110 HR 1828 IH: Teaching Fellows Act of

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-03-29
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
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1828
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 29, 2007
			Mr. Price of North
			 Carolina (for himself, Mr.
			 Etheridge, Ms. Corrine Brown of
			 Florida, Mr. Hinojosa,
			 Mr. Miller of North Carolina,
			 Mr. McIntyre,
			 Mr. Klein of Florida,
			 Mr. Butterfield,
			 Mr. Nadler,
			 Mr. Walz of Minnesota,
			 Mr. Cohen,
			 Mr. Watt, Mr. Gutierrez, Mr.
			 Scott of Georgia, and Mr.
			 Shuler) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Education and
			 Labor

		A BILL
		To establish a national teaching fellowship program to
		  encourage individuals to enter and remain in the field of teaching at public
		  schools.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Teaching Fellows Act of
			 2007.
		2.FindingsCongress makes the following
			 findings:
			(1)The United States
			 faces an increasing need for high-quality educators.
			(2)Up to 1,000,000 of
			 the country’s 3,000,000 teachers will retire in the next 5 years. Schools in
			 the United States will have to hire 2,200,000 teachers by 2010.
			(3)The Congress
			 desires to inspire promising high school seniors and accomplished persons
			 currently involved in the field of education to become certified
			 teachers.
			(4)The opportunity
			 created by a fellowship program would allow persons in the field of education
			 the financial opportunity to obtain a quality education which they would use to
			 teach America’s youth.
			(5)The Congress
			 desires to motivate those who go into the field of teaching to become career
			 educators.
			(6)Many
			 paraprofessionals have received their training at community colleges and have
			 the potential and desire to obtain degrees in education and certification as
			 teachers.
			(7)Rural and
			 inner-city communities could greatly benefit from encouraging those in the
			 community who already have an interest in teaching to pursue a degree in
			 education and become career educators.
			3.Establishment of
			 programTitle II of the
			 Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
			 U.S.C. 1021 et seq.) is amended—
			(1)by redesignating
			 Part B as Part C; and
			(2)by inserting after
			 Part A the following new part:

					BTeaching and
				Partnership Fellows
						211.State Teaching
				Fellows Program
							(a)PurposeThe
				purpose of this section is to encourage promising high school seniors and
				undergraduate students to enter the field of teaching and become career
				educators.
							(b)Establishment of
				State Teaching Fellows Program
								(1)Use of funds for
				scholarshipsFrom the funds appropriated under
				subsection (h), the Secretary shall make
				grants available to States for the purpose of establishing State Teaching
				Fellows Programs to provide scholarships for Teaching Fellows. Such
				scholarships shall be used to pay for tuition, fees, and other costs of
				attendance at institutions of higher education incurred by such Teaching
				Fellows.
								(2)Scholarship
				amountsScholarships to Teaching Fellows made available under
				this section shall be no less than $6,500 per year—
									(A)for each of 4
				years of undergraduate education, in the case of a Teaching Fellow who, at the
				time of application, was a high school senior;
									(B)for the third and
				fourth year of undergraduate education, in the case of a Teaching Fellow who,
				at the time of application, was in the second year of undergraduate education;
				and
									(C)for a fifth year
				of undergraduate education, in the case of a Teaching Fellow described in
				subparagraph (A) or (B), if such
				year is required in order to obtain a bachelor’s degree with a State license or
				certificate to teach.
									(3)Selection of
				FellowsTeaching Fellows shall be selected from individuals
				who—
									(A)at the time of application, are high school
				seniors or are in the second academic year of a program of undergraduate
				education at a two- or four-year degree-granting institution of higher
				education;
									(B)are United States citizens or aliens
				lawfully residing in the United States (other than as a nonimmigrant);
									(C)are residents of
				the State sponsoring the State Teaching Fellows Program to which they are
				applying;
									(D)meet the criteria
				established under
				subsection (c)(2)(C); and
									(E)enter into a
				written agreement with the State agency to fulfill the service requirement
				under
				subsection (e) in exchange for receipt of
				the scholarship made available under this section.
									(c)Competition for
				Federal funds
								(1)Administration
				of State programThe governor (or chief executive officer) of
				each State desiring to participate in the State Teaching Fellows Program shall
				designate a single State agency to administer the State Teaching Fellows
				Program. Such State agency shall have a full-time staff and may be a division
				of the State’s education department, a coordinating or governing board of
				higher education, an independent government agency, or a non-profit
				organization.
								(2)ApplicationA State agency designated under
				paragraph (1) shall submit an
				application to the Secretary at such time, in such a manner, and containing
				such information, as the Secretary may require. Such application shall—
									(A)identify the private and public
				institutions of higher education within the State that will participate in the
				State Teaching Fellows Program;
									(B)describe any step the State agency will
				take to encourage the involvement of Hispanic Serving Institutions and
				Historically Black Colleges and Universities in such program;
									(C)describe the
				specific, rigorous criteria to be used in selecting Teaching Fellows;
									(D)describe the procedures the State agency
				will use for the distribution of scholarships and administration of service
				obligation oversight;
									(E)provide assurances that each participating
				institution will be required to provide a full-time faculty member or
				administrator to serve as the State Teaching Fellows Program director at that
				institution, and to work closely with the State agency to administer the campus
				program and to create and execute the mandatory extracurricular enrichment
				programs and activities required by
				subparagraph (F); and
									(F)describe the
				mandatory extracurricular enrichment programs and activities that will be part
				of such program that—
										(i)are designed to
				motivate Teaching Fellows to become career educators;
										(ii)provide Teaching
				Fellows with a multidisciplinary education;
										(iii)are offered
				regularly during each year of schooling (including during intervals between
				periods of enrollment); and
										(iv)expose Teaching
				Fellows to the business, political, demographic, cultural, and economic
				climates of the State, and help Teaching Fellows develop leadership
				qualities.
										(3)Competitive
				selectionFrom the applications submitted by State agencies
				designated under
				paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
				approve those applications that the Secretary determines to be the most
				promising in carrying out the purposes of the State Teaching Fellows Program.
				Each such State agency whose application is selected by the Secretary to
				participate in the State Teaching Fellows Program shall receive funds to offer
				scholarships under this section. The Secretary shall determine the amount of
				funds to award to each such State agency based on the amount of the total
				appropriation for the State Teaching Fellows Program, the relative size of the
				State’s student population, and the cost of administering a viable State
				Teaching Fellows Program, as estimated by the Secretary.
								(d)Requirements for
				State receipt of Federal fundsEach State participating in the
				State Teaching Fellows Program shall provide assurances that—
								(1)the State agency and participating
				institutions shall, collectively, match the Federal funds provided under this
				section by providing at least 25 percent of the total cost of the State
				Teaching Fellows Program; and
								(2)funds received under this section will only
				be used to supplement the amount of funds that would, in the absence of such
				Federal funds, be made available from non-Federal sources for the purposes of
				this section, and not to supplant such funds.
								(e)Service
				requirement for Teaching FellowsEach individual selected as a Teaching
				Fellow and receiving scholarship assistance under this section shall, within 7
				years after graduation—
								(1)teach for 4 qualifying years at one or more
				public schools within the State that awarded such scholarship; or
								(2)teach for 3
				consecutive qualifying years (unless the recipient takes leave of absence,
				approved by the State agency on a case-by-case basis), at one or more public
				schools within such State that, at the time the recipient accepts employment,
				the local educational agency in which such school is located has identified for
				school improvement under section 1116(b) of the Elementary and Secondary
				Education Act of 1965.
								(f)Failure To meet
				service requirement
								(1)Obligation to
				repayThe State agency administering the State Teaching Fellows
				Program shall require that any Teaching Fellow who fails to meet the service
				requirement under
				subsection (e) shall repay a pro rata
				amount, as determined by such State agency, of the scholarship received from
				the State Teaching Fellows Program, and to pay interest on such pro rata amount
				at an annual rate of 10 percent until such pro rata amount is repaid.
								(2)ExceptionParagraph
				(1) shall not apply if the State agency finds that it is
				impossible for the Teaching Fellow to meet the service requirement under
				subsection (e) because of the death or
				permanent disability of the recipient.
								(3)Revolving
				fundingAny funds repaid by a Teaching Fellow pursuant to
				paragraph (1), together with any
				interest thereon, may be retained by the State agency for making available
				additional scholarships under this section, and for paying costs related to the
				disbursement of awards under this section, and the collection of payments under
				paragraph (1).
								(g)DefinitionsFor
				the purposes of this section:
								(1)Qualified
				yearThe term qualified
				year, with respect to the service required of a Teaching Fellow under
				subsection (e), means an academic year
				during which the Teaching Fellow teaches a minimum of six full calendar months
				within such academic year.
								(2)StateThe
				term State includes the several States, the District of Columbia,
				and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
								(3)State
				agencyThe term State agency means the agency
				designated pursuant to
				subsection (c)(1).
								(4)Teaching
				FellowsThe term Teaching Fellow means an individual
				selected for an award of financial assistance under this section.
								(h)Authorization of
				appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry
				out this section $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be
				necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.
							212.Partnership
				Fellows Program
							(a)PurposesThe
				purposes of this section are—
								(1)to encourage members of the education
				community, such as education-related paraprofessionals and other school
				employees who are not yet certified teachers, to obtain a bachelor’s degree
				with a State license or certificate to teach; and
								(2)to encourage
				partnerships between associate’s degree-granting institutions and bachelor’s
				degree-granting institutions to reduce and remove common barriers that prevent
				many individuals described in
				paragraph (1) from completing such a
				degree.
								(b)Grants for State
				Partnership Fellows Programs
								(1)Use of
				fundsFrom the funds appropriated under
				subsection (f), the Secretary shall make
				grants available to States for the purpose of establishing State Partnership
				Fellows Programs to—
									(A)support the
				creation and maintenance of eligible partnerships; and
									(B)provide funds to
				eligible partnerships to award scholarships to Partnership Fellows, which shall
				be used to pay for tuition, fees, and other costs of attendance incurred by
				Partnership Fellows at institutions of higher education that are members of
				such eligible partnerships.
									(2)State agency to
				administer programThe
				governor (or chief executive officer) of each State desiring to receive a grant
				under this section shall designate a single State agency to administer the
				State Partnership Fellows Program. Such State agency shall have a full-time
				staff and may be a division of the State’s education department, a coordinating
				or governing board of higher education, an independent government agency, or a
				non-profit organization.
								(3)ApplicationA
				State agency designated under
				paragraph (2) shall submit an
				application to the Secretary at such time, in such a manner, and containing
				such information, as the Secretary may require. Such application shall—
									(A)describe—
										(i)the process by
				which the State agency solicited proposals from eligible partnerships within
				the State for participation in the State Partnership Fellows Program;
										(ii)any criteria used, in addition to the
				criteria described in
				subsection (c), to select from such
				proposals eligible partnerships to participate in the State Partnership Fellows
				Program; and
										(iii)any steps taken
				by the State agency to include the involvement of Hispanic Serving Institutions
				and Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the State Partnership
				Fellows Program;
										(B)provide a list of
				the eligible partnerships that have been selected for participation in the
				State Partnership Fellows Program, which shall include the names of the
				institutions of higher education that comprise the members of each such
				eligible partnership, and the proposals submitted by each such eligible
				partnership;
									(C)provide a detailed description of how the
				funds provided through such grant shall be allocated among eligible
				partnerships within the State; and
									(D)provide assurances
				that—
										(i)not less than 25
				percent of the total cost of the State Partnership Fellows Program shall be
				from non-Federal funds;
										(ii)the funds received under this section shall
				only be used to supplement the amount of funds that would, in the absence of
				such Federal funds, be made available from non-Federal sources for the purposes
				of this section, and not to supplant such funds; and
										(iii)not more than 20
				percent of the funds received under this section shall be used for
				administrative costs to carry out the State Partnership Fellows Program,
				including funds made available to eligible partnerships to—
											(I)support the
				creation and maintenance of such partnerships;
											(II)sponsor the mandatory extracurricular
				enrichment programs and activities for Partnership Fellows, as required by
				subsection (c)(3); and
											(III)collect payments under
				subsection (d)(4)(A).
											(4)Competitive
				selectionFrom applications
				submitted by State agencies for State Partnership Fellows Program grants, the
				Secretary shall award grants to those State agencies that the Secretary
				determines, based on such applications, to be the most promising in carrying
				out the purposes of this section.
								(c)Criteria for
				proposals from eligible partnershipsTo be eligible to receive a
				grant under this section, a State agency shall require each eligible
				partnership selected for participation in the State Partnership Fellows Program
				to have submitted a proposal that—
								(1)identifies the
				specific, rigorous criteria to be used by the eligible partnership to select
				Partnership Fellows, including outstanding service to school-age children, a
				firm commitment to the field of education, and aptitude to succeed as a
				teacher;
								(2)designates a full-time faculty member or
				administrator to serve as Partnership Fellows Program director or coordinator
				for the eligible partnership, who will work closely with the State agency to
				administer the program and to create and execute the mandatory extracurricular
				enrichment programs and activities required by
				paragraph (3);
								(3)describes the
				mandatory extracurricular enrichment programs and activities that will be part
				of such program that—
									(A)are designed to
				motivate Partnership Fellows to become career educators;
									(B)provide
				Partnership Fellows with a multidisciplinary education;
									(C)are offered
				regularly during each year of schooling (including during intervals between
				periods of enrollment); and
									(D)expose Partnership
				Fellows to the business, political, demographic, cultural, and economic
				climates of the State, and help the Partnership Fellows develop leadership
				qualities;
									(4)specifically describes how the eligible
				partnership will provide Partnership Fellows in rural or underserved
				communities access to the curriculum and mandatory extracurricular enrichment
				programs and activities created by the eligible partnership;
								(5)describes how the
				program will accommodate Partnership Fellows who maintain employment while
				pursuing a degree, including any available distance learning methods, evening
				and weekend programs, minimum credit requirements, or other programs;
								(6)describes the
				circumstances in which, and the amount with which, the eligible partnership
				will assist Partnership Fellows during the period of student teaching, in
				accordance with
				subsection (d)(2)(C), should they be
				financially unable (as determined by the State agency) to complete such period
				of student teaching;
								(7)provides an
				itemized account of how the eligible partnership plans to use the funds
				received under this section; and
								(8)provides
				assurances that scholarships to Partnership Fellows will be administered in
				accordance with the requirements of
				subsection (d).
								(d)Partnership
				Fellows scholarship administration
								(1)Selection of
				FellowsPartnership Fellows shall be selected by an eligible
				partnership from individuals who—
									(A)are United States citizens or aliens
				lawfully residing in the United States (other than as a nonimmigrant);
									(B)are residents of the
				State sponsoring the Partnership Fellows Program to which they are
				applying;
									(C)are—
										(i)education-related
				paraprofessionals, as such term is defined by the State agency of such State;
				or
										(ii)enrolled in an
				associate’s degree-granting institution;
										(D)meet the criteria
				established by the eligible partnership under
				subsection (c)(1); and
									(E)enter into a
				written agreement with the eligible partnership to fulfill the service
				requirement under
				paragraph (3) in exchange for receipt
				of the scholarship made available under this section.
									(2)Scholarship
				amountsScholarships to Partnership Fellows made available under
				this section—
									(A)in the case of a Partnership Fellow
				attending an institution of higher education on a full-time basis, as defined
				by the eligible partnership, shall be—
										(i)not less than
				$6,500 per year; and
										(ii)available for
				each year of undergraduate education required to obtain a bachelor’s degree
				with a State license or certificate to teach that the Partnership Fellow begins
				after being selected as a Partnership Fellow, which may include a fifth year of
				undergraduate education if a fifth year is required to obtain a bachelor’s
				degree with a State license or certificate to teach;
										(B)in the case of a Partnership Fellow
				attending an institution of higher education on less than a full-time basis, as
				defined by the eligible partnership, shall be—
										(i)the amount under
				subparagraph (A)(i), reduced in proportion to the degree to which that student
				is not so attending on a full-time basis; and
										(ii)available for a
				period not to exceed six years; and
										(C)in the case of a Partnership Fellow
				described in
				subparagraph (A) or (B), may be
				awarded during the period of student teaching, as permitted under
				subsection (c)(6).
									(3)Service
				requirement for Partnership FellowsEach Partnership Fellow shall, within 7
				years after graduating with a bachelor’s degree with a State license or
				certificate to teach—
									(A)teach for 4 qualifying years at one or more
				public schools within the State in which the eligible partnership that selected
				the Partnership Fellow is located; or
									(B)teach for 3
				consecutive qualifying years (unless the recipient takes leave of absence,
				approved by the State agency on a case-by-case basis), at one or more public
				schools within such State that, at the time the recipient accepts employment,
				the local educational agency in which such school is located has identified for
				school improvement under section 1116(b) of the Elementary and Secondary
				Education Act of 1965.
									(4)Failure to meet
				service requirement
									(A)Obligation to
				repayAny Partnership Fellow
				who fails to meet the service requirement under
				paragraph (3) shall repay to the
				eligible partnership that selected the Partnership Fellow, a pro rata amount,
				as determined by the State agency administering the State Partnership Fellows
				Program, of the scholarship received from the Partnership Fellows Program, and
				to pay interest on such pro rata amount at an annual rate of 10 percent until
				such pro rata amount is repaid.
									(B)ExceptionSubparagraph
				(A) shall not apply if the State agency finds that it is impossible for the
				Partnership Fellow to meet the service requirement under
				paragraph (3) because of the death or
				permanent disability of the Partnership Fellow.
									(C)Revolving
				fundingAny funds repaid by a Partnership Fellow pursuant to
				subparagraph (A), together with any
				interest thereon, shall be transferred by the eligible partnership to the State
				agency, and may be retained by the State agency for making available additional
				scholarships under this section, and for administrative costs related to the
				disbursement of such scholarships.
									(e)DefinitionsFor
				the purposes of this section:
								(1)Eligible
				partnershipThe term
				eligible partnership means a partnership agreement between at
				least one associate’s degree-granting institution and at least one bachelor’s
				degree-granting institution in which all members of the partnership agree
				to—
									(A)establish significantly similar curricula
				and degree requirements for individuals pursuing a bachelor’s degree with a
				State license or certification to teach;
									(B)ensure that credit earned by an individual
				at any institution that is a member of the eligible partnership is acceptable
				for full credit toward such a bachelor’s degree at any other member institution
				of the same eligible partnership that offers such bachelor’s degrees;
				and
									(C)jointly sponsor the mandatory
				extracurricular enrichment programs and activities required for Partnership
				Fellows under
				subsection (c)(3).
									(2)Partnership
				FellowThe term Partnership Fellow means an
				individual selected by an eligible partnership for a scholarship award under
				this section.
								(3)Qualifying
				yearThe term
				qualifying year, with respect to the service required of a
				Partnership Fellow under subsection (e), means an academic year during which
				the Partnership Fellow teaches a minimum of six full calendar months within
				such academic year.
								(4)StateThe
				term State includes the several States, the District of Columbia,
				and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
								(5)State
				agencyThe term State agency means the agency
				designated pursuant to
				subsection (b)(2).
								(f)Authorization of
				appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry
				out this section $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be
				necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal
				years.
							.


116 HR 1453 IH: European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-02-28
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. 1453IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 28, 2019Mr. Kinzinger (for himself, Mr. McCaul, and Mr. Fitzpatrick) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign AffairsA BILLTo prioritize the efforts of and enhance coordination among United States agencies to encourage
			 European countries to diversify their energy sources and supply routes,
			 increase European countries’ energy security, and help the United States
			 reach its global energy security goals, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019. 2.Statement of policy (a)Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that the United States has economic and national security interests in assisting European countries achieve energy security through diversification of their energy sources and supply routes.
 (b)Statement of policyIt is the policy of the United States— (1)to advance United States foreign policy and development goals by assisting European countries to reduce their dependence on energy resources from countries that use energy dependence for undue political influence, such as the Russian Federation, which has used natural gas to coerce, intimidate, and influence other countries;
 (2)to promote the energy security of European countries by encouraging the development of accessible, transparent, and competitive energy markets that provide diversified sources, types, and routes of energy;
 (3)to encourage United States public and private sector investment in energy infrastructure projects in European countries to bridge the gap between energy security requirements and commercial demand in a way that is consistent with the region’s absorptive capacity; and
 (4)to help facilitate the export of United States energy resources, technology, and expertise to global markets in a way that benefits the energy security of European countries.
				3.Prioritization of efforts and assistance for energy infrastructure projects in Europe
 (a)In generalIn pursuing the policy described in section 2(b), the Secretary of State, in coordination with the heads of United States agencies that operate under the foreign policy guidance of the Secretary, shall, as appropriate, prioritize and expedite the efforts of the Department of State or of such agencies to support the efforts of European countries to increase their energy security, including through—
 (1)providing diplomatic, political, and technical support to European countries— (A)to facilitate international negotiations with respect to cross-border infrastructure;
 (B)to enhance European countries’ regulatory environment with respect to energy; or (C)to develop accessible, transparent, and competitive energy markets supplied by diverse sources, types, and routes of energy; and
 (2)providing support to improve European energy markets, including early-stage project support and late-stage project support, for the construction or improvement of energy infrastructure—
 (A)to diversify the energy sources and supply routes of European countries; (B)to enhance energy market integration across the region; or
 (C)to increase competition within energy markets. (b)Project selection (1)In generalThe Secretary, in consultation with the agencies described in subsection (a), shall identify energy infrastructure projects that would be appropriate for United States assistance under this section.
 (2)Project eligibilityA project is eligible for United States assistance under this section if the project is— (A)related to—
 (i)natural gas infrastructure, such as interconnectors, storage facilities, liquefied natural gas import facilities, or reverse flow capacity;
 (ii)electricity transmission infrastructure, electricity storage projects, or smart grid projects; (iii)renewable energy projects in wind, solar, tidal, or other forms; or
 (iv)the improvement, rehabilitation, or construction of natural gas, coal, nuclear, or other electricity generation facilities to increase the efficiency and reliability of electricity production; and
 (B)located in a European country. (3)PreferenceIn selecting among projects that are eligible under paragraph (2), the agencies described in subsection (a) shall give preference to projects that—
 (A)improve the capacity of energy systems to efficiently transfer gas and electricity within and between European countries;
 (B)have already been identified by the European Commission as being integral for the energy security of European countries;
 (C)are expected to enhance energy market integration and transparency; (D)can attract funding from the private sector, an international financial institution, the government of the country in which the project will be carried out, or the European Commission; or
 (E)have the potential to use United States goods and services. (c)Countering russian influence fundSection 254 of the Countering Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017 (22 U.S.C. 9543) is amended—
 (1)in subsection (a), by striking fiscal years 2018 and 2019 and inserting fiscal years 2018 through 2021; and (2)in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following:

 (7)To assist United States agencies in providing assistance under section 3 of the European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019.. 4.Progress reportsNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for seven years, the President shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on progress made in providing assistance for projects under section 3 that includes—
 (1)a description of the energy infrastructure projects for which the United States has provided assistance; and
 (2)for each such project— (A)a description of the role of the United States in the project, including the amount and form of any early-stage project support or late-stage project support; and
 (B)an update on the progress made on the project as of the date of the report. 5.DefinitionsIn this Act:
 (1)European countryThe term European country means the following: (A)Albania.
 (B)Andorra. (C)Austria.
 (D)Belgium. (E)Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 (F)Bulgaria. (G)Croatia.
 (H)Cyprus. (I)The Czech Republic.
 (J)Denmark. (K)Estonia.
 (L)Finland. (M)France.
 (N)Germany. (O)Greece.
 (P)Hungary. (Q)Ireland.
 (R)Italy. (S)Kosovo.
 (T)Latvia. (U)Liechtenstein.
 (V)Lithuania. (W)Luxembourg.
 (X)Moldova. (Y)Monaco.
 (Z)Montenegro. (AA)The Netherlands.
 (BB)North Macedonia. (CC)Norway.
 (DD)Poland. (EE)Portugal.
 (FF)Romania. (GG)San Marino.
 (HH)Serbia. (II)Slovakia.
 (JJ)Slovenia. (KK)Spain.
 (LL)Sweden. (MM)Switzerland.
 (NN)Ukraine. (OO)United Kingdom.
 (PP)Vatican City. (2)Early-stage project supportThe term early-stage project support includes—
 (A)feasibility studies; (B)resource evaluations;
 (C)project appraisal and costing; (D)pilot projects;
 (E)commercial support, such as trade missions, reverse trade missions, technical workshops, international buyer programs, and international partner searchers to link suppliers to projects;
 (F)technical assistance and other guidance to improve the local regulatory environment and market frameworks to encourage transparent competition and enhance energy security; and
 (G)long-term energy sector planning. (3)Late-stage project supportThe term late-stage project support includes loans, guarantees, insurance, reinsurance, equity investments, and transaction advisory services.
 (4)International financial institutionThe term international financial institution has the meaning given the term in section 1701(c) of the International Financial Institutions Act (22 U.S.C. 262r(c)).


115 HR 2581 : Verify First Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-06-14
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.

		IIB
		115th CONGRESS1st Session
		H. R. 2581
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
		June 14, 2017Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceAN ACT
		To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require the provision of social security numbers as a
			 condition of receiving the health insurance premium tax credit.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Verify First Act. 2.Verification of status in United States as condition of receiving advance payment of health insurance premium tax credit (a)Application to current health insurance premium tax creditSection 36B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as in effect for months beginning before January 1, 2020, is amended by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h) and by inserting after subsection (f) the following new subsection:

 (g)Verification of status in United States for advance paymentNo advance payment of the credit allowed under this section with respect to any premium under subsection (b)(2)(A) with respect to any individual shall be made under section 1412 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act unless the Secretary has received confirmation from the Secretary of Health and Human Services that the Commissioner of Social Security or the Secretary of Homeland Security has verified under section 1411(c)(2) of such Act the individual’s status as a citizen or national of the United States or an alien lawfully present in the United States using a process that includes the appropriate use of information related to citizenship or immigration status, such as social security account numbers (but not individual taxpayer identification numbers)..
 (b)Application to new health insurance premium tax creditSection 36B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by the American Health Care Act of 2017 and in effect for months beginning after December 31, 2019, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

 (h)Verification of status in United States for advance paymentNo advance payment of the credit allowed under this section with respect to any amount under subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (b)(1) with respect to any individual shall be made under section 1412 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act unless the Secretary has received confirmation from the Secretary of Health and Human Services that the Commissioner of Social Security or the Secretary of Homeland Security has verified under section 1411(c)(2) of such Act the individual’s status as a citizen or national of the United States or a qualified alien (within the meaning of section 431 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1641)) using a process that includes the appropriate use of information related to citizenship or immigration status, such as social security account numbers (but not individual taxpayer identification numbers)..
 (c)Conforming amendment on continuous health insurance coverage provisionSection 2710A(b)(1) of the Public Health Service Act, as added by section 133 of the American Health Care Act of 2017, is amended by adding after subparagraph (C) the following:

					In the case of an individual who applies for advance payment of a credit under section 1412 of the
			 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and for whom a determination of
			 eligibility for such advance payment is delayed by reason of the
			 requirement for verification of the individual’s status in the United
			 States under section 1411(c)(2) of such Act, the period of days beginning
			 with the date of application for advance payment and ending with the date
			 of such verification shall not be taken into account in applying
			 subparagraph (B). The Secretary shall establish a procedure by which
			 information relating to this period is provided to the individual..
			(d)Delay permitted in coverage date in case of delay in verification of status for individuals
 applying for advance payment of creditSection 1411(e) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18081(e)) is amended— (1)in paragraph (3), by inserting after applicant’s eligibility the following: (other than eligibility for advance payment of a credit under section 1412); and
 (2)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:  (5)Delay permitted in coverage date in case of delay in verification of status for individuals applying for advance payment of creditIn the case of an individual whose eligibility for advance payments is delayed by reason of the requirement for verification under subsection (c)(2), if, for coverage to be effective as of the date requested in the individual’s application for enrollment, the individual would (but for this paragraph) be required to pay 2 or more months of retroactive premiums, the individual shall be provided the option to elect to postpone the effective date of coverage to the date that is not more than 1 month later than the date requested in the individual’s application for enrollment..
				(e)Effective dates
 (1)Application to current health insurance premium tax creditThe amendment made by subsection (a) is contingent upon the enactment of the American Health Care Act of 2017 and shall apply (if at all) to months beginning after December 31, 2017.
 (2)Application to new health insurance premium tax creditThe amendment made by subsection (b) is contingent upon the enactment of the American Health Care Act of 2017 and shall apply (if at all) to months beginning after December 31, 2019, in taxable years ending after such date.
 (3)Conforming amendment on continuous health insurance coverage provisionThe amendment made by subsection (c) is contingent upon the enactment of the American Health Care Act of 2017 and shall take effect (if at all) as if included in such Act.
 (4)Flexibility in coverage date in case of delay in verification of statusThe amendment made by subsection (d) is contingent upon the enactment of the American Health Care Act of 2017 and shall apply (if at all) to applications for advance payments for months beginning after December 31, 2017.

	Passed the House of Representatives June 13, 2017.Karen L. Haas,Clerk.


114 S2389 IS: Preserve Access to Medicare Rural Home Health Services Act of 2015
U.S. Senate
2015-12-10
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
		114th CONGRESS1st Session
		S. 2389
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			December 10, 2015
			Ms. Collins (for herself and Ms. Cantwell) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance

		A BILL
		To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend the rural add-on payment in the Medicare
			 home health benefit, and for other purposes.

		1.Short title
 This Act may be cited as the Preserve Access to Medicare Rural Home Health Services Act of 2015.
		2.Extension of home health rural add-on
 (a)In generalSection 421(a) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (Public Law 108–173; 117 Stat. 2283), as amended by section 5201(b) of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (Public Law 109–171; 120 Stat. 46), section 3131(c) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111–148; 124 Stat. 428), and section 210 of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (Public Law 114–10; 129 Stat. 87), is amended by striking January 1, 2018 each place it appears and inserting January 1, 2023.
 (b)Revision of home health outlier adjustmentSection 1895(b)(5)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395fff(b)(5)(A)) is amended in the second sentence by inserting (or, in the case of each of 2018 through 2022, 2.25 percent) after 2.5 percent.


116 HRES 1099 IH: Expressing support for the designation of September 22, 2020, as “National Voter Registration Day”.
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-09-04
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.

IV116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. RES. 1099IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 4, 2020Ms. Castor of Florida (for herself, Mr. Suozzi, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Vargas, Ms. Norton, and Mrs. Dingell) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on House AdministrationRESOLUTIONExpressing support for the designation of September 22, 2020, as National Voter Registration Day.That the House of Representatives—(1)expresses support for the designation of National Voter Registration Day; and(2)encourages each voting-eligible citizen of the United States—(A)to register to vote;(B)to verify with the appropriate State or local election official that the name, address, and other personal information on record is current; and(C)to cast a ballot on or before election day and vote if the voting-eligible citizen would like to do so.


110 HR 1905 : District of Columbia House Voting

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-04-20
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.

		IIB
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1905
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			April 20, 2007
			 Received; read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		AN ACT
		To provide for the treatment of the
		  District of Columbia as a Congressional district for purposes of representation
		  in the House of Representatives, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to
		  adjust the estimated tax payment safe harbor based on income for the preceding
		  year in the case of individuals with adjusted gross income greater than $5
		  million, and for other purposes.

		1.Short TitleThis Act may be cited as the
			 District of Columbia House Voting
			 Rights Act of 2007.
		2.Treatment of District
			 of Columbia as Congressional district
			(a)In
			 generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law, the District
			 of Columbia shall be considered a Congressional district for purposes of
			 representation in the House of Representatives.
			(b)Conforming
			 Amendments Relating to Apportionment of Members of House of
			 Representatives
				(1)Inclusion of
			 single District of Columbia member in reapportionment of members among
			 StatesSection 22 of the Act
			 entitled An Act to provide for the fifteenth and subsequent decennial
			 censuses and to provide for apportionment of Representatives in
			 Congress, approved June 28, 1929 (2 U.S.C. 2a), is amended by adding at
			 the end the following new subsection:

						(d)This section shall
				apply with respect to the District of Columbia in the same manner as this
				section applies to a State, except that the District of Columbia may not
				receive more than one Member under any reapportionment of
				Members.
						.
				(2)Clarification of
			 determination of number of Presidential electors on basis of 23rd
			 AmendmentSection 3 of title 3, United States
			 Code, is amended by striking come into office; and inserting the
			 following: come into office (subject to the twenty-third article of
			 amendment to the Constitution of the United States in the case of the District
			 of Columbia);.
				3.Increase in Membership
			 of House of Representatives
			(a)Permanent
			 Increase in Number of MembersEffective with respect to the One
			 Hundred Tenth Congress and each succeeding Congress, the House of
			 Representatives shall be composed of 437 Members, including any Members
			 representing the District of Columbia pursuant to section 2(a).
			(b)Reapportionment
			 of Members Resulting From Increase
				(1)In
			 generalSection 22(a) of the Act entitled An Act to
			 provide for the fifteenth and subsequent decennial censuses and to provide for
			 apportionment of Representatives in Congress, approved June 28, 1929
			 (2 U.S.C.
			 2a(a)), is amended by striking the then existing number
			 of Representatives and inserting the number of Representatives
			 established with respect to the One Hundred Tenth Congress.
				(2)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by
			 paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to the regular decennial census
			 conducted for 2010 and each subsequent regular decennial census.
				(c)Special Rules
			 for Period Prior to 2012 Reapportionment
				(1)Transmittal of
			 revised statement of apportionment by PresidentNot later than 30
			 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall transmit
			 to Congress a revised version of the most recent statement of apportionment
			 submitted under section 22(a) of the Act entitled An Act to provide for
			 the fifteenth and subsequent decennial censuses and to provide for
			 apportionment of Representatives in Congress, approved June 28, 1929
			 (2 U.S.C.
			 2a(a)), to take into account this Act and the amendments made
			 by this Act.
				(2)Report by
			 clerkNot later than 15 calendar days after receiving the revised
			 version of the statement of apportionment under paragraph (1), the Clerk of the
			 House of Representatives, in accordance with section 22(b) of such Act
			 (2 U.S.C.
			 2a(b)), shall send to the executive of each State a certificate
			 of the number of Representatives to which such State is entitled under section
			 22 of such Act, and shall submit a report to the Speaker of the House of
			 Representatives identifying the State (other than the District of Columbia)
			 which is entitled to one additional Representative pursuant to this
			 section.
				(3)Requirements for
			 election of additional memberDuring the One Hundred Tenth Congress, the
			 One Hundred Eleventh Congress, and the One Hundred Twelfth Congress—
					(A)notwithstanding
			 the final undesignated paragraph of the Act entitled An Act for the
			 relief of Doctor Ricardo Vallejo Samala and to provide for congressional
			 redistricting, approved December 14, 1967 (2 U.S.C. 2c), the
			 additional Representative to which the State identified by the Clerk of the
			 House of Representatives in the report submitted under paragraph (2) is
			 entitled shall be elected from the State at large; and
					(B)the other
			 Representatives to which such State is entitled shall be elected on the basis
			 of the Congressional districts in effect in the State for the One Hundred Ninth
			 Congress.
					4.Nonseverability of
			 provisionsIf any provision of
			 this Act, or any amendment made by this Act, is declared or held invalid or
			 unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Act and any amendment made by
			 this Act shall be treated and deemed invalid and shall have no force or effect
			 of law.
		5.Adjustment of
			 estimated tax payment safe harbor for individual taxpayers with adjusted gross
			 income greater than $5 million
			(a)In
			 generalSubparagraph (C) of
			 section
			 6654(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to
			 limitation on use of preceding year’s tax) is amended by redesignating clauses
			 (ii) and (iii) as clauses (iii) and (iv), respectively, and by inserting after
			 clause (i) the following new clause:

					(ii)Individual
				adjusted gross income greater than $5,000,000If the adjusted gross income shown on the
				return of the individual for such preceding taxable year exceeds $5,000,000,
				clause (i) shall be applied by substituting 110.1 for
				110 in the last row of the table
				therein.
					.
			(b)Separate
			 returnsClause (iii) of section 6654(d)(1)(C) of such Code, as
			 redesignated by subsection (a), is amended by inserting and clause (ii)
			 shall be applied by substituting $2,500,000 for
			 $5,000,000 before the period at the end.
			(c)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable
			 years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.

			Passed the House of
			 Representatives April 19, 2007.
			Lorraine C. Miller,
			Clerk.


		III
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. RES. 207
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 17, 2007
			Mr. Dodd submitted the
			 following resolution; which was referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		RESOLUTION
		Calling on the President of the United
		  States immediately to recommend new candidates for the positions of the
		  Attorney General of the United States and the President of the International
		  Bank for Reconstruction and Development (commonly known as the World
		  Bank) in order to preserve the integrity and the efficacy of the
		  Department of Justice and the World Bank.

		Whereas the Department of Justice is responsible for
			 upholding and enforcing the law throughout the United States of America;
		Whereas the Attorney General, as the Nation’s chief law
			 enforcement official, must place the rule of law above partisan political
			 gain;
		Whereas Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has consistently
			 provided misleading and incomplete testimony to Congress regarding his role in
			 the inappropriate and politically motivated firings of at least 8 United States
			 Attorneys, as well as refusing to acknowledge widespread concern within the
			 Department of Justice on the legality of its domestic surveillance
			 program;
		Whereas, according to the testimony of former Deputy
			 Attorney General James Comey, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, while White
			 House Counsel, attempted to pressure then-Attorney General John Ashcroft to
			 authorize a domestic surveillance program that the Department of Justice itself
			 had determined had no legal basis, while he was in the intensive
			 care unit of George Washington University Hospital and had relinquished the
			 powers of the Attorney General;
		Whereas the current controversies surrounding the Attorney
			 General have undermined the effectiveness and integrity of the Department of
			 Justice and have contributed to a reduction in morale among employees who have
			 important work to accomplish;
		Whereas the International Bank for Reconstruction and
			 Development, in this resolution referred to as the World Bank,
			 plays a vital role in global efforts to reduce poverty, aid development, and
			 promote good governance in all nations in which it operates;
		Whereas anti-corruption efforts have been a key element of
			 the World Bank strategy under both the current and previous Bank
			 Presidents;
		Whereas Paul D. Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank,
			 arranged for a pay and promotion package for Shaha Ali Riza, a bank employee
			 with whom he had a personal relationship, upon becoming President in
			 2005;
		Whereas, on May 14, 2007, an Ethics Committee of the World
			 Bank investigating this incident reported to the World Bank’s Board of
			 Directors that Mr. Wolfowitz’s contract requiring that he adhere to the
			 Code of Conduct for board officials and that he avoid any conflict of interest,
			 real or apparent, were violated in arranging for a pay raise and
			 promotion for Shaha Ali Riza, thus contravening World Bank ethical and
			 governance rules;
		Whereas, on April 26, 2007, more than 40 members of the
			 Bank’s anti-corruption unit issued a statement declaring that due to corruption
			 allegations against Mr. Wolfowitz, The credibility of our front-line
			 staff is eroding in the face of legitimate questions from our clients about the
			 bank’s ability to practice what it preaches on governance;
		Whereas several of the World Bank’s largest donors,
			 including European nations who supply a major portion of the World Bank’s
			 operating revenue, have warned that they might withhold funds for the World
			 Bank so long as Mr. Wolfowitz remains in office; and
		Whereas the actions of Attorney General Gonzales and Mr.
			 Wolfowitz have created a crisis of confidence and credibility within two vital
			 institutions with serious national and international consequences and merit
			 decisive action by the President of the United States: Now, therefore, be
			 it

		That the Senate calls on the
			 President of the United States immediately to recommend new candidates for the
			 positions of the Attorney General of the United States and the President of the
			 World Bank in order to preserve the integrity and the efficacy of the
			 Department of Justice and the World Bank.


117 HR 2653 IH: Medical Manufacturing, Economic Development, and Sustainability Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-04-19
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.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2653IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 19, 2021Miss González-Colón (for herself, Ms. Salazar, Mr. Soto, Mr. Diaz-Balart, and Mr. Gallego) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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 rescue domestic medical manufacturing activity by providing incentives in economically distressed areas of the United States and its possessions.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Medical Manufacturing, Economic Development, and Sustainability Act of 2021 or the MMEDS Act of 2021.2.Economically distressed zones(a)In generalChapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subchapter:AAMedical Manufacturing in Economically Distressed ZonesSubchapter AA—Medical Manufacturing in Economically Distressed Zones Sec. 1400AA–1. Medical manufacturing in economically distressed zone credit. Sec. 1400AA–2. Credit for economically distressed zone products and services acquired by domestic medical manufacturers. Sec. 1400AA–3. Special rules to secure the national supply chain and for the production of population health products. Sec. 1400AA–4. Designation of economically distressed zones. 1400AA–1.Medical manufacturing in economically distressed zone credit(a)Allowance of creditThere shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by subtitle A for the taxable year an amount equal 40 percent of the sum of—(1)the aggregate amount of the taxpayer’s medical manufacturing economically distressed zone wages for such taxable year, (2)the allocable employee fringe benefit expenses of the taxpayer for such taxable year, and(3)the depreciation and amortization allowances of the taxpayer for the taxable year with respect to qualified medical manufacturing facility property.(b)Denial of double benefitAny wages or other expenses taken into account in determining the credit under this section may not be taken into account in determining the credit under sections 41, and any other provision determined by the Secretary to be substantially similar.(c)Definitions and special rulesFor purposes of this section—(1)Economically distressed zone wages(A)In generalThe term economically distressed zone wages means amounts paid or incurred for wages of an employee by the taxpayer for the taxable year which are—(i)in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business of the taxpayer, and(ii)paid or incurred for an employee the principal place of employment of whom is in a qualified medical manufacturing facility of such taxpayer.(B)Limitation on amount of wages taken into account(i)In generalThe amount of wages which may be taken into account under subparagraph (A) with respect to any employee for any taxable year shall not exceed the contribution and benefit base determined under section 230 of the Social Security Act for the calendar year in which such taxable year begins.(ii)Treatment of part-time employees, etcIf—(I)any employee is not employed by the taxpayer on a substantially full-time basis at all times during the taxable year, or(II)the principal place of employment of any employee is not within an economically distressed zone at all times during the taxable year,the limitation applicable under clause (i) with respect to such employee shall be the appropriate portion (as determined by the Secretary) of the limitation which would otherwise be in effect under clause (i). (C)Treatment of certain employeesThe term economically distressed zone wages shall not include any wages paid to employees who are assigned by the employer to perform services for another person, unless the principal trade or business of the employer is to make employees available for temporary periods to other persons in return for compensation.(D)WagesFor purposes of this paragraph, the term wages shall not include any amounts which are allocable employee fringe benefit expenses. (2)Allocable employee fringe benefit expenses(A)In generalThe term allocable employee fringe benefit expenses means the aggregate amount allowable as a deduction under this chapter to the taxpayer for the taxable year for the following amounts which are allocable to employment in a qualified medical manufacturing facility and which are not included as economically distressed zone wages pursuant to this subsection:(i)Employer contributions under a stock bonus, pension, profit-sharing, or annuity plan.(ii)Employer-provided coverage under any accident or health plan for employees.(iii)The cost of life or disability insurance provided to employees.(B)AllocationFor purposes of subparagraph (A), an amount shall be treated as allocable to a qualified medical manufacturing facility only if such amount is with respect to employment of an individual for services provided, and the principal place of employment of whom is, in such facility.(3)Qualified medical manufacturing facilityThe term qualified medical manufacturing facility means any facility that—(A)researches and develops or produces medical products or essential components of medical products, and(B)is located within an economically distressed zone.(4)Qualified medical manufacturing facility propertyThe term qualified medical manufacturing facility property means any property used in (or consisting of) a qualified medical manufacturing facility if such property is directly connected to the research, development, or production of a medical product.(5)Medical product; essential component(A)Medical productThe term medical product means—(i)a drug that—(I)is a prescription drug subject to regulation under section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355) or section 351 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262),(II)is subject to regulation under section 802 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 382), or(III)is described in section 201(jj) of such Act (21 U.S.C. 321(jj)), or(ii)a device, as defined in section 201(h) of such Act (21 U.S.C. 321(h)).(B)Essential componentThe term essential component means, with respect to a medical product—(i)an active pharmaceutical ingredient, or(ii)a protein, antibody, enzyme, hormone, or other organic material that is an active ingredient in a biological product.(6)Aggregation rules(A)In generalFor purposes of this section, members of an affiliated group shall be treated as a single taxpayer.(B)Affiliated groupThe term affiliated group means an affiliated group (as defined in section 1504(a), determined without regard to section 1504(b)(3)) one or more members of which are engaged in the active conduct of a trade or business within an economically distressed zone. 1400AA–2.Credit for economically distressed zone products and services acquired by domestic medical manufacturers(a)Allowance of creditIn the case of an eligible medical manufacturer, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by subtitle A for the taxable year an amount equal to the applicable percentage of the aggregate amounts paid or incurred by the taxpayer during such taxable year for qualified economically distressed zone products or services.(b)Applicable percentageFor purposes of this section, the term applicable percentage means—(1)30 percent in the case of amounts paid or incurred to persons not described in paragraph (2) or (3),(2)40 percent in the case of amounts paid or incurred to an unrelated minority business, and(3)5 percent in the case of amounts paid or incurred to a related person.(c)Eligible medical manufacturerFor purposes of this section, the term eligible medical manufacturer means any person in the trade or business of producing medical products in the United States.(d)Qualified product or serviceFor purposes of this section, the term qualified product or service means—(1)any product which is produced in an economically distressed zone and which is integrated into a medical product produced by the taxpayer, and(2)any service which is provided in an economically distressed zone and which is necessary to the production of a medical product by the taxpayer (including packaging).(e)Minority businessFor purposes of this section—(1)In generalThe term minority business means—(A)a sole proprietorship carried on by a qualified individual, or(B)a corporation or partnership—(i)at least 50 percent of the ownership interests in which are held by one or more qualified individuals, and(ii)of which a qualified individual is the president or chief executive officer (or a substantially equivalent position).(2)Qualified individualThe term qualified individual means any individual who—(A)is of Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic, or Native American origin or descent, and(B)is a United States citizen or legal resident of the United States or any of its territories or possessions.(f)Related personsFor purposes of this section, persons shall be treated as related to each other if such persons would be treated as a single employer under the regulations prescribed under section 52(b).(g)Other termsTerms used in this section which are also used in section 1400AA–1 shall have the same meaning as when used in such section.1400AA–3.Special rules to secure the national supply chain and for the production of population health products(a)In generalIn the case of a qualified repatriated medical manufacturing facility or a qualified population health product manufacturing facility—(1)section 1400AA–1(a) shall be applied by substituting 60 percent for 40 percent, and(2)section 1400AA–2(a) shall be applied—(A)by substituting 50 percent for 30 percent, and(B)by substituting 60 percent for 40 percent.(b)Election To expense in lieu of tax credit for depreciationIn the case of a taxpayer which elects (at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may provide) the application of this subsection with respect to any qualified repatriated medical manufacturing facility or qualified population health product manufacturing facility—(1)section 1400AA–1(a)(3) shall not apply with respect to any qualified medical manufacturing facility property with respect to such facility, and(2)for purposes of section 168(k)—(A)such property shall be treated as qualified property, and(B)the applicable percentage with respect to such property shall be 100 percent.(c)Qualified repatriated medical manufacturing facilityFor purposes of this section, the term qualified repatriated medical manufacturing facility means any qualified medical manufacturing facility (as defined in section 1400AA–1) the production of which was moved to an economically distressed zone from a foreign country that the United States Trade Representative has determined could pose a risk to the national supply chain because of political or social factors.(d)Qualified population health product manufacturing facilityFor purposes of this section, the term qualified population health product manufacturing facility means any qualified medical manufacturing facility (as defined in section 1400AA–1) that produces a population health product (as defined in section 319L(a)(11) of the Public Health Service Act) which the Secretary of Health and Human Services has identified for support through a strategic initiative under section 319L(c)(4)(F)(ii) of the Public Health Service Act.1400AA–4.Designation of economically distressed zones(a)In generalFor purposes of this subchapter, the term economically distressed zone means any population census tract within the United States which—(1)has a poverty rate of not less than 35 percent for each of the 5 most recent calendar years for which information is available, or(2)satisfies each of the following requirements:(A)has pervasive poverty, unemployment, low labor force participation, and general distress measured as a prolonged period of economic decline measured by real gross national product,(B)has a poverty rate of not less than 30 percent for each of the 5 most recent calendar years for which information is available, and(C)has been designated as such by the Secretary and the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to an application under subsection (b).(b)Application for designation(1)In generalAn application for designation as an economically distressed zone may be filed by a State or local government in which the population census tract to which the application applies is located.(2)RequirementsSuch application shall include a strategic plan for accomplishing the purposes of this subchapter, which—(A)describes the coordinated economic, human, community, and physical development plan and related activities proposed for the nominated area,(B)describes the process by which the affected community is a full partner in the process of developing and implementing the plan and the extent to which local institutions and organizations have contributed to the planning process,(C)identifies the amount of State, local, and private resources that will be available in the nominated area and the private/public partnerships to be used, which may include participation by, and cooperation with, universities, medical centers, and other private and public entities,(D)identifies the funding requested under any Federal program in support of the proposed economic, human, community, and physical development and related activities,(E)identifies baselines, methods, and benchmarks for measuring the success of carrying out the strategic plan, including the extent to which poor persons and families will be empowered to become economically self-sufficient, and(F)does not include any action to assist any establishment in relocating from one area outside the nominated area to the nominated area, except that assistance for the expansion of an existing business entity through the establishment of a new branch, affiliate, or subsidiary is permitted if—(i)the establishment of the new branch, affiliate, or subsidiary will not result in a decrease in employment in the area of original location or in any other area where the existing business entity conducts business operations,(ii)there is no reason to believe that the new branch, affiliate, or subsidiary is being established with the intention of closing down the operations of the existing business entity in the area of its original location or in any other area where the existing business entity conducts business operation, and(iii)includes such other information as may be required by the Secretary and the Secretary of Commerce.(c)Period for which designations are in effectDesignation as an economically distressed zone may be made at any time during the 10-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this section, and shall remain in effect with respect to such zone during the 15-year period beginning on the date of such designation. Economically distressed zones described in subsection (a)(1) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall remain in effect during the 15-year period beginning on such date.(d)Territories and possessionsThe term United States includes the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the territories and possessions of the United States.(e)RegulationsThe Secretary shall issue such regulations or other guidance as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this section, including—(1)not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this section, a list of the population census tracts described in subsection (a)(1), and(2)not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this section, regulations or other guidance regarding the designation of population census tracts described in subsection (a)(2)..(b)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2020.3.Authority to support development of population health products(a)Definitions(1)Qualified countermeasureSubparagraph (A) of section 319F–1(a)(2) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d–6a(a)(2)) is amended to read as follows:(A)Qualified countermeasureThe term qualified countermeasure means a drug (as that term is defined by section 201(g)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321(g)(1))), biological product (as that term is defined by section 351(i) of this Act (42 U.S.C. 262(i))), or device (as that term is defined by section 201(h) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321(h))), that the Secretary determines to be a priority consistent with sections 302(2) and 304(a) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002—(i)to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or treat harm from any biological agent (including organisms that cause an infectious disease), toxin, chemical, radiological, or nuclear agent that may cause a public health emergency affecting national security; or(ii)to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or treat harm from an underlying non-communicable disease which, combined with pandemic influenza or an emerging infectious disease, may result in adverse health consequences or serious threat to one or more vulnerable American populations (as defined in section 319L(a)) in an epidemic or pandemic..(2)Other definitionsSubsection (a) of section 319L of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d–7e) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:(11)Population health productThe term population health product means a widely available drug to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or treat harm from an underlying non-communicable disease which, combined with pandemic influenza or an emerging infectious disease, may result in adverse health consequences or a serious threat to one or more vulnerable American populations in an epidemic or pandemic.(12)Vulnerable American populationsThe term vulnerable American populations means children, pregnant women, older adults, minority populations, and other at-risk individuals with relevant characteristics that warrant consideration during the process of researching and developing such countermeasures and products..(b)Strategic initiativesClause (ii) of section 319L(c)(4)(F) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d–7e(c)(4)(F)) is amended to read as follows:(ii)threats that consistently exist or continually circulate and have a significant potential to become a pandemic, such as pandemic influenza and emerging infectious diseases in combination with underlying non-communicable diseases, which may include the advanced research and development, manufacturing, and appropriate stockpiling of qualified pandemic or epidemic products, and products, technologies, or processes to support the advanced research and development of such countermeasures (including multiuse platform technologies for diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics; virus seeds; clinical trial lots; novel virus strains; and antigen and adjuvant material); and.(c)At-Risk individualsParagraph (6) of section 319L(c) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d–7e(c)) is amended to read as follows:(6)At-risk individualsIn carrying out the functions under this section, the Secretary may give a priority to advanced research and development of—(A)qualified countermeasures and qualified pandemic or epidemic products likely to be safe and effective with respect to vulnerable American populations; and(B)population health products likely to protect vulnerable American populations with underlying non-communicable diseases from disproportionate harm in epidemics and pandemics..(d)Other authoritiesSection 319L(c) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d–7e(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:(8)Timely delivery of population health products to at-risk individualsThe Secretary shall collaborate with the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, and the heads of other Federal agencies involved with approval and distribution of health products to assure that such Federal agencies distribute approved population health products as promptly and effectively as possible, and as continuously as possible, to protect vulnerable American populations from harm in epidemics and pandemics.(9)Report on need for incentivizing development of population health productsNot later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the Medical Manufacturing, Economic Development, and Sustainability Act of 2021, the Secretary shall examine and report to the Congress on—(A)the extent to which the health of aging Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, veterans, or other vulnerable American populations has been disproportionately harmed by the COVID–19 pandemic and prior epidemics and pandemics;(B)the population health products currently available and whether there is a need for additional innovation and development to produce population health products to reduce the exposure of vulnerable American populations to risk of disproportionate harm in epidemics and pandemics; and(C)whether the Secretary recommends providing the same incentives for the development and marketing of population health products as is given with respect to covered infectious disease products under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, including under section 505E of such Act..


114 SRES 322 IS: Reaffirming the alliance between the United States and Bulgaria, congratulating Bulgaria on its July 11, 2021 parliamentary elections, and calling for continued progress in Bulgaria towards combating corruption, respecting the freedom of the press, and protecting minority rights.
U.S. Senate
2021-07-27
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. 322IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJuly 27, 2021Mr. Cardin (for himself, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Wicker, and Mr. Tillis) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign RelationsRESOLUTIONReaffirming the alliance between the United States and Bulgaria, congratulating Bulgaria on its July 11, 2021 parliamentary elections, and calling for continued progress in Bulgaria towards combating corruption, respecting the freedom of the press, and protecting minority rights.Whereas Bulgaria, which is an original signatory of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, done at Helsinki August 1, 1975 (commonly known as the Helsinki Final Act)— (1)has transitioned from a Cold War-era, Soviet satellite to a multi-party democracy with a market economy; and (2)remains an active and constructive participant in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE);Whereas because of its progress on the institutionalization of democratic systems and economic reforms, Bulgaria joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2004 and the European Union in 2007;Whereas Bulgaria is a steadfast ally of the United States in an area of strategic importance to the United States;Whereas bilateral security cooperation between the United States and Bulgaria is deep and growing stronger, including through the October 2020 signing of a 10-year defense cooperation roadmap, and regular United States military training conducted in Bulgaria, including at the Novo Selo Training Area;Whereas Bulgaria has contributed approximately 21,000 troops to various NATO missions;Whereas Bulgaria is on track to consistently reach defense spending of at least 2 percent of its gross domestic product by 2024;Whereas the international observers representing the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe concluded that Bulgaria’s July 11, 2021, parliamentary elections were competitive with fundamental freedoms generally respected;Whereas, on July 8 and 9, 2021, Bulgaria hosted the annual summit meeting of the Three Seas Initiative, a unique region-led undertaking launched in 2015 to create a political platform and investment fund to promote transportation, energy, and digital infrastructure connectivity across its 12 member states (Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia);Whereas Bulgaria’s continued progress has been threatened by multiple internal challenges, including corruption, and Bulgaria is consistently among the lowest-ranked European Union member states in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index;Whereas Bulgaria was ranked 112th out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders 2021 World Press Freedom Index, which is the lowest position of any European Union country;Whereas, on March 10, 2021, a Reporters Without Borders expert stated, Press freedom has reached an impasse in Bulgaria and independent media are on the brink of disappearing, citing political interference with public broadcasters, and the abuse of privately owned media for political purposes, among other concerns;Whereas Bulgaria is an attractive, low-cost investment destination with a talented, tech-savvy labor pool, but has problems with endemic corruption, including in large infrastructure projects and in the energy sector;Whereas, on June 2, 2021, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (subtitle F of title XII of Public Law 114–328; 22 U.S.C. 2656 note) against 3 Bulgarian individuals and 64 associated entities, while the Department of State announced visa bans on 5 former Bulgarian Government officials due to corruption; Whereas religious pluralism has long been a positive feature of Bulgarian society, though the Muslim community still encounters obstacles in its quest to reclaim property and build new houses of worship in Sofia;Whereas the Romani community faces systemic discrimination in Bulgaria, including discrimination in access to education, rights to residency, and access to voting, and Romani settlements faced particularly harsh restrictions as a result of the COVID–19 pandemic;Whereas Bulgaria has withheld its support for neighboring North Macedonia to open accession talks with the European Union; andWhereas America’s most successful and enduring relationships are built on shared values: Now, therefore, be itThat the Senate—(1)reaffirms its commitment to the historic partnership between the United States and Bulgaria and to advance democracy, prosperity, and security in Bulgaria;(2)congratulates the Bulgarian people on the successful conduct of the July 11 parliamentary elections;(3)declares its support for the Three Seas Initiative;(4)urges Bulgarian authorities to redouble efforts to address corruption, sustain and protect a healthy independent media, and protect the rights of all minority groups in Bulgaria, in line with its commitments to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; (5)encourages Bulgaria to support the aspirations for European Union membership of neighboring North Macedonia; (6)supports Bulgaria’s efforts to diversify its energy sources to minimize the malign influence of dominant suppliers; and (7)affirms its intent to continue to support Bulgaria’s efforts in these areas, including through the application of a wide range of supportive measures, such as—(A)targeted Global Magnitsky Sanctions, as and when appropriate; and (B)support for independent journalism, including through the recently returned Radio Free Europe Bulgarian Service, which excels in investigative reporting.


I114th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 5986IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 9, 2016Mr. Curbelo of Florida introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Small BusinessA BILLTo amend the Small Business Act to ensure small businesses affected by the onset of transmissible diseases are eligible for disaster relief.
1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Small Business Relief from Disease Induced Economic Hardship Act of 2016. 2.Definitions (a)In generalSection 3(k)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(k)(1)) is amended by inserting , onset of transmissible diseases for which the Federal Government issues a public health advisory or declaration, after civil disorders.
(b)ApplicabilityThe amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to the onset of a transmissible disease for which the Federal Government issues a public health advisory or declaration— (1)that commences before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act; and
(2)the effects of which are experienced on or after the date of enactment of this Act.