117 HCON 17 IH: Expressing the sense of Congress that the President should do everything in his power to achieve resolution and repayment of the defaulted sovereign debt of the People’s Republic of China held by 20,000 families in the United States represented by the American Bondholders Foundation, LLC.
U.S. House of Representatives

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
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 17
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 18, 2021
Mr. Green of Tennessee submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services, 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

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of Congress that the President should do everything in his power to achieve resolution and repayment of the defaulted sovereign debt of the People’s Republic of China held by 20,000 families in the United States represented by the American Bondholders Foundation, LLC.

Whereas sovereign debt obligations (in this preamble referred to as “bonds”) of the Government of the People’s Republic of China were offered and sold in United States capital markets; Whereas the bonds constitute full faith and credit sovereign obligations of the internationally recognized Government of the People’s Republic of China;
Whereas the People’s Republic of China subsequently defaulted on those bonds;  Whereas the bonds constitute an unpaid general obligation of the Government of the People’s Republic of China;
 Whereas, under the successor government doctrine of settled international law (relating to establishing the continuity of obligations among successor governments), the repayment obligation for the bonds is the obligation of the Government of the People’s Republic of China;  Whereas the Government of the People’s Republic of China continues to refuse to repay the bonds held by United States citizens and has officially repudiated the debts, which is a clear violation of United States law, international law, and the rules and regulations of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund;
Whereas the Government of the People’s Republic of China honored repayment of the exact same bonds held by citizens of the United Kingdom while rejecting the claims of citizens of the United States;  Whereas, since the normalization of bilateral relations between the United States and the People’s Republic of China in the 1970s, the United States has shown good will to the People’s Republic of China by focusing on an expansion of bilateral trade while deferring discussion of repayment of the People’s Republic of China’s defaulted national debt;
Whereas, under standard legal principles, the People’s Republic of China’s defaulted sovereign gold debt has been accumulating compound interest for more than 82 years and is estimated to exceed the total amount of the United States national debt to the People’s Republic of China;  Whereas, as representative of United States bondholders who own the People’s Republic of China’s defaulted sovereign gold bonds, American Bondholders Foundation, LLC, has proposed using the People’s Republic of China’s obligations as payment for the United States national debt to the People’s Republic of China;
Whereas the Government of the People’s Republic of China covered up the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (commonly referred to as “COVID–19”) during its early stages, resulting in a global pandemic and more than $2,000,000,000,000 in financial damage to the United States; and  Whereas the United States Government pays its debts, and so should the Government of the People’s Republic of China: Now, therefore, be it

That it is the sense of Congress that the President should do everything in his power to achieve resolution and repayment of the defaulted sovereign debt of the People’s Republic of China held by 20,000 families in the United States who are represented by the American Bondholders Foundation, LLC, for the benefit of the bondholders and the people of the United States.


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 734
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			March 1, 2007
			Mr. Specter introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reduce the
		  rate of the tentative minimum tax for noncorporate taxpayers to 24
		  percent.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 AMT Rate Reduction Act of
			 2007.
		2.Reduction in rate of
			 tentative minimum tax for noncorporate taxpayers
			(a)In
			 generalClause (i) of section
			 55(b)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to noncorporate
			 taxpayers) is amended to read as follows:

					(i)In
				generalIn the case of a
				taxpayer other than a corporation, the tentative minimum tax for the taxable
				year is—
						(I)24 percent of the
				taxable excess, reduced by
						(II)the alternative
				minimum tax foreign tax credit for the taxable
				year.
						.
			(b)Conforming
			 amendmentSubparagraph (A) of section 55(b)(1) of such Code is
			 amended by striking clause (iii).
			(c)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable
			 years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 6649
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			January 1, 2013
			Received

		AN ACT
		To provide for the transfer of naval
		  vessels to certain foreign recipients.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Naval Vessel Transfer Act of
			 2012.
		2.Transfer of naval
			 vessels to certain foreign recipients
			(a)Transfers by
			 grantThe President is authorized to transfer vessels to foreign
			 countries on a grant basis under section 516 of the Foreign Assistance Act of
			 1961 (22 U.S.C.
			 2321j), as follows:
				(1)MexicoTo
			 the Government of Mexico, the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigates
			 USS CURTS (FFG–38) and USS MCCLUSKY (FFG–41).
				(2)ThailandTo the Government of Thailand, the OLIVER
			 HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigates USS RENTZ (FFG–46) and USS
			 VANDEGRIFT (FFG–48).
				(3)TurkeyTo
			 the Government of Turkey, the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigates
			 USS HALYBURTON (FFG–40) and USS THACH (FFG–43).
				(b)Transfer by
			 saleThe President is authorized to transfer the OLIVER HAZARD
			 PERRY class guided missile frigates USS TAYLOR (FFG–50), USS GARY (FFG–51), USS
			 CARR (FFG–52), and USS ELROD (FFG–55) to the Taipei Economic and Cultural
			 Representative Office of the United States (which is the Taiwan instrumentality
			 designated pursuant to section 10(a) of the Taiwan Relations Act
			 (22 U.S.C.
			 3309(a))) on a sale basis under section 21 of the Arms Export
			 Control Act (22
			 U.S.C. 2761).
			(c)Alternative
			 transfer authorityNotwithstanding the authority provided in
			 subsections (a) and (b) to transfer specific vessels to specific countries, the
			 President is authorized, subject to the same conditions that would apply for
			 such country under this Act, to transfer any vessel named in this Act to any
			 country named in this Act such that the total number of vessels transferred to
			 such country does not exceed the total number of vessels authorized for
			 transfer to such country by this Act.
			(d)Grants not
			 counted in annual total of transferred excess defense
			 articlesThe value of a vessel transferred to another country on
			 a grant basis pursuant to authority provided by subsection (a) or (c) shall not
			 be counted against the aggregate value of excess defense articles transferred
			 in any fiscal year under section 516 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
			 (22 U.S.C.
			 2321j).
			(e)Costs of
			 transfersAny expense incurred by the United States in connection
			 with a transfer authorized by this section shall be charged to the recipient
			 notwithstanding section 516(e) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
			 (22 U.S.C.
			 2321j(e)).
			(f)Repair and
			 refurbishment in united states shipyardsTo the maximum extent
			 practicable, the President shall require, as a condition of the transfer of a
			 vessel under this section, that the recipient to which the vessel is
			 transferred have such repair or refurbishment of the vessel as is needed,
			 before the vessel joins the naval forces of that recipient, performed at a
			 shipyard located in the United States, including a United States Navy
			 shipyard.
			(g)Expiration of
			 authorityThe authority to transfer a vessel under this section
			 shall expire at the end of the 3-year period beginning on the date of the
			 enactment of this Act.

			Passed the House of
			 Representatives December 31, 2012.
			Karen L. Haas,
			Clerk


113 S1992 IS: Quality Foster Care Services Act of 2014
U.S. Senate
2014-02-04
text/xml
EN
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II113th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 1992IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 4, 2014Ms. Baldwin (for herself and Mr. Portman) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide a standard definition of therapeutic foster care services in Medicaid.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
		  Quality Foster Care Services Act of 2014.2.Inclusion of therapeutic foster care as medical assistance(a)In generalSection 1905 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d) is amended—(1)in subsection (a)—(A)in paragraph (28), by striking and at the end;(B)by redesignating paragraph (29) as paragraph (30); and(C)by inserting after paragraph (28) the following new paragraph:(29)therapeutic foster care services described in subsection (ee); and; and(2)by adding at the end the following new subsection:(ee)(1)For purposes of subsection (a)(29), subject to subparagraph (C), therapeutic foster care services described in this subsection are services provided for children who have not attained age 21, and who, as a result of mental illness, other emotional or behavioral disorders, medically fragile conditions, or developmental disabilities, need the level of care provided in an institution (including a psychiatric residential treatment facility) or nursing facility the cost of which could be reimbursed under the State plan but who can be cared for or maintained in a community placement, through therapeutic foster care programs that—(A)are licensed by the State and accredited by the Joint Commission, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, the Council on Accreditation, or by another equivalent accreditation agency (or agencies) as the Secretary may recognize;(B)provide structured daily activities, including the development, improvement, monitoring, and reinforcing of age-appropriate social, communication and behavioral skills, trauma-informed and gender-responsive services, crisis intervention and crisis support services, medication monitoring, counseling, and case management, and may furnish other intensive community services; and(C)provide foster care parents with specialized training and consultation in the management of children with mental illness, trauma, other emotional or behavioral disorders, medically fragile conditions, or developmental disabilities, and specific additional training on the needs of each child provided such services.(2)In making coverage determinations under paragraph (1), a State may employ medical necessity criteria that are similar to the medical necessity criteria applied to coverage determinations for other services and supports under this title.(3)The services described in this subsection do not include the training referred to in paragraph (1)(C)..(b)Effective dateThe amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to calendar quarters beginning on or after the date of enactment of this Act.


117 HR 5480 IH: To clarify the applicability of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to rules issued under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and to amend such Act to prohibit emergency temporary standards with respect to vaccines, and for other purposes.
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-10-05
text/xml
EN
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I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 5480IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESOctober 5, 2021Mr. Estes introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and LaborA BILLTo clarify the applicability of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to rules issued under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and to amend such Act to prohibit emergency temporary standards with respect to vaccines, and for other purposes.1.Applicability of Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993The Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq.) shall apply with any rule issued by the Secretary of Labor under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.).2.Prohibition on certain emergency temporary standardsSection 6(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 655(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (4)The Secretary may not issue an emergency temporary standard that requires an employer to ensure that employees of the employer receive a vaccine..


113 HR 1516 IH: Coast Guard Academy Opportunity Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-04-11
text/xml
EN
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		I
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1516
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 11, 2013
			Mr. Thompson of
			 Mississippi (for himself, Mr.
			 Cummings, Mr. Duncan of
			 Tennessee, Ms. Bordallo,
			 Ms. Brown of Florida,
			 Ms. Clarke,
			 Mr. Pierluisi,
			 Mr. Michaud,
			 Ms. McCollum,
			 Ms. Hahn, Mr. Sablan, Mr.
			 Kingston, and Mr. Ellison)
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Transportation and
			 Infrastructure

		A BILL
		To amend title 14, United States Code, to modify the
		  process for congressional nomination of individuals for appointment as cadets
		  at the Coast Guard Academy, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Coast Guard Academy Opportunity
			 Act.
		2.Academy
			 nominations
			(a)AppointmentSubsection
			 (a) of section 182 of title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as
			 follows:

					(a)Nominations
						(1)Congressional
				nominations
							(A)Appointment
				requirementHalf of each incoming class of the Academy shall be
				composed of cadets nominated by the following:
								(i)The Vice President
				or, if there is no Vice President, by the President pro tempore of the
				Senate.
								(ii)A
				Senator.
								(iii)A Member of the
				House of Representatives.
								(iv)The Delegate to Congress from the District
				of Columbia, the Delegate to Congress from the Virgin Islands, the Resident
				Commissioner from Puerto Rico, the Delegate to Congress from Guam, the Delegate
				to Congress from American Samoa, or the Delegate to Congress from the
				Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
								(B)NomineesEach
				Senator, Member of the House of Representatives, and Delegate to Congress,
				including such Resident Commissioner, is entitled to nominate 3 persons each
				year. Cadets who do not graduate on time shall not count against the
				allocations pursuant to clauses (i) through (iv) of subparagraph (A).
							(2)Qualification
				requirementsAn individual shall be qualified for nomination,
				selection, and appointment as a cadet at the Academy only if the
				individual—
							(A)is a citizen or
				national of the United States; and
							(B)meets such minimum
				requirements that the Secretary may establish.
							(3)Nomination
				informationThe Superintendent shall furnish to any Member of
				Congress, upon the written request of such Member, the name of the Member of
				Congress or other nominating authority responsible for the nomination of any
				named or identified person for appointment to the
				Academy.
						.
			(b)ApplicationThe amendment made by subsection
			 (a)—
				(1)shall apply
			 beginning with academic program year 2015, subject to subsection (c), and with
			 respect to each academic program year thereafter; and
				(2)shall not affect
			 the application of section 182 of title 14, United States Code, as in effect
			 before the enactment of this section, with respect to appointment of cadets who
			 will matriculate to the Coast Guard Academy before such academic program
			 year.
				(c)Transition
				(1)NominationsNotwithstanding
			 the amendment made by subsection (a), with respect to the nomination of
			 individuals pursuant to section 182 of title 14, United States Code, as amended
			 by such subsection, who will matriculate to the Coast Guard Academy in academic
			 program year 2015, not less than 25 percent of the class shall be from
			 nominations made pursuant to clauses (i) through (iv) of subsection (a)(1)(A)
			 of such section 182 (as amended by subsection (a) of this section).
				(2)Additional
			 actionThe Secretary (as that term is used in that section) may
			 take any additional action the Secretary believes necessary and proper to
			 provide for the transition to the nomination, selection, and appointment
			 process provided under this section.


117 HR 684 IH: Keystone XL Pipeline Construction and Jobs Preservation Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-02-02
text/xml
EN
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I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 684IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 2, 2021Mr. Armstrong (for himself, Mr. McCarthy, Mr. Scalise, Ms. Cheney, Mrs. Rodgers of Washington, Mr. Upton, Mr. Rosendale, Mr. Johnson of South Dakota, Mr. Newhouse, Mr. Bishop of North Carolina, Mr. Pfluger, Mr. Higgins of Louisiana, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Keller, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Steil, Mr. Gooden of Texas, Mr. Good of Virginia, Mr. Norman, Miss González-Colón, Mr. Womack, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Reschenthaler, Mr. LaMalfa, Mr. Westerman, Mr. Moore of Utah, Mr. Babin, Mrs. Lesko, Mr. Latta, Mr. McKinley, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Hagedorn, Mr. Williams of Texas, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Cawthorn, Mr. Balderson, Mr. Brady, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Rogers of Alabama, Mr. Lamborn, Mr. Tiffany, Mr. Emmer, Mr. Walberg, Mr. Joyce of Pennsylvania, Mr. Baird, Mrs. Miller of West Virginia, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Banks, Mr. Palazzo, Mr. Mann, Mrs. Wagner, Mr. Stewart, Mrs. Hinson, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Calvert, Mr. Hern, Mr. Arrington, Mr. Huizenga, Mr. Meuser, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Chabot, Mr. Grothman, Mr. Aderholt, Mrs. Boebert, Mr. Long, Mr. Gallagher, Mr. Brooks, Mr. Timmons, Mr. Bucshon, Mrs. Fischbach, Mr. Kinzinger, Ms. Stefanik, Mr. Pence, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Estes, Mr. Rouzer, Mr. Hill, Mr. Stauber, Mr. Hudson, Mrs. Cammack, Mr. Cline, Mr. Ferguson, and Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo authorize the Keystone XL Pipeline.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Keystone XL Pipeline Construction and Jobs Preservation Act.2.Keystone XL authorization(a)AuthorizationTransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P., may construct, connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline facilities at the international border of the United States and Canada at Phillips County, Montana, for the import of oil from Canada to the United States described in the Presidential Permit of March 29, 2019 (84 Fed. Reg. 13101).(b)No Presidential permit requiredNo Presidential permit (or similar permit) under Executive Order 13867 (3 U.S.C. 301 note; relating to the issuance of permits with respect to facilities and land transportation crossings at the international boundaries of the United States), Executive Order 12038 (42 U.S.C. 7151 note; relating to the transfer of certain functions to the Secretary of Energy), Executive Order 10485 (15 U.S.C. 717b note; relating to the performance of functions respecting electric power and natural gas facilities located on United States borders), or any other Executive order shall be required for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of the pipeline facilities described in subsection (a).


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 2955
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 1, 2008
			Mr. Whitehouse (for
			 himself and Mr. Specter) introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		A BILL
		To authorize funds to the Local Initiatives Support
		  Corporation to carry out its Community Safety Initiative.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Community Safety Initiative Act of
			 2008..
		2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
			(1)The Local
			 Initiatives Support Corporation (in this section referred to as the
			 LISC) is a national community development support organization
			 which provides capital, technical expertise, training, and information to help
			 community-based organizations transform distressed neighborhoods into healthy
			 and sustainable places to live, do business, work, and raise families. Since
			 1994, LISC’s Community Safety Initiative has promoted partnerships between
			 community developers and law enforcement agencies in low-income communities to
			 reduce crime, encourage economic revitalization, and respond to the challenges
			 faced by people returning home upon release from jail or prison.
			(2)Community Safety
			 Initiative activities specifically accomplish the following:
				(A)Address crime and
			 disorder, including drug and gang activity involving youth.
				(B)Spur economic
			 investment.
				(C)Build trust
			 between communities and police.
				(D)Respond to
			 prisoner reentry challenges related to housing, employment, social services,
			 and systems coordination.
				(E)Foster national
			 knowledge-sharing between law enforcement agencies and community organizations
			 about best-practice crime prevention strategies.
				(3)The Community
			 Safety Initiative improves safety and quality of life in more than 20
			 low-income communities across the country each year, resulting in measurable
			 reductions in crime, better community-police relations, quality affordable
			 housing in place of problem properties, viable businesses in previously
			 blighted commercial corridors, effective prisoner reentry programs, and more
			 strategic and efficient use of public- and private-sector resources.
			(4)The Community
			 Safety Initiative program has effectively utilized Federal funds since fiscal
			 year 1999.
			(5)The Community
			 Safety Initiative has a long-standing partnership with the United States
			 Department of Justice Community Capacity Development Office and has been
			 endorsed by police chiefs and community development leaders across the
			 country.
			3.Grant program
			 for expanding the Community Safety InitiativeIn each of fiscal years 2009 through 2014,
			 the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs of the
			 Department of Justice may make grants to the Local Initiatives Support
			 Corporation to carry out its Community Safety Initiative.
		4.Annual
			 report
			(a)In
			 generalThe Local Initiatives Support Corporation shall, in each
			 of fiscal years 2009 through 2014, submit a report to the Assistant Attorney
			 General.
			(b)Required
			 contentEach report required to be submitted under subsection (a)
			 shall include a detailed statement—
				(1)regarding the
			 progress made by the Community Safety Initiative in using Federal funds to
			 reduce crime, encourage economic revitalization, improve community-police
			 relations, respond to the challenges faced by people returning home upon
			 release from jail or prison, and promoting community safety knowledge-sharing
			 in low-income and minority communities; and
				(2)of the activities
			 for which the appropriated funds were spent by the Community Safety
			 Initiative.
				5.Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere are
			 authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $2,000,000 for each of
			 fiscal years 2009 through 2014.


		IV
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. RES. 1220
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 25, 2010
			Mr. Flake submitted
			 the following resolution

			March 25, 2010
			By motion of the House, referred to the Committee on
			 Standards of Official Conduct

		RESOLUTION
		Raising a question of the privileges of the
		  House.

		Whereas the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct
			 initiated an investigtion into allegations related to earmarks and campaign
			 contributions in the Spring of 2009;
		Whereas, on December 2, 2009, reports and findings in
			 seven separate matters involving the alleged connection between earmarks and
			 campaign contributions were forwarded by the Office of Congressional Ethics to
			 the Standards Committee;
		Whereas, on February 26, 2010, the Standards Committee
			 made public its report on the matter wherein the Committee found, though a
			 widespread perception exists among corporations and lobbyists that campaign
			 contributions provide a greater chance of obtaining earmarks, there was no
			 evidence that members or their staff considered contributions when requesting
			 earmarks;
		Whereas the committee indicated that, with respect to the
			 matters forwarded by the Office of Congressional Ethics, neither the evidence
			 cited in the OCE's findings nor the evidence in the record before the Standards
			 Committee provided a substantial reason to believe that violations of
			 applicable standards of conduct occured;
		Whereas the Office of Congressional Ethics is prohibited
			 from reviewing activities taking place prior to March of 2008 and lacks the
			 authority to subpoena witnesses and documents;
		Whereas, for example, the Office of Congressional Ethics
			 noted that in some instances documents were redacted or specific information
			 was not provided and that, in at least on instance, they had reason to believe
			 a witness withheld information requested and did not identify what was being
			 withheld;
		Whereas the Office of Congressional Ethics also noted that
			 they were able to interview only six former employees of the PMA Group, with
			 many former employees refusing to consent to interviews and the OCE unable to
			 obtain evidence within PMA's possession;
		Whereas Roll Call noted that the committee report
			 was five pages long and included no documentation of any evidence collected or
			 any interviews conducted by the committee, beyond a statement that the
			 investigation included extensive document reviews and interviews with
			 numerous witnesses.
				(Roll Call, March 8, 2010);
		Whereas it is unclear whether the Standards Committee
			 included in their investigation any activities that occured prior to
			 2008;
		Whereas it is unclear whether the Standards Committee
			 interviewed any members in the course of their investigation;
		Whereas it is unclear whether the Standards Committee, in
			 the course of their investigation, initiated their own supoenas or followed the
			 Office of Congressional Ethics recommendations to issue subpoenas: Now,
			 therefore, be it

		That not later than seven days after
			 the adoption of this resolution, the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct
			 shall report to the House of Representatives, with respect to the activities
			 addressed in its report of February 26, 2010, (1) how many witnesses were
			 interviewed, (2) how many, if any, subpoenas were issued in the course of their
			 investigation, and (3) what documents were reviewed and their availability for
			 public review.


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 3105
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			June 10, 2008
			Mr. Vitter introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		A BILL
		To authorize funding for the Advancing Justice through
		  DNA Technology initiative.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Funding DNA Technology Initiative
			 Act of 2008.
		2.DNA
			 InitiativeThere are
			 authorized to be appropriated for the programs, grants, and other activities
			 under the Advancing Justice through DNA Technology initiative announced by the
			 President on March 11, 2003, $217,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 and
			 2010.


114 HR 380 IH: Medicare Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2015
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-01-14
text/xml
EN
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I
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 380
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 14, 2015
Mr. Sam Johnson of Texas (for himself and Mr. Doggett) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL
To amend title II of the Social Security Act to prohibit the inclusion of Social Security account numbers on Medicare cards.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Medicare Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2015. 2.Prohibition of inclusion of Social Security account numbers on Medicare cards (a)In generalSection 205(c)(2)(C) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 405(c)(2)(C)) is amended—
(1)by moving clause (x), as added by section 1414(a)(2) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, 6 ems to the left; (2)by redesignating clause (x), as added by section 2(a)(1) of the Social Security Number Protection Act of 2010, and clause (xi) as clauses (xi) and (xii), respectively; and
(3)by adding at the end the following new clause:  (xiii)The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Security, shall establish cost-effective procedures to ensure that a Social Security account number (or derivative thereof) is not displayed, coded, or embedded on the Medicare card issued to an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A of title XVIII or enrolled under part B of title XVIII and that any other identifier displayed on such card is not identifiable as a Social Security account number (or derivative thereof)..
(b)ImplementationIn implementing clause (xiii) of section 205(c)(2)(C) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 405(c)(2)(C)), as added by subsection (a)(3), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall do the following: (1)In generalEstablish a cost-effective process that involves the least amount of disruption to, as well as necessary assistance for, Medicare beneficiaries and health care providers, such as a process that provides such beneficiaries with access to assistance through a toll-free telephone number and provides outreach to providers.
(2)Consideration of Medicare beneficiary identifiedConsider implementing a process, similar to the process involving Railroad Retirement Board beneficiaries, under which a Medicare beneficiary identifier which is not a Social Security account number (or derivative thereof) is used external to the Department of Health and Human Services and is convertible over to a Social Security account number (or derivative thereof) for use internal to such Department and the Social Security Administration. (c)Funding for implementationFor purposes of implementing the provisions of and the amendments made by this section, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide for the following transfers from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under section 1817 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i) and from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund established under section 1841 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395t), in such proportions as the Secretary determines appropriate:
(1)To the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Program Management Account, transfers of the following amounts: (A)For fiscal year 2015, $65,000,000, to be made available through fiscal year 2018.
(B)For each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017, $53,000,000, to be made available through fiscal year 2018. (C)For fiscal year 2018, $48,000,000, to be made available until expended.
(2)To the Social Security Administration Limitation on Administration Account, transfers of the following amounts: (A)For fiscal year 2015, $27,000,000, to be made available through fiscal year 2018.
(B)For each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017, $22,000,000, to be made available through fiscal year 2018. (C)For fiscal year 2018, $27,000,000, to be made available until expended.
(3)To the Railroad Retirement Board Limitation on Administration Account, the following amount: (A)For fiscal year 2015, $3,000,000, to be made available until expended.
(d)Effective date
(1)In generalClause (xiii) of section 205(c)(2)(C) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 405(c)(2)(C)), as added by subsection (a)(3), shall apply with respect to Medicare cards issued on and after an effective date specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, but in no case shall such effective date be later than the date that is four years after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2)ReissuanceThe Secretary shall provide for the reissuance of Medicare cards that comply with the requirements of such clause not later than four years after the effective date specified by the Secretary under paragraph (1).


		II
		Calendar No. 247
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1037
		[Report No. 110–114]
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			March 29, 2007
			Mr. Smith (for himself
			 and Mr. Wyden) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Energy and Natural
			 Resources

			June 28, 2007
			Reported by Mr.
			 Bingaman, without amendment

		A BILL
		To authorize the Secretary of the Interior
		  to assist in the planning, design, and construction of the Tumalo Irrigation
		  District Water Conservation Project in Deschutes County,
		  Oregon.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Tumalo Water Conservation Project Act
			 of 2007.
		2.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)DistrictThe term District means the
			 Tumalo Irrigation District, Oregon.
			(2)ProjectThe term Project means the
			 Tumalo Irrigation District Water Conservation Project authorized under section
			 3(a).
			(3)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the
			 Secretary of the Interior.
			3.Authorization to plan, design and construct
			 the tumalo water conservation Project
			(a)AuthorizationThe Secretary, in cooperation with the
			 District—
				(1)may participate in the planning, design,
			 and construction of the Tumalo Irrigation District Water Conservation Project
			 in Deschutes County, Oregon; and
				(2)for purposes of planning and designing the
			 Project, shall take into account any appropriate studies and reports prepared
			 by the District.
				(b)Cost-Sharing Requirement
				(1)Federal shareThe Federal share of the total cost of the
			 Project shall be 25 percent, which shall be nonreimbursable to the United
			 States.
				(2)Credit toward non-federal
			 shareThe Secretary shall
			 credit toward the non-Federal share of the Project any amounts that the
			 District provides toward the design, planning, and construction before the date
			 of enactment of this Act.
				(c)TitleThe District shall hold title to any
			 facilities constructed under this Act.
			(d)Operation and Maintenance
			 CostsThe District shall pay
			 the operation and maintenance costs of the Project.
			(e)EffectAny assistance provided under this Act
			 shall not be considered to be a supplemental or additional benefit under
			 Federal reclamation law (the Act of June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 388, chapter 1093),
			 and Acts supplemental to and amendatory of that Act (43 U.S.C. 371 et
			 seq.).
			4.Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere is
			 authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the Federal share of the
			 cost of the Project $4,000,000.
		5.Termination of authorityThe authority of the Secretary to carry out
			 this Act shall expire on the date that is 10 years after the date of enactment
			 of this Act.

		June 28, 2007
		Reported without amendment


110 HRES 685 IH: Calling on the Governor of the State of

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-09-27
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
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. RES. 685
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			September 27, 2007
			Mr. Kirk (for
			 himself, Mrs. Biggert,
			 Mr. LaHood,
			 Mr. Shimkus, and
			 Mr. Roskam) submitted the following
			 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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

		RESOLUTION
		Calling on the Governor of the State of
		  Illinois to defend the right of employers to employee
		  verification.

		Whereas every employer in the United States should have
			 the right to verify the legal status of potential employees;
		Whereas in 1996, Republicans and Democrats in the Congress
			 came together in a strong bipartisan vote of 305 to 123 to establish pilot
			 programs to give employers the right to verify the legal status of potential
			 employees;
		Whereas Federal law continues to make the Basic Pilot
			 Program (E–Verify) available to all employers;
		Whereas the Basic Pilot Program is a free, Internet-based
			 system providing employers real-time links to the Social Security
			 Administration database and immigration records to quickly verify the legal
			 status of potential employees;
		Whereas the Basic Pilot Program fulfills the right of
			 every American employer to verify the legal status of potential
			 employees;
		Whereas Illinois law (Public Act 095–0138) now prohibits
			 Illinois employers from enrolling in the Employment Eligibility Verification
			 System, including the Basic Pilot Program, to verify legal status unless no
			 mistakes are made;
		Whereas the Illinois Act denies employers the right to
			 employee verification in violation of Federal law;
		Whereas on December 11, 2001, United States Representative
			 Rod R. Blagojevich joined with every member of Congress to unanimously pass the
			 Basic Pilot Extension Act of 2001, extending the right to verify the legal
			 status of potential employees to every American employer;
		Whereas on August 13, 2007, contrary to his previous
			 support in Congress, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich approved Public Act 095–0138;
			 and
		Whereas on September 24, 2007, the United States of
			 America filed suit against the State of Illinois in the United States District
			 Court Central District of Illinois: Now, therefore, be it

		That the House of Representatives—
			(1)supports the basic
			 right of every employer in the United States to verify the legal status of a
			 potential employee;
			(2)supports the
			 bipartisan Basic Pilot Program as an effective tool giving employers the
			 ability to verify the legal status of potential employees;
			(3)calls on the
			 Illinois State legislature to repeal Illinois Public Act 095–0138, which
			 violates Federal law by denying employers the right to verify the legal status
			 of potential employees; and
			(4)calls on the
			 Governor of the State of Illinois to file an amicus brief in the case of United
			 States v. Illinois supporting the plaintiff’s conclusion that
			 Illinois Public Act 095–0138 violates the Supremacy Clause of the United States
			 Constitution.


114 HR 2400 IH: SIGMA Act of 2015
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-05-18
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.

		I
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2400
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			May 18, 2015
			Mr. Roskam (for himself, Mr. Cole, Mr. Flores, Mr. Holding, Mr. Jordan, Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania, Mr. Marchant, Mr. Marino, Mr. Meehan, Mr. Murphy of Pennsylvania, Mrs. Noem, Mr. Roe of Tennessee, Mr. Renacci, and Mr. Smith of Missouri) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, Education and the Workforce, Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, House Administration, the Judiciary, Rules, and Appropriations, 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 establish the Office of the Special Inspector General for Monitoring the Affordable Care Act,
			 and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Special Inspector General for Monitoring the ACA Act of 2015 or the SIGMA Act of 2015. 2.FindingsThe Congress finds the following:
 (1)The writing, passage, and implementation of the Affordable Care Act has utterly lacked transparency.
 (2)Presidential candidate Barack Obama repeatedly promised that if elected President, he would hold open, public negotiations on health care reform among public and private stakeholders, including at a Democratic Presidential debate on January 31, 2008, when he said, That’s what I will do in bringing all parties together, not negotiating behind closed doors, but bringing all parties together, and broadcasting those negotiations on C–SPAN so that the American people can see what the choices are, because part of what we have to do is enlist the American people in this process..
 (3)Then-Senator Obama repeated this promise multiple times, including at an Ohio town hall on March 1, 2008, when he said, But here’s the thing: we’re gonna do all these negotiations on C–SPAN. So the American people will be able to watch these negotiations..
 (4)Then-Senator Obama also repeated this promise at a Virginia town hall on August 21, 2008, when he said, I’m going to have all the negotiations around a big table. We’ll have doctors and nurses and hospital administrators. Insurance companies, drug companies—they’ll get a seat at the table … But what we will do is, we’ll have the negotiations televised on C–SPAN, so that people can see who is making arguments on behalf of their constituents, and who are making arguments on behalf of the drug companies or the insurance companies. And so, that approach, I think is what is going to allow people to stay involved in this process..
 (5)In a September 26, 2011, interview, Brian Lamb, the CEO of C–SPAN confirmed the negotiations of the health reform law had not been broadcast publicly, noting, The President said that they were all going to be on C–SPAN. He never asked us..
 (6)President Obama, in leading the national health reform debate, broke his promise, admitting in a January 25, 2010, interview with ABC News that locking the public out of key health reform discussions was a mistake and explaining, We had to make so many decisions quickly in a very difficult set of circumstances that after awhile, we started worrying more about getting the policy right than getting the process right. But I had campaigned on process—part of what I had campaigned on was changing how Washington works, opening up, transparency and I think it is—I think the health care debate as it unfolded legitimately raised concerns not just among my opponents, but also amongst supporters that we just don’t know what’s going on. And it’s an ugly process and it looks like there are a bunch of backroom deals..
 (7)On March 9, 2010, then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said of what would become the Affordable Care Act, We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it..
 (8)Dr. Jonathan Gruber, a professor of economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was awarded a contract by the Department of Health and Human Services to provide technical assistance in evaluating options for national healthcare reform due to his proprietary statistically sophisticated micro-simulation model which could assess the impact of changes in Federal health care policies.
 (9)Dr. Gruber described himself as a health reform architect who contributed to the crafting of the Affordable Care Act in a 2012 opinion editorial, noting, Several of the architects of Massachusetts reform, including myself, worked closely with the Administration and Congress to translate the lessons from Massachusetts onto the national stage..
 (10)Dr. Gruber’s MIT biography has described him as a key architect of the Massachusetts health reform effort and a 2009 and 2010 technical consultant who worked with both the Administration and Congress to help craft the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act..
 (11)An October 11, 2011, report by NBC News described White House visitor logs that show Dr. Gruber had at least five meetings at the White House in 2009 in the lead up to the passage of the Affordable Care Act, including a meeting in the Oval Office with President Obama to evaluate options for national health reform.
 (12)In a video posted April 12, 2012, by the Obama presidential campaign to YouTube, Dr. Gruber states that he went down to Washington to help President Obama develop his national version of that law..
 (13)A March 28, 2012, article in the New York Times reports that After Mr. Gruber helped the administration put together the basic principles of the proposal, the White House lent him to Capitol Hill to help congressional staff members draft the specifics of the legislation..
 (14)In a January 18, 2012, lecture on the structure of the Affordable Care Act, Dr. Gruber refers to the law’s small business tax credits as a portion of the bill that he actually wrote..
 (15)Dr. Gruber’s initial contract with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was for $297,000, and later a Federal grant of $95,000 brought his total Federal compensation for work on the Affordable Care Act to at least $392,000.
 (16)In 2009, the White House annual report to Congress on Presidential staff salaries lists that twenty-two White House staffers made the highest Presidential staff salary rate of $172,200, including the White House Chief of Staff, senior advisers, White House Counsel, and National Security Adviser.
 (17)In 2010, the White House annual report to Congress on Presidential staff salaries lists that twenty-three White House staffers made the highest Presidential staff salary rate of $172,200, again including the President’s top management, policy, communications, and security advisers.
 (18)In 2009 and 2010, each of President Obama’s most senior White House staff received less compensation than Dr. Gruber.
 (19)In a November 5, 2012, speech at the University of Rhode Island, Dr. Gruber described the mechanism of the Affordable Care Act, stating, It’s a very clever, you know, basic exploitation of the lack of economic understanding of the American voter..
 (20)At an October 17, 2013, panel at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Gruber described the Affordable Care Act, stating, This bill was written in a tortured way to make sure CBO did not score the mandate as taxes. If CBO scored the mandate as taxes, the bill dies. Okay, so it’s written to do that..
 (21)In the same speech, Dr. Gruber stated that, if you had a law which said that healthy people are going to pay in you made explicit healthy people pay in and sick people get money, it would not have passed..
 (22)Dr. Gruber went on to claim, Lack of transparency is a huge political advantage. And basically, call it the stupidity of the American voter or whatever, but basically that was really, really critical for the thing to pass..
 (23)Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, President Obama called for a new, more transparent approach to the health reform law moving forward, saying in a January 25, 2010, ABC News interview, The process didn’t run the way I ideally would like it to and that we have to move forward in a way that recaptures that sense of opening things up more..
 (24)The Obama Administration’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act has been marked by Executive overreach.
 (25)On at least 28 occasions, President Obama and his administration have unilaterally delayed, extended, or changed provisions of the Affordable Care Act, including in contravention of the law and the Constitution of the United States.
 (26)Section 1513 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (26 U.S.C. 4980h note) requires applicable large employers with more than 50 full-time employees to provide qualifying health insurance to their employees or pay a fine, and the effective date under such section specified the amendments made by such section applied to months beginning after December 31, 2013.
 (27)Contrary to the plain meaning of the statutory requirement, and acting without authority provided by law, the Internal Revenue Service published in the Federal Register Notice 2013–45 to change the effective date of the employer mandate requirement, stating, Section 1513(d) of the Affordable Care Act provides that section 4980H applies to months after December 31, 2013; however Notice 2013–45, issued on July 9, 2013, provides as transition relief that no assessable payments under section 4980H will apply for 2014..
 (28)On July 12, 2013, the Director for the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services denied the request for exemption from certain Affordable Care Act requirements made by representatives of the United States territories, writing to the Secretary of Commerce for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, However meritorious your request might be, [the Department of Health and Human Services] is not authorized to choose which provisions [of the Affordable Care Act] … might apply to the territories..
 (29)A year later, on July 16, 2014, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services notified representatives of the United States territories that they would in fact receive an exemption from requirements under the Affordable Care Act, despite the previous explanation from CMS that CMS does not have the legal authority to provide such an exemption. As the CMS Administrator now rationalized, Currently, the Department uses the existing Public Health Service Act (PHS Act) definition of State for new PHS Act requirements and funding opportunities included in title I of the Affordable Care Act. Under this definition, the new market reforms in the PHS Act apply to the territories. We have been informed by representatives of the territories that this interpretation is undermining the stability of the territories’ health insurance markets. After a careful review of this situation and the relevant statutory language, HHS has determined that the new provisions of the PHS Act enacted in title I are appropriately governed by the definition of State set forth in that title, and therefore that these new provisions do not apply to the territories..
 (30)The Obama Administration has claimed that the Affordable Care Act will save money and improve the economy, with WhiteHouse.gov stating, In keeping with the President’s pledge that reform must fix our health care system without adding to the deficit, the Affordable Care Act reduces the deficit, saving over $200 billion over 10 years and more than $1 trillion in the second decade. The law reduces health care costs … [and] is improving our economic competitiveness[.].
 (31)$70.2 billion of the White House’s estimated savings was to come from the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act provisions of the Affordable Care Act, a program that was deemed actuarially unsound and never implemented by the Obama Administration.
 (32)An April 2010 report from the Office of the Actuary for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services describes that additional savings under the Affordable Care Act were to be paid for with Medicare Fee-for-Service and Medicare Advantage cuts and reductions in payments to hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health centers. These cuts have been delayed and may never materialize. Even if implemented, the projected savings may never accrue as the CMS Actuary’s report concludes that such cuts will cause about 15 percent of hospitals and post-acute care facilities like nursing homes to go out of business.
 (33)$52 billion in deficit reduction savings was projected to come from employer penalties paid to the Government for failure to comply with the employer mandate requirement to provide employees health insurance, a requirement that the Obama Administration has repeatedly delayed and modified, causing penalties and associated savings to not accrue.
 (34)Initial estimates of savings under the Affordable Care Act projected at least $15.5 billion in savings over the next decade attributable to Medicare cuts through the Independent Payment Advisory Board, which has not yet been appointed and through which no cuts or savings have been realized.
 (35)On September 9, 2009, President Obama pledged to a joint session of Congress, I will not sign a [health care reform] plan that adds one dime to our deficits—either now or in the future..
 (36)The Congressional Budget Office estimated in February 2014 that health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act would cost the Federal Government $47 billion in fiscal year 2015 and $1.197 trillion over fiscal years 2015–2024.
 (37)The Committees on Finance and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate estimated in September 2014 that the Affordable Care Act will add at least $340 billion to Federal budget deficits.
 (38)Dr. Gruber stated, The [Affordable Care Act] isn’t designed to save money.. (39)On at least 37 occasions, President Obama or a top official in the executive branch repeated the promise that If you like the [health insurance] plan you have, you can keep it. If you like the doctor you have, you can keep your doctor..
 (40)The Associated Press calculated at least 4.7 million Americans had their health insurance cancelled for 2014 and later, when the President issued a last-minute fix to try to prevent these cancellations as required by the Affordable Care Act, the changes came too late for approximately 2.4 million Americans to keep the plans they had and liked.
 (41)The nonpartisan, fact-checking publication Politifact rated If you like your health care plan, you can keep it. as the Lie of the Year for 2013. (42)Then-Presidential candidate Barack Obama repeatedly promised that, if elected President, his national health care reforms would, cut the cost of a typical family’s premium by up to $2,500 a year..
 (43)A November 2013 analysis by the Manhattan Institute calculates that the Affordable Care Act would increase individual marketplace health insurance premiums by 41 percent nationwide between 2013 and 2014.
 (44)A December 2013 study by Health Pocket, Inc., found that the average individual deductible for a Bronze plan was $5,081 a year, a 42-percent increase from the average plan purchased by an individual in 2013.
 (45)A February 2013 study by Health Pocket Inc., found that exchange plans under the Affordable Care Act averaged a 34-percent increase in drug-cost sharing compared to copayment and coinsurance rates in the pre-Affordable Care Act market. For the sickest patients needing specialty drugs, the study found copayments increased by 226 percent under a Bronze plan via the Affordable Care Act.
 (46)A December 2013 study by McKinsey and Company found that insurers offered almost three times as many narrow or ultranarrow network plans in 2014 compared to 2013. Fully 70 percent of Affordable Care Act plans analyzed had narrow or ultranarrow network coverage, meaning coverage for fewer doctors and hospitals than plans sold on the individual market before the law took effect.
 (47)Details consumers require to make informed decisions about their health care plan coverage under the Affordable Care Act have been withheld or lacked transparency.
 (48)On September 26, 2013, President Obama said, It will say clearly what each plan covers, what each plan costs. The price will be right there. It will be fully transparent … And so if you’ve ever tried to buy insurance on your own, I promise you this is a lot easier. It’s like booking a hotel or a plane ticket..
 (49)HealthCare.gov was established as the website to implement the Federal exchange portion of the Act at a cost of as much as $840 million, including more than $150 million in cost overruns, according to the Government Accountability Office in March 2014.
 (50)On October 1, 2013, HealthCare.gov launched without adequate security testing, leaving the approximately 250,000 unique users it drew not only vulnerable to identity theft by hackers, but unable to even use the site, as the website was demonstrably unable to handle even 1,100 simultaneous users.
 (51)For the subsequent months after its launch, HealthCare.gov continued to be plagued by crippling malfunctions, and the dismal performance of the website led only to problems and frustration for millions of Americans.
 (52)A June 2013 study by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General revealed that software designed by a principal HealthCare.gov vendor was highly insecure and put the information of more than 6 million Medicare beneficiaries at greater risk from malware, inappropriate access or theft.
 (53)An April 2014 study by Avalere Health determined that 38 percent of health insurance plans offered on the exchanges under the Affordable Care Act had no information about drug coverage available. Avalere also found that nearly 1 in 4 plans offered insufficient information on which doctors and hospitals are covered.
 (54)In September 2014, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported to Congress that 7.3 million Americans had enrolled in plans through exchanges under the Affordable Care Act, meeting enrollment targets estimated by the Congressional Budget Office and held as a goal by the Obama Administration.
 (55)Four months later, HHS Secretary Burwell stated that this enrollment data was a mistake that included some 400,000 dental insurance enrollments, the inclusion of which allowed the administration to claim for months that the Affordable Care Act was performing as anticipated which was not in fact a true or accurate representation of the data they had, but would not release to the public.
 (56)Since implementation of the ACA began, the HHS Secretary has granted over $1 billion in Federal taxpayer dollars to States to help build websites for their own State-based exchanges, yet development and usability issues on short timelines repeatedly caused these same States to seek different options for the 2015 open enrollment period, including opting to revert to enrolling via the Federal HealthCare.gov website.
 (57)The Affordable Care Act provides opportunities for fraud within subsidy and tax credit issuance. (58)A September 2013 report by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration concluded that, the IRS’s existing fraud detection system may not be capable of identifying ACA refund fraud or schemes prior to the issuance of tax return refunds..
 (59)A July 2014 undercover study by the Government Accountability Office determined that fictitious applicants were able to obtain health insurance coverage and taxpayer-funded subsidies on the Federal exchanges using falsified documents in 11 out of 12 cases.
 (60)The Affordable Care Act has had a negative impact on the American economy. (61)A February 2014 calculation by the Congressional Budget Office found the Affordable Care Act will significantly harm the American economy, reducing the number of hours worked by millions of full-time employees worth of hours. The CBO study noted, The reduction in CBO’s projections of hours worked represents a decline in the number of full-time-equivalent workers of about 2 million in 2017, rising to about 2.5 million in 2024..
 (62)History has shown the Special Inspector General model to be successful at saving taxpayer dollars and rooting our waste, fraud, and abuse in large Federal Government programs.
 (63)Congress and the President have enacted legislation creating Special Inspectors General on three occasions, including to oversee Federal spending and policy implementation for Afghanistan reconstruction (SIGAR), Iraq reconstruction (SIGIR), and the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP).
 (64)SIGAR, SIGIR, and SIGTARP have successfully conducted audits and investigations saving the Federal Government billions in waste, fraud, and abuse, and have helped to identify and prosecute theft and corruption.
 (65)As of an October 2014 report, SIGAR has produced 57 referrals for suspension and debarment of Federal contractors and employees and produced over $500 million in direct taxpayer savings.
 (66)According to its final report, SIGIR cost $245 million to operate, but resulted in $645 million in direct savings to the Federal Government, in addition to producing $192 million in seizures and court-ordered penalties, as well as 90 criminal convictions.
 (67)As of an October 2014 report, SIGTARP has produced 146 convictions and $7.38 billion in fines, penalties, and restitution to the Government and victims.
 (68)On August 5, 2014, the Associated Press reported that 47 Federal inspectors general sent an unprecedented joint letter to Congress to decry, Obama administration efforts to delay or stall their investigations, citing three examples where Federal agencies have hindered substantive inspector general oversight work by refusing to provide information or documents they are entitled to under the law.
 (69)The letter from more than half of the Federal Government’s independent inspectors general correctly states, Section 6(a)(1) of the IG Act reflects the clear intent of Congress that an Inspector General is entitled to timely and unimpeded access to all records available to an agency that relate to that Inspector General’s oversight activities. The constricted interpretations of Section 6(a)(1) by these and other agencies conflict with the actual language and Congressional intent. The IG Act is clear: no law restricting access to records applies to Inspectors General unless that law expressly so states, and that unrestricted access extends to all records available to the agency, regardless of location or form..
 (70)Congress has a responsibility to exercise prudent stewardship of public dollars, to ensure that laws are well and faithfully executed by the executive branch, to provide for efficacious services for the American people, and to ensure that those who cheat, steal from, or defraud the Federal Government are held to account.
			3.Special Inspector General for Monitoring the Affordable Care Act
 (a)Office of Special Inspector GeneralThere is hereby established the Office of the Special Inspector General for Monitoring the Affordable Care Act (in this section, referred to as the Office) to carry out the duties described under subsection (e).
			(b)Appointment of Inspector General; removal
 (1)AppointmentThe head of the Office is the Special Inspector General for Monitoring the Affordable Care Act (in this section referred to as the Special Inspector General), who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
 (2)QualificationsThe appointment of the Special Inspector General shall be made solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law, management analysis, health care expertise and financing, public administration, or investigations.
 (3)Deadline for appointmentThe appointment of an individual as the Special Inspector General shall be made not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
 (4)CompensationThe annual rate of basic pay of the Special Inspector General shall be the annual rate of basic pay provided for positions at level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.
 (5)Prohibition on political activitiesFor purposes of section 7324 of title 5, United States Code, the Special Inspector General shall not be considered an employee who determines policies to be pursued by the United States in the nationwide administration of Federal law.
 (6)RemovalThe Special Inspector General shall be removable from office in accordance with the provisions of section 3(b) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).
 (c)Assistant Inspectors GeneralThe Special Inspector General shall, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations governing the civil service—
 (1)appoint an Assistant Inspector General for Auditing who shall have the responsibility for supervising the performance of auditing activities relating to the duties described under subsection (e); and
 (2)appoint an Assistant Inspector General for Investigations who shall have the responsibility for supervising the performance of investigative activities relating to such duties.
				(d)Supervision
 (1)In generalExcept as provided under paragraph (2), the Special Inspector General shall report directly to, and be under the general supervision of, the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
 (2)Independence to conduct investigations and auditsNo employee or officer of any of the following entities shall prevent or prohibit the Special Inspector General from initiating, carrying out, or completing any audit or investigation related to the duties described under subsection (e) or from issuing any subpoena during the course of any such audit or investigation:
 (A)The Executive Office of the President and the Office of Personnel Management. (B)The Department of Health and Human Services.
 (C)The Department of the Treasury. (D)The Social Security Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, the Department of Labor, and the Peace Corps.
 (E)Any other Federal agency involved in implementing or administering the Affordable Care Act. (e)Duties (1)Oversight of the implementation and administration of the affordable care actIt shall be the duty of the Special Inspector General to conduct, supervise, and coordinate audits and investigations of the implementation and administration of programs and activities established under, and payment system changes made by, the Affordable Care Act, including by collecting and summarizing the following:
 (A)A description of the individual mandate requirement for applicable individuals to maintain minimum essential coverage or pay a penalty under section 5000A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including a description of the number of individuals maintaining such coverage and the number of individuals paying such penalties.
 (B)A description of any increases or decreases in— (i)premiums for qualified health plans (as defined in section 1301 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18021));
 (ii)deductibles under qualified health plans; and (iii)cost-sharing under qualified health plans, including by copayments and coinsurance,
						affecting individuals enrolling in coverage under such plans through an exchange established under
			 title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (including a
			 State-run exchange, a federally administered exchange, and a Small
 Business Health Options Program).(C)A description of any increases or decreases in the maximum out-of-pocket costs affecting individuals enrolling in qualified health plans through such a State-run exchange, a federally administered exchange, and a Small Business Health Options Program.
 (D)A description of any increases or decreases in the size of physician and other health care provider networks affecting individuals enrolling in qualified health plans through such a State-run exchange, a federally administered exchange, and a Small Business Health Options Program.
 (E)A description of any type of health insurance coverage lost because of the treatment under title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of grandfathered health plans (as defined in section 1251(e) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 18011(e))).
 (F)A description of any credits under section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (and the amount (if any) of the advance payment of the credit under section 1412 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18082)) and any cost-sharing reduction under section 1402 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18071) (and the amount (if any) of the advance payment of the reduction under section 1412 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 18082)) provided to individuals enrolling under qualified health plans through an exchange established under title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
 (G)A description of any projections, estimates, analysis, goals, or targets made by any employee of the Federal Government or any contractor of the Federal Government in carrying out duties associated with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act with respect to the enrollment of individuals in a qualified health plan through an exchange established under title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
 (H)A description of the employer mandate requirement that applicable large employers provide eligible employees with minimum essential coverage or pay a fine under section 4980H of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including a description of the type and number of employers providing such coverage and the type and number of employers paying such fines.
 (I)A description of any projections, estimates, analyses, goals, or targets made by any employee of the Federal Government or any contractor of the Federal Government in carrying out duties associated with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act with respect to employers providing minimum essential coverage to applicable employees.
 (J)A description of any reports, meetings, discussions, or materials of any employee of the Federal Government or any contractor of the Federal Government in carrying out duties associated with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act relating to any employers converting full-time employees to part-time employees or hiring new part-time employees instead of full-time employees for the purposes of avoiding the fines provided for under the employer mandate requirement described in subparagraph (H).
 (K)A description of any reports, meetings, discussions, or materials of any employee of the Federal Government or any contractor of the Federal Government in carrying out duties associated with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act relating to any employers hiring no more than 50 employees for the purposes of avoiding the requirement to provide minimum essential coverage or pay a fine under the employer mandate requirement described in subparagraph (H).
 (L)A description of any reports, meetings, discussions, or materials of any employee of the Federal Government or any contractor of the Federal Government in carrying out duties associated with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act relating to any employers dropping the health insurance coverage offered to their employees, or employees’ spouses or dependents, for the purposes of avoiding the requirement to provide minimum essential coverage or pay a fine under the employer mandate requirement described in subparagraph (H).
 (M)A description of the transitional reinsurance program established under section 1341 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18061), including a description of reinsurance contributions collected or required to be collected under such program, a description of any reinsurance payments made or required to be made to health insurance issuers under such program, a description of the health insurance coverage and related costs for high-cost individuals for plans related to such program, an explanation of the impact of such reinsurance program on adverse selection in the marketplace, and an explanation of any premium-stabilizing effects of such program.
 (N)A description of the temporary risk corridors for qualified health plans established under section 1342 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18062), including a description of participating plans and the allowable costs and target amounts of such plans, a description of risk corridor ratios of such plans, and a description of payment adjustments made under such program.
 (O)A description of the permanent risk adjustment program established under section 1343 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18063), including a description of any plans participating in such program, a description of any risk adjustment payments made or required to be made under such program, a description of the health insurance coverage and related costs for high-cost individuals for plans related to such program, an explanation of the impact of such program on adverse selection in the marketplace, and an explanation of any premium-stabilizing effects of such program.
 (P)A list of all contracts awarded under the Affordable Care Act and an analysis of whether Federal contracting procedures were followed when awarding any contract associated with such Act.
 (Q)A description of the development of the health insurance marketplace for the Internet portal established under section 1103 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18003), including a description of the design, features, and security systems of such web portal and a description of all costs associated with such development.
 (R)A description of any threats, risks, problems, or functionality issues identified by any employee of the Federal Government or any contractor of the Federal Government in carrying out duties associated with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act prior to the launch of such web portal on October 1, 2013.
 (S)A description of any decisionmaking or activities by any employee of the Federal Government or any contractor of the Federal Government in carrying out duties associated with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in response to such threats, risks, problems, or functionality issues.
 (T)A description of the systems (on the Federal and State levels) in place or in development to allow health insurance issuers and plans and government entities to verify information is accurate for purposes of enrollments in qualified health plans through exchanges established under title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, including that data verification and validation can occur with respect to information provided or stored by individuals, the Department of Health and Human Services, the qualified health plans, States, and other applicable Federal agencies, including for purposes of credits under section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (and the amount (if any) of the advance payment of the credit under section 1412 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18082)) and any cost-sharing reduction under section 1402 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18071) (and the amount (if any) of the advance payment of the reduction under section 1412 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 18082)).
 (U)A description of the development of the Federal Data Services Hub, including its design, features, and security systems, and a description of the type of data accessed through such data hub, and a description of the actual storage location of such data accessed through such data hub.
 (V)A list of the duties and responsibilities assigned to the Internal Revenue Service as a result of the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, a description of any plans of the Internal Revenue Service for how to carry out such duties, and an explanation of the resources and personnel required to carry out such duties, including a description of any new resources or personnel required to carry out such duties not already available to the Internal Revenue Service.
 (W)A description of any plans of the Internal Revenue Service to verify the eligibility of individuals enrolling in qualified health plans for any credits under section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (and the amount (if any) of the advance payment of the credit under section 1412 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18082)) and any cost-sharing reduction under section 1402 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18071) (and the amount (if any) of the advance payment of the reduction under section 1412 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 18082)), including a description of any such verification completed and a description of any such individuals determined to be ineligible.
 (X)A description of any plans by the Internal Revenue Service to calculate the amount of overpayment of any such credit or reduction for which an individual enrolled in a qualified health plan was determined to be ineligible, including a description of any such calculations completed.
 (Y)A description of any plans by the Internal Revenue Service to notify individuals determined to be ineligible for such credits or reductions, including a description of such notifications completed.
 (Z)A description of any plans by the Internal Revenue Service to recapture such overpayments of such credits and reductions for individuals determined to be ineligible, including a description of such recapturing completed.
 (AA)A description of the impact of the Affordable Care Act on the right of conscience, including on— (i)religious employers and institutions that were not exempted from the mandate issued by the Department of Health and Human Services requiring individual and group health plans to cover sterilization and Food and Drug Administration approved contraceptives;
 (ii)individuals; and (iii)medical professionals.
 (BB)A description of abortion coverage offered under qualified health plans purchased through State-run exchanges, federally administered exchanges, and Small Business Health Options Programs, including costs associated with such coverage.
 (CC)A description of any actions by Departments or Agencies of the Federal Government to modify or delay the programs or activities authorized by the Affordable Care Act, including an explanation from the head of such Department or Agency of the specific authority used to implement such a modification or delay.
 (DD)A description of the Independent Payment Advisory Board under section 1899A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395kkk) and any actions taken to alter or reduce the use of medical products, treatments or procedures, including an explanation from the Independent Payment Advisory Board of the reasons for taking such actions, whether such actions could be expected to result in worsened medical outcomes for individuals affected by such alterations or reductions, and an explanation of the medical information used to determine whether such alterations or reductions could be expected to result in such worsened outcomes.
 (EE)A description of individuals enrolled in the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act through an exchange established under title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, including a description of the cost of health care services utilized by such individuals and a description of the cost to States and the cost to the Federal Government to provide health care services to such individuals.
 (FF)Any additional topic related to the implementation and administration of the Affordable Care Act, the inclusion of which helps to provide the public a full and objective accounting of such law.
 (2)Data to be includedIn carrying out the duties described under paragraph (1), the Special Inspector General shall, to the greatest extent possible, collect and summarize data described under such paragraph according to each type of insurance marketplace and according to the age and gender of individuals enrolling in coverage under qualified health plans through an exchange established under title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
 (3)Other duties related to oversightThe Special Inspector General shall establish, maintain, and oversee such systems, procedures, and controls as the Special Inspector General considers appropriate to discharge the duties described under paragraph (1).
 (4)Duties and responsibilities under the Inspector General Act of 1978In addition to the duties described under paragraphs (1) and (2), the Special Inspector General shall also have the duties and responsibilities of inspectors general under the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).
 (f)Coordination of effortsIn carrying out the duties, responsibilities, and authorities of the Special Inspector General under this section, the Special Inspector General shall coordinate with, and receive the cooperation of each of the following:
 (1)The Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services. (2)The Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury.
 (3)The Inspectors General of the Social Security Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, the Department of Labor, and the Peace Corps.
 (4)The inspector general of any other Federal entity, as determined by the Special Inspector General. (g)Powers and authorities (1)Authority to access materials, request information, compel response, and other authorities under the Inspector General Act of 1978In carrying out the duties described under subsection (e), the Special Inspector General shall have all of the authorities provided under section 6 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).
 (2)Exemption from requirement for initial determination by Attorney GeneralFor purposes of section 6(e) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), the Special Inspector General shall be considered exempt from the requirement of an initial determination of eligibility by the Attorney General under paragraph (2) of such section.
 (3)Audit standardsThe Special Inspector General shall carry out the duties specified under subsection (e)(1) in accordance with section 4(b)(1) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).
				(h)Personnel, facilities, and other resources
 (1)PersonnelThe Special Inspector General may select, appoint, and employ such officers and employees as may be necessary for carrying out the duties of the Special Inspector General, subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title, relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates.
 (2)Employment of experts and consultantsThe Special Inspector General may obtain services as authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, at daily rates not to exceed the equivalent rate prescribed for grade GS–15 of the General Schedule by section 5332 of such title.
 (3)Contracting authorityTo the extent and in such amounts as may be provided in advance by appropriations Acts, the Special Inspector General may enter into contracts and other arrangements for audits, studies, analyses, and other services with public agencies and with private persons, and make such payments as may be necessary to carry out the duties of the Special Inspector General.
 (4)ResourcesThe Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide the Special Inspector General with appropriate and adequate office space at appropriate locations of the Department of Health and Human Services together with such equipment, office supplies, and communications facilities and services as may be necessary for the operation of such offices, and shall provide necessary maintenance services for such offices and the equipment and facilities located therein.
				(5)Assistance from Federal agencies
 (A)In generalUpon request of the Special Inspector General for information or assistance from any Department, Agency, or other entity of the Federal Government (including any entity listed under subsection (d)(2)), the head of such entity shall, insofar as is practicable and not in contravention of any existing law, furnish such information or assistance to the Special Inspector General, or an authorized designee.
					(B)Reporting of refused assistance
 (i)Reporting to Health and Human Services and CongressIn accordance with clause (ii), as the case may be, whenever information or assistance requested by the Special Inspector General is, in the judgment of the Special Inspector General, unreasonably refused or not provided, the Special Inspector General shall report the circumstances to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and to the appropriate congressional committees without delay.
 (ii)Reporting to the public on refusal or noncooperation in transparencyWhenever any information described in clause (i) is requested by the Special Inspector General and unreasonably refused or not provided, the report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the appropriate congressional committees shall be titled Notice of Refusal or Noncooperation in Transparency and shall be published on a publicly available website in an accessible format without delay.
 (6)Use of personnel, facilities, and other resources of the OfficeUpon the request of the Special Inspector General, an Inspector General— (A)may detail, on a reimbursable basis, to the Office any of the personnel of such Inspector General’s office for the purpose of carrying out this section; and
 (B)may provide, on a reimbursable basis, any of the facilities or other resources of the Office for the purpose of carrying out this section.
					(i)Reports
 (1)Initial reportNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Special Inspector General shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees and the Secretary of Health and Human Services a report summarizing, for the period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 and ending on the completion of a fiscal year quarter after the date of enactment of this Act, the activities during such period of the Special Inspector General required under subsection (e).
 (2)Quarterly reportsBeginning with the first full fiscal year quarter after the date of the enactment of this Act, not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal year quarter, during which the Affordable Care Act is in effect, the Special Inspector General shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees and the Secretary of Health and Human Services a report summarizing, for the period of that quarter and, to the extent possible, the period from the end of such quarter to the time of the submission of the report, the activities during such period of the Special Inspector General required under subsection (e).
 (3)Comments on reportNot later than 30 days after receipt of a report under this subsection, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees any comments on the matters covered by the report.
				(4)Public availability; recordkeeping
 (A)In generalThe Special Inspector General shall publish on a publicly available website each report described under this subsection and any comments on the matters covered by the report submitted pursuant to paragraph (3).
 (B)Requirement to indexExcept as provided in subparagraph (C), the Special Inspector General shall, to the greatest extent possible, index and publish on the publicly available website information for each source used in each report described under this subsection, including whenever applicable the document name, author, and owner.
 (C)Exception to index requirementThe Special Inspector General may except with a written note of exclusion certain information required to be published pursuant to subparagraph (B) that the Special Inspector General determines is—
 (i)necessary to protect an individual that provided the information; or (ii)classified.
 (D)Recordkeeping requirementAll source material and information used to create a report described under this subsection, including information excepted under subparagraph (C), shall be identified, indexed (in a classified annex, if necessary), and maintained (including any written note of exclusion) by the Special Inspector General.
 (5)Protected informationTo the extent possible, information submitted in any report required under this subsection shall be in a form that is not prohibited from disclosure under section 552a of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Privacy Act of 1974).
 (6)Aggregated informationThe Special Inspector General shall, to the maximum extent possible, aggregate any personally identifiable information submitted in a report required under this subsection.
 (j)Amendment to the Inspector General ActSection 8D of the Inspector General Act (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended in subsections (e) and (f) by inserting after for Tax Administration, each place it appears, the following: and the Special Inspector General for Monitoring the Affordable Care Act.
 (k)TerminationThe Office of the Special Inspector General shall terminate the earlier of— (1)January 1, 2025; or
 (2)the date on which the final report required by subsection (h) is submitted for the last year the Affordable Care Act is in effect.
 (l)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)Affordable Care ActThe term Affordable Care Act means the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and title I and subtitle B of title II of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.
 (2)Appropriate congressional committeesThe term appropriate congressional committees means— (A)the Committees on Appropriations; the Budget; Education and the Workforce; Energy and Commerce; Homeland Security; the Judiciary; Oversight and Government Reform; Small Business; and Ways and Means of the House of Representatives; and
 (B)the Committees on Appropriations; the Budget; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Finance; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; the Judiciary; and Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate.


116 HR 2810 IH: Tax Fairness for Tribal Youth Act of 2019
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-05-16
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2810IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 16, 2019Ms. Moore (for herself, Mr. Estes, Mr. Calvert, Mr. Carbajal, Mr. Cárdenas, Mr. Cole, Mr. Cook, Mrs. Craig, Ms. Haaland, Mr. Kind, Mr. Ruiz, Ms. Shalala, Mr. Young, Mr. Kildee, and Mr. Cisneros) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and MeansA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to treat certain payments made by Indian tribal
			 governments as earned income for purposes of the kiddie tax.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Tax Fairness for Tribal Youth Act of 2019. 2.Certain payments made by Indian tribal governments treated as earned income for kiddie tax (a)In generalSection 1(g)(4)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:

 (C)Treatment of certain amounts as earned incomeFor purposes of this subsection, each of the following amounts shall be treated as earned income of the child referred to in paragraph (1) to the extent included in the gross income of such child:
 (i)Distributions from qualified disability trustsAny amount included in the gross income of such child under section 652 or 662 by reason of being a beneficiary of a qualified disability trust (as defined in section 642(b)(2)(C)(ii)).
 (ii)Certain Indian tribal paymentsAny payment made by an Indian tribal government (as defined in section 139E(c)(1)), or from a trust of which the Indian tribal government is treated as the owner under subpart E of part I of subchapter J, to such child if—
 (I)such child is an enrolled member of the tribe with respect to such Indian tribal government, and (II)such payment is received by such child by reason of such enrollment..
 (b)Application to alternative minimum taxSection 59(j)(1)(A) of such Code is amended by inserting and including amounts treated as earned income under section 1(g)(4)(C) after section 911(d)(2). (c)Effective dateThe amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.


113 HR 4558 IH: Flood Insurance Market Parity and Modernization Act of 2014
U.S. House of Representatives
2014-05-01
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
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4558
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			May 1, 2014
			Mr. Ross (for himself and Mr. Murphy of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services

		A BILL
		To clarify the authority of States to regulate private flood insurance coverage.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Flood Insurance Market Parity and Modernization Act of 2014.
		2.Authority of States to regulate private flood insuranceParagraph (7) of section 102(b) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C.
			 4012a(b)(7)) is amended to read as follows:

				(7)Private flood insurance definedIn this subsection, the term private flood insurance means an insurance policy that—
					(A)provides flood insurance coverage;
					(B)is issued by an insurance company that is—
						(i)licensed, admitted, or otherwise approved to engage in the business of insurance in the State or
			 jurisdiction in which the insured building is located, by the insurance
			 regulator of that State or jurisdiction; or
						(ii)eligible as a nonadmitted insurer to provide insurance in the State or jurisdiction where the
			 property to be insured is located, in accordance with sections 521 through
			 527 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (15
			 U.S.C. 8201–6); and
						(C)is issued by an insurance company that is not otherwise disapproved as a surplus lines insurer by
			 the insurance regulator of the State or jurisdiction where the property to
			 be insured is located.


114 HR 2119 IH: To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to require that State applications for State plan waivers under the Medicaid program be approved only if such applications are budget neutral, and for other purposes.
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-04-29
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2119
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 29, 2015
Mr. Shimkus introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL
To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to require that State applications for State plan waivers under the Medicaid program be approved only if such applications are budget neutral, and for other purposes.

1.Budget neutrality required for State plan waivers under Medicaid
(a)In generalSection 1115(d) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1315(d)) is amended— (1)by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
(2)by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph:   (3) (A)Beginning with fiscal year 2016, the Secretary shall require, as a condition on the approval of a demonstration project in a State under this section, that the project be budget neutral, as determined by the Secretary in accordance with subparagraph (B) and subject to subparagraph (C).
(B)A determination by the Secretary under this paragraph on whether a demonstration project is budget neutral shall be based on— (i)the historical Federal and State expenditures made under the State plan under title XIX, including any adjustments to such expenditures (other than adjustments to account for improper or otherwise unallowable payments) supported by data or other documentation;
(ii)the State’s historical spending growth rates and population growth rates, including any adjustments supported by data or documentation; and (iii)any other criteria determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(C)The Secretary may not determine that a demonstration project is budget neutral under this paragraph unless the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services certifies to the Secretary that the project is budget neutral. (D)For purposes of this paragraph, the term budget neutral means, with respect to a demonstration project, that the Federal expenditures under the project in the State do not exceed the Federal expenditures that would otherwise have been made if the State had in effect a plan approved under title XIX. ; and
(3)in paragraph (4) (as redesignated by paragraph (1))— (A)by striking Congress concerning actions and inserting Congress on, and make available to the public information on, any actions; and
(B)by inserting , including any data or other information relating to determinations of the Secretary under paragraph (3) that such demonstration projects are budget neutral before the period at the end. (b)RegulationsNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue regulations to carry out the amendments made by subsection (a), including regulations specifying the criteria to be used in making determinations under paragraph (3) of section 1115(d) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1315(d)), as inserted by subsection (a).