115 SRES 347 ATS: Commemorating the 62nd anniversary of the dedication of Whiteman Air Force Base.
U.S. Senate
2017-12-02
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.

		III
		115th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. RES. 347
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			December 2 (legislative day, December 1), 2017
			Mrs. McCaskill (for herself and Mr. Blunt) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

		RESOLUTION
		Commemorating the 62nd anniversary of the dedication of Whiteman Air Force Base.

 Whereas, 70 years ago, the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.), signed into law by President Harry S. Truman, established the Department of the Air Force as an executive department and established the United States Air Force under the Department of the Air Force;
 Whereas, at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, during the attack on Bellows Field, Second Lieutenant George Allison Whiteman reached his aircraft, but while attempting take off, Second Lieutenant Whiteman’s P-40 Warhawk was attacked by enemy fighters and crashed, fatally injuring Second Lieutenant Whiteman;
 Whereas, in 1942, the site where Whiteman Air Force Base (in this preamble referred to as Whiteman AFB) currently exists was established as Sedalia Glider Base, and Sedalia Army Air Field was later established at that site to train Waco glider pilots for combat missions during World War II;
 Whereas, in 1951, that site was reopened as Sedalia Air Force Base and, beginning in 1952, housed the 340th Bombardment Wing, which was assigned the newest aircraft systems of the time, including the B-47 Stratojet, which was the first all-jet bomber, and the KC-97, which is an aerial refueling tanker;
 Whereas, on December 3, 1955, Sedalia Air Force Base was dedicated as Whiteman AFB, in memory of Sedalia-native Second Lieutenant George Allison Whiteman, one of the first airmen killed in World War II;
 Whereas Whiteman AFB developed and matured alongside United States Air Force capabilities and necessities, transitioning from a bomber base to the chosen location for the fourth Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile wing and the home of the 351st Strategic Missile Wing;
 Whereas Whiteman AFB assisted in paving the way for a fully integrated United States Air Force, with the 351st Strategic Missile Wing fielding the first female Minuteman crew and the first gender-integrated Minuteman crew;
 Whereas the 509th Bomb Wing is stationed at Whiteman AFB, operates a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, and is able to deploy from Missouri to engage adversaries of the United States anywhere in the world;
 Whereas the 509th Bomb Wing first engaged in combat as part of Operation Allied Force over Serbia and Kosovo in 1999;
 Whereas, in October 2001, the 509th Bomb Wing carried out the first military response after the attacks on New York City, New York, and Washington, District of Columbia, on September 11, 2001 by flying a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber into the airspace of Afghanistan and preceding the coalition aircraft that would engage the forces of the Taliban and al-Qaeda;
 Whereas, while selectively used, the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber represents the precision capabilities and the endurance of the United States Air Force;
 Whereas the 442nd Fighter Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command organization responsible for the operation, maintenance, and support of the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft (commonly known as the Warthog), is located at Whiteman AFB and works alongside the 509th Bomb Wing;
 Whereas the 442nd Citizen Airmen carry on the proud tradition, dating back to World War II, of supporting the United States Army and allied ground forces through close air support;
 Whereas the 131st Bomb Wing, a unit of the Missouri Air National Guard located at Whiteman AFB, is the only Air National Guard Bomb Wing to fly the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber and to be nuclear-capable;
 Whereas the 131st Air National Guardsmen carry on the proud tradition of supporting the State of Missouri and the United States, which dates back to the founding of the 131st Bomb Wing in 1923;
 Whereas the 20th Attack Squadron, which has been based at Whiteman AFB since January 2011 and is assigned to the 432d Operations Group in Nevada, flies the remotely piloted aircraft MQ-9 Reaper for aerial reconnaissance and forward observation;
 Whereas, though geographically separated from the 432d Operations Group, the 20th Attack Squadron provides integral intelligence and close air support and is able to conduct strikes;
 Whereas the 1-135th Assault Helicopter Battalion, a unit of the Missouri National Guard, supports humanitarian and disaster relief operations as well as transportation on drug interdiction missions; and
 Whereas the 1-135th Assault Helicopter Battalion has recently transitioned to using the UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter, which allows for more effective joint force training: Now, therefore, be it

 That the Senate commemorates the 62nd anniversary of the dedication of Whiteman Air Force Base.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1682
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 24, 2009
			Mr. Conaway (for
			 himself and Ms. Sutton) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
			 Infrastructure

		A BILL
		To amend title 23, United States Code, to require States
		  to develop and implement highway bridge management systems.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Bridge Life Extension Act of
			 2009.
		2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
			(1)Corrosion of highway bridges costs the
			 United States economy $8.3 billion each year according to a Federal Highway
			 Administration report (FHWA–RD–01–157) that was delivered to Congress in
			 2002.
			(2)The ongoing cost
			 of corrosion on United States highway bridges represents a needless waste of
			 taxpayer dollars.
			(3)One-third of the
			 ongoing cost of corrosion on United States highway bridges would be saved if
			 existing, fully developed corrosion prevention technologies were applied to
			 bridge decks and their substructures.
			(4)The application of
			 corrosion technologies to United States highway bridges is necessary, but
			 currently underused.
			(5) The application of
			 corrosion prevention strategies should be required in the design and
			 rehabilitation of bridge structures that use Federal funding and the
			 development of new corrosion prevention technologies should be
			 encouraged.
			3.Highway bridge
			 replacement and rehabilitation programSection 144(d) of title 23, United States
			 Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

				(5)Requirements for
				State participation
					(A)Implementation
				of highway bridge management systemsAs a condition for providing
				assistance to a State under this section, the Secretary shall require the State
				to develop and implement a highway bridge management system that meets the
				requirements of section 303.
					(B)Applicability to
				new and existing bridgesA highway bridge management system under
				subparagraph (A) shall apply to design and construction of new bridges and
				maintenance of existing bridges.
					(C)Preservation of
				structuresIn developing and implementing a highway bridge
				management system under subparagraph (A), a State shall—
						(i)identify corrosion
				mitigation and prevention methods that will be used to preserve the highway
				bridges in the State, taking into account—
							(I)material
				selection;
							(II)coating
				considerations;
							(III)cathodic
				protection considerations;
							(IV)design
				considerations for corrosion; and
							(V)concrete
				requirements;
							(ii)establish a
				project maintenance program for highway bridges in the State for the purpose of
				extending the life of each highway bridge;
						(iii)ensure that all highway bridge designers,
				inspectors, and maintenance individuals implementing the system are trained and
				certified in corrosion mitigation and prevention techniques; and
						(iv)research current inspection technologies
				and techniques for highway bridges.
						(D)ConsultationA
				State shall carry out the requirements of this paragraph in consultation with
				engineers and other experts specializing in corrosion mitigation and prevention
				methods.
					.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 128
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			January 5, 2011
			Mr. Gene Green of
			 Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Education and the
			 Workforce

		A BILL
		To direct the Secretary of Labor to revise regulations
		  concerning the recording and reporting of occupational injuries and illnesses
		  under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

		1.Recording and reporting of
			 occupational injuries and illnesses
			(a)In
			 generalNot later than 180
			 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall
			 revise the regulations in part 1904 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations,
			 concerning the recording and reporting of occupational injuries and illnesses
			 under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.),
			 to require site-controlling employers to keep a site log for all recordable
			 injuries and illnesses occurring among all employees on the particular site,
			 whether such employees are employed directly by the site-controlling employer
			 or are employed by contractors or temporary help or employee leasing
			 services.
			(b)DefinitionAs used in this section, the term
			 site-controlling employer means the employer that has primary
			 control over the work on a particular work site and supervises the employees on
			 a day-to-day basis on a particular work site.


114 HR 2307 IH: To validate final patent number 27–2005–0081, and for other purposes.
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-05-13
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
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2307
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 13, 2015
Mr. Hardy introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL
To validate final patent number 27–2005–0081, and for other purposes.

1.Final patent and land reconfiguration in Clark County and Lincoln County, Nevada
(a)In generalPatent number 27–2005–0081 and the associated land reconfiguration issued by the Bureau of Land Management on February 18, 2005, as depicted on the map prepared by the Bureau of Land Management entitled Lincoln County Land Patent and dated December 4, 2014, is affirmed and validated as having been issued pursuant to, and in compliance with, the Nevada-Florida Land Exchange Authorization Act of 1988 (Public Law 100–275; 102 Stat. 52), the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) for the benefit of the desert tortoise, other species, and the habitat of the desert tortoise and other species to increase the likelihood of the recovery of the desert tortoise and other species. (b)Issuance of lincoln county patent (1)In generalThe Director of the Bureau of Land Management may issue a patent for 7,548 acres of land in Lincoln County, Nevada, that is—
(A)depicted on the map described in subsection (a); and (B)described in the legal description of the proposed lease and fee land on file in the Ely District Office of the Bureau of Land Management.
(2)Applicable lawA patent issued under paragraph (1) shall be considered to have been issued pursuant to, and in compliance with, the Nevada-Florida Land Exchange Authorization Act of 1988 (Public Law 100–275; 102 Stat. 52). (c)Ratification of reconfigurationThe process used by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management in reconfiguring the land described in subsection (a), as depicted on Exhibit 1–4 of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Planned Development Project MSHCP, Lincoln County, NV (FWS–R8–ES–2008–N0136) and the reconfiguration provided for in Special Condition 10 of Army Corps of Engineers Permit No. 200125042 are ratified.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 6009
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 30, 2010
			Mr. McCarthy of
			 California (for himself, Mr.
			 Harper, Mrs. Bachmann,
			 Mr. Daniel E. Lungren of California,
			 and Mr. McKeon) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House
			 Administration

		A BILL
		To amend the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee
		  Voting Act to require the Secretary of Defense to provide expedited delivery of
		  marked absentee ballots of absent overseas uniformed services voters to the
		  appropriate election officials when such ballots are collected on or before the
		  last Friday before the election, and for other purposes.

		1.Expedited delivery
			 requirements for marked absentee ballots of overseas military voters
			(a)Adjustment of
			 deadline for collectionSection 103A(b)(3)(A) of the Uniformed and
			 Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff—2a(b)(3)(A)) is amended
			 by striking on the seventh day and inserting the following:
			 on the last Friday (or, in the case of an election occurring prior to
			 the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November
			 2012, on the seventh day).
			(b)Use of
			 carriersSection 103A(b)(2)
			 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff—2a(b)(2)) is amended to read as follows:

					(2)Expedited
				delivery service
						(A)In
				generalThe Presidential
				designee shall provide expedited mail delivery service for all such marked
				absentee ballots of absent uniformed services voters that are collected on or
				before the deadline described in paragraph (3).
						(B)Agreements with
				Postal Service for elections prior to 2012With respect to elections occurring prior
				to the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November
				2012, the Presidential designee shall carry out this section in cooperation and
				coordination with the United States Postal Service, and shall provide expedited
				mail delivery service for all such marked absentee ballots of absent uniformed
				services voters that are collected on or before the deadline described in
				paragraph (3) and then transferred to the United States Postal
				Service.
						.


116 S4857 ES: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 275 Penn Avenue in Salem, Ohio, as the “Howard Arthur Tibbs Post Office”.
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.

116th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 4857IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESAN ACTTo designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 275 Penn Avenue in Salem, Ohio, as the Howard Arthur Tibbs Post Office.1.Howard Arthur Tibbs Post Office(a)DesignationThe facility of the United States Postal Service located at 275 Penn Avenue in Salem, Ohio, shall be known and designated as the Howard Arthur Tibbs Post Office.(b)ReferencesAny reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the Howard Arthur Tibbs Post Office. Passed the Senate December 17, 2020.Secretary


116 S193 IS: Ethan's Law
U.S. Senate
2019-01-18
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
		116th CONGRESS1st Session
		S. 193
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			January 18, 2019
			Mr. Blumenthal (for himself and Mr. Murphy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

		A BILL
		To amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to require the safe storage of firearms, and
			 for other purposes.

		1.Short title
 This Act may be cited as Ethan's Law. 2.FindingsCongress find the following:
 (1)An estimated 4,600,000 minors in the United States live in homes with at least 1 unsecured firearm. (2)73 percent of children under the age of 10 living in homes with firearms reported knowing the location of their parents’ firearms. 36 percent of those children reported handling their parents’ unsecured firearms.
 (3)The presence of unsecured firearms in the home increases the risk of unintentional and intentional shootings. Over 75 percent of firearms used in youth suicide attempts and unintentional firearm injuries were stored in the residence of the victim, a relative, or a friend.
 (4)The United States Secret Service and the Department of Education report that in 65 percent of deadly school shootings the attacker obtained the firearm from his or her own home or that of a relative.
 (5)In the last decade nearly 2,000,000 firearms have been reported stolen. In 2016 alone, 238,000 firearms were reported stolen in the United States. Between 2010 and 2016, police recovered more than 23,000 stolen firearms across jurisdictions that were used to commit kidnappings, armed robberies, sexual assaults, murders, and other violent crimes.
 (6)Higher levels of neighborhood gun violence drive depopulation, discourages commercial activity, and decreases property values, resulting in fewer business establishments, fewer jobs, lower home values, and lower home ownership rates.
 (7)The negative economic impact of gun violence in communities is tied directly to the national economy and interstate commerce.
 (8)Congress has the power under the interstate commerce clause and other provisions of the Constitution of the United States to enact measures ensuring firearms are securely stored.
 3.Secure gun storage or safety deviceSection 922(z) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:  (4)Secure gun storage by owners (A)Offense (i)In generalExcept as provided in clause (ii), it shall be unlawful for a person to store or keep any firearm that has moved in, or that has otherwise affected, interstate or foreign commerce on the premises of a residence under the control of the person if the person knows, or reasonably should know, that—
 (I)a minor is likely to gain access to the firearm without the permission of the parent or guardian of the minor; or
 (II)a resident of the residence is ineligible to possess a firearm under Federal, State, or local law. (ii)ExceptionClause (i) shall not apply to a person if the person—
 (I)keeps the firearm— (aa)secure using a secure gun storage or safety device; or
 (bb)in a location which a reasonable person would believe to be secure; or (II)carries the firearm on his or her person or within such close proximity thereto that the person can readily retrieve and use the firearm as if the person carried the firearm on his or her person.
							(B)Penalty
 (i)In generalAny person who violates subparagraph (A) shall be fined $500 per violation. (ii)Enhanced penaltyIf a person violates subparagraph (A) and a minor or a resident who is ineligible to possess a firearm under Federal, State, or local law obtains the firearm and causes injury or death to such minor, resident, or any other individual, the person shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both.
 (iii)Forfeiture of improperly stored firearmAny firearm stored in violation of subparagraph (A) shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture in accordance with the procedures described in section 924(d).
 (C)Minor definedIn this paragraph, the term minor means an individual who is less than 18 years of age.. 4.Firearm Safe Storage ProgramTitle I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10101 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

				NNFirearm Safe Storage Program
					3041.Firearm Safe Storage Program
 (a)In generalThe Assistant Attorney General shall make grants to an eligible State or Indian Tribe to assist the State or Indian Tribe in carrying out the provisions of any State or Tribal law that is functionally identical to section 922(z)(4) of title 18, United States Code.
						(b)Eligible State or Indian Tribe
 (1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), a State or Indian Tribe shall be eligible to receive grants under this section on and after the date on which the State or Indian Tribe—
 (A)enacts legislation functionally identical to section 922(z)(4) of title 18, United States Code; and
 (B)the attorney general of the State (or comparable Tribal official) submits a written certification to the Assistant Attorney General stating that the law of the State or Indian Tribe reflects the sense of Congress in section 922(z)(4)(D) of such title 18.
								(2)First year eligibility exception
 (A)In generalA covered State or Indian Tribe shall be eligible to receive a grant under this section during the 1-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this part.
 (B)Covered State or Indian TribeIn this paragraph, the term covered State or Indian Tribe means a State or Indian Tribe that, before the date of enactment of this part, enacted legislation—
 (i)that is functionally identical to section 922(z)(4) of title 18, United States Code; and
 (ii)for which the attorney general of the State (or comparable Tribal official) submits a written certification to the Assistant Attorney General stating that the law of the State or Indian Tribe reflects the sense of Congress in section 922(z)(4)(D) of such title 18.
 (c)Use of fundsFunds awarded under this section may be used by a State or Indian Tribe to assist law enforcement agencies or the courts of the State or Indian Tribe in enforcing and otherwise facilitating compliance with any State law functionally identical to section 922(z)(4), of title 18, United States Code.
 (d)ApplicationAn eligible State or Indian Tribe desiring a grant under this section shall submit to the Assistant Attorney General an application at such time, in such manner, and containing or accompanied by such information, as the Assistant Attorney General may reasonably require.
 (e)IncentivesFor each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, the Attorney General shall give affirmative preference to all Bureau of Justice Assistance discretionary grant applications of a State or Indian Tribe that has enacted legislation—
 (1)functionally identical to section 922(z)(4) of title 18, United States Code; and
 (2)for which the attorney general of the State (or comparable Tribal official) submits a written certification to the Assistant Attorney General stating that the law of the State or Indian Tribe reflects the sense of Congress in section 922(z)(4)(D) of such title 18..
 5.Sense of CongressParagraph (4) of section 922(z) of title 18, United States Code, as added by section 3, is amended by adding at the end the following:

 (D)Sense of Congress relating to liabilityIt is the sense of Congress that— (i)failure to comply with subparagraph (A) constitutes negligence under any relevant statute or common law rule; and
 (ii)when a violation of subparagraph (A) is the but-for cause of a harm caused by the discharge of a firearm, such violation should be deemed to be the legal or proximate cause of such harm, regardless of whether such harm was also the result of an intentional tort..
 6.SeverabilityIf any provision of this Act, or an amendment made by this Act, or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this Act, or an amendment made by this Act, or the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected.


116 SRES 682 ATS: Recognizing the devastating explosion that rocked the Port of Beirut on August 4, 2020, and expressing solidarity with the Lebanese people.
U.S. Senate

text/xml
EN
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III116th CONGRESS2d SessionS. RES. 682IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESAugust 13, 2020Mr. Menendez (for himself, Mr. Risch, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Warner, Mr. Romney, Mr. Murphy, and Mr. Portman) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign RelationsDecember 22 (legislative day, December 21), 2020Committee discharged; considered and agreed toRESOLUTIONRecognizing the devastating explosion that rocked the Port of Beirut on August 4, 2020, and expressing solidarity with the Lebanese people.Whereas, on August 4, 2020, 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate detonated at the Port of Beirut, killing more than 200 people and injuring thousands more;Whereas the dangerous and highly explosive material was unsafely stored at the Port of Beirut since 2014, despite repeated warnings over the threat the stockpile posed to the surrounding civilian population;Whereas the Secretary General of the Lebanese Red Cross was quoted as saying, “What we are witnessing is a huge catastrophe.”;Whereas the blast destroyed vast swaths of infrastructure across Beirut and displaced up to 300,000 people;Whereas the blast destroyed or damaged the entire port of Beirut, through which Lebanon imports the bulk of its food, including the destruction of approximately 120,000 metric tons of desperately needed food stocks, according to the United Nations;Whereas, prior to the blast, nearly 1,000,000 people in the Beirut metropolitan area, including more than 500,000 children, did not have the means to buy basic essentials, including food;Whereas Lebanon already struggles to support the largest per-capita population of refugees in the world, including nearly 1,000,000 Syrian refugees currently registered with the United Nations;Whereas the governor of Beirut predicted that the full cost of recovery and relief could be between $3,000,000,000 and $5,000,000,000;Whereas several Beirut hospitals, already struggling to procure medical equipment and pay medical staff amid the spread of COVID–19, have sustained too much blast damage to admit new patients;Whereas the blasts coincides with a period of protracted political crisis in Lebanon;Whereas, after months of political deadlock, Lebanon formed a government in January of this year with the backing of Hezbollah, a United States-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), and its allies;Whereas endemic corruption and Hezbollah’s mismanagement has led Lebanon to the brink of economic collapse, including an 80 percent currency devaluation since 2019, one of the highest rates of public debt, food insecurity, and hyperinflation;Whereas the United States Government has longstanding concerns about Hezbollah’s use of and influence over the Beirut port as a transit and storage point for its terrorist enterprise;Whereas the people of Lebanon across the political spectrum have renewed demands for a meaningful change in Lebanon’s political leadership, government accountability, and transparency;Whereas, following the explosion and public outcry from the Lebanese people, Prime Minister Hassan Diab announced on August 10, 2020, that he and his government would step down;Whereas international donors, including the United States, have pledged $297,000,000 in aid to Lebanon at a virtual summit hosted by French President Emanuel Macron;Whereas the United States, through the United States Agency for International Development, announced on August 7, 2020, that it would provide more than $15,000,000 in humanitarian assistance to aid the people of Lebanon following the explosions at the Port of Beirut, and that these funds would support life-saving medical responses and relief for the immediate needs of people facing this tragedy, including food aid for 50,000 people for three months and medical and pharmaceutical support for up to 60,000 people for three months; and Whereas a stable Lebanon with a credible, transparent government free from Iranian and Hezbollah interference is in the broader national security interests of the United States and United States partners and allies: Now, therefore, be itThat the Senate—(1)extends its heartfelt condolences to, and stands with, the people of Lebanon;(2)supports United States Government efforts to provide emergency humanitarian relief in concert with other governments and international partners;(3)affirms that United States assistance, led by the United States Agency for International Development, should be delivered directly to the Lebanese people through properly vetted channels, organizations, and individuals;(4)calls on the Government of Lebanon to conduct a credible, impartial, and transparent investigation into the cause of, and responsibility for, the explosion, and include impartial international experts as part of the investigation team;(5)calls on the investigation team to evaluate and determine the root causes of instability and economic mismanagement that have impacted the people of Lebanon; and(6) further calls on the Government of Lebanon to restore faith and confidence by prioritizing policies and programs that advance the interests of the people of Lebanon.


114 S823 IS: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 206 West Commercial Street in East Rochester, New York, as the “Officer Daryl R. Pierson Post Office”.
U.S. Senate
2015-03-19
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.

II114th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 823IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 19, 2015Mr. Schumer (for himself and Mrs. Gillibrand) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsA BILLTo designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 206 West Commercial Street
			 in East Rochester, New York, as the Officer Daryl R. Pierson Post Office.

		1.Officer Daryl R. Pierson Post Office
 (a)DesignationThe facility of the United States Postal Service located at 206 West Commercial Street in East Rochester, New York, shall be known and designated as the Officer Daryl R. Pierson Post Office.
 (b)ReferencesAny reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the Officer Daryl R. Pierson Post Office.


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1137
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			April 17, 2007
			Mr. Menendez (for
			 himself, Mr. Baucus, and
			 Ms. Cantwell) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
			 and Pensions

		A BILL
		To authorize grants to carry out projects
		  to provide education on preventing teen pregnancies, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Teen Pregnancy Prevention,
			 Responsibility, and Opportunity Act of 2007.
		2.FindingsCongress finds as follows:
			(1)The United States has the highest
			 teen-pregnancy rate and teen birth rate in the western industrialized world,
			 costing the United States not less than $7,000,000,000 annually.
			(2)About 1 out of 3 of all young women in the
			 United States becomes pregnant before she reaches the age of 20.
			(3)Teen pregnancy has serious consequences for
			 young women, their children, and communities as a whole. Too-early childbearing
			 increases the likelihood that a young woman will drop out of high school and
			 that she and her child will live in poverty.
			(4)Statistically, the sons of teen mothers are
			 more likely to end up in prison. The daughters of teen mothers are more likely
			 to end up teen mothers too.
			(5)Teens that grow up in disadvantaged
			 economical, social, and familial circumstances are more likely to engage in
			 risky behavior and have a child during adolescence.
			(6)Teens with strong emotional attachments to
			 their parents are more likely to become sexually active at a later age. 7 out
			 of 10 teens say that they are prepared to listen to things parents thought they
			 were not ready to hear.
			(7)78 percent of white and 70 percent of
			 African American teenagers report that lack of communication between a teenage
			 girl and her parents is frequently a reason a teenage girl has a baby.
			(8)One study found that the likelihood of
			 teens having sex for the first time increased with the number of unsupervised
			 hours teens have during a week.
			(9)After-school programs reduce teen risky
			 behavior by involving teens in activities that provide alternatives to sex.
			 Teenage girls who play sports, for instance, are more likely to delay sex and
			 have fewer partners and less likely to become pregnant.
			(10)After-school programs help prevent teen
			 pregnancy by advancing good decision-making skills and providing teens health
			 education and positive role models in a supervised setting.
			(11)8 in 10 girls and 6 in 10 boys report that
			 they wish they had waited until they were older to have sex.
			3.Education program for
			 preventing teen pregnancies
			(a)In
			 generalThe Secretary of
			 Health and Human Services (referred to in this Act as the
			 Secretary) may make grants to local educational agencies, State
			 and local public health agencies, and nonprofit private entities for the
			 purpose of carrying out projects to provide education on preventing teen
			 pregnancies.
			(b)Preference in
			 making grantsIn making
			 grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give preference to applicants
			 that will carry out the projects under such subsection in communities for which
			 the rate of teen pregnancy is significantly above the average rate in the
			 United States of such pregnancies.
			(c)Certain
			 requirementsA grant may be
			 made under subsection (a) only if the applicant for the grant meets the
			 following conditions with respect to the project involved:
				(1)The applicant agrees that information
			 provided by the project on pregnancy prevention will be age-appropriate,
			 factually and medically accurate and complete, and scientifically-based.
				(2)The applicant agrees that the project will
			 give priority to preventing teen pregnancies by—
					(A)encouraging teens to delay sexual
			 activity;
					(B)providing educational services and
			 interventions for sexually active teens or teens at risk of becoming sexually
			 active;
					(C)educating both young men and women about
			 the responsibilities and pressures that come along with parenting;
					(D)helping parents communicate with teens
			 about sexuality; or
					(E)teaching young people responsible
			 decision-making.
					(d)Matching
			 funds
				(1)In
			 generalWith respect to the
			 costs of the project to be carried out under subsection (a) by an applicant, a
			 grant may be made under such subsection only if the applicant agrees to make
			 available (directly or through donations from public or private entities)
			 non-Federal contributions toward such costs in an amount that is not less than
			 25 percent of such costs ($1 for each $3 of Federal funds provided in the
			 grant).
				(2)Determination of
			 amount contributedNon-Federal contributions required in
			 paragraph (1) may be in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including plant,
			 equipment, or services. Amounts provided by the Federal Government, or services
			 assisted or subsidized to any significant extent by the Federal Government, may
			 not be included in determining the amount of such non-Federal
			 contributions.
				(e)Maintenance of
			 effortWith respect to the
			 activities for which a grant under subsection (a) is authorized to be expended,
			 such a grant may be made for a fiscal year only if the applicant involved
			 agrees to maintain expenditures of non-Federal amounts for such activities at a
			 level that is not less than the level of such expenditures maintained by the
			 applicant for the fiscal year preceding the first fiscal year for which the
			 applicant receives such a grant.
			(f)Evaluation of
			 projectsThe Secretary shall
			 establish criteria for the evaluation of projects under subsection (a). A grant
			 may be made under such subsection only if the applicant involved—
				(1)agrees to conduct evaluations of the
			 project in accordance with such criteria;
				(2)agrees to submit to the Secretary such
			 reports describing the results of the evaluations as the Secretary determines
			 to be appropriate; and
				(3)submits to the Secretary, in the
			 application under subsection (g), a plan for conducting the evaluations.
				(g)Application for
			 grantA grant may be made
			 under subsection (a) only if an application for the grant is submitted to the
			 Secretary and the application is in such form, is made in such manner, and
			 contains such agreements, assurances, and information, including the agreements
			 under subsections (c) through (f) and the plan under subsection (f)(3), as the
			 Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this section.
			(h)Report to
			 congressNot later than
			 October 1, 2011, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the
			 extent to which projects under subsection (a) have been successful in reducing
			 the rate of teen pregnancies in the communities in which the projects have been
			 carried out.
			(i)DefinitionsIn this section:
				(1)Age-appropriateThe term age-appropriate,
			 with respect to information on pregnancy prevention, means topics, messages,
			 and teaching methods suitable to particular ages or age groups of children and
			 adolescents, based on developing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral capacity
			 typical for the age or age group.
				(2)Factually and
			 medically accurate and completeThe term factually and medically
			 accurate and complete means verified or supported by the weight of
			 research conducted in compliance with accepted scientific methods and—
					(A)published in peer-reviewed journals, where
			 applicable; or
					(B)comprising information that leading
			 professional organizations and agencies with relevant expertise in the field
			 recognize as accurate, objective, and complete.
					(3)Local
			 educational agencyThe term
			 local educational agency has the meaning given such term in
			 section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
			 7801).
				(j)Authorization of
			 appropriationsFor the
			 purpose of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated
			 $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
			4.Reauthorization of
			 certain after-school programs
			(a)21st century
			 community learning centersSection 4206 of the Elementary and
			 Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7176) is amended—
				(1)in paragraph (5), by striking
			 and at the end;
				(2)in paragraph (6), by striking the period
			 and inserting a semicolon; and
				(3)by adding at the end the following:

						(7)$2,750,000,000
				for fiscal year 2008; and
						(8)$3,000,000,000
				for fiscal year
				2009.
						.
				(b)Carol M. White
			 Physical Education ProgramSection 5401 of the Elementary and
			 Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7241) is amended—
				(1)by striking There are and
			 inserting (a) In
			 General.—There are; and
				(2)by adding at the end the following:

						(b)Physical
				educationIn addition to the
				amounts authorized to be appropriated by subsection (a), there are authorized
				to be appropriated $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009 to carry
				out subpart
				10.
						.
				(c)Federal TRIO
			 ProgramsSection 402A(f) of
			 the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a–11(f)) is amended by striking
			 $700,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, and such sums as may be necessary for
			 each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years and inserting
			 $1,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
			(d)GEARUPSection 404H of the Higher Education Act of
			 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a–28) is amended by striking $200,000,000 for fiscal
			 year 1999 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal
			 years and inserting $350,000,000 for each of fiscal year 2008
			 and 2009.
			5.Demonstration grants
			 to encourage creative approaches to teen pregnancy prevention and after-school
			 programs
			(a)In
			 generalThe Secretary may
			 make grants to public or nonprofit private entities for the purpose of
			 assisting the entities in demonstrating innovative approaches to prevent teen
			 pregnancies.
			(b)Certain
			 approachesApproaches under
			 subsection (a) may include the following:
				(1)Encouraging teen-driven approaches to
			 pregnancy prevention.
				(2)Exposing teens to realistic simulations of
			 the physical, emotional, and financial toll of pregnancy and parenting.
				(3)Facilitating communication between parents
			 and children, especially programs that have been evaluated and proven
			 effective.
				(c)Matching
			 funds
				(1)In
			 generalWith respect to the
			 costs of the project to be carried out under subsection (a) by an applicant, a
			 grant may be made under such subsection only if the applicant agrees to make
			 available (directly or through donations from public or private entities)
			 non-Federal contributions toward such costs in an amount that is not less than
			 25 percent of such costs ($1 for each $3 of Federal funds provided in the
			 grant).
				(2)Determination of
			 amount contributedNon-Federal contributions required in
			 paragraph (1) may be in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including plant,
			 equipment, or services. Amounts provided by the Federal Government, or services
			 assisted or subsidized to any significant extent by the Federal Government, may
			 not be included in determining the amount of such non-Federal
			 contributions.
				(d)Evaluation of
			 projectsThe Secretary shall
			 establish criteria for the evaluation of projects under subsection (a). A grant
			 may be made under such subsection only if the applicant involved—
				(1)agrees to conduct evaluations of the
			 project in accordance with such criteria;
				(2)agrees to submit to the Secretary such
			 reports describing the results of the evaluations as the Secretary determines
			 to be appropriate; and
				(3)submits to the Secretary, in the
			 application under subsection (e), a plan for conducting the evaluations.
				(e)Application for
			 grantA grant may be made
			 under subsection (a) only if an application for the grant is submitted to the
			 Secretary and the application is in such form, is made in such manner, and
			 contains such agreements, assurances, and information, including the agreements
			 under subsections (c) and (d) and the plan under subsection (d)(3), as the
			 Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this section.
			(f)Report to
			 congressNot later than
			 October 1, 2011, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the
			 extent to which projects under subsection (a) have been successful in reducing
			 the rate of teen pregnancies in the communities in which the projects have been
			 carried out. Such reports shall describe the various approaches used under
			 subsection (a) and the effectiveness of each of the approaches.
			(g)Authorization of
			 appropriationsFor the
			 purpose of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated
			 $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.


116 S5022 IS: Federal Flood Risk Management Act of 2020
U.S. Senate
2020-12-15
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.

II116th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 5022IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESDecember 15, 2020Mr. Van Hollen (for himself, Mr. Schatz, and Mr. Booker) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban AffairsA BILLTo establish a Federal standard in order to improve the Nation's resilience to current and future flood risk.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Federal Flood Risk Management Act of 2020.2.DefinitionsIn this Act—(1)the term Administrator means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency;(2)the term agency—(A)has the meaning given the term Executive agency in section 105 of title 5, United States Code; and(B)does not apply to an agency that does not take agency actions in or affecting floodplains;(3)the term agency action— (A)means, with respect to an agency—(i)acquiring, managing, and disposing of Federal lands and facilities;(ii)providing construction and improvements that are undertaken, financed by, or assisted by the Federal Government; and(iii)conducting Federal activities and programs that affect land use, including planning, regulating, and licensing activities relating to water and land resources; and(B)does not include a military construction project described in section 2802 of title 10, United States Code;(4)the term base flood means a flood that has a not less than 1 percent chance of occurring in a year;(5)the term critical action means any agency action with respect to which the head of the agency determines a slight chance of flooding would present an unacceptable amount of risk;(6)the term Executive Order 11988 means Executive Order 11988 (42 Fed. Reg. 26951; relating to floodplain management);(7)the term federally funded project means an action in which Federal funds are used, with respect to a structure or facility, for new construction, for substantial improvement, or to address substantial damage;(8)the term floodplain means, subject to section 4(b)(2), the lowland and relatively flat area that adjoins inland and coastal waters (including flood-prone areas of offshore islands);(9)the term National Flood Insurance Program means the program established under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.);(10)the term Standard means the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard set forth in Appendix G to Guidelines for Implementing Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management, and Executive Order 13690, Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input, published on October 8, 2015; and(11)the term Water Resources Council means the Council established under section 101 of the Water Resources Planning Act (42 U.S.C. 1962a).3.Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that—(1)it should be the policy of the United States to improve the resiliency of communities and assets of the Federal Government against the impacts of flooding;(2)the impacts of flooding are anticipated to increase over time due to increased future risk and greater development on floodplains;(3)losses caused by flooding affect—(A)the environment;(B)the economic prosperity of the United States;(C)public health and safety; and(D)the national security of the United States;(4)the Federal Government must take action, informed by the best available and actionable science, to improve the preparedness and resilience of the United States with respect to flooding;(5)Executive Order 11988 requires agencies to avoid—(A)to the maximum extent practicable, the long- and short-term adverse impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of floodplains; and(B)direct or indirect support of floodplain development whenever a more practicable alternative is available;(6)to implement Executive Order 11988, the Federal Government has developed processes for evaluating the impacts of Federal actions in or affecting floodplains;(7)in June 2013, an interagency effort to create a new flood risk reduction standard for federally funded projects was initiated;(8)in establishing the standard described in paragraph (7), the views of governors, mayors, and interested members of the public were solicited and considered;(9)the result of the efforts described in paragraphs (7) and (8) is the Standard, a flexible framework to increase resilience against flooding and help preserve the natural values of floodplains; and(10)enacting the Standard will ensure that agencies expand management from the base flood level in effect as of the date of enactment of this Act to a higher vertical elevation and a corresponding horizontal floodplain in order to—(A)address current and future flood risk; and(B)ensure that federally funded projects last as long as intended.4.Floodplain management(a)In generalThe head of each agency shall provide leadership and shall take action, when carrying out an agency action, to—(1)reduce the risk of losses resulting from floods;(2)minimize the impact of floods on human safety health, and welfare; and(3)restore and preserve the natural and beneficial values served by floodplains.(b)Agency responsibilities(1)In generalIn carrying out an agency action, as described in subsection (a), the head of each agency shall—(A)evaluate the potential effects of any agency action taken by the agency in a floodplain, as determined under paragraph (2);(B)ensure that the planning programs and budget requests of the agency reflect consideration of flood hazards and the management of floodplains; and(C)prescribe procedures to implement the policies and requirements of this Act—(i)to the extent permitted by law; and(ii)in accordance with the procedures described in paragraph (3).(2)Determination of floodplainsThe head of an agency shall, when determining whether an agency action will take place in a floodplain—(A)use—(i)the elevation and flood hazard area, as determined by—(I)a climate-informed science approach that—(aa)uses the best available actionable hydrologic and hydraulic data and methods;(bb)integrates current and future changes in flooding based on climate science; (cc)includes an emphasis on whether the agency action is a critical action; and(dd)takes into consideration changes over the lifetime of the project that is the subject of the agency action; (II)the freeboard value, reached by adding an additional—(aa)2 feet to the base flood elevation for an agency action that is not a critical action; and(bb)3 feet to the base flood elevation for an agency action that is a critical action; or(III)any other method that is identified in any amendment made to this Act; or(ii)an area that has a 0.2 percent chance of flooding in a year; and(B)rely on—(i)the best available information; and(ii)the Flood Insurance Rate Map published by the Administrator for the community in which the agency action shall take place.(3)ProceduresThe procedures described in this paragraph are as follows:(A)Before an agency takes an agency action, the head of the agency shall determine under paragraph (2) whether the proposed agency action will take place in a floodplain.(B)If an agency action described in subparagraph (A) may have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment, the evaluation required under paragraph (5) shall be included in any statement prepared under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)).(C)If the head of an agency has determined to, or proposes to, conduct, support, or allow an agency action that will take place in a floodplain, as determined under paragraph (2), the head of the agency shall—(i)consider alternatives in order to avoid adverse effects and incompatible development in the floodplain;(ii)when possible, rely on natural systems, ecosystem processes, and nature-based approaches when considering alternatives under clause (i);(iii)if the head of the agency determines that the only practicable alternative consistent under law, including the requirements of this Act, requires taking an agency action in a floodplain, before taking the agency action—(I)design or modify the agency action to minimize potential harm to or within the floodplain consistent with regulations issued under paragraph (6); and(II)prepare and distribute a notice that contains an explanation with respect to why the agency action shall take place in the floodplain;(iv)send a notice to all State, local, and tribal governments with respect to the geographic areas that are affected by the agency action that—(I)is not more than 3 pages long;(II)includes—(aa)a location map;(bb)the reasons why the agency action shall occur in a floodplain;(cc)a statement indicating whether the agency action conforms to applicable State or local floodplain protection standards; and(dd)a list of the alternatives to the agency action that the head of the agency considered; and(III)allows for a brief comment period before the head of the agency may take the agency action; and(v)provide the opportunity for early public review of any plan or proposal for the agency action, including the development of procedures for any Federal action the impact of which is not significant enough to require the preparation of a statement under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)).(4)Requests for authorizations and appropriationsThe head of an agency, when making any request to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget for a new authorization or for appropriations, shall indicate, if an agency action to be proposed shall take place in a floodplain, as determined under paragraph (2), whether the agency action complies with this Act.(5)Water and land use plans(A)In generalThe head of an agency, when formulating or evaluating any water and land use plan, shall—(i)take floodplain management into account; and(ii)require the use of land and water resources that are appropriate when compared with the degree of hazard that is involved.(B)ConsiderationsThe head of each agency shall—(i)provide for the adequate evaluation and consideration of flood hazards with respect to the regulations and operating procedures for the licenses, permits, and loan or grant programs administered by the agency; and(ii)with respect to an applicant for a license, permit, loan, or grant that is issued or administered by the agency, encourage, and provide appropriate guidance to, the applicant to evaluate, before submitting the application, the effects that the application, if granted, would have on floodplains.(6)Regulations and proceduresTo the extent permitted by law, the head of each agency shall, in consultation with the Water Resources Council, the Federal Interagency Floodplain Management Task Force, the Administrator, and the Council on Environmental Quality—(A)issue regulations, or amend regulations that are in effect as of the date of enactment of this Act, to comply with the requirements of this Act; and(B)amend the regulations described in subparagraph (A) as warranted.(c)Annual reassessmentThe Mitigation Framework Leadership Group, in consultation with the Federal Interagency Floodplain Management Task Force, shall—(1)annually reassess the implementation of the requirements imposed under this section; and(2)provide recommendations to the Water Resources Council for updates to the requirements imposed under this section that are warranted based on accurate and actionable science that takes into account changes to climate and other changes in flood risk.5.Federal Flood Risk Management Standard(a)In generalThe head of an agency shall—(1)except as provided in subsection (b), with respect to a federally funded project undertaken by the agency, ensure that the agency complies with the Standard; and(2)if the agency has responsibility for the administration or management of Federal real property and facilities, in addition to the requirements under section 4 and paragraph (1)—(A)require the construction of Federal structures and facilities to comply with—(i)the regulations and procedures issued under section 4(b)(6); and(ii)any regulations issued under the National Flood Insurance Program unless those regulations are demonstrably inappropriate for a structure or facility;(B)apply accepted floodproofing and other flood protection measures to the construction or rehabilitation of a structure or facility that is located in a floodplain;(C)when practicable, elevate a structure above the floodplain instead of filling in land;(D)provide on structures and, where appropriate, other pieces of property a conspicuous delineation of past and probable flood height—(i)if the structure or other property—(I)is used by the general public; and(II)(aa)has suffered flood damage; or(bb)is in an identified flood hazard area; and(ii)in order to enhance public awareness of, and knowledge about, flood hazards; and(E)when Federal property in a floodplain is proposed for lease, easement, right-of-way, or disposal to a non-Federal public or private party—(i)reference in the conveyance those uses that are restricted under Federal, State, or local regulations relating to floodplains; and(ii)(I)except where prohibited by law, attach any other appropriate restrictions to the uses of the property by the grantee or purchaser, as applicable, and any successors; or(II)withhold the property from conveyance.(b)ExemptionThe head of an agency may exempt a federally funded project from the requirement under subsection (a)(1) if—(1)the exemption is in the interest of national security;(2)the undertaking of the federally funded project is—(A)because of an emergency; or(B)a mission-critical requirement relating to a national security interest or an emergency; or(3)applying the Standard to a federally funded project is demonstrably inappropriate.(c)UpdatesNot less frequently than once every 5 years, the Water Resources Council shall update the Standard, as determined appropriate by the Water Resources Council.6.Financial transactions in areas subject to floodingIn addition to any responsibilities under this Act and sections 102, 202, and 205 of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4012a, 4106, and 4128), the head of any agency that guarantees, approves, regulates, or insures any financial transaction relating to an area that is subject to a base flood shall, before completing any action relating to that transaction, inform any private parties that are participating in the transaction about the hazards of locating a structure in that area.7.Reports(a)In generalNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the head of each agency shall submit to the Council on Environmental Quality a report regarding how the requirements of this Act impact the procedures and operations of the agency.(b)Analysis of StandardEach report submitted under subsection (a) shall contain a separate analysis regarding how the requirement under section 5(a)(1) has impacted agencies.(c)EvaluationNot less frequently than once every 2 years, the Water Resources Council shall—(1)evaluate the procedures, including the effectiveness of the procedures, of each agency relating to the requirements of this Act, taking into account each report submitted under subsection (a); and(2)submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that contains the result of the evaluation required under paragraph (1).8.General provisions(a)Rules of constructionNothing in this Act may be construed—(1)as applying to assistance that is provided for emergency work that is—(A)performed under sections 403 and 502 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b and 5192); and(B)essential to—(i)save human life; and(ii)protect—(I)property; and(II)public health and safety; or(2)to impair or otherwise affect—(A)the authority granted by law to an agency or the head of an agency; or(B)the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.(b)ImplementationThis Act shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.(c)Responsibilities of Water Resources CouncilExcept as otherwise expressly provided, the Water Resources Council shall carry out the responsibilities of the Council under this Act in consultation with the Mitigation Framework Leadership Group.9.Assumption of responsibilitiesIf subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of section 4(b)(3) apply to a project to which section 104(h) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5304(h)) applies, an appropriate applicant may assume the responsibilities under those subparagraphs if the applicant has also assumed, with respect to the project, all responsibilities for environmental review, decisionmaking, and action under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).


		IV
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. RES. 605
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 29, 2012
			Ms. Roybal-Allard
			 (for herself, Ms. Lee of California,
			 Mrs. Lowey,
			 Mr. Jackson of Illinois,
			 Mr. Moran,
			 Mr. McGovern,
			 Ms. Richardson,
			 Mrs. Napolitano,
			 Mr. Farr, Mr. Baca, Mr.
			 Waxman, Mrs. Capps,
			 Mr. Gonzalez,
			 Mr. Olver,
			 Mr. Filner,
			 Ms. Matsui,
			 Ms. Schakowsky,
			 Ms. Woolsey,
			 Mrs. Christensen, and
			 Ms. DeLauro) submitted the following
			 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
			 Commerce

		RESOLUTION
		Supporting the goals and ideals of National
		  Public Health Week.

		Whereas the week of April 2, 2012, through April 8, 2012,
			 is National Public Health Week, and the theme for 2012 is A Healthier
			 America Begins Today: Join the Movement;
		Whereas since 1995, public health organizations have used
			 National Public Health Week to educate the public, policymakers, and public
			 health professionals about issues that are important to improving the health of
			 the people of the United States;
		Whereas preventing diseases and injuries is critical to
			 helping people live longer, healthier lives while managing health-related
			 costs;
		Whereas chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and
			 diabetes are responsible for millions of premature deaths and cause Americans
			 to miss 2.5 billion days of work each year, resulting in lost productivity
			 totaling more than $1 trillion;
		Whereas currently, people in the United States are living
			 78 years on average, but only 69 of these years are spent in good
			 health;
		Whereas despite providing some of the world’s best health
			 care, the United States still ranks below many countries in life expectancy,
			 infant mortality, and many other indicators of healthy life;
		Whereas studies have shown that small strategic
			 investments in prevention could result in significant savings in health care
			 costs; and
		Whereas in communities across the United States, more
			 people are changing the way they care for their health by avoiding tobacco use,
			 eating healthier, becoming more physically active, and preventing unintentional
			 injuries at home and in the workplace: Now, therefore, be it

		That the House of
			 Representatives—
			(1)supports the goals and ideals of National
			 Public Health Week;
			(2)recognizes the
			 efforts of public health professionals, the Federal Government, States,
			 municipalities, local communities, and every person in the United States in
			 preventing disease and injury;
			(3)recognizes the
			 role of public health in improving the health of people in the United States;
			(4)encourages
			 increased efforts and resources to improve the health of people in the United
			 States through—
				(A)interventions to
			 promote community health and prevent disease and injury; and
				(B)strengthening of
			 the public health system of the United States; and
				(5)encourages the
			 people of the United States to learn about the role of the public health system
			 in improving health in the United States.


110 HR 1420 IH: Microbicide Development

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-03-08
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. 1420
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 8, 2007
			Ms. Schakowsky (for
			 herself, Mr. Shays,
			 Mrs. Capps,
			 Ms. Bean, Mr. Berman, Mr.
			 Davis of Illinois, Mr.
			 Emanuel, Mr. Grijalva,
			 Mr. Kirk, Ms. Lee, Ms.
			 Matsui, Mr. McDermott,
			 Mr. McNulty, and
			 Ms. Schwartz) introduced the following
			 bill; which was referred to the Committee
			 on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on
			 Foreign Affairs, 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 the Public Health Service Act with respect to
		  facilitating the development of microbicides for preventing transmission of
		  HIV/AIDS and other diseases, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Microbicide Development
			 Act.
		2.FindingsCongress makes the following
			 findings:
			(1)Women and girls
			 are the new face of HIV/AIDS, and are increasingly affected by the disease in
			 every region of the world. As of 2006, nearly half of the 37,200,000 adults
			 living with HIV and AIDS worldwide were women. In sub-Saharan Africa, that
			 proportion was 59 percent.
			(2)Because of their
			 social and biological vulnerabilities, young women are particularly at risk of
			 HIV infection. In sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is three times
			 higher among women ages 15 to 24 than it is among men in that same age
			 group.
			(3)Women infected
			 with HIV can transmit the infection to their infants during pregnancy, labor,
			 delivery, or breast-feeding. The most effective way to interrupt
			 mother-to-child transmission is to ensure that mothers are not infected in the
			 first place.
			(4)Many women who
			 become infected with HIV have just one sexual partner—their husband. Marriage
			 is not necessarily effective protection against HIV, because to protect
			 themselves from HIV, women have to rely on their male partners to be faithful
			 or to use condoms. Many women, especially in the developing world, are unable
			 to insist on mutual monogamy or negotiate condom use, particularly in long-term
			 relationships.
			(5)Scientists are
			 working on a promising new prevention tool that could slow down the spread of
			 the HIV/AIDS epidemic—microbicides. Formulated as gels, creams, tablets or
			 rings, microbicides are being designed to stop the transmission of the
			 pathogens that cause AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (referred
			 to in this section as STIs). Microbicides could allow a woman to
			 protect herself from disease.
			(6)Couples need a
			 method of HIV protection that will allow them to conceive a child and start a
			 family. No existing HIV prevention method also allows conception. Some
			 microbicides in development may allow women to become pregnant while at the
			 same time protecting them from infection.
			(7)According to
			 UNICEF, worldwide, the lack of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment has left over
			 15,000,000 children as orphans. Of these, more than 12,000,000 live in
			 sub-Saharan Africa. The number of AIDS orphans in sub-Saharan Africa alone is
			 expected to grow to nearly 16,000,000 by 2010.
			(8)HIV prevention
			 tools like microbicides could also be valuable for women in the United States,
			 who account for an increasing proportion of new HIV and AIDS cases among
			 Americans. Minority women in the United States are particularly affected. Both
			 African-American and Latina women account for a disproportionate number of new
			 AIDS cases, and HIV/AIDS was the leading cause of death in 2002 for
			 African-American women ages 25 to 34.
			(9)With nearly
			 20,000,000 new cases of sexually transmitted infections occurring every year,
			 the United States has the highest STI rates of any industrialized nation. Like
			 HIV, STIs pose significant health threats and costs, with young people and
			 women bearing a disproportionate burden. Nearly half of new STI cases each year
			 occur in people under 25 years of age with women both more vulnerable to
			 infection and more likely to experience serious and lasting health consequences
			 when they do become infected. Some microbicides could help prevent STIs.
			(10)HIV/AIDS
			 threatens national and global security. Beyond its burdens on individuals,
			 families, and communities, the pandemic reduces economic growth, decimates
			 health budgets, undermines civil society, and burdens the armed forces of many
			 nations, including the United States military.
			(11)The microbicide
			 field has gained considerable scientific momentum. Several first-generation
			 products are in large-scale human trials to measure effectiveness, and new
			 products based on recent advances in HIV treatment are well into safety
			 trials.
			(12)Microbicides are
			 a public health good with potential for large social benefits but limited
			 economic incentives for private investment, so that public funding is required
			 to fill the gap. As is the case for vaccines and other public goods,
			 microbicide development must depend heavily on government leadership and
			 investment.
			(13)The Federal
			 Government needs to make a strong commitment to microbicide research and
			 development. Three agencies, the National Institutes of Health, Centers for
			 Disease Control and Prevention, and United States Agency for International
			 Development, have played important roles in the progress to date, and each
			 makes a valuable and unique contribution. As the primary Federal agency for
			 conducting and supporting medical research and the largest single Federal
			 Government contributor to microbicide research, the National Institutes of
			 Health supports the Microbicide Trials Network as well as other important
			 research activities. The United States Agency for International Development
			 sustains strong partnerships with public and private organizations working on
			 microbicide research, including trials in developing countries where its
			 experience is extensive, and is well positioned to facilitate introduction of
			 microbicides once available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has
			 a long history of conducting field trials in developing countries, but the
			 extent of its current engagement remains quite limited.
			(14)According to the
			 National Institutes of Health's strategic plan, microbicides may provide
			 one of the most promising primary preventative interventions that could
			 be safe, effective, readily available, affordable, and widely
			 acceptable. In a recent report to Congress, the United States Agency
			 for International Development states that the US government is firmly
			 committed to accelerating the development of safe and effective microbicides to
			 prevent HIV. In addition, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS
			 Relief recognizes the urgency of developing safe and effective
			 microbicides.
			(15)The National
			 Institutes of Health, United States Agency for International Development, and
			 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have expanded their microbicide
			 portfolios, but overall Federal leadership and coordination is required to
			 eliminate costly inefficiencies and unproductive duplication of effort.
			(16)HIV prevention
			 options available as of 2006 are insufficient in general. Most critically, they
			 fail to recognize women's particular needs and vulnerabilities. If women are to
			 have a genuine opportunity to protect themselves, their best option is the
			 rapid development of new HIV-prevention technologies like microbicides, which
			 women can initiate.
			IMicrobicide research at the national
			 institutes of health
			101.Office of AIDS
			 Research; program regarding microbicides for preventing transmission of
			 HIV/AIDS and other diseasesSubpart I of part D of title XXIII of the
			 Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300cc–40 et seq.) is amended by inserting
			 after section 2351 the following:

					2351A.Microbicides for
				preventing transmission of HIV/AIDS and other diseases
						(a)Federal
				strategic plan
							(1)In
				generalThe Director of the
				Office of AIDS Research shall—
								(A)expedite the implementation of a Federal
				strategic plan for the conduct and support of microbicide research and
				development; and
								(B)annually review and, as appropriate, revise
				such plan, to prioritize funding and activities in terms of their scientific
				urgency.
								(2)CoordinationIn implementing, reviewing, and
				prioritizing elements of the plan described under paragraph (1), the Director
				of the Office of AIDS Research shall coordinate with—
								(A)other Federal agencies, including the
				Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the
				Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development,
				involved in microbicide research;
								(B)the microbicide research and development
				community; and
								(C)health advocates.
								(b)Expansion and
				coordination of activitiesThe Director of the Office of AIDS
				Research, acting in coordination with relevant institutes and offices, shall
				expand, intensify, and coordinate the activities of all appropriate institutes
				and components of the National Institutes of Health with respect to research
				and development of microbicides to prevent the transmission of the human
				immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted
				infections.
						(c)Microbicide
				development branchIn
				carrying out subsection (b), the Director of the National Institute of Allergy
				and Infectious Diseases shall establish within the Division of AIDS in the
				Institute, a clearly defined organizational branch charged with carrying out
				microbicide research and development. In establishing such branch, the Director
				shall ensure that there are a sufficient number of employees dedicated to
				carrying out its mission.
						(d)Microbicide
				clinical trialsIn carrying
				out subsection (c), the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and
				Infectious Diseases shall assign priority to ensuring adequate funding and
				support for the Microbicide Trials Network and other programs for supporting
				microbicides clinical trials, with particular emphasis on implementation of
				trials leading to product licensure.
						(e)Reports to
				congress
							(1)In
				generalNot later than 6
				months after the date of enactment of the Microbicide Development Act, and
				annually thereafter, the Director of the Office of AIDS Research shall submit
				to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes the
				strategies being implemented by the Federal Government regarding microbicide
				research and development.
							(2)Contents of
				reportsEach report submitted
				under paragraph (1) shall include—
								(A)a description of activities with respect to
				microbicide research and development conducted and supported by the Federal
				Government;
								(B)a summary and analysis of the expenditures
				made by the Director of the Office of AIDS Research during the preceding year
				for activities with respect to microbicide-specific research and development,
				including basic research, preclinical product development, clinical trials, and
				behavioral science; and
								(C)a description and evaluation of the
				progress made, during the preceding year, toward the development of effective
				microbicides.
								(3)Appropriate
				committees of Congress definedIn this subsection, the term
				appropriate committees of Congress means the Committee on Health,
				Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on Appropriations of the
				Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on
				Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
							(f)Authorization of
				appropriationsThere are
				authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal
				year to carry out this
				section.
						.
			IIMicrobicide research at the centers for
			 disease control and prevention
			201.Microbicides for
			 preventing transmission of HIV/AIDS and other diseasesPart B of title III of the Public Health
			 Service Act (42 U.S.C. 243 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 317S
			 the following:

					317T.Microbicides for
				preventing transmission of HIV/AIDS and other diseases
						(a)Development and
				implementation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's microbicide
				agendaThe Director of the
				Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall fully implement such Centers'
				microbicide agenda to support microbicide research and development. Such an
				agenda shall include—
							(1)conducting laboratory research in
				preparation for, and support of, clinical microbicide trials; and
							(2)conducting behavioral research in
				preparation for, and support of, clinical microbicide trials.
							(b)PersonnelThe Centers for Disease Control and
				Prevention shall ensure that there are sufficient numbers of dedicated
				employees for carrying out the microbicide agenda under subsection (a).
						(c)Report to
				congress
							(1)In
				generalNot later than 1 year
				after the date of enactment of the Microbicide Development Act, and annually
				thereafter, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
				shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress, a report on the
				strategies being implemented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
				with respect to microbicide research and development. Such report shall be
				submitted alone or as part of the overall Federal strategic plan on
				microbicides compiled annually by the National Institutes of Health Office of
				AIDS Research as required under section 2351A.
							(2)Contents of
				reportSuch report shall
				include—
								(A)a description of activities with respect to
				microbicides conducted or supported by the Director of the Centers for Disease
				Control and Prevention;
								(B)a summary and analysis of the expenditures
				made by such Director during the preceding year, for activities with respect to
				microbicide-specific research and development, including the number of
				employees of such Centers involved in such activities; and
								(C)a description and evaluation of the
				progress made, during the preceding year, toward the development of effective
				microbicides.
								(3)Appropriate
				committees of congress definedFor the purposes of this subsection, the
				term appropriate committees of Congress means the Committee on
				Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on Appropriations of
				the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on
				Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
							(d)Authorization of
				appropriationsThere are
				authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal
				year to carry out this
				section.
						.
			IIIMicrobicide research and development at the
			 United States Agency for International Development
			301.Microbicides for
			 preventing transmission of hiv/aids and other diseasesSection 104A of the Foreign Assistance Act
			 of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151b–2) is amended by adding at the end the following new
			 subsection:

					(h)Microbicides for
				preventing transmission of HIV/AIDS and other diseases
						(1)Development and
				implementation of the microbicide agendaThe President shall direct the head of the
				Office of HIV/AIDS of the United States Agency for International Development,
				in conjunction with other offices of such Agency, to develop and implement a
				program to support the development of microbicides for the prevention of the
				transmission of HIV/AIDS and other diseases, and facilitate wide-scale
				availability of such products after such development.
						(2)StaffingThe head of the Office of HIV/AIDS shall
				ensure that the Agency has a sufficient number of dedicated employees to carry
				out the microbicide agenda.
						(3)Reports to
				Congress
							(A)In
				generalNot later than one
				year after the date of enactment of the Microbicide Development Act, and
				annually thereafter, the President shall submit to the appropriate
				congressional committees a report on the activities of the Agency to carry out
				the microbicide agenda and on any other activities carried out by the Agency
				related to microbicide research and development.
							(B)Contents of
				reportEach report submitted
				under subparagraph (A) shall include—
								(i)a description of activities with respect to
				microbicides conducted or supported by the Agency;
								(ii)a summary and analysis of the expenditures
				made by the Agency during the preceding year for activities with respect to
				microbicide-specific research and development, including the number of
				employees of the Agency who are involved in such activities; and
								(iii)a description and evaluation of the
				progress made during the preceding year toward the development of effective
				microbicides, including activities in support of eventual product
				access.
								(C)ConsultationThe President shall consult with the
				Director of the Office of AIDS Research of the National Institutes of Health in
				preparing the report required under subparagraph (A).
							(D)Appropriate
				congressional committees definedIn this paragraph, the term
				appropriate congressional committees means the Committee on
				Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
				Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on
				Appropriations of the Senate.
							(4)Authorization of
				appropriationsThere are
				authorized to be appropriated to the Agency such sums as may be necessary for
				each fiscal year to carry out this
				subsection.
						.


		II
		Calendar No. 246
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1739
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			October 1, 2009
			Mr. Dodd (for himself,
			 Mr. Feingold, Mr. Kaufman, Mr.
			 Durbin, Mr. Casey,
			 Mrs. Gillibrand, and
			 Mr. Leahy) introduced the following bill;
			 which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Foreign
			 Relations

			December 18, 2009
			Reported by Mr. Kerry,
			 with an amendment
			Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert
			 the part printed in italic

		A BILL
		To promote freedom of the press around the
		  world.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act
			 of 2009.
		2.Freedom of the
			 press
			(a)Inclusion of
			 additional information relating to freedom of the press worldwide in annual
			 country reports on human rights practicesThe Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is
			 amended—
				(1)in section 116(d)
			 (22 U.S.C. 2151n(d))—
					(A)in paragraph (10),
			 by striking and at the end;
					(B)in paragraph (11),
			 by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and;
			 and
					(C)by adding at the
			 end the following new paragraph:

							(12)wherever
				applicable—
								(A)a description of
				the status of freedom of the press, including initiatives in favor of freedom
				of the press and efforts to improve or preserve, as appropriate, the
				independence of the media, together with an assessment of progress made as a
				result of those efforts;
								(B)an identification
				of countries in which there were violations of freedom of the press, including
				direct physical attacks, imprisonment, indirect sources of pressure, and
				censorship by governments, military, intelligence, or police forces, criminal
				groups, or armed extremist or rebel groups; and
								(C)in countries where
				there are particularly severe violations of freedom of the press—
									(i)whether government
				authorities of each such country participate in, facilitate, or condone such
				violations of the freedom of the press; and
									(ii)what steps the
				government of each such country has taken to preserve the safety and
				independence of the media, and to ensure the prosecution of those individuals
				who attack or murder journalists.
									;
				and
					(2)in section 502B
			 (22 U.S.C. 2304), by adding at the end the following new subsection:

						(i)The report
				required by subsection (b) shall include, wherever applicable—
							(1)a description of
				the status of freedom of the press, including initiatives in favor of freedom
				of the press and efforts to improve or preserve, as appropriate, the
				independence of the media, together with an assessment of progress made as a
				result of those efforts;
							(2)an identification
				of countries in which there were violations of freedom of the press, including
				direct physical attacks, imprisonment, indirect sources of pressure, and
				censorship by governments, military, intelligence, or police forces, criminal
				groups, or armed extremist or rebel groups; and
							(3)in countries where
				there are particularly severe violations of freedom of the press—
								(A)whether government
				authorities of each such country participate in, facilitate, or condone such
				violations of the freedom of the press; and
								(B)what steps the
				government of each such country has taken to preserve the safety and
				independence of the media, and to ensure the prosecution of those individuals
				who attack or murder
				journalists.
								.
				(b)Freedom of the
			 press grant program
				(1)In
			 generalThe Secretary of State shall administer a grant program
			 with the aim of promoting freedom of the press worldwide. The grant program
			 shall be administered by the Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human
			 Rights and Labor in consultation with the Undersecretary for Public Affairs and
			 Public Diplomacy.
				(2)Amounts and
			 timeGrants may be awarded to nonprofit and international
			 organizations and may span multiple years, up to 5 years.
				(3)PurposeGrant
			 proposals should promote and broaden press freedoms by strengthening the
			 independence of journalists and media organizations, promoting a legal
			 framework for freedom of the press, or through providing regionally and
			 culturally relevant training and professionalization of skills to meet
			 international standards in both traditional and digital media.
				(c)Media
			 organization definedIn this section, the term media
			 organization means a group or organization that gathers and disseminates
			 news and information to the public (through any medium of mass communication)
			 in a foreign country in which the group or organization is located, except that
			 the term does not include a group or organization that is primarily an agency
			 or instrumentality of the government of such foreign country. The term includes
			 an individual who is an agent or employee of such group or organization who
			 acts within the scope of such agency or employment.
			(d)Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums
			 as may be necessary to carry out this section.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act
			 of 2009.
		2.Inclusion of additional
			 information relating to freedom of the press worldwide in annual country
			 reports on human rights practicesThe Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is
			 amended—
			(1)in section 116(d) (22
			 U.S.C. 2151n(d))—
				(A)in paragraph (10), by
			 striking and at the end;
				(B)in paragraph (11), by
			 striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
				(C)by adding at the end the
			 following new paragraph:

						(12)wherever
				applicable—
							(A)a description of the
				status of freedom of the press, including initiatives in favor of freedom of
				the press and efforts to improve or preserve, as appropriate, the independence
				of the media, together with an assessment of progress made as a result of those
				efforts;
							(B)an identification of
				countries in which there were violations of freedom of the press, including
				direct physical attacks, imprisonment, indirect sources of pressure, and
				censorship by governments, military, intelligence, or police forces, criminal
				groups, or armed extremist or rebel groups; and
							(C)in countries where there
				are particularly severe violations of freedom of the press—
								(i)whether government
				authorities of each such country participate in, facilitate, or condone such
				violations of the freedom of the press; and
								(ii)what steps the
				government of each such country has taken to preserve the safety and
				independence of the media, and to ensure the prosecution of those individuals
				who attack or murder journalists.
								;
				and
				(2)in section 502B (22
			 U.S.C. 2304), by adding at the end the following new subsection:

					(i)The report required by
				subsection (b) shall include, wherever applicable—
						(1)a description of the
				status of freedom of the press, including initiatives in favor of freedom of
				the press and efforts to improve or preserve, as appropriate, the independence
				of the media, together with an assessment of progress made as a result of those
				efforts;
						(2)an identification of
				countries in which there were violations of freedom of the press, including
				direct physical attacks, imprisonment, indirect sources of pressure, and
				censorship by governments, military, intelligence, or police forces, criminal
				groups, or armed extremist or rebel groups; and
						(3)in countries where there
				are particularly severe violations of freedom of the press—
							(A)whether government
				authorities of each such country participate in, facilitate, or condone such
				violations of the freedom of the press; and
							(B)what steps the government
				of each such country has taken to preserve the safety and independence of the
				media, and to ensure the prosecution of those individuals who attack or murder
				journalists.
							.

		December 18, 2009
		Reported with an amendment


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5880
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			May 31, 2012
			Mr. Runyan introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Veterans’
			 Affairs

		A BILL
		To extend the authority of the Secretary of Veterans
		  Affairs to enter into contracts with private physicians to conduct medical
		  disability examinations.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Veterans Disability Examination Access
			 Improvement Act.
		2.Authority for the
			 performance of medical disability examinations by contract
			 physiciansSection 704(c) of
			 the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 (38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended by striking
			 December 31, 2012 and inserting December 31,
			 2017.


109 HR 3217 IH: To suspend temporarily the duty on DCBTF.
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-07-12
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. 3217
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 12, 2005
Mr. Buyer introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL
To suspend temporarily the duty on DCBTF.

1.DCBTF
(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:

9902.11.023,4-Dichlorobenztrifluoride (CAS No. 328-84-7) (provided for in subheading 2903.69.08)FreeNo changeNo changeOn or before 12/31/2008
(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.


I
112th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5764
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 15, 2012
Mr. Scott of South Carolina introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL
To extend the reduction of duty on N-phenyl-pphenylenediamine.

1.N-phenyl-pphenylenediamine
(a)In generalHeading 9902.40.81 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (relating to N-phenyl-pphenylenediamine) is amended by striking the date in the effective period column and inserting 12/31/2015.
(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.