer-based electrodes knit
		  into or attached to the fabric and that incorporate connectors designed to
		  secure an electronic transmitter that transmits physiological information from
		  the electrodes to a compatible monitor.

		1.Women’s sports bras of stretch fabric with
			 textile or polymer-based electrodes knit into or attached to the fabric and
			 that incorporate connectors designed to secure an electronic transmitter that
			 transmits physiological information from the electrodes to a compatible
			 monitor
			(a)In generalSubchapter II of chapter 99 of the
			 Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by inserting in
			 numerical sequence the following new heading:

								9902.01.00Women’s sports bras of stretch fabric with textile or
						polymer-based electrodes knit into or attached to the fabric and that
						incorporate connectors designed to secure an electronic transmitter that
						transmits physiological information from the electrodes to a compatible monitor
						(provided for subheading 6212.10.90) FreeNo
						changeNo changeOn or before 12/31/2011

					.
			(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by
			 subsection (a) applies to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for
			 consumption, on or after the 15th day after the date of the enactment of this
			 Act.


114 S642 IS: Human Trafficking Survivors Relief and Empowerment Act of 2015
U.S. Senate
2015-03-03
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II114th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 642IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 3, 2015Mrs. Shaheen introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo aid human trafficking victims' recovery and rehabilitation. 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Human Trafficking Survivors Relief and Empowerment Act of 2015.2.Protections for human trafficking survivors(a)Grant programSection 1701(c) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796dd(c)) is amended by striking where feasible and all that follows, and inserting the following:where feasible, to an application—(1)for hiring and rehiring additional career law enforcement officers that involves a non-Federal contribution exceeding the 25 percent minimum under subsection (g); or(2)from an applicant in a State that has in effect a law—(A)that—(i)provides a process by which an individual who is human trafficking survivor can move to vacate any arrest or conviction records for prostitution or any other non-violent offense committed as a direct result of human trafficking;(ii)establishes a rebuttable presumption that any arrest or conviction of an individual for an offense associated with human trafficking is a result of being trafficked, if the individual—(I)is a person granted nonimmigrant status pursuant to section 101(a)(15)(T)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(T)(i));(II)is the subject of a certification by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 107(b)(1)(E) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7105(b)(1)(E)); or(III)has other similar documentation of trafficking, which has been issued by a Federal agency; and(iii)protects the identity of individuals who are human trafficking survivors in public and court records; and(B)that does not require an individual who is a human trafficking survivor to provide official documentation as described in subclause (I), (II), or (III) of subparagraph (A)(ii) in order to receive protection under the law..(b)Legal services for human trafficking survivorsNotwithstanding any other provision of law, the Legal Services Corporation and the recipients of its funding may provide legal services on behalf a human trafficking survivor applying for a motion to vacate under a State law described in paragraph (2) of section 1701(c) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796dd(c)), as added by subsection (a).


116 HR 3212 IH: Accountability for Sexual and Gender-based Violence as a Tool in Conflict Act of 2019
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-06-11
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3212IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 11, 2019Ms. Pingree (for herself, Ms. Speier, Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire, Ms. Omar, Ms. Meng, and Ms. Frankel) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
			 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to include in the Annual Country Reports on Human
			 Rights Practices a section on conflict-related sexual and gender-based
			 violence, to amend the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act to
			 authorize the President to impose economic sanctions and a visa ban on the
			 leader of an organization that commits sexual or gender-based violence.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Accountability for Sexual and Gender-based Violence as a Tool in Conflict Act of 2019. 2.FindingsCongress makes the following findings:
 (1)The United States, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, voted in favor of Security Council Resolutions 1325 (2000); 1820 (2008); 1888 (2009); 1960 (2010); 2106 (2013); 2242 (2015); and 2331 (2016), which state that acts of sexual violence and human trafficking threaten international peace and security and can constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, acts of genocide, and terrorism.
 (2)The United States is a signatory to the G8 Declaration on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, done in London April 11, 2013, and sponsored by the United Kingdom’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative. The United States and its allies declared that concerns related to sexual violence in armed conflict must be part of peace and security efforts, post-conflict transition and reform measures, and accountability processes.
 (3)Despite these advances in normative frameworks, sexual and gender-based violence continues to be pervasive, and the responses from governments and the international community range from insufficient and inadequate to negligent and complicit, as documented in United Nations’ reports.
 (4)Gender-based violence, including sexual violence— (A)is a global pandemic that affects 1 in 3 women during their lifetimes; and
 (B)occurs at higher rates in conflict-affected areas. (5)Incidences of domestic violence, child, early, or forced marriages, human trafficking, and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence within displaced or conflict-affected communities—
 (A)increase during conflict due to exacerbated social tensions and underlying gender inequalities that existed in communities prior to such conflict; and
 (B)occur in parallel to sexual and gender-based violence perpetrated as a weapon of war. (6)Gender-based violence is underreported in all settings. Recorded cases of gender-based violence represent only a small fraction of the overall total. A lack of available data should not be interpreted to mean that gender-based violence is not a major and pressing issue, but should be viewed as an indication of the challenges in gathering information.
 (7)Rape and sexual assault have been used as tactics of war and terror in conflict zones, including Burma, Central African Republic, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Syria.
 (8)Rape, sexual slavery, and other forms of sexual violence have been used by terrorist and extremist groups, such as the so-called Islamic State, Boko Haram, and the Lord’s Resistance Army, to intimidate and terrorize communities.
 (9)Sexual and gender-based violence in recent conflicts has been used in Iraq, Syria, and Burma as a form of ethnic or religious persecution or genocide against Yazidis, Christians, Turkmen Shi’a, and Rohingya Muslims.
 (10)The Secretary-General of the United Nations stated that sexual violence in conflict triggers mass migration and forced displacement.
 (11)Sexual and gender-based violence in conflict is primarily used against women and girls, but can also be used against men and boys.
 (12)Sexual and gender-based violence is not incidental to conflict and is a weapon of choice for armed actors seeking to destabilize societies, given that its stigma and trauma continue after the conflict has ended.
 (13)Existing laws often fail to protect survivors of conflict-related sexual or gender-based violence, especially when the perpetrators are representatives of government entities, such as military officers, soldiers, or non-state actors operating in areas where governments have failed to keep the peace.
 (14)Under the doctrine of military command responsibility, leaders can be prosecuted for war crimes when they—
 (A)knew or should have known that their subordinates were committing war crimes; and (B)failed to take all necessary and reasonable measures to prevent such crimes or investigate and prosecute those responsible for such crimes.
 (15)Courts with jurisdiction over war crimes may be nonexistent, may lack capacity, or may be subject to the same political failings that allowed conflict-related sexual or gender-based violence to take place. While the United Nations Security Council could refer a case to the International Criminal Court, it is constrained by the prospects of a veto.
 (16)Convicting and imprisoning top military leaders with command or superior responsibility for rape or other forms of sexual and gender-based violence in conflict is essential to deter future crimes of sexual violence. Further support to civil society, grassroots organizations, women-led organizations, and justice actors is necessary to combat sexual violence and provide services and support to survivors. The landmark decision on December 15, 2017, by military justice authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the conviction of a provincial parliamentarian and members of the Army of Jesus militia for the crimes against humanity of rape of dozens of children in Kavumu, Democratic Republic of the Congo is a significant step for ending impunity for sexual violence.
 (17)The United Nations Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and the United Nations Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict were established by Security Council Resolution 1888 (2009) to work toward providing support to survivors of sexual violence in conflict and ending impunity for these heinous crimes.
 (18)The United Nations Secretary-General’s annual report to the United Nations Security Council on conflict-related sexual violence lists parties credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for patterns of rape or other forms of sexual violence in situations of armed conflict on the agenda of the Security Council in its annex. This listing mechanism is an essential tool to promote compliance with the provisions of the United Nations Security Council resolutions referred to in paragraph (1).
 3.Statement of policyIt is the policy of the United States— (1)to take effective action to prevent and to respond to sexual and gender-based violence around the world, particularly when related to conflict, as a matter of promoting basic human rights;
 (2)to hold accountable leaders who fail to prevent, respond to, investigate, and prosecute sexual and gender-based violence; and
 (3)to support survivors of conflict-related sexual and general based violence. 4.Annual country reports on human rights practices (a)Savings provisionThe additional reporting requirements added under sections 116(d) and 502B(h) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151n(d) and 2304(h)) should not be considered as a substitute for comprehensive reporting on sexual and gender-based violence in non-conflict settings. Such information should continue to be robustly reported on in the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices with any linkages and connections between these areas of reporting drawn through internal references amongst the various sections of each individual Country Report.
 (b)Countries receiving economic assistanceSection 116(d) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151n(d)) is amended— (1)by redesignating paragraphs (9), (10), (11), and (12) as paragraphs (10), (11), (12), and (13), respectively; and
 (2)by inserting after paragraph (8) the following:  (9) (A)a description of sexual and gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence and sexual assault (as defined in section 40002 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291)) or rape (as defined in section 2441 of title 18, United States Code), as a tool of terror or war, in each foreign country;
 (B)consolidated information regarding the commission of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and evidence of acts that may constitute genocide (as defined in article 2 of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and modified by section 2(a) of the Genocide Convention Implementation Act of 1987 (the Proxmire Act));
 (C)with respect to each country in which there is sexual and gender-based violence, especially as a result of conflict or where rape or sexual violence has been used as a tool of terror or war by state or non-state actors, an assessment of the efforts by the government of that country to combat such violence, including an assessment of—
 (i)whether governmental authorities in that country participate in, facilitate, or condone sexual and gender-based violence;
 (ii)the steps the government of that country has taken to prohibit government officials, including military officers and non-state actors from participating in, facilitating, or condoning sexual and gender-based violence, including the investigation, prosecution, and conviction of such officials;
 (iii)the steps the government of that country has taken to assist survivors of gender or sexual-based violence, including efforts to prevent survivors from being further victimized by perpetrators, government officials, or others, and provision of humanitarian relief, including provision of comprehensive health care services, including mental, sexual, and reproductive health services, and other physical health care and reparation; and
 (iv)whether the government of that country recognizes the rights of survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and ensures their access to justice; and
 (D)such other information relating to sexual and gender-based violence, including conflict-related violence, as the Secretary of State considers appropriate..
 (c)Countries receiving security assistanceSection 502B of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2304) is amended— (1)by redesignating the second subsection (i) (relating to child marriage) as subsection (j); and
 (2)by adding at the end the following:  (k)Sexual and gender-Based violenceEach report required under subsection (b) shall include—
 (1)a description of the nature and extent of sexual and gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence and sexual assault (as defined in section 40002 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291)) or rape (as defined in section 2441 of title 18, United States Code) as a tool or terror or war, in each foreign country;
 (2)consolidated information regarding the commission of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and evidence of acts that may constitute genocide (as defined in article 2 of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and modified by section 2(a) of the Genocide Convention Implementation Act of 1987 (the Proxmire Act));
 (3)with respect to each country in which there is sexual and gender-based violence, especially as a result of conflict or where rape or sexual assault has been used as a tool of terror or war by state or non-state actors, an assessment of the efforts by the government of that country to combat such violence, including an assessment of—
 (A)whether governmental authorities in that country participate in, facilitate, or condone sexual and gender-based violence;
 (B)what steps the government of that country has taken to prohibit government officials, including military officers, and non-state actors from participating in, facilitating, or condoning sexual and gender-based violence, including the investigation, prosecution, and conviction of such officials;
 (C)what steps the government of that country has taken to assist victims of sexual and gender-based violence, including efforts to prevent survivors from being further victimized by perpetrators, government officials, or others, and provision of humanitarian relief, including provision of comprehensive health services, including mental, sexual, and reproductive health services, and other physical health care and reparation; and
 (D)whether the government of that country recognizes the rights of survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and ensures their access to justice; and
 (4)such other information relating to sexual and gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, as the Secretary of State considers appropriate..
				5.Actions against perpetrators of conflict-based sexual and gender-based violence
 (a)SanctionsSection 1263(a)(1) of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (22 U.S.C. 2656 note) is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting sexual and gender-based violence, after torture,.
 (b)Travel restrictionsSection 7031(c)(1)(A) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2019 (division F of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019; Public Law 116–6) is amended by inserting , including sexual or gender-based violence, after human rights.


115 HRES 360 IH: Honoring the 100th anniversary of the 82nd Airborne Division.
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-05-25
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. RES. 360IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 25, 2017Mr. Hudson (for himself, Mr. Zeldin, Mr. Price of North Carolina, and Mr. Brown of Maryland) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed ServicesRESOLUTIONHonoring the 100th anniversary of the 82nd Airborne Division.

 Whereas the 82nd Division was constituted in the National Army on August 5, 1917, to support the entry of the United States into World War I;
 Whereas August 5, 2017, is the 100th anniversary of the 82nd Airborne Division headquartered at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina;
 Whereas the 82nd Airborne Division, nicknamed The All American Division, embodies the spirit and diverse citizenry of the United States; Whereas the 82nd Airborne Division is a source of great pride for the Army and the first unit to have ever been designated as an Airborne Division;
 Whereas, as a component of the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division is the Nation’s Global Response Force and can deploy anywhere in the world within 18 hours to perform a wide range of missions, including combat operations, assistance to United States allies, and humanitarian assistance;
 Whereas the 82nd Airborne Division has participated in nearly every United States engagement around the world, including critical missions—
 (1)participating in the Battle of Lorraine and the campaigns of St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne during World War I;
 (2)supporting the Allied offensive in World War II, including combat jumps in Salerno, Italy, as part of Operation Avalanche, in Normandy, France, as part of Operation Overlord, and in Nijmegen, Holland, as part of Operation Market Garden;
 (3)suppressing the communist rebellion in the Dominican Republic in 1965; (4)responding to the Tet Offensive in 1968 and the defense of Saigon, Vietnam;
 (5)ousting the dictator Manuel Noriega of Panama in 1989; (6)liberating Kuwait as one of the first units to engage in Operation Desert Storm in 1991;
 (7)supporting relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005; and (8)supporting the Global War on Terror from 2001 through today;
 Whereas the 82nd Airborne Division is unparalleled with respect to commitment and service to the United States; and
 Whereas the responsibilities of the 82nd Airborne Division continue to grow and the 82nd Airborne Division will remain the first choice for rapidly responding to conflicts around the world: Now, therefore, be it

 That the House of Representatives honors the soldiers and families of the 82nd Airborne Division for their service and commitment to protecting the United States.


107 HR 6406 IH: American-Made Protection for Healthcare Workers and First Responders Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-03-26
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 6406IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 26, 2020Mr. Yoho (for himself and Mr. Soto) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo require personal protective equipment to be included in the strategic national stockpile, and to require the Federal Government to procure such equipment from United States sources, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the American-Made Protection for Healthcare Workers and First Responders Act.2.Inclusion of personal protective equipment in the Strategic National StockpileSection 319F–2(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d–6b(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:(6)Personal protective equipment(A)In generalThe Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall ensure that the supplies of the strategic national stockpile includes personal protective equipment in a quantity that is sufficient for a 1-year supply during a nationwide pandemic.(B)DefinitionIn this paragraph, the term personal protective equipment—(i)has the meaning given such term by the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, which includes protective clothing, helmets, gloves, face shields, goggles, facemasks, and other equipment designed to protect the wearer from injury or the spread of infection or illness; and(ii)includes ventilators, respirators, disinfecting wipes, and hand sanitizer. (7)Congressional briefingsNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph, and every 180 days thereafter until the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall provide a briefing to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives on the inventory of drugs, vaccines and other biological products, medical devices, and other supplies in the strategic national stockpile.. 3.National strategic stockpile of personal protective equipment for first responders(a)In generalTitle V of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 311 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:529.National strategic stockpile of personal protective equipment for first responders(a)DefinitionsIn this section—(1)the term first responder means a public safety officer as defined in section 1204 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10284); and (2)the term personal protective equipment—(A)has the meaning given such term in paragraph (6) of section 319F–2(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d–6b(a)); and(B)includes such other equipment as determined appropriate by the Secretary. (b)RequirementThe Secretary shall—(1)establish and maintain a national strategic stockpile of personal protective equipment for use by first responders during an emergency declared under section 501(b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5191(b)) or under the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.); and(2)make such personal protective equipment available, on a reimbursable basis, to first responder agencies.(c)ReimbursementIn lieu of reimbursement from a first responder agency under subsection (b), the Secretary may accept reimbursement from the State, or political subdivision thereof, in which the first responder agency is located..(b)Technical and conforming amendmentThe table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107–296; 116 Stat. 2135) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 528 the following:Sec. 529. National strategic stockpile of personal protective equipment for first responders..4.Pre-disaster contractsThe Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the Secretary) shall enter into contracts with suppliers of personal protective equipment (as defined in section 319F–2(a)(6)(B) of the Public Health Service Act (as amended by section 2)) for the procurement by the Federal Government of such equipment in the event of a public health emergency declared under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d), under section 501(b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5191(b)), or under the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.).5.Prohibition on procurement of personal protective equipment from covered foreign entities(a)Procurement prohibitionAn executive agency may not procure by contract, subcontract, grant, or cooperative agreement any personal protective equipment sourced, manufactured, or assembled in whole or in part by a covered foreign entity. To the extent possible, executive agencies shall procure personal protective equipment sourced, manufactured, or assembled in whole or in part in the United States.(b)Prohibition on use of Federal funds for foreign procurementNo Federal funds, whether made available by contract, grant, or cooperative agreement, may be used to procure personal protective equipment sourced, manufactured, or assembled in whole or in part by a covered foreign entity. (c)Effective dateThe prohibitions under subsections (a) and (b) shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.6.Ineligibility for Federal contracting as result of unreasonable failure to perform a contract for the procurement of personal protective equipmentAny Federal contractor or subcontractor determined by the head of an executive agency to have unreasonably failed to perform a contract for the procurement of personal protective equipment shall be ineligible to receive a Federal contract for a period of 10 years following such determination.7.DefinitionsIn this Act:(1)Covered foreign entityThe term covered foreign entity means—(A)a covered entity designated by the Secretary of Commerce;(B)an entity included on the Consolidated Screening List;(C)any entity that is subject to extrajudicial direction from a foreign government, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security; (D)any entity the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Defense, determines poses a national security risk;(E)any entity domiciled in the People's Republic of China or subject to influence or control by the Government of the People Republic of China or the Communist Party of the People’s Republic of China, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security; or(F)any subsidiary or affiliate of an entity described in subparagraphs (A) through (D). (2)Executive agencyThe term executive agency has the meaning given the term in section 133 of title 41, United States Code. (3)Personal protective equipmentThe term personal protective equipment has the meaning given such term in section 319F–2(a)(6)(B) of the Public Health Service Act (as amended by section 2).


113 S2911 IS: Super Pollutants Act of 2014
U.S. Senate
2014-09-18
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 2911
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			September 18, 2014
			Mr. Murphy (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Coons, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Merkley, Mr. King, and Ms. Warren) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works

		A BILL
		To establish a task force to review policies and measures to promote, and to develop best practices
			 for, reduction of short-lived climate pollutants, and for other purposes.

			1.
			Short title
			This Act may be cited as the
		  Super Pollutants Act of 2014.

			2.
			Findings
			Congress makes the following findings:

				(1)
				Short-lived climate pollutants	account for 40 percent of global warming currently impacting the
			 atmosphere, even though such
			 pollutants account for a much smaller percentage of warming agents by
			 weight.

				(2)
				Reducing short-lived climate pollutant emissions could—

					(A)
					prevent more than 2,000,000 premature deaths each year, according to the United Nations Environment
			 Programme (UNEP);

					(B)
					prevent more than 30,000,000 tons of crop losses each year, according to UNEP;

					(C)
					cut the rate of sea level rise by 25 percent, according to the National Center for Atmospheric
			 Research and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography;

					(D)
					cut the rate of warming by up to 0.6 degrees Celsius by 2050, according to UNEP; and

					(E)
					significantly contribute toward the overall global target of holding increased warming below 2
			 degrees
			 Celsius.

				(3)
				The United States is one of the world’s largest consumer of hydrofluorocarbons and is providing
			 significant
			 innovation in the development of low global warming potential (low-GWP)
			 alternatives.

				(4)
				The United States could serve as a leader and exemplar of responsibly phasing down
			 hydrofluorocarbon production and consumption.

				(5)
				The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer has been an extraordinarily
			 successful model for protecting the stratospheric ozone
			 layer and achieving significant climate protection co-benefits. Since the
			 treaty was signed in 1987, there has been a 98 percent
			 reduction in ozone-depleting substances.
			(6)The interagency Strategy to Reduce Methane Emissions, released in March 2014, outlines a proactive
			 agenda for reducing methane leakage and waste throughout the United
			 States economy.
			3.
			Definitions
			In this Act:(1)High–GWP HFCThe term high-GWP HFC means high global warming potential hydrofluorocarbons.(2)Short-lived climate pollutantThe term short-lived climate pollutant means—

					(A)
					black carbon;

					(B)
					methane; and

					(C)
					high-GWP HFC.

			4.
			Interagency Task Force on Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Mitigation

				(a)
				Establishment
				Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall establish
			 the Interagency Task Force on Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Mitigation
			 (referred to in this section as the Task Force).

				(b)
				Members
				The Task Force shall include the head of all relevant Federal agencies (or their designated
			 representatives), including the Department of Agriculture, the Department
			 of Commerce, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the
			 Department of the Interior,
			 the Department of State, the United States Agency for International
			 Development, the Department of Transportation, the
			 Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
			 Administration.

				(c)
				Duties
				The Task Force shall—

					(1)
					review the policy recommendations made by the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force, the
			 Interagency Strategy to Reduce Methane Emissions, the March 2012 report to
			 Congress on Black Carbon, and
			 the Council on Climate Preparedness and Resilience;(2)incorporate any
			 appropriate proposals or recommendations made by the entities or reports
			 referred to in paragraph (1) that are
			 relevant to short-lived climate pollutants into the Task Force’s action
			 plan;(3)identify relevant Federal programs that are or could be addressing the reduction of short-lived
			 climate pollutants in the United States and worldwide;

					(4)
					identify overlapping and duplicative programs addressing short-lived climate pollutants that would
			 benefit from consolidation and
			 streamlining;

					(5)
					identify gaps and serious deficiencies in United States programs targeted at short-lived climate
			 pollutants, including those that can be achieved through a combination of
			 assessment, scientific research, monitoring, and technological development
			 activities;

					(6)
					not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, submit a report to Congress
			 on the findings and recommendations resulting from the activities
			 described in paragraphs (1) through (5); and(7)in developing recommendations, consult with affected stakeholders in private industry.

				(d)
				Emission reduction plans
				Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, each Federal agency shall
			 submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that includes—(1)the agency’s plans
			 for meeting the goals set forth in section 2 of
			 Executive Order 13514	(October 5, 2009) to reduce hydrofluorocarbons,
			 methane, and related indirect emissions, including tropospheric ozone, by
			 the Federal Government; and
				(2)specific plans to purchase cleaner alternatives to high-GWP HFC whenever feasible and to
			 transition over time to equipment that uses safer and more sustainable
			 alternatives to high-GWP HFC.
			5.
			Reduction of black carbon emissions

				(a)
				Comprehensive plan

					(1)
					In general
					Through the United States membership in the International Maritime Organization, the
			 Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation,
			 the Secretary of Commerce, the Administrator of the Environmental
			 Protection Agency, and the Commandant of the Coast Guard, shall develop a
			 comprehensive plan to
			 reduce black
			 carbon emissions from international shipping through—(A)a clean freight
			 partnership;(B)the inclusion of limits on black carbon; and(C)efforts that include protection of access to critical fuel shipments and emergency needs of coastal
			 communities.
					(2)
					Roadmap
					A principal objective of the plan developed pursuant to paragraph (1) should be the creation, in
			 coordination with the Department of Transportation, of a
			 roadmap toward helping countries reduce fine-particle emissions (PM2.5)
			 in the shipping sector through—

						(A)
						the installation of advanced emissions controls; and

						(B)
						the reduction of sulfur content in fuels.(b)Black carbon emissions reduction goalsIn advance of and upon assuming the Chair of the Arctic Council, the Secretary of State should—(1)lead an effort to reduce black carbon through an Arctic-wide aspirational black carbon goal; and(2)encourage observers of the Arctic Council (including India and China) to adopt national black
			 carbon emissions reduction goals.
				(c)
				Climate and Clean Air Coalition
				Through the United States membership in the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short Lived
			 Climate Pollutants (referred to in this section as the Coalition), the Secretary of State is encouraged—

					(1)
					to work with the Coalition to craft specific financing mechanisms for the incremental cost of
			 international black carbon mitigation activities; and

					(2)
					to request that the Coalition produce a report of black carbon mitigation financing options.

				(d)
				Black carbon mitigation activities

					(1)
					Prioritization
					The Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development shall prioritize black
			 carbon mitigation activities as part of aid distribution activities and
			 give special emphasis to projects that produce substantial environmental
			 and public health benefits, including support for clean-burning cookstoves
			 and fuels.

					(2)
					Emissions reductions
					The Secretary of State, in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency and the
			 Department of Transportation, should further aid international efforts to
			 reduce black carbon emissions from
			 diesel trucks, 2-stroke engines, diesel generators, and industrial
			 processes by providing technical assistance—

						(A)
						to help developing nations lower the sulfur content of their diesel fuels;

						(B)
						to expand access to diesel particulate filters;

						(C)
						to provide vehicle manufacturers with low-emission engine designs;(D)to work with the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves to help developing nations	establish
			 thriving markets for clean and efficient cooking solutions; and(E)to develop other mitigation activities, including energy efficiency alternatives for generators and
			 industrial processes.
			6.
			Global reductions in high-GWP fluorinated gases
			(a)Sense of Congress
				(1)Actions by environmental protection agencyIt is the sense of Congress that the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency should—

						(A)
						amend any regulations issued under section 608 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7671g)—

							(i)
							to include hydrofluorocarbons; and

							(ii)
							to expand initiatives relating to the recovery and reclamation of hydrofluorocarbons.
						(B)cooperate with the Secretary of Energy in considering modifications to the Energy Star program
			 established under section 324A of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act
			 (42 U.S.C. 6294a) to recognize refrigerant systems that—(i)achieve best-in-class energy efficiency savings; and(ii)utilize low global warming potential refrigerants and foam-blowing agents; and(C)remove high global warming potential hydrofluorocarbons from the Significant New Alternatives
			 Policy Program authorized under section 612(c) of the Clean Air Act (42
			 U.S.C. 7671k(c)) for applications in which the Administrator has
			 identified other alternatives that—(i)are currently or potentially available; and(ii)reduce the overall risk to human health and the environment.(2)Sense of the senateIt is the sense of the Senate that an amendment to the
			 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer should ensure
			 a
			 smooth, technically feasible transition away from high-GWP
			 HFC.
				(b)
				Study on high-GWP HFC alternatives
				Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
			 Secretary of Energy and the
			 Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in collaboration
			 with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, shall evaluate
			 the availability of high-GWP HFC alternatives and submit a
			 report to Congress that—(1)identifies—(A)the standards or regulatory barriers that are preventing the use of alternatives to high-GWP HFC
			 in the United States that are in widespread
			 use in other countries;(B)which standards or regulations need to be revised; and
						(C)
						what actions will be necessary to revise such standards or regulations; and(2)sets forth a plan for revising the standards referred to in paragraph (1) in the shortest possible
			 time frame.(c)Prohibition of HCFC–22 air conditioning condensing equipment(1)AmendmentSection 605 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7671d) is amended by adding at the end the following:(e)HCFC–22 air conditioning condensing equipmentEffective 1 year after the date of the enactment of the Super Pollutants Act of 2014, it shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture any uncharged
			 hydrochlorofluorocarbon–22 air conditioning condensing equipment
			 for
			 residential use..
				(2)RulemakingNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the
			 Environmental Protection Agency shall promulgate regulations—(A)to carry out
			 the amendment made by paragraph (1); and(B)to reduce the allocation of HCFC–22 consumption allowances commensurate with anticipated decreased
			 demand resulting from the prohibition of uncharged condensing equipment
			 under
			 sections 605(e) of the Clean Air Act, as added by paragraph
			 (1).(d)R–134a automotive air conditioning servicing and recharge kits(1)StudyThe Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall conduct a study to determine whether
			 the sale of R–134a automotive air
			 conditioning recharge kits to consumers represents an environmentally
			 significant source of
			 high-GWP HFC emissions.(2)ReportNot later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit a
			 report to Congress that contains the results of the study conducted
			 pursuant to paragraph (1).
			7.
			Reduction of methane leakage

				(a)
				Technical guidance
				The Secretary of State, the Secretary of Energy, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
			 Agency, and the Secretary of Commerce shall—

					(1)
					provide other countries with technical guidance on containment of emissions from gas drilling,
			 landfills, coal
			 mining, and agriculture when engaging with other governments, including
			 trade delegations, under the
			 auspices
			 of Department of  State’s Global Shale Gas Initiative; and

					(2)
					collaborate with—

						(A)
						the World Bank’s Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership; and

						(B)
						the Environmental Protection Agency’s Global Methane Initiative, Natural Gas STAR Program, and
			 other voluntary reduction programs.

				(b)
				Gas pipeline infrastructure
				(1)Study(A)In generalThe Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, consistent with existing authority, shall conduct a study
			 of methods utilized at facilities subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction
			 to reduce leaks and venting across natural gas facilities.(B)Issues to be examinedIn conducting the study required under this paragraph, the Commission shall examine—(i)how the Commission’s treatment of just and reasonable rates for interstate transmission could be
			 reformed to incent pipeline operators to recover fugitive methane
			 emissions;(ii)how the Commission could coordinate with other agencies, including the Department of Energy, the
			 Environmental Protection Agency, and the Pipeline and
			 Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, to ensure the development of
			 rigorous and technically sound standards; and(iii)whether new pipeline systems are being engineered to meet the highest achievable standards for leak
			 avoidance prior to being granted a construction certificate.(2)ReportNot later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit a
			 report to Congress that contains the results of the examination conducted
			 pursuant to paragraph (1).(3)Inspection and maintenance programThe Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall establish a directed inspection and
			 maintenance program that focuses on—(A)identifying the types of equipment throughout the production value chain that are most likely to
			 have high leak rates; and(B)efforts on replacing or monitoring those types of equipment.
				(c)
				Financing conditions
				The U.S. Export-Import Bank and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, when evaluating gas
			 and oil-related projects for financial support, should condition financing
			 for such projects upon—(1)the deployment of the best technology, methods, and management practices for detecting and
			 repairing leaks of methane throughout the oil and gas production,
			 processing, transportation, and distribution system;(2)the minimization of venting and inefficient or unnecessary flaring; and(3)the deployment of best technology, methods, and management practices for reducing emissions of
			 other air pollution, especially volatile organic compounds and hazardous
			 air pollutants.


113 HRES 50 IH: Expressing support for designation of February 4, 2013, as National Cancer Prevention Day.
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-02-04
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		IV
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. RES. 50
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 4, 2013
			Mr. Israel (for
			 himself, Ms. Bordallo,
			 Mr. Carter,
			 Mr. Cicilline,
			 Mr. Connolly,
			 Mr. Cooper,
			 Mr. Costa,
			 Mr. Fitzpatrick,
			 Mr. Grijalva,
			 Mr. Higgins,
			 Ms. Lee of California,
			 Mr. Levin,
			 Ms. McCollum,
			 Mr. Polis,
			 Mr. Rangel,
			 Mr. Reed, Ms. Linda T. Sánchez of California,
			 Ms. Slaughter, and
			 Ms. Speier) submitted the following
			 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
			 Commerce

		RESOLUTION
		Expressing support for designation of
		  February 4, 2013, as National Cancer Prevention Day.

		Whereas National Cancer Prevention Day is a day to remind
			 us that when looking at cancer we need to look at prevention and reducing risks
			 for human health and the environment;
		Whereas when we work to prevent cancer risks, it impacts
			 human health, the environment, and the economy;
		Whereas cancer is one of the leading causes of death
			 around the world and has touched the lives of nearly everyone, either directly
			 or indirectly;
		Whereas the disease is the cause of nearly 1 out of every
			 4 deaths in the United States;
		Whereas by the end of 2013, approximately 1,660,290 new
			 cases are expected to be diagnosed across the United States;
		Whereas almost 1,600 cancer-related deaths per day are
			 expected throughout the year for a total of approximately 580,350; and
		Whereas February 4, 2013, would be an appropriate date to
			 designate as Cancer Prevention Day: Now, therefore, be it

		That the House of
			 Representatives—
			(1)supports the designation of National Cancer
			 Prevention Day;
			(2)recognizes all
			 efforts to raise the awareness for the reduction of cancer risks; and
			(3)recognizes the
			 devastating effect cancer has on families and wishes to expand knowledge,
			 encourage early detection, and work with friends in the medical and scientific
			 fields to put an end to this deadly disease.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4577
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 3, 2010
			Ms. Corrine Brown of
			 Florida introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Energy and
			 Commerce

		A BILL
		To direct the President, acting through the National
		  Disaster Medical System, to reimburse States for expenses incurred in providing
		  treatment for health conditions and illnesses resulting, directly or
		  indirectly, from the earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Emergency Health Services for Haitian Earthquake Victims
			 Act of 2010.
		2.Health services
			 provided to Haitian earthquake victimsThe President, acting through the National
			 Disaster Medical System, shall make payments to reimburse States for expenses
			 incurred in providing treatment for health conditions and illnesses resulting,
			 directly or indirectly, from the earthquake in Haiti on January 12,
			 2010.


109 HR 5537 IH: To authorize and request the President to award the Medal

U.S. House of Representatives
2006-06-06
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		V
		109th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5537
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 6, 2006
			Mr. Petri introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Armed
			 Services

		A BILL
		To authorize and request the President to award the Medal
		  of Honor to James Megellas, of Colleyville, Texas, for acts of valor on January
		  28, 1945, during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.

		1.Authorization and request for
			 award of Medal of Honor to James Megellas for acts of valor during Battle of
			 the Bulge
			(a)AuthorizationThe President is authorized and requested
			 to award the Medal of Honor under section 3741 of title 10, United States Code,
			 to James Megellas, of Colleyville, Texas, for the acts of valor described in
			 subsection (b).
			(b)Action
			 DescribedThe acts of valor
			 referred to in subsection (a) are the actions of James Megellas on January 28,
			 1945, in Herresbach, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge, during World War
			 II, when, as a first lieutenant in the 82d Airborne Division, he led a surprise
			 and devastating attack on a much larger advancing enemy force, killing and
			 capturing a large number and causing others to flee, single-handedly destroying
			 an attacking German Mark V tank with two hand-held grenades, and then leading
			 his men in clearing and seizing Herresbach.
			(c)Waiver of Time
			 LimitationsThe award under
			 subsection (a) may be made without regard to the time limitations specified in
			 section 3744(b) of title 10, United States Code, or any other time limitation
			 established by law or regulation with respect to the awarding of certain medals
			 to persons who served in the Army.


		IIB
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4157
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			July 25, 2012
			Received; read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
			 and Pensions

		AN ACT
		To prohibit the Secretary of Labor from
		  reissuing or issuing a rule substantially similar to a certain proposed rule
		  under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 relating to child
		  labor.

		1.Short title and
			 findings
			(a)Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited
			 as the Preserving America’s Family
			 Farms Act.
			(b)FindingsCongress finds that—
				(1)family farms have a long history and
			 tradition of providing youth with valuable work experience;
				(2)Department of
			 Labor regulations should not adversely impact the longstanding tradition of
			 youth working on farms where they can gain valuable skills and lessons on hard
			 work, character, and leadership;
				(3)the Department of Labor’s proposed
			 regulations would have curtailed opportunities for youth to gain experiential
			 learning and hands-on skills for enrollment in vocational agricultural
			 training;
				(4)the proposed
			 regulations would have obstructed the opportunity for youth to find rewarding
			 employment and earn money for a college education or other meaningful
			 purposes;
				(5)the proposed
			 regulations would have limited opportunities for young farmers wishing to
			 pursue a career in agriculture at a time when the average age of farmers
			 continues to rise; and
				(6)working on a farm
			 has become a way of life for thousands of youth across the rural United
			 States.
				2.Rule relating to
			 child laborThe Secretary of
			 Labor shall not reissue in substantially the same form, or issue a new rule
			 that is substantially the same as, the proposed rule entitled Child
			 Labor Regulations, Orders and Statements of Interpretation; Child Labor
			 Violations—Civil Money Penalties (published at 76 Fed. Reg. 54836
			 (September 2, 2011)).

			Passed the House of
			 Representatives July 24, 2012.
			Karen L. Haas,
			Clerk.


115 S1110 IS: Friendly Airports for Mothers Act of 2017
U.S. Senate
2017-05-11
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II115th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1110IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMay 11, 2017Ms. Duckworth (for herself, Mrs. Fischer, and Mrs. McCaskill) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationA BILLTo amend title 49, United States Code, to provide for private lactation areas in the terminals of
			 large and medium hub airports, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Friendly Airports for Mothers Act of 2017. 2.Lactation areas in commercial service airports (a)Lactation area definedSection 47102 of title 49, United States Code, is amended—
 (1)by redesignating paragraphs (10) through (28) as paragraphs (11) through (29), respectively; and (2)by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:

 (10)lactation area means a room or other location in a commercial service airport that— (A)provides a location for members of the public to express breast milk that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from the public;
 (B)has a door that can be locked; (C)includes a place to sit, a table or other flat surface, and an electrical outlet;
 (D)is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs; and
 (E)is not located in a restroom.. (b)Project grant written assurances for large and medium hub airports (1)In generalSection 47107(a) of such title is amended—
 (A)in paragraph (20), by striking and at the end; (B)in paragraph (21), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
 (C)by adding at the end the following:  (22)with respect to a large hub airport or medium hub airport, the airport owner or operator will maintain a lactation area at each passenger terminal building of the airport behind the airport security screening area..
 (2)ApplicabilityThe amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply to a project grant application submitted for a fiscal year beginning on or after the date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
 (c)Terminal development costsSection 47119(a) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following:  (3)Lactation areasIn addition to the projects described in paragraph (1), the Secretary may approve a project for terminal development for the construction or installation of a lactation area at a commercial service airport..


109 HR 1692 IH: Savings for Personal Education Continuation Tax Relief Act of 2005
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-04-19
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
109th CONGRESS 1st Session
H. R. 1692
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 19, 2005
Ms. Hooley introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL
To repeal the application of the sunset in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 to tuition programs which are qualified under section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Savings for Personal Education Continuation Tax Relief Act of 2005.
2.Repeal of application of sunset in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 to 529 plansSection 901 of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 shall not apply to section 402 of such Act.


113 HRES 696 EH: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5230) making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5272) to prohibit certain actions with respect to deferred action for aliens not lawfully present in the United States, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 5021) to provide an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.
U.S. House of Representatives
2014-07-31
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 696
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

July 31, 2014

RESOLUTION
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5230) making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5272) to prohibit certain actions with respect to deferred action for aliens not lawfully present in the United States, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 5021) to provide an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.

That upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the House the bill (H.R. 5230) making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and for other purposes. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. The bill shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the bill are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and on any amendment thereto to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations; and (2) one motion to recommit.
2.After passage of H.R. 5230, and on the legislative day of July 31, 2014, the House shall consider in the House the bill (H.R. 5272) to prohibit certain actions with respect to deferred action for aliens not lawfully present in the United States, and for other purposes. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. The bill shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the bill are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and on any amendment thereto to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary; and (2) one motion to recommit.
3.Upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to take from the Speaker’s table the bill (H.R. 5021) to provide an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund, and for other purposes, with the Senate amendment thereto, and to consider in the House, without intervention of any point of order, a motion offered by the chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure or his designee that the House disagree to the Senate amendment. The Senate amendment and the motion shall be considered as read. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the motion to its adoption without intervening motion except one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
4.Any motion pursuant to clause 4 of rule XXII relating to H.R. 5021 may be offered only by the Majority Leader or his designee.
5.It shall be in order at any time on the legislative day of July 31, 2014, for the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules as though under clause 1 of rule XV. The Speaker or his designee shall consult with the Minority Leader or her designee on the designation of any matter for consideration pursuant to this section.
6.The requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII for a two-thirds vote to consider a report from the Committee on Rules on the same day it is presented to the House is waived with respect to any resolution reported through the legislative day of July 31, 2014.

Karen L. Haas,Clerk.


115 S1061 IS: Assuring Contracting Equity Act of 2017
U.S. Senate
2017-05-04
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II115th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1061IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMay 4, 2017Mr. Udall (for himself and Mr. Wyden) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and EntrepreneurshipA BILLTo assure equity in contracting between the Federal Government and small business concerns, and for
			 other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Assuring Contracting Equity Act of 2017. 2.Federal contracting goals (a)Increase in certain goalsSection 15(g)(1)(A) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(g)(1)(A)) is amended—
 (1)in clause (i), by striking not less than 23 percent and inserting not less than 25 percent; (2)by striking not less than 5 percent each place that term appears and inserting not less than 10 percent; and
 (3)by striking not less than 3 percent each place that term appears and inserting not less than 6 percent. (b)Limitation on number of categories for which a small business may qualifySection 15(g) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(g)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

					(4)Limitation on number of categories for which a small business may qualify
 (A)DefinitionIn this paragraph, the term specified category means small business concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, qualified HUBZone small business concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and small business concerns owned and controlled by women.
 (B)LimitationExcept as provided in subparagraph (C), a Federal agency may include a business concern in not more than 2 specified categories for purposes of determining whether the Federal agency has met the Government-wide goals under this subsection for the award of contracts to business concerns in specified categories.
 (C)Rule of constructionA Federal agency may not include a small business concern that is participating in the program under section 8(a) in any specified category except the category small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals for purposes of determining whether the Federal agency has met the Government-wide goals under this subsection for the award of contracts to business concerns in specified categories..
 3.Improving transparency to assist small business concernsSection 15(h)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(h)(2)) is amended— (1)in subparagraph (E)(viii)(VIII), by striking and at the end;
 (2)in subparagraph (F), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and (3)by adding at the end the following:

 (G)for the Federal Government, the percentage of participation by small business concerns for the total value of all prime contract awards and subcontract awards for a fiscal year, including the value of each prime contract and subcontract awarded for the fiscal year..
 4.Compliance with small business subcontracting goalsThe Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall consult with the heads of other Federal agencies to develop and implement standards for procurement officers to take into consideration the past compliance of potential contractors with small business subcontracting goals when making contract awards.


109 HR 3960 IH: Taxpayer Campaign Fund Elimination Act of 2005
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-09-29
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3960
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 29, 2005
Mr. Neugebauer introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL
To amend chapters 95 and 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to terminate taxpayer financing of presidential election campaigns.

1.Short TitleThis Act may be cited as the Taxpayer Campaign Fund Elimination Act of 2005.
2.Termination of taxpayer financing of presidential election campaigns
(a)Termination of designation of income tax paymentsSection 6096 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(d)TerminationThis section shall not apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2005.
(b)Termination of fund and account
(1)Termination of presidential election campaign fund
(A)In generalChapter 95 of subtitle H of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

9014.TerminationThe provisions of this chapter shall not apply with respect to any presidential election (or any presidential nominating convention) after December 31, 2005, or to any candidate in such an election.
(B)Transfer of excess funds to general fundSection 9006 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(d)Transfer of funds remaining after 2005The Secretary shall transfer all amounts in the fund after December 31, 2005, to the general fund of the Treasury.
(2)Termination of accountChapter 96 of subtitle H of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

9043.TerminationThe provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any candidate with respect to any presidential election after December 31, 2005.
(c)Clerical amendments
(1)The table of sections for chapter 95 of subtitle H of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

Sec. 9014. Termination
(2)The table of sections for chapter 96 of subtitle H of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

Sec. 9043. Termination


117 SRES 328 ATS: Designating August 1, 2021, as “Gold Star Children's Day”.
U.S. Senate

text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

III117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. RES. 328IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJuly 29, 2021Mr. Wicker (for himself and Mr. Manchin) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed toRESOLUTIONDesignating August 1, 2021, as “Gold Star Children's Day”.Whereas the recognition of Gold Star Families in the United States dates back to World War I, when the families of fallen service members displayed a service flag in the window of their homes with a gold star; Whereas, in 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law legislation declaring Gold Star Mother’s Day, a national observance honoring the mothers of fallen service members annually on the last Sunday of September; Whereas, since 2010, the Senate has honored Gold Star Spouses by resolution annually on April 5, recognizing the unique sacrifices made by spouses of fallen service members; Whereas thousands of sons and daughters of military families have lost mothers or fathers who served in the Armed Forces and also deserve national recognition for the burden and legacy they carry; andWhereas no date has existed to specifically recognize the children of fallen service members of the United States as part of a national debt of gratitude that the people of the United States owe to the service members who sacrificed all in protecting the freedom of the United States and the people of the United States: Now, therefore, be itThat the Senate—(1)designates August 1, 2021, as Gold Star Children’s Day;(2)honors the sacrifices and hardships of the children of fallen service members; and(3)encourages the people of the United States to observe Gold Star Children’s Day in support of children of the fallen men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States.