		IB
		 Union Calendar No. 377
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 3065
		[Report No. 112–529, Part
		  I]
		IN THE HOUSE OF
		  REPRESENTATIVES

			September 23, 2011
			Mr. Shuler (for
			 himself, Mr. Hunter,
			 Mr. Cardoza,
			 Mr. Costa,
			 Mr. Chandler,
			 Mr. Matheson,
			 Mr. Thompson of California,
			 Mr. Holden,
			 Mr. Boswell,
			 Mr. Boren,
			 Mr. Ross of Arkansas,
			 Mr. Barrow,
			 Mr. Kissell,
			 Mr. Young of Alaska,
			 Mr. Lewis of California,
			 Mr. Hultgren,
			 Mr. Bartlett,
			 Mr. Hanna,
			 Ms. Foxx, Mr. Burton of Indiana,
			 Mr. Michaud,
			 Mr. Kind, Mr. Harris, Mr.
			 Conaway, Mr. Buchanan,
			 Mr. Courtney,
			 Mr. Calvert,
			 Mr. Gene Green of Texas,
			 Mr. McIntyre,
			 Mr. Westmoreland,
			 Mr. Critz,
			 Mr. Guthrie,
			 Mr. Benishek,
			 Mr. Ross of Florida,
			 Mr. Guinta,
			 Mr. Austria,
			 Mr. Latta,
			 Mr. Yoder,
			 Mr. Broun of Georgia,
			 Mr. McKinley,
			 Mr. Miller of Florida,
			 Mr. Kline, and
			 Mr. Peterson) introduced the following
			 bill; which was referred to the Committee
			 on Natural Resources, and in addition to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
			 Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
			 jurisdiction of the committee concerned

			June 15, 2012
			Additional sponsors: Mr.
			 Daniel E. Lungren of California, Mr.
			 Simpson, Mr. Coffman of
			 Colorado, Mr. Bucshon,
			 Mr. Owens,
			 Mr. Kinzinger of Illinois,
			 Mr. Luetkemeyer,
			 Mr. Duncan of South Carolina,
			 Mr. Walberg,
			 Mr. Wittman,
			 Mr. Schock,
			 Mr. Welch,
			 Mr. Palazzo,
			 Mr. Cole, Mr. Coble, Mr.
			 Forbes, Mr. Johnson of
			 Ohio, Mr. McCotter,
			 Mr. Lamborn, and
			 Mr. Walsh of Illinois

			June 15, 2012
			Reported from the Committee on Natural
			 Resources

			June 15, 2012
			The Committee on the
			 Judiciary discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole
			 House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

		A BILL
		To amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife
		  Restoration Act to facilitate the establishment of additional or expanded
		  public target ranges in certain States.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Target Practice and Marksmanship
			 Training Support Act.
		2.Findings; purpose
			(a)FindingsCongress finds that—
				(1)the use of firearms and archery equipment
			 for target practice and marksmanship training activities on Federal land is
			 allowed, except to the extent specific portions of that land have been closed
			 to those activities;
				(2)in recent years preceding the date of
			 enactment of this Act, portions of Federal land have been closed to target
			 practice and marksmanship training for many reasons;
				(3)the availability of public target ranges on
			 non-Federal land has been declining for a variety of reasons, including
			 continued population growth and development near former ranges;
				(4)providing opportunities for target practice
			 and marksmanship training at public target ranges on Federal and non-Federal
			 land can help—
					(A)to promote enjoyment of shooting,
			 recreational, and hunting activities; and
					(B)to ensure safe and convenient locations for
			 those activities;
					(5)Federal law in effect on the date of
			 enactment of this Act, including the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act
			 (16 U.S.C. 669 et seq.), provides Federal support for construction and
			 expansion of public target ranges by making available to States amounts that
			 may be used for construction, operation, and maintenance of public target
			 ranges; and
				(6)it is in the public interest to provide
			 increased Federal support to facilitate the construction or expansion of public
			 target ranges.
				(b)PurposeThe purpose of this Act is to facilitate
			 the construction and expansion of public target ranges, including ranges on
			 Federal land managed by the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
			 Management.
			3.Definition of public target
			 rangeIn this Act, the term
			 public target range means a specific location that—
			(1)is identified by a governmental agency for
			 recreational shooting;
			(2)is open to the public;
			(3)may be supervised; and
			(4)may accommodate archery or rifle, pistol,
			 or shotgun shooting.
			4.Amendments to Pittman-Robertson Wildlife
			 Restoration Act
			(a)DefinitionsSection 2 of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife
			 Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669a) is amended—
				(1)by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (8)
			 as paragraphs (3) through (9), respectively; and
				(2)by inserting after paragraph (1) the
			 following:

						(2)the term public target range
				means a specific location that—
							(A)is identified by a governmental agency for
				recreational shooting;
							(B)is open to the public;
							(C)may be supervised; and
							(D)may accommodate archery or rifle, pistol,
				or shotgun
				shooting;
							.
				(b)Expenditures for management of wildlife
			 areas and resourcesSection
			 8(b) of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669g(b)) is
			 amended—
				(1)by striking (b) Each State
			 and inserting the following:

						(b)Expenditures for management of wildlife
				areas and resources
							(1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), each
				State
							;
				(2)in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by
			 striking construction, operation, and inserting
			 operation;
				(3)in the second sentence, by striking
			 The non-Federal share and inserting the following:

						(3)Non-Federal shareThe non-Federal
				share
						;
				(4)in the third sentence, by striking
			 The Secretary and inserting the following:

						(4)RegulationsThe
				Secretary
						;
				and
				(5)by inserting after paragraph (1) (as
			 designated by paragraph (1) of this subsection) the following:

						(2)ExceptionNotwithstanding the limitation described in
				paragraph (1), a State may pay up to 90 percent of the cost of acquiring land
				for, expanding, or constructing a public target
				range.
						.
				(c)Firearm and bow hunter education and safety
			 program grantsSection 10 of
			 the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669h–1) is
			 amended—
				(1)in subsection (a), by adding at the end the
			 following:

						(3)Allocation of additional
				amountsOf the amount
				apportioned to a State for any fiscal year under section 4(b), the State may
				elect to allocate not more than 10 percent, to be combined with the amount
				apportioned to the State under paragraph (1) for that fiscal year, for
				acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing a public target
				range.
						;
				(2)by striking subsection (b) and inserting
			 the following:

						(b)Cost sharing
							(1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), the
				Federal share of the cost of any activity carried out using a grant under this
				section shall not exceed 75 percent of the total cost of the activity.
							(2)Public target range construction or
				expansionThe Federal share
				of the cost of acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing a public target
				range in a State on Federal or non-Federal land pursuant to this section or
				section 8(b) shall not exceed 90 percent of the cost of the
				activity.
							;
				and
				(3)in subsection (c)(1)—
					(A)by striking Amounts made and
			 inserting the following:

							(A)In generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B),
				amounts made
							;
				and
					(B)by adding at the end the following:

							(B)ExceptionAmounts provided for acquiring land for,
				constructing, or expanding a public target range shall remain available for
				expenditure and obligation during the 5-fiscal-year period beginning on October
				1 of the first fiscal year for which the amounts are made
				available.
							.
					5.Limits on liability
			(a)Discretionary functionFor purposes of chapter 171 of title 28,
			 United States Code (commonly referred to as the Federal Tort Claims
			 Act), any action by an agent or employee of the United States to manage
			 or allow the use of Federal land for purposes of target practice or
			 marksmanship training by a member of the public shall be considered to be the
			 exercise or performance of a discretionary function.
			(b)Civil action or claimsExcept to the extent provided in chapter
			 171 of title 28, United States Code, the United States shall not be subject to
			 any civil action or claim for money damages for any injury to or loss of
			 property, personal injury, or death caused by an activity occurring at a public
			 target range that is—
				(1)funded in whole or in part by the Federal
			 Government pursuant to the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16
			 U.S.C. 669 et seq.); or
				(2)located on Federal land.
				6.Sense of Congress regarding
			 cooperationIt is the sense of
			 Congress that, consistent with applicable laws and regulations, the Chief of
			 the Forest Service and the Director of the Bureau of Land Management should
			 cooperate with State and local authorities and other entities to carry out
			 waste removal and other activities on any Federal land used as a public target
			 range to encourage continued use of that land for target practice or
			 marksmanship training.

		June 15, 2012
		Reported from the Committee on Natural
		  Resources
		June 15, 2012
		The Committee on the
		  Judiciary discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole
		  House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed


114 S667 IS: Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2015
U.S. Senate
2015-03-04
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II114th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 667IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 4, 2015Mr. Enzi (for himself, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Rubio) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo ensure that organizations with religious or moral convictions are allowed to continue to provide
 services for children. 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2015.2.Findings and purposes(a)FindingsCongress finds the following:(1)Child welfare service providers, both individuals and organizations, have the inherent, fundamental, and inalienable right to free exercise of religion protected by the United States Constitution.(2)The right to free exercise of religion for child welfare service providers includes the freedom to refrain from conduct that conflicts with their sincerely held religious beliefs.(3)Most States provide government-funded child welfare services through various charitable, religious, and private organizations.(4)Religious organizations, in particular, have a lengthy and distinguished history of providing child welfare services that predates government involvement.(5)Religious organizations have long been and should continue contracting with and receiving grants from governmental entities to provide child welfare services.(6)Religious organizations cannot provide certain child welfare services, such as foster-care or adoption placements, without receiving a government contract, grant or license.(7)Religious organizations display particular excellence when providing child welfare services.(8)Children and families benefit greatly from the child welfare services provided by religious organizations.(9)Governmental entities and officials administering federally funded child welfare services in some States, including Massachusetts, California, Illinois, and the District of Columbia, have refused to contract with religious organizations that are unable, due to sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions, to provide a child welfare service that conflicts, or under circumstances that conflict, with those beliefs or convictions; and that refusal has forced many religious organizations to end their long and distinguished history of excellence in the provision of child welfare services.(10)Ensuring that religious organizations can continue to provide child welfare services will benefit the children and families that receive those federally funded services.(11)States also provide government-funded child welfare services through individual child welfare service providers with varying religious and moral convictions.(12)Many individual child welfare service providers maintain sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions that relate to their work and should not be forced to choose between their livelihood and adherence to those beliefs or convictions.(13)Because governmental entities provide child welfare services through many charitable, religious, and private organizations, each with varying religious beliefs or moral convictions, and through diverse individuals with varying religious beliefs or moral convictions, the religiously impelled inability of some religious organizations or individuals to provide certain services will not have a material effect on a person’s ability to access federally funded child welfare services.(14)The activities of funding and administering these child welfare services substantially affect interstate commerce.(15)Taking adverse actions against child welfare service providers that are unable, due to their sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions, to provide certain services (or provide services under certain circumstances) substantially affects interstate commerce.(16)The provisions of this Act are remedial measures that are congruent and proportional to protecting the constitutional rights of child welfare service providers guaranteed under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.(17)Congress has the authority to pass this Act pursuant to its spending clause power, commerce clause power, and enforcement power under section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.(b)PurposesThe purposes of this Act are as follows:(1)To prohibit governmental entities from discriminating or taking an adverse action against a child welfare service provider on the basis that the provider declines to provide a child welfare service that conflicts, or under circumstances that conflict, with the sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions of the provider.(2)To protect child welfare service providers’ exercise of religion and to ensure that governmental entities will not be able to force those providers, either directly or indirectly, to discontinue all or some of their child welfare services because they decline to provide a child welfare service that conflicts, or under circumstances that conflict, with their sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions.(3)To provide relief to child welfare service providers whose rights have been violated.3.Discrimination and adverse actions prohibited(a)The Federal Government, and any State that receives federal funding for any program that provides child welfare services under part B or part E of title IV of the Social Security Act (and any subdivision, office or department of such State) shall not discriminate or take an adverse action against a child welfare service provider on the basis that the provider has declined or will decline to provide, facilitate, or refer for a child welfare service that conflicts with, or under circumstances that conflict with, the provider's sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions.(b)Subsection (a) does not apply to conduct forbidden by paragraph (18) of section 471(a) of such Act.4.Funds withheld for violationThe Secretary of Health and Human Services shall withhold from a State 15 percent of the federal funds the State receives for a program that provides child welfare services under part B or part E of title IV of the Social Security Act if the State violates section 3 when administering or disbursing funds under such program.5.Private right of action(a)A child welfare service provider aggrieved by a violation of section 3 may assert that violation as a claim or defense in a judicial proceeding and obtain all appropriate relief, including declaratory relief, injunctive relief, and compensatory damages, with respect to that violation.(b)A child welfare service provider that prevails in an action by establishing a violation of section 3 is entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.(c)By accepting or expending federal funds in connection with a program that provides child welfare services under part B or part E of title IV of the Social Security Act, a State waives its sovereign immunity for any claim or defense that is raised under this section.6.SeverabilityIf any provision of this Act, or any application of such provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act and the application of the provision to any other person or circumstance shall not be affected.7.Effective date(a)The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the 1st day of the 1st fiscal year beginning on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, and the withholding of funds authorized by section 4 shall apply to payments under parts B and E of such Act for calendar quarters beginning on or after such date.(b)If legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) is required for a governmental entity to bring itself into compliance with this Act, the governmental entity shall not be regarded as violating this Act before the 1st day of the 1st calendar quarter beginning after the first regular session of the legislative body that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act. For purposes of the preceding sentence, if the governmental entity has a 2-year legislative session, each year of the session is deemed to be a separate regular session.8.DefinitionsThe following definitions apply throughout this Act:(1)The term child welfare service provider includes organizations, corporations, groups, entities, or individuals that provide or seek to provide, or that apply for or receive a contract, subcontract, grant, or subgrant for the provision of, child welfare services. The provider need not be engaged exclusively in child welfare services to be considered a child welfare service provider.(2)The term child welfare services means social services provided to or on behalf of children, including assisting abused, neglected, or troubled children, counseling children or parents, promoting foster parenting, providing foster homes or temporary group shelters for children, recruiting foster parents, placing children in foster homes, licensing foster homes, promoting adoption, recruiting adoptive parents, assisting adoptions, supporting adoptive families, assisting kinship guardianships, assisting kinship caregivers, providing family preservation services, providing family support services, and providing time-limited family reunification services.(3)The term State includes any of the several States, the District of Columbia, any commonwealth, territory or possession of the United States, and any political subdivision thereof.(4)The terms funding, funded, or funds include money paid pursuant to a contract, grant, voucher, or similar means.(5)The term adverse action includes, but is not limited to, denying a child welfare service provider’s application for funding, refusing to renew the provider's funding, canceling the provider's funding, declining to enter into a contract with the provider, refusing to renew a contract with the provider, canceling a contract with the provider, declining to issue a license to the provider, refusing to renew the provider's license, canceling the provider's license, terminating the provider's employment, or any other adverse action that materially alters the terms or conditions of the provider's employment, funding, contract, or license.


116 HR 6458 IH: Small Business Investor Tax Parity Act of 2020
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-04-07
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 6458IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 7, 2020Mr. Brendan F. Boyle of Pennsylvania (for himself and Mr. Arrington) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and MeansA BILLTo amend section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow the deduction under that section to apply to qualified BDC interest dividends in the same manner as qualified REIT dividends.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Small Business Investor Tax Parity Act of 2020. 2.Deduction for qualified business income to apply to certain interest dividends of qualified business development companies(a)In generalSubsections (b)(1)(B) and (c)(1) of section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 are each amended by inserting , qualified BDC interest dividends, after qualified REIT dividends.(b)Qualified BDC interest dividend definedSection 199A(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:(5)Qualified BDC interest dividend(A)In generalThe term qualified BDC interest dividend means any dividend from an electing business development company received during the taxable year which is attributable to net interest income of such company which is properly allocable to a qualified trade or business of such company. (B)Electing business development companyFor purposes of this paragraph, the term electing business development company means a business development company (as defined in section 2(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940) which has an election in effect under section 851 to be treated as a regulated investment company. .(c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019.


116 S1324 IS: BuyAmerican.gov Act of 2019
U.S. Senate
2019-05-06
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1324IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMay 6, 2019Mr. Portman (for himself, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Graham, and Mr. Brown) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsA BILLTo strengthen Buy American requirements, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the BuyAmerican.gov Act of 2019.2.DefinitionsIn this Act:(1)Buy American lawThe term Buy American law means any law, regulation, Executive order, or rule relating to Federal contracts, grants, or financial assistance that requires or provides a preference for the purchase or use of goods, products, or materials mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States, including—(A)chapter 83 of title 41, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Buy American Act);(B)section 5323(j) of title 49, United States Code;(C)section 313 of title 23, United States Code;(D)section 50101 of title 49, United States Code;(E)section 24405 of title 49, United States Code;(F)section 608 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1388);(G)section 1452(a)(4) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–12(a)(4));(H)section 5035 of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 3914);(I)section 2533a of title 10, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Berry Amendment);(J)section 2533b of title 10, United States Code; and(K)section 604 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (6 U.S.C. 453b).(2)Executive agencyThe term executive agency has the meaning given the term in section 133 of title 41, United States Code.3.Sense of Congress on buying AmericanIt is the sense of Congress that—(1)every executive agency should maximize, through terms and conditions of Federal financial assistance awards and Federal procurements, the use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States and contracts for outsourced government service contracts to be performed by United States nationals;(2)every executive agency should scrupulously monitor, enforce, and comply with Buy American Laws, to the extent they apply, and minimize the use of waivers; and(3)every executive agency should implement processes to routinely audit its compliance with Buy American laws using data from the Federal Procurement Data System–Next Generation.4.Report on Buy American compliance efforts(a)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for two years, the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the United States Trade Representative, the Secretary of State, and the heads of other executive agencies, shall submit to Congress and the President a report on the implementation of, and compliance with, Buy American laws.(b)ElementsThe report required under subsection (a) shall include the following elements:(1)An assessment of the monitoring of, enforcement of, implementation of, and compliance with Buy American Laws within each executive agency.(2)A listing of each waiver and exception used by an executive agency and an assessment of waivers by type and impact on domestic jobs and manufacturing.(3)Recommendations for policies for executive agencies to ensure that, to the extent permitted by law, Federal financial assistance awards and Federal contacts maximize the use of goods, products, and materials mined, produced, and manufactured in the United States, including manufactured products, components of manufactured products, and materials such as steel, iron, aluminum, and cement and services.(c)Agency reportsNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for two years, the head of each executive agency shall submit to the Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget a report on the implementation of, and compliance with, Buy American laws and covering with respect to that agency the elements set forth in subsection (b).(d)GuidanceThe head of each executive agency shall review the guidance issued to executive agencies in accordance with Executive Order 13788 regarding assessment of waivers and policies addressing Buy American laws and, as necessary, issue additional guidance.5.Assessment of impact of free trade agreementsNot later than 150 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative shall assess the impacts in a publicly available report of all United States free trade agreements and the World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement on the operation of Buy American Laws, including their impacts on the implementation of domestic procurement preferences.6.Judicious use of waivers(a)In generalTo the extent permitted by law, public interest waivers from Buy American Laws shall be construed to ensure the maximum utilization of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States.(b)Public interest waiver determinationsTo the extent permitted by law, determination of public interest waivers shall be made by the head of the agency with the authority over the Federal financial assistance award or Federal procurement under consideration.7.Establishment of BuyAmerican.gov websiteNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of General Services shall establish an Internet website with the address BuyAmerican.gov that will be publicly available and free to access. The website shall include information on all waivers of and exceptions to Buy American laws that have been requested, are under consideration, or have been granted by executive agencies and be designed to enable manufacturers and other interested parties to easily identify waivers. The website shall also include the results of routine audits of the Federal Procurement Data System–Next Generation to determine data errors and Buy American law violations after the award of a contract. The website shall provide publicly available contact information for the contracting agencies.8.Waiver Transparency and Streamlining for grants(a)Collection of informationThe President, in consultation with the heads of relevant agencies, shall develop a mechanism to collect information on requests to waive Buy American laws and other domestic content restrictions, utilizing existing reporting requirements whenever possible, for purposes of providing early notice to possible waivers via the website established under subsection (a). The heads of executive agencies shall report to the Administrator as quickly as possible waivers requested or under consideration and waivers granted due to the non-availability of procured items or service providers for purposes of posting such information on the website established under such subsection.(b)Waiver transparency and streamliningNot less than 20 days prior to waiving, under his or her statutory authority, any applicable Buy American law, the head of an executive agency shall submit to the Administrator of General Services a notice of the agency’s intention to waive the Buy American law. Not later than 5 days after receiving this information from the head of an executive agency, the Administrator of General Services shall make available to the public, by posting on the website established under section 7, a copy of the information provided pursuant to subsection (a), and shall allow for informal public comment on the request for at least 15 days prior to making a finding based on the request.(c)Information available to the executive agency concerning the request(1)RequirementNo requested waiver of an applicable Buy American Law may be granted if, in contravention of subsection (b)—(A)information about the waiver was not made available on the website under section 7; or(B)no opportunity for public comment concerning the request was granted.(2)ScopeInformation made available to the public concerning the request included on the website described in section 7 shall properly and adequately document and justify the statutory basis cited for the requested waiver. Such information shall include—(A)a detailed justification for the use of goods, products, or materials mined, produced, or manufactured outside the United States;(B)for requests citing unreasonable cost as the statutory basis of the waiver, a comparison of the cost of the domestic product to the cost of the foreign product or a comparison of the overall cost of the project with domestic products to the overall cost of the project with foreign-origin products or services, pursuant to the requirements of the applicable Buy American law, except that publicly available cost comparison data may be provided in lieu of proprietary pricing information;(C)for requests citing the public interest as the statutory basis for the waiver, a detailed written statement, which shall include all appropriate factors, such as potential obligations under international agreements, justifying why the requested waiver is in the public interest; and(D)a certification that the procurement official or assistance recipient made a good faith effort to solicit bids for domestic products supported by terms included in requests for proposals, contracts, and nonproprietary communications with the prime contractor.(d)Nonavailability waivers(1)In generalExcept as provided under paragraph (2), for a request citing nonavailability as the statutory basis for a waiver, an executive agency shall provide an explanation of the procurement official’s efforts to procure a product from a domestic source and the reasons why a domestic product was not suitable. Those explanations shall be made available on BuyAmerican.gov prior to the issuance of the waiver, and the agency shall consider public comments regarding the availability of the product before making a final determination.(2)ExceptionAn explanation under paragraph (1) is not required for a product the nonavailability of which is established by law or regulation.9.Waiver transparency and streamlining for procurement(a)Publication of informationNot less than 20 days prior to waiving, pursuant to statutory authority, any applicable Buy American law, the head of an executive agency shall make information concerning the intention to issue a waiver or exception in connection with a Federal procurement available to the Administrator of General Services. A notice of the agency’s intention to waive a Buy American law shall be made available to the public through BuyAmerican.gov and shall include the statutory basis for exercise of the waiver or exception.(b)Nonavailability waivers(1)In generalExcept as provided under paragraph (2), for a request citing nonavailability as the statutory basis for a waiver, an executive agency shall provide an explanation of the procurement official’s efforts to procure a product from a domestic source and the reasons why a domestic product was not suitable. The explanation shall be made available on BuyAmerican.gov prior to the issuance of the waiver, and the agency shall consider public comments regarding the availability of the product before making a final determination.(2)ExceptionAn explanation under paragraph (1) is not required for a product the nonavailability of which is established by law or regulation.10.Comptroller General reportNot later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report describing the implementation of this Act, including recommendations for any legislation to improve the collection and reporting of information regarding waivers of and exceptions to Buy American laws.11.Rules of construction(a)Disclosure requirementsNothing in this Act shall be construed as preempting, superseding, or otherwise affecting the application of any disclosure requirement or requirements otherwise provided by law or regulation.(b)Establishment of successor information systemsNothing in this Act shall be construed as preventing or otherwise limiting the ability of the Administrator of General Services to move the data required to be included on the website established under subsection (a) to a successor information system. Any such information system shall include a reference to BuyAmerican.gov.12.Consistency with international agreementsThis Act shall be applied in a manner consistent with United States obligations under international agreements.


113 S2653 IS: Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2014
U.S. Senate
2014-07-24
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 2653
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			July 24, 2014
			Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Mr. Portman, and Mr. Begich) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

		A BILL
		To amend the definition of homeless person under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to include certain homeless children and youth,
			 and for other purposes.

			1.
			Short title
			This Act may be cited as the
			 Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2014.

			2.
			Amendments to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance ActThe McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11301 et seq.) is amended—(1)in section 103—(A)in subsection (a)—(i)in paragraph  (5)(A)—(I)by striking are sharing and all that follows through charitable organizations,;(II)by striking 14 days each place that term appears and inserting 30 days;(III)in clause (i), by inserting or after the semicolon;(IV)by striking clause (ii); and(V)by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (ii); and(ii)by amending paragraph (6) to read as follows:(6)unaccompanied youth and homeless families with children and youth defined as homeless under other
			 Federal statutes who—(A)are certified as homeless by the director or designee of a director of a program funded  under any
			 other Federal statute; or(B)have been certified by a director or designee of a director of a program funded under this Act or a
			 director or designee of a director of a public housing agency as lacking a
			 fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, which shall include—(i)temporarily sharing the housing of another person due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or
			 other similar reason; or(ii)living in a room in a motel or hotel.; and(B)by adding at the end the following:(f)Other definitionsIn this section—(1)the term other Federal statute has the meaning given that term in section 401; and(2)the term public housing agency means an agency described in section 3(b)(6) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
			 1437a(b)(6)).;(2)in section 401—(A)in paragraph (1)(C)—(i)by striking clause (iv); and(ii)by redesignating clauses (v), (vi), and (vii) as clauses (iv), (v), and (vi);(B)in paragraph (7)—(i)by striking Federal statute other than this subtitle and inserting other Federal statute; and(ii)by inserting of before this Act;(C)by redesignating paragraphs (14) through (33) as paragraphs (15) through (34), respectively; and(D)by adding after paragraph (13) the following:(14)Other Federal statuteThe term other Federal statute includes—(A)the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5701 et seq.);(B)the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.);(C)subtitle N of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 14043e et seq.);(D)section 330(h) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b(h));(E)section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786);(F)the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.); and(G)subtitle B of title VII of this Act.;(3)by inserting after section 408 the following:409.Availability of HMIS report(a)In generalThe information provided to the Secretary under section 402(f)(3) shall be made publically
			 available
			 on the Internet website of the Department of Housing and Urban
			 Development in aggregate, non-personally identifying reports.(b)Required dataEach report made publically available under subsection (a) shall be updated on at least an annual
			 basis and shall include—(1)a cumulative count of the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness;(2)a cumulative assessment of the patterns of assistance provided under subtitles B and C for the each
			 geographic area involved; and(3)a count of the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness that are documented
			 through the HMIS by each collaborative applicant.;(4)in section 422—(A)in subsection (a)—(i)by striking The Secretary and inserting the following:(1)In generalThe Secretary; and(ii)by adding at the end the following:(2)RestrictionIn awarding grants under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not consider or prioritize the specific
			 homeless
			 populations intended to be served by the applicant if the applicant
			 demonstrates that the
			 project—(A)would meet the priorities identified in the plan submitted under section 427(b)(1)(B); and(B)is cost-effective in meeting the overall goals and objectives identified in that plan.;  and(B)by striking subsection (j);(5)in section 424(d), by striking paragraph (5);(6)in section 427(b)—(A)in paragraph (1)—(i)in subparagraph (A)—(I)in clause (vi), by adding and at the end;(II)in clause (vii), by striking and at the end; and(III)by striking clause (viii);(ii)in subparagraph (B)—(I)in clause (iii), by adding and at the end;(II)in clause (iv)(VI), by striking and at the end; and(III)by striking clause (v);(iii)in subparagraph (E), by adding and at the end;(iv)by striking subparagraph (F); and(v)by redesignating subparagraph (G) as subparagraph (F); and(B)by striking paragraph (3); and(7)by amending section 433 to read as follows:433.Reports to Congress(a)In generalThe Secretary shall submit to Congress an annual report, which shall—(1)summarize the activities carried out under this subtitle and set forth the findings, conclusions,
			 and recommendations of the Secretary as a result of the activities; and(2)include, for the year preceding the date on which the report is submitted—(A)data required to be made publically available in the report under section 409; and(B)data on programs funded  under any
			 other Federal statute, as such term is defined in section 401.(b)TimingA report under subsection (a) shall be submitted not later than 4 months after the end of each
			 fiscal year..


116 S398 RS: Saudi Arabia Accountability and Yemen Act of 2019
U.S. Senate
2019-02-07
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.

IICalendar No. 167116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 398IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 7, 2019Mr. Menendez (for himself, Mr. Young, Mr. Reed, Mr. Graham, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Collins, and Mr. Murphy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign RelationsJuly 30, 2019Reported by Mr. Risch, without amendmentA BILLTo support the peaceful resolution of the civil war in Yemen, to address the resulting humanitarian
			 crisis, and to hold the perpetrators responsible for murdering a Saudi
			 dissident.

		1.Short title; table of contents
 (a)Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Saudi Arabia Accountability and Yemen Act of 2019.
 (b)Table of contentsThe table of contents for this Act is as follows:Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.TITLE I—Peaceful Resolution of the Civil War in Yemen and Protection of CiviliansSec. 101. Statement of policy.Sec. 102. Sense of Congress.Sec. 103. United States strategy for ending the war in Yemen.Sec. 104. Report on accountability for violations of international law, including war crimes, and other harm to civilians in Yemen.Sec. 105. Suspension of arms transfers to Saudi Arabia.Sec. 106. Prohibition on in-flight refueling of Saudi coalition aircraft operating in Yemen.Sec. 107. Imposition of sanctions with respect to persons hindering humanitarian access and threatening the peace or stability of Yemen.Sec. 108. Imposition of sanctions with respect to persons supporting the Houthis in Yemen.Sec. 109. GAO review of United States military support to Saudi-led coalition.Sec. 110. Emergency protection for Yemeni cultural property.TITLE II—Saudi Arabia AccountabilitySec. 201. Imposition of sanctions on persons responsible for the death of Jamal Khashoggi.Sec. 202. Report on Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.TITLE III—General ProvisionsSec. 301. Rule of construction.Sec. 302. Sunset. IPeaceful Resolution of the Civil War in Yemen and Protection of Civilians 101.Statement of policyIt is the policy of the United States—
 (1)to support United Nations-led efforts for a comprehensive political settlement that leads to a territorially unified, stable, and independent Yemen;
 (2)to insist on the urgent need for a political solution, consistent with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015), or any successor United Nations Security Council Resolution demanding an end to violence in Yemen and peaceful resolution of the conflict in that country;
 (3)to reject all statements, policies, or actions advocating for a military solution to the civil war in Yemen;
 (4)to encourage long-standing United States security partners, including the Government of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the United Arab Emirates, to take the lead in confidence-building measures that open space for political dialogue to end the war in Yemen and address the humanitarian crisis; and
 (5)to support the implementation of the agreements reached between the parties to the conflict at Stockholm, Sweden on December 13, 2018, consistent with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2451 (2018).
 102.Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that— (1)continued direct negotiations between the Government of Saudi Arabia, the internationally recognized Government of Yemen, and representatives of the Houthi movement (also known as Ansar Allah) are required—
 (A)to reach a political solution; (B)to implement the agreements reached between the Saudi-led coalition, the internationally recognized Government of Yemen, local Yemeni forces, and Ansar Allah at Stockholm, Sweden on December 13, 2018 (referred to in this title as the Stockholm Agreement);
 (C)to address the suffering of the Yemeni people; and (D)to counter efforts by Iran, al Qaeda, and ISIS to exploit instability for their own malign purposes;
 (2)the Government of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the United Arab Emirates bear significant responsibility for the economic stabilization and eventual reconstruction of Yemen; and
 (3)the United States and the international community must continue to support the work of United Nations Special Envoy Martin Griffiths to achieve a political solution to the civil war in Yemen, including by supporting the implementation of the Stockholm Agreement and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2451 (2018).
				103.United States strategy for ending the war in Yemen
 (a)Defined termIn this title, the term appropriate congressional committees means— (1)the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
 (2)the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate; (3)the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and
 (4)the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives. (b)StrategyNot later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter until a complete cessation of hostilities in the Yemen civil war, the Secretary of State, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, the Secretary of Defense, and the Director of National Intelligence shall provide a briefing to the appropriate congressional committees on the progress of the United States strategy to end the war in Yemen.
 (c)ElementsThe briefing required under subsection (b) shall include— (1)a summary of the United States national security interests threatened by continued civil war and instability in Yemen;
 (2)a description of the steps necessary to end the civil war in Yemen and achieve a territorially unified, stable, and independent Yemen;
 (3)a description of efforts to implement the Stockholm Agreement; (4)a description of whether the Saudi-led coalition, the internationally recognized Government of Yemen, local Yemeni forces, and Ansar Allah are taking the necessary steps referred to in paragraphs (2) and (3);
 (5)a description of United States activities to encourage all parties to take the necessary steps referred to in paragraphs (2) and (3);
 (6)an assessment of the threat posed by Al Qaeda and the Islamic State in Yemen to United States national security, including—
 (A)a comprehensive list of all sources of support received by these groups; and (B)an assessment regarding whether the activities of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and the Islamic State in Yemen have expanded or diminished since the beginning of the war in Yemen;
 (7)an explanation of how the United States has used, and plans to use, its military and diplomatic leverage—
 (A)to end the civil war in Yemen; and (B)to move the stakeholders in the war toward a political process to end the war;
 (8)an assessment of Iran’s activities in Yemen, including— (A)a comprehensive summary of all recipients of illicit Iranian support in Yemen; and
 (B)an assessment regarding whether the scope of Iran’s influence and activities in Yemen have increased or decreased since the beginning of the war in Yemen;
 (9)a description of Russia’s activities in Yemen and an assessment of Russia’s objectives for such activities; and
 (10)any other matters relevant to ending the civil war in Yemen. 104.Report on accountability for violations of international law, including war crimes, and other harm to civilians in Yemen (a)Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that—
 (1)all stakeholders in the conflict in Yemen should end all practices involving arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, torture, and other unlawful treatment;
 (2)all stakeholders in the conflict in Yemen should reveal the fate or the location of all persons who have been subjected to enforced disappearance by such stakeholders;
 (3)all persons who remain in custody as a result of the conflict in Yemen should be granted immediate access to their families;
 (4)the locations of all detention facilities run or supervised by members of the Saudi-led coalition should be revealed and brought under the supervision of the Prosecutor General of Yemen;
 (5)independent monitors should be granted access to all places of detention in Yemen; and (6)all stakeholders to the conflict in Yemen should fully cooperate with the United Nations Panel of Experts on Yemen.
 (b)ReportNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that describes the causes and consequences of civilian harm occurring in the armed conflict in Yemen, including war crimes, and gross violations of human rights as a result of the actions of all parties to the conflict.
 (c)ElementsThe report required under subsection (b) shall include— (1)a description of civilian harm occurring in the context of the armed conflict in Yemen, including—
 (A)mass casualty incidents; and (B)damage to, and destruction of, civilian infrastructure and services, including—
 (i)hospitals and other medical facilities; (ii)electrical grids;
 (iii)water systems; (iv)ports and port infrastructure; and
 (v)other critical infrastructure; (2)violations of the law of armed conflict committed during the war in Yemen by—
 (A)all forces involved in the Saudi-led coalition and all forces fighting on its behalf; (B)members of the Houthi movement and all forces fighting on its behalf;
 (C)members of violent extremist organizations; and (D)any other combatants in the conflict;
 (3)as examples of violations referred to in paragraph (2)— (A)alleged war crimes;
 (B)specific instances of failure by the parties to the conflict to exercise distinction, proportionality, and precaution in the use force in accordance with the law of armed conflict;
 (C)arbitrary denials of humanitarian access and the resulting impact on the alleviation of human suffering;
 (D)detention-related abuses; (E)the use of child soldiers, including members of the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (previously known as the Janjaweed militia); and
 (F)other acts that may constitute violations of the law of armed conflict; and (4)recommendations for establishing accountability mechanisms for the civilian harm, war crimes, other violations of the law of armed conflict, and gross violations of human rights perpetrated by parties to the conflict in Yemen, including—
 (A)the potential for prosecuting individuals perpetrating, organizing, directing, or ordering such violations; and
 (B)establishing condolence payments for the impacted members of the civilian population. (d)FormThe report required under subsection (b) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.
				105.Suspension of arms transfers to Saudi Arabia
 (a)RestrictionExcept as provided in subsection (b), during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on September 30, 2020, the United States Government—
 (1)may not sell, transfer, or authorize licenses for export to the Government of Saudi Arabia any item designated under Category III, IV, VII, or VIII on the United States Munitions List pursuant to section 38(a)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2778(a)(1)); and
 (2)shall suspend any licenses or other approvals that were issued before the date of the enactment of this Act for the export to the Government of Saudi Arabia of any item designated under Category IV of the United States Munitions List.
 (b)ExceptionThe prohibition under subsection (a) shall not apply to sales, transfers, or export licenses relating to ground-based missile defense systems.
 (c)WaiverThe President may waive the restriction under subsection (a) for items designated under Categories III, VII, and VIII of the United States Munitions List not earlier than 30 days after—
 (1)the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, submits a written, unclassified certification to the appropriate congressional committees stating that—
 (A)such waiver is in the national security interests of the United States; (B)the Saudi-led coalition, during the 180-day period immediately preceding the date of such certification, has continuously—
 (i)honored a complete cessation of hostilities in the Yemen civil war, including ending all air strikes and all offensive ground operations that are not associated with al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula or ISIS;
 (ii)fully supported, in statements and actions, the work of United Nations Special Envoy Martin Griffiths to find a political solution to the conflict in Yemen; and
 (iii)abstained from any actions to restrict, delay, or interfere with the delivery of cargo to or within Yemen unless—
 (I)such action was taken exclusively to carry out inspections based on specific intelligence that a cargo shipment contains weapons prohibited under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015); and
 (II)the Saudi-led coalition timely submitted any reports required under such Resolution after the conclusion of such action; and
 (C)Ansar Allah or associated forces, during the 180-day period immediately preceding the date of such certification—
 (i)launched missile or unmanned aerial vehicle strikes into Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates; (ii)conducted ground incursions into the territory of Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates;
 (iii)accepted weapons, weapons components, funding, or military training from the Islamic Republic of Iran;
 (iv)attacked vessels in the Red Sea; or (v)prohibited or otherwise restricted, directly or indirectly, the transport or delivery of humanitarian or commercial shipments to and within Yemen; and
 (2)the Comptroller General of the United States, not later than 45 days after the submission of the certification under paragraph (1), submits a written, unclassified report to the appropriate congressional committees assessing the responsiveness, completeness, and accuracy of such certification.
 (d)Classified briefingIf the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense determine that Ansar Allah has engaged in any of the actions described in subsection (c)(1)(C), the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall provide a classified briefing to the appropriate congressional committees not later than 10 days after submitting the certification under subsection (c)(1) to provide details to support such determination.
				106.Prohibition on in-flight refueling of Saudi coalition aircraft operating in Yemen
 (a)In generalNo Federal funds may be obligated or expended under section 2342 of title 10, United States Code, or under any other applicable statutory authority, to provide in-flight refueling of Saudi or Saudi-led coalition non-United States aircraft conducting missions as part of the ongoing civil war in Yemen.
 (b)Report requiredNot later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 30 days thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees detailing—
 (1)the expenses incurred by the United States in providing in-flight refueling services for Saudi or Saudi-led coalition non-United States aircraft conducting missions as part of the civil war in Yemen between March 2015 and November 11, 2018; and
 (2)the extent to which the expenses referred to in paragraph (1) have been reimbursed by members of the Saudi-led coalition.
 (c)ElementsThe report required under subsection (b) shall include— (1)the total expenses incurred by the United States in providing in-flight refueling services, including fuel, flight hours, and other applicable expenses, to Saudi or Saudi-led coalition, non-United States aircraft conducting missions as part of the civil war in Yemen;
 (2)the amount of the expenses described in paragraph (1) that have been reimbursed by each member of the Saudi-led coalition; and
 (3)actions taken by the United States to recoup the unreimbursed expenses described in paragraph (1), including any commitments by members of the Saudi-led coalition to reimburse the United States for such expenses.
 (d)SunsetThe reporting requirement under subsection (b) shall cease to be effective on the date on which the Secretary of Defense submits written certification to the appropriate congressional committees that all of the expenses incurred by the United State in providing in-flight refueling services for Saudi or Saudi-led coalition non-United States aircraft conducting missions as part of the civil war in Yemen have been reimbursed.
				107.Imposition of sanctions with respect to persons hindering humanitarian access and threatening the
			 peace or stability of Yemen
 (a)Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that the President should continue to implement Executive Order 13611 (77 Fed. Reg. 29533), relating to blocking property of persons threatening the peace, security, or stability of Yemen.
 (b)Sanctions authorizedNot later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall impose the sanctions described in subsection (c) with respect to each person that the President determines—
 (1)(A)is knowingly blocking access to Yemeni ports, ports of entry, or other facilities used by the United Nations, its specialized agencies and implementing partners, national and international nongovernmental organizations, or any other actors engaged in humanitarian relief activities in Yemen; or
 (B)is otherwise hindering the efforts of such organizations to deliver humanitarian relief, including through diversion of goods and materials intended to provide relief to civilians in Yemen;
 (2)(A)is knowingly threatening the humanitarian actors referred to in paragraph (1)(A); or (B)is engaging in acts of violence against such actors in Yemen or across conflict lines and borders;
 (3)is responsible for actions or policies that are intended to undermine— (A)the United Nations-led political process to end the conflict in Yemen; or
 (B)efforts to promote stabilization and reconstruction in Yemen; (4)is a successor entity to a person referred to in paragraphs (1) through (3);
 (5)owns or controls, or is owned or controlled by, a person referred to in paragraphs (1) through (3); (6)is acting for or, on behalf of, a person referred to in paragraphs (1) through (3); or
 (7)has knowingly provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological, or other support for, or goods or services in support of, a person referred to in paragraphs (1) through (3).
					(c)Sanctions described
 (1)In generalThe sanctions described in this subsection are the following: (A)Asset blockingIn accordance with the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the President shall block all transactions in all property and interests in property of a person subject to subsection (a) if such property and interests in property—
 (i)are in the United States; (ii)are transported into the United States; or
 (iii)are in, or come into, the possession or control of a United States person. (B)Aliens ineligible for visas, admission, or parole (i)Exclusion from the united statesThe Secretary of State shall deny a visa to, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall exclude from the United States, any alien subject to subsection (b).
							(ii)Current visas revoked
 (I)In generalThe issuing consular officer, the Secretary of State, or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee of any such officer or Secretary) shall revoke any visa or other entry documentation issued to an alien subject to subsection (b), regardless of when such visa was issued.
 (II)Effect of revocationA revocation under subclause (I) shall take effect immediately and shall automatically cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the alien’s possession.
 (2)Inapplicability of national emergency requirementThe requirements under section 202 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701) shall not apply for purposes of the imposition of sanctions under this section.
 (3)PenaltiesAny person that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation described in subsection (b), or any regulation, license, or order issued to carry out such paragraph, shall be subject to the penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act described in subsection (a) of such section.
					108.Imposition of sanctions with respect to persons supporting the Houthis in Yemen
 (a)DeterminationNot later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall determine if the Houthi movement (also known as Ansar Allah) has engaged meaningfully in United Nations-led efforts for a comprehensive political settlement that leads to a territorially unified, stable, and independent Yemen.
 (b)SanctionsIf the President is unable to make the determination described in subsection (a), the President shall impose the sanctions described in subsection (c) on any person that the President determines—
 (1)has knowingly assisted, sponsored, provided, or attempted to provide significant financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, the Houthis movement in Yemen, its successor entities, entities that own or control, or are owned or controlled by, the Houthi movement, or entities acting for, or on behalf of, the Houthi movement;
 (2)has knowingly engaged in any activity that materially contributes to the supply, sale, or direct or indirect transfer to or from the Houthi movement in Yemen, its successor entities, entities that own or control, or are owned or controlled by, the Houthi movement, or entities acting for or on behalf of the Houthi movement, of any firearms or ammunition, battle tanks, armored vehicles, artillery or mortar systems, aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, missiles or missile systems, or explosive mines of any type (as such terms are defined for the purpose of the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms), ground-to-air missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, or related materiel, including spare parts;
 (3)has knowingly provided any technical training, financial resources or services, advice, other services or assistance related to the supply, sale, transfer, manufacture, maintenance, or use of arms and related materiel described in paragraph (2) to the Houthi movement in Yemen, its successor entities, entities that own or control, or are owned or controlled by, the Houthi movement, or entities acting for or on behalf of the Houthi movement;
 (4)is a successor entity to a person described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3); (5)is an entity that owns or controls, or is owned or controlled by, a person described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3); or
 (6)is an entity that is acting for, or on behalf of, a person referred to in paragraph (1), (2), or (3).
					(c)Sanctions described
 (1)In generalThe sanctions described in this subsection are the following: (A)Asset blockingIn accordance with the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the President shall block all transactions in property, or interests in property, of a person subject to subsection (b) if such property or interests in property—
 (i)are in the United States; (ii)are transported into the United States; or
 (iii)are in, or come into, the possession or control of a United States person. (B)Aliens ineligible for visas, admission, or parole (i)Exclusion from the united statesThe Secretary of State shall deny a visa to, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall exclude from the United States, any alien subject to subsection (b).
							(ii)Current visas revoked
 (I)In generalThe issuing consular officer, the Secretary of State, or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee of any such officer or Secretary) shall revoke any visa or other entry documentation issued to an alien subject to subsection (b), regardless of when such visa was issued.
 (II)Effect of revocationA revocation under subclause (I) shall take effect immediately and shall automatically cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the alien’s possession.
 (C)Denial of certain transactionsAny letter of offer and acceptance, or license to export, any defense article or defense service controlled for export under the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.) or the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.), as continued in force by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), requested by a person described in subsection (b) shall be denied until the date that is 180 days after the date on which the Secretary of State certifies to Congress that any action by such person described in subsection (b) has ceased.
 (2)Inapplicability of national emergency requirementThe requirements under section 202 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701) shall not apply for purposes of the imposition of sanctions under this section.
 (3)PenaltiesAny person that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (b), or any regulation, license, or order issued to carry out such paragraph, shall be subject to the penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act described in subsection (a) of such section.
 (d)ExceptionThe sanctions described in subsection (c)(1) shall not apply to any act incidental or necessary to the provision of urgently needed humanitarian assistance.
				109.GAO review of United States military support to Saudi-led coalition
 (a)ReviewThe Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a review of the United States military support to the Saudi-led coalition that evaluates—
 (1)the manner and extent to which the United States military provides support to the Saudi-led coalition;
 (2)how the Department of Defense prioritizes aerial refueling capabilities in support of the Saudi-led coalition;
 (3)the manner and extent to which the United States has been reimbursed for aerial refueling support of Saudi-led coalition aircraft;
 (4)whether and how the Department of Defense determines the extent to which its advice and assistance has reduced civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, including evaluating a differentiation between dynamic and deliberate targeting by the Saudi-led coalition;
 (5)whether and how the Department of Defense determines the efficacy of defensive advice and assistance to the Saudi-led coalition, including with respect to ballistic missiles and other threats to the sovereignty of regional partners; and
 (6)the responsiveness, completeness, and accuracy of any certifications submitted pursuant to section 1290 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232).
 (b)BriefingNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall provide the preliminary results of the review conducted under subsection (a) to the appropriate congressional committees.
 (c)Final reportDuring the briefing required under subsection (b), the Comptroller General shall notify the appropriate congressional committees when a final report summarizing the results of the review conducted under subsection (a) will be submitted to such committees.
 110.Emergency protection for Yemeni cultural propertySection 3 of the Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act (Public Law 114–151; 130 Stat. 369) is amended—
 (1)in the section heading, by inserting and Yemeni after Syrian; (2)in subsection (a), by inserting or Yemen after Syria each place such term appears;
 (3)in subsection (b)— (A)in paragraph (1)(B)(i), by inserting or the Government of Yemen after Government of Syria; and
 (B)in paragraph (2)(B)— (i)by inserting or Yemen after Syria each of the first 2 places such term appears; and
 (ii)in clause (ii), by inserting or the United States and Yemen, as applicable, after United States and Syria; (4)in subsection (c), by inserting or Yemen after Syria each place such term appears; and
 (5)in subsection (d), by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:  (2)Archaeological or ethnological material of Syria or YemenThe term archaeological or ethnological material of Syria or Yemen means cultural property (as defined in section 302 of the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 2601)) that—
 (A)is unlawfully removed from Syria on or after March 15, 2011; or (B)is unlawfully removed from Yemen on or after March 15, 2015..
				IISaudi Arabia Accountability
			201.Imposition of sanctions on persons responsible for the death of Jamal Khashoggi
 (a)In generalSection 1263 of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (22 U.S.C. 2656 note) is amended—
 (1)in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking (b) and inserting (c); (2)by redesignating subsections (b) through (j) as subsections (c) through (k), respectively;
 (3)by inserting after subsection (a) the following:  (b)Jamal KhashoggiNot later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of the Saudi Arabia Accountability and Yemen Act of 2019, the President shall impose the sanctions described in subsection (c) with respect to any foreign person, including any official of the government of Saudi Arabia or member of the royal family of Saudi Arabia that the President determines, based on credible evidence—
 (1)was responsible for, or complicit in, ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing an act or acts contributing to or causing the death of Jamal Khashoggi; or
 (2)has materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of an activity described in paragraph (1).;
 (4)in subsection (d), as redesignated, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting or (b) after subsection (a); (5)in subsection (f), as redesignated, by striking subsection (b)(1) and inserting subsection (c)(1);
 (6)in subsection (j), as redesignated, by inserting or (b) after subsection (a); and (7)in subsection (k), as redesignated, by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting the following:

 (1)the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; (2)the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate;
 (3)the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; (4)the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and
 (5)the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives.. (b)BriefingsNot later than 15 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 45 days thereafter, the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Director of National Intelligence, shall provide a briefing to the appropriate congressional committees (as defined in section 1263(k) of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, as amended by subsection (a)(7)) regarding the implementation of the amendment made by subsection (a)(3).
 202.Report on Saudi Arabia’s human rights recordNot later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in accordance with section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2304(c)), shall submit an unclassified, written report to Congress that—
 (1)includes the information required under such section 502B(c); (2)describes the extent to which officials of the Government of Saudi Arabia, including members of the military or security services, are responsible for or complicit in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, including violations of the human rights of journalists, bloggers, and those who support women’s rights or religious freedom;
 (3)describes the extent to which the Government of Saudi Arabia— (A)has knowingly blocked access to Yemeni ports, ports of entry, or other facilities used by the United Nations, its specialized agencies and implementing partners, national and international nongovernmental organizations, or any other actors engaged in humanitarian relief activities in Yemen;
 (B)has hindered the efforts of the organizations referred to in subparagraph (A) to deliver humanitarian relief, including through diversion of goods and materials intended to provide relief to civilians in Yemen;
 (C)has prohibited or directly or indirectly restricted the transport or delivery of United States humanitarian assistance to Yemen; and
 (D)complied with the Secretary of State’s statement on October 30, 2018, related to ending the conflict in Yemen; and (4)identifies the percentage by which civilian casualties and deaths, respectively, increased as a result of Saudi coalition air strikes in Yemen between November 2017 and August 2018.
				IIIGeneral Provisions
 301.Rule of constructionNothing in this Act may be construed to limit the authority of the President pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).
 302.SunsetThis Act shall cease to be effective on the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.July 30, 2019Reported without amendment


114 S637 IS: Short Line Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Act of 2015
U.S. Senate
2015-03-03
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II114th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 637IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 3, 2015Mr. Crapo (for himself, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Moran, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Casey, Mr. Boozman, and Mr. Blumenthal) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend and modify the railroad track maintenance
 credit.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Short Line Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Act of 2015.2.Extension and modification of Railroad Track Maintenance Credit(a)Extension of creditSection 45G(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking January 1, 2015 and inserting January 1, 2017.(b)ExpendituresSubsection (d) of section 45G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to qualified railroad track maintenance expenditures) is amended by striking for maintaining and all that follows and insertingfor maintaining—(A)in the case of taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004, and before January 1, 2015, railroad track (including roadbed, bridges, and related track structures) owned or leased as of January 1, 2005, by a Class II or Class III railroad (determined without regard to any consideration for such expenditures given by the Class II or Class III railroad which made the assignment of such track), and(B)in the case of taxable years beginning after December 31, 2014, railroad track (including roadbed, bridges, and related track structures) owned or leased as of January 1, 2015, by a Class II or Class III railroad (determined without regard to any consideration for such expenditures given by the Class II or Class III railroad which made the assignment of such track)..(c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2014.


115 HR 1325 IH: To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide States with flexibility with respect to providing premium assistance under the Medicaid program.
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-03-02
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.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1325IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 2, 2017Mr. Bucshon introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceA BILLTo amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide States with flexibility with respect to
			 providing premium assistance under the Medicaid program.

		1.Providing flexibility with respect to premium assistance under Medicaid
 (a)In generalSection 1906 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396e) is amended— (1)in subsection (c)(2), by striking such plan. and inserting such group health plan.; and
 (2)by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection:  (d)State option for nonelderly, nondisabled adults (1)In generalBeginning on January 1, 2018, in the case of a State electing the option described in paragraph (2) of subsection (a), the Secretary may, upon the approval of a State plan amendment submitted by the State, waive the requirement of paragraph (3) of such subsection to the extent such requirement provides for payment of premiums and deductibles and other cost-sharing obligations with respect to the items and services described in such paragraph furnished to individuals described in paragraph (3) of this subsection.
							(2)Cost-effectiveness
 (A)In generalThe Secretary may approve a State plan amendment under this subsection if the Secretary determines that the payment of premiums and deductibles and other cost-sharing obligations under the group health plan or plans involved is cost-effective relative to the amount of expenditures under the State plan, including administrative expenditures, and excluding payments for copayments or coinsurance, that the State would have made to provide comparable coverage of the individuals described in paragraph (3) involved.
 (B)DeterminationFor purposes of subparagraph (A), cost-effectiveness shall be determined— (i)on an annual basis by comparing—
 (I)the amount of expenditures per employer for coverage under the group health plan or plans involved of the individuals described in paragraph (3) for the preceding 4 calendar quarters; to
 (II)the average per capita amount of expenditures that the State made under the State plan to provide comparable coverage of such individuals for such calendar quarters; and
 (ii)in the case of individuals described in paragraph (3) who are parents of children— (I)if the parent is eligible for enrollment in a group health plan, based on the cost of purchasing family coverage under the group health plan; and
 (II)if the parent is not so eligible, based on the cost of individual coverage for the parent and each child.
 (C)Child definedIn this paragraph, the term child has the meaning given such term in section 1902(e)(13)(G). (3)Nonelderly, nondisabled adultsThe individuals described in this paragraph are individuals who are under 65 years of age, not pregnant, not entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under part A of title XVIII, or enrolled for benefits under part B of title XVIII, are not described in subclauses (I) through (VII) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i), and otherwise entitled to medical assistance under this title..
 (b)Premium assistance subsidy optionSection 1906A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396e–1) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

					(f)State option for nonelderly, nondisabled adults
 (1)In generalBeginning on January 1, 2018, in the case of a State electing to provide a premium assistance subsidy as described in subsection (a), the Secretary may, upon the approval of a State plan amendment submitted by the State, waive the requirement of subsection (e) to the extent such requirement provides for payment of premiums and deductibles and other cost-sharing obligations with respect to the items and services described in such subsection furnished to individuals described in paragraph (3).
						(2)Cost-effectiveness
 (A)In generalThe Secretary may approve a State plan amendment under this subsection if the Secretary determines that the payment of premiums and deductibles and other cost-sharing obligations under the qualified employer-sponsored coverage involved is cost-effective relative to the amount of expenditures under the State plan, including administrative expenditures, and excluding payments for copayments or coinsurance, that the State would have made to provide comparable coverage of the individuals described in paragraph (3)(B) involved.
 (B)DeterminationFor purposes of subparagraph (A), cost-effectiveness shall be determined— (i)on an annual basis by comparing—
 (I)the amount of expenditures per employer for coverage under the qualified employer-sponsored coverage involved of the individuals described in paragraph (3)(B) for the preceding 4 calendar quarters; to
 (II)the average per capita amount of expenditures that the State made under the State plan to provide comparable coverage of such individuals for such calendar quarters; and
 (ii)in the case of individuals described in paragraph (3) who are parents of individuals under 19 years of age—
 (I)if the parent is eligible for enrollment in qualified employer-sponsored coverage, based on the cost of purchasing family coverage under such qualified employer-sponsored coverage; and
 (II)if the parent is not so eligible, based on the cost of individual coverage for the parent and each such individual under 19 years of age.
 (3)Nonelderly, nondisabled adultsThe individuals described in this paragraph are individuals (or the parents of individuals) who are—
 (A)participating in a premium assistance subsidy under this section for qualified employer-sponsored coverage; and
 (B)under 65 years of age, not pregnant, not entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under part A of title XVIII, or enrolled for benefits under part B of title XVIII, and are not described in subclauses (I) through (VII) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)..


114 HR 6103 IH: Housing Accountability Act of 2016
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-09-21
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.

I114th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 6103IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 21, 2016Mr. Cohen (for himself and Mr. Ross) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial ServicesA BILLTo provide standards for physical condition and management of housing receiving assistance payments
			 under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Housing Accountability Act of 2016. 2.Standards for physical condition and management of housing receiving assistance paymentsSection 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f) is amended by inserting after subsection (v) the following:

				(w)Standards for physical condition and management of housing receiving assistance payments
 (1)Standards for physical condition and management of housingAny entity receiving assistance payments under this section shall maintain decent, safe, and sanitary conditions, as determined by the Secretary, for any structure covered under a housing assistance payment contract.
 (2)Survey of tenantsThe Secretary shall develop a process by which a Performance-Based Contract Administrator shall, on a semiannual basis, conduct a survey of the tenants of each structure covered under a housing assistance payment contract for the purpose of identifying consistent or persistent problems with the physical condition of the structure or performance of the manager of the structure.
 (3)RemediationA structure covered under a housing assistance payment contract shall be referred to the Secretary for remediation if a Performance-Based Contract Administrator identifies a consistent or persistent problem with the structure or the management of the structure based on—
 (A)a survey conducted under paragraph (2); or (B)any other observation made by the Performance-Based Contract Administrator during the normal course of business.
						(4)Penalty for failure to uphold standards
 (A)In generalThe Secretary may impose a penalty on any owner of a structure covered under a housing assistance payment contract if the Secretary finds that the structure or manager of the structure—
 (i)did not satisfactorily meet the requirements under paragraph (1); or (ii)is repeatedly referred to the Secretary for remediation by a Performance-Based Contract Administrator through the process established under paragraph (3).
 (B)AmountA penalty imposed under subparagraph (A) shall be in an amount equal to not less than 1 percent of the annual budget authority the owner is allocated under a housing assistance payment contract.
 (C)Use of amountsAny amounts collected under this paragraph shall be used solely for the purpose of supporting safe and sanitary conditions at applicable structures or for tenant relocation, as designated by the Secretary, with priority given to the tenants of the structure that led to the penalty.
 (5)ApplicabilityThis subsection shall not apply to any property assisted under subsection (o).. 3.Issuance of reportNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall submit to Congress a report that—
 (1)examines the adequacy of capital reserves for each structure covered under a housing assistance payment contract under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f);
 (2)examines the use of funds derived from a housing assistance payment contract for purposes unrelated to the maintenance and capitalization of the structure covered under the contract; and
 (3)includes any administrative or legislative recommendations to further improve the living conditions at those structures.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 6474
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			December 2, 2010
			Mr. Kagen introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Transportation and
			 Infrastructure

		A BILL
		To direct the Secretary of the Army to cease construction
		  of a temporary causeway in connection with the project for the Renard Island
		  Confined Disposal Facility, Green Bay Harbor, Wisconsin, until certain
		  conditions are met, and for other purposes.

		1.Renard Island Confined
			 Disposal Facility, Green Bay Harbor, WisconsinThe Secretary of the Army, acting through
			 the Chief of Engineers, shall immediately cease construction of a temporary
			 causeway in connection with the project for the Renard Island Confined Disposal
			 Facility, Green Bay Harbor, Wisconsin, being carried out under section 123 of
			 the River and Harbor Act of 1970 (33 U.S.C. 1293a), until such time as the
			 Secretary—
			(1)conducts a review
			 of all bids submitted for construction of the Renard Island Temporary Causeway,
			 Final Cover and Grading element of such project; and
			(2)submits to the
			 Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives
			 and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report on the
			 results of such review.


109 HRES 1050 IH: Honoring the life and accomplishments of

U.S. House of Representatives
2006-09-27
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		IV
		109th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. RES. 1050
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			September 27, 2006
			Ms. Solis (for
			 herself, Mrs. Capps,
			 Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas,
			 Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas,
			 Ms. Pelosi,
			 Ms. Norton,
			 Ms. Wasserman Schultz,
			 Mrs. Tauscher,
			 Mrs. Maloney,
			 Ms. Schakowsky,
			 Ms. DeLauro,
			 Mrs. McCarthy,
			 Ms. Baldwin,
			 Mrs. Davis of California,
			 Ms. Zoe Lofgren of California,
			 Ms. Matsui,
			 Mrs. Napolitano,
			 Ms. DeGette,
			 Ms. Slaughter,
			 Ms. McCollum of Minnesota, and
			 Ms. Kaptur) submitted the following
			 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government
			 Reform

		RESOLUTION
		Honoring the life and accomplishments of
		  the late Ann Richards, former Governor of Texas.

		Whereas Ann Richards was elected Governor of Texas in 1990
			 and was a role model for women in politics and for women throughout the
			 Nation;
		Whereas Ann Richards was the first woman elected Governor
			 of Texas in her own right, rather than as a successor to her spouse or a male
			 Governor who died, resigned, or was impeached;
		Whereas at the time of her election in 1990, Ann Richards
			 was only the twelfth woman elected Governor in United States history, and only
			 the seventh woman elected Governor in her own right;
		Whereas only 29 women have been elected Governor in the
			 United States, and women Governors have served in only 21 States and 1
			 territory;
		Whereas in 1976, Ann Richards was elected to her first
			 government office, defeating an incumbent to become the county commissioner of
			 Travis County, Texas;
		Whereas in 1982, Ann Richards became the first woman
			 elected to a statewide office in Texas in over 50 years when she was elected to
			 her first statewide office as the State treasurer, a position to which she was
			 reelected 4 years later;
		Whereas in 1988, Ann Richards delivered the keynote
			 address at the Democratic National Convention, which catapulted her to fame as
			 a national political figure and included her critique of then Vice President
			 George H.W. Bush as well as her coining of the famous phrase: Ginger
			 Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high
			 heels.;
		Whereas Ann Richards declared her Governor’s
			 administration to be the New Texas and, in the interest of
			 diversifying the State government to better represent the population of Texas,
			 appointed more women, African-Americans, and Hispanics to commissions and State
			 boards than any previous Governor of Texas;
		Whereas Ann Richards’s indomitable wit, spirit,
			 intelligence, tenacity, and sense of civic duty helped propel her to the
			 highest office in Texas and solidified her as a nationally known leader;
		Whereas Ann Richards was a pioneer for women in politics
			 and other fields, and helped shatter social barriers that held women back from
			 powerful roles in government and business; and
		Whereas Ann Richards died on September 13, 2006, at the
			 age of 73, in Austin, Texas: Now, therefore, be it

		That the House of Representatives—
			(1)honors the life
			 and accomplishments of the late Ann Richards, former Governor of Texas;
			(2)recognizes the
			 contributions of Ann Richards to the State of Texas, to the progress of women
			 in politics, and to the progress of women throughout the United States;
			 and
			(3)expresses
			 condolences to the family and loved ones of Ann Richards.