116 HR 5464 IH: Congressional Accountability Act Enhancement Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-12-17
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. 5464IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDecember 17, 2019Ms. Speier (for herself, Mr. Byrne, Ms. Underwood, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House AdministrationA BILLTo amend the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to require Members of Congress to reimburse
			 the Treasury for amounts paid as settlements and awards under such Act in
			 all cases of employment discrimination acts committed personally by
			 Members, to require the General Counsel of the Office of Congressional
			 Workplace Rights to conduct an investigation of all workplace
			 discrimination claims filed by covered employees under such Act, and for
			 other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Congressional Accountability Act Enhancement Act. 2.Requiring Members of Congress to reimburse Treasury for amounts paid as settlements and awards under Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 in all cases of employment discrimination acts by Members (a)Requiring reimbursementClause (i) of section 415(d)(1)(C) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1415(d)(1)(C)), as amended by section 111(a) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act (Public Law 115–397; 132 Stat. 5306) is amended to read as follows:

 (i)a violation of section 201(a) or section 206(a); or. (b)Conforming amendment relating to notification of possibility of reimbursementClause (i) of section 402(b)(2)(B) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1402(b)(2)(B)), as amended by section 102(a) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act (Public Law 115–397; 132 Stat. 5301), is amended to read as follows:

 (i)a violation of section 201(a) or section 206(a); or. (c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to claims under the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 which are made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
			3.Requiring investigation by General Counsel of Office of Congressional Workplace Rights of all
			 claims filed by covered employees under Congressional Accountability Act
			 of 1995
 (a)Requiring investigation of claimsSection 403 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1403), as amended by section 103(a) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act (Public Law 115–397; 132 Stat. 5303), is amended to read as follows:

					403.Investigation of claims
 (a)InvestigationUpon the completion of the initial processing of a claim under section 402(b), the General Counsel shall conduct an investigation of the claim involved.
 (b)SubpoenasTo carry out an investigation under this section, the General Counsel may issue subpoenas in the same manner, and subject to the same terms and conditions, as a hearing officer may issue subpoenas to carry out discovery with respect to a hearing under section 405, except that the General Counsel may issue such a subpoena on the General Counsel’s own initiative, without regard to whether or not a party requests that the General Counsel issue the subpoena. It is the sense of Congress that the General Counsel should issue subpoenas under this subsection only to the extent that other methods of obtaining information with respect to an investigation are insufficient to enable the General Counsel to conclude the investigation within the deadline described in subsection (e).
						(c)Report; findings
 (1)ReportUpon concluding an investigation of a claim under this section, the General Counsel shall transmit a written report on the results of the investigation to the covered employee and the employing office involved.
 (2)Inclusion of findingsThe General Counsel shall include in the report transmitted under paragraph (1) one of the following findings:
 (A)A finding that there is reasonable cause to believe that the employing office committed a violation of part A of title II, as alleged in the covered employee’s claim.
 (B)A finding that there is no reasonable cause to believe that the employing office committed a violation of part A of title II, as alleged in the covered employee’s claim.
 (C)A finding that the General Counsel cannot determine whether or not there is reasonable cause to believe that the employing office committed a violation of part A of title II, as alleged in the covered employee’s claim.
 (3)Notice of right to file civil actionIf the General Counsel transmits a finding under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2), the General Counsel shall also transmit to the covered employee a written notice that the employee has the right to file a civil action with respect to the claim under section 408.
 (4)Transmission to Executive DirectorIf the General Counsel transmits a finding under subparagraph (A) or subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2), the General Counsel shall also transmit the report to the Executive Director.
 (5)Transmission of report on investigation of certain claims to Congressional ethics committeesIn the case of a report transmitted by the General Counsel under paragraph (1) on the results of an investigation of a claim alleging a violation described in section 415(d)(1)(A), the General Counsel shall transmit the report to—
 (A)the Committee on Ethics of the House of Representatives, in the case of a violation involving a Member of the House (including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress); or
 (B)the Select Committee on Ethics of the Senate, in the case of a violation involving a Senator. (d)Recommendation of mediationAt any time during the investigation of a claim under this section, the General Counsel may make a recommendation that the covered employee and the employing office pursue mediation under section 404 with respect to the claim.
 (e)Deadline for concluding investigationThe General Counsel shall conclude the investigation of a claim under this subsection, and transmit the report on the results of the investigation, not later than 90 days after the claim is filed under section 402, except that the General Counsel may (upon notice to the parties to the investigation) use an additional period of not to exceed 30 days to conclude the investigation..
			(b)Conforming amendments relating to description of procedures available for consideration of alleged
			 violations
 (1)In generalSection 401(a)(2) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 1401(a)(2)), as amended by section 101(a) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act (Public Law 115–397; 132 Stat. 5298), is amended to read as follows:

 (2)an investigation of the claim, to be conducted by the General Counsel as provided in section 403; and.
 (2)Conditions for availability of formal hearingSection 401(a)(4) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 1401(a)(4)), as amended by section 101(a) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act (Public Law 115–397; 132 Stat. 5298), is amended to read as follows:

 (4)a formal hearing as provided in section 405, subject to Board review as provided in section 406, and judicial review in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit as provided in section 407, but only if, pursuant to an investigation conducted by the General Counsel as provided in section 403, the General Counsel finds either—
 (A)that there is reasonable cause to believe that the employing office involved committed a violation of part A of title II as alleged in the covered employee’s claim; or
 (B)that the General Counsel cannot determine whether or not there is reasonable cause to believe that the employing office committed a violation of part A of title II as alleged in the covered employee’s claim..
 (3)Right of employee to file civil actionSection 401(b) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 1401(b)), as amended by section 101(a) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act (Public Law 115–397; 132 Stat. 5298), is amended to read as follows:

						(b)Right of employee To file civil action
 (1)Civil actionA covered employee who has filed a timely claim as provided in section 402 may, during the period described in paragraph (3), file a civil action in a District Court of the United States with respect to the violation alleged in the claim, as provided in section 408.
 (2)Effect of filing civil actionNotwithstanding paragraph (2) or paragraph (4) of subsection (a), if the covered employee files such a civil action—
 (A)the investigation of the claim by the General Counsel as provided in section 403, or any subsequent formal hearing as provided in section 405, shall terminate upon the filing of the action by the covered employee; and
 (B)the procedure for consideration of the alleged violation shall not include any further investigation of the claim by the General Counsel as provided in section 403 or any subsequent formal hearing as provided in section 405.
 (3)Period for filing civil actionThe period described in this paragraph with respect to a claim is the 70-day period which begins on the date the covered employee files the claim under section 402.
							(4)Special rule for employees receiving finding of no reasonable cause under investigation by General
 CounselNotwithstanding paragraph (3), if a covered employee receives a written notice from the General Counsel under section 403(c)(3) that the employee has the right to file a civil action with respect to the claim in accordance with section 408, the covered employee may file the civil action not later than 90 days after receiving such written notice..
 (4)Special rules for Library of Congress claimantsSection 401(d)(2) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 1401(d)(2)), as amended by section 101(a) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act (Public Law 115–397; 132 Stat. 5298), is amended by striking at any time before the date that is 10 days after a hearing officer submits the report on the preliminary review of the claim under section 403(c), and inserting at any time prior to the expiration of the 10-day period which begins on the date the General Counsel transmits the written report on the results of the investigation of the claim under section 403(c),.
				(c)Conforming amendments relating to hearings conducted after investigation
 (1)Availability of hearing conducted by Office of Congressional Workplace RightsSection 405(a) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 1405(a)), as amended by section 103(a) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act (Public Law 115–397; 132 Stat. 5303), is amended to read as follows:

						(a)Requirement for hearings conducted by Office
							(1)Result of certain findings by General Counsel
 (A)In generalIf the General Counsel transmits a written report on the investigation of a covered employee’s claim under section 403 which includes a finding described in subparagraph (B), and if the covered employee submits a request for a hearing to the Executive Director prior to the expiration of the 10-day period which begins on the date the General Counsel transmits such a written report, the Office shall conduct a hearing to consider the claim and render a decision.
 (B)Findings describedA finding described in this subparagraph is— (i)a finding under section 403(c)(2)(A) that there is reasonable cause to believe that an employing office committed a violation of part A of title II, as alleged in a claim filed by a covered employee; or
 (ii)a finding under section 403(c)(2)(C) that the General Counsel cannot determine whether or not there is reasonable cause to believe that the employing office committed a violation of part A of title II, as alleged in the covered employee’s claim.
 (2)ExceptionParagraph (1) does not apply with respect to a claim if the covered employee files a civil action as provided in section 408 with respect to the claim.
							.
 (2)Deadline for commencement of hearingSection 405(d)(2) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 1405(d)(2)), as amended by section 103(d) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act (Public Law 115–397; 132 Stat. 5304), is amended by striking no later than 90 days after the Executive Director receives the covered employee’s request for the hearing under subsection (a) and inserting no later than 90 days after the Executive Director receives the General Counsel’s report on the investigation of the claim.
 (3)Other conforming amendmentsSection 405(c) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 1405(c)), as amended by section 103(d) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act (Public Law 115–397; 132 Stat. 5304), is amended—
 (A)in paragraph (1), by striking the filing of a request for a hearing under subsection (a) and inserting the transmission by the General Counsel of a report under subsection (a)(1); and (B)by striking paragraph (3).
 (d)Conforming amendment relating to availability of mediation during processSection 404(a)(3) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 1403(a)(3)), as amended by section 104(a) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act (Public Law 115–397; 132 Stat. 5305), is amended by striking including a preliminary review of the claim under section 403 and inserting including the investigation of the claim under section 403.
 (e)Clerical amendmentThe table of contents of such Act is amended by amending the item relating to section 403 to read as follows:

						Sec. 403. Investigation of claims..


109 HRES 1048 IH: Honoring the courageous actions of Minnie

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

		IV
		109th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. RES. 1048
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			September 27, 2006
			Mr. Honda (for
			 himself, Mr. Evans,
			 Mr. Lipinski,
			 Mr. McDermott,
			 Mr. Hyde, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr.
			 Jackson of Illinois, Ms. Zoe Lofgren
			 of California, Mr. Towns,
			 Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania,
			 Mr. Conyers,
			 Mr. Gonzalez,
			 Mr. Wynn, Mr. Schiff, and Ms.
			 Matsui) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
			 the Committee on Government
			 Reform

		RESOLUTION
		Honoring the courageous actions of Minnie
		  Vautrin during the Rape of Nanking during World War II.

		Whereas the Japanese Army’s invasion and occupation of
			 Nanking, China, in 1937 is historically known as the “Rape of Nanking”;
		Whereas during that tragic atrocity, an estimated 300,000
			 innocent Chinese civilians were killed by the Japanese army and over 20,000
			 were raped, with some estimates as high as 80,000;
		Whereas Minnie Vautrin was born on September 27, 1886 in
			 Secor, Illinois;
		Whereas in 1912, Miss Vautrin went to China as a
			 missionary and educator and while there served on the faculty of Ginling
			 College in Nanking for more than 20 years;
		Whereas when the Japanese army invaded Nanking on December
			 13, 1937, Miss Vautrin, and the other few non-Chinese people in the city who
			 refused to evacuate, worked to protect the civilians who were mostly women and
			 children;
		Whereas by using the American flag and obtaining
			 proclamations from the American Embassy in China maintaining Ginling College as
			 a sanctuary, Miss Vautrin repelled incursions into the campus;
		Whereas Miss Vautrin risked her own life and valiantly
			 protected over 10,000 women and children in Ginling from the Japanese army;
			 and
		Whereas survivors of the Rape of Nanking were so grateful
			 to Miss Vautrin that they gave her the names “Living Goddess” and “Goddess of
			 Mercy”: Now, therefore, be it

		That Congress honors—
			(1)Minnie Vautrin’s
			 commitment to education and humanitarianism and to saving thousands of lives;
			 and
			(2)Miss Vautrin’s
			 sacrifice, courage, humanity, and commitment to peace, mercy, hope, and justice
			 during the violent Rape of Nanking.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3055
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			September 23, 2011
			Mr. Lewis of Georgia
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Education and the
			 Workforce

		A BILL
		To establish a National Parents Corps Program, and for
		  other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 National Parents Corps Act of
			 2011.
		2.FindingsThe Congress finds as follows:
			(1)Most parents work
			 and have limited time to volunteer at the schools their children attend.
			(2)A
			 parent’s first responsibility is to the health, safety, and stability of their
			 children.
			(3)Nearly one-third
			 of children in the United States ages 12 to 17 have used illicit drugs.
			(4)According to the
			 American Lung Association, approximately 4,000 children between the ages of 12
			 and 17 will smoke their first cigarette, and adolescents who reported smoking
			 cigarettes in the last 30 days were more likely to use alcohol, smoke
			 marijuana, and use cocaine during the same period.
			(5)Accidents,
			 homicides, and suicides are the leading causes of adolescent deaths. Most of
			 these deaths are connected to alcohol and drug use.
			(6)The Office of
			 National Drug Control Policy reports that early action from friends, parents,
			 or loved-ones of a teen who has started using drugs could help the teen stop
			 before treatment may be needed.
			(7)In response to concerns about youth
			 violence and drug, tobacco, and alcohol use by youth, the White House unveiled
			 the Parents Corps, a 3-year initiative operating in 9 States to bring together
			 citizenship, service, and responsibility to empower parents to keep their
			 children, schools, and communities drug-free.
			3.National Parents
			 Corps Program
			(a)Grant To
			 establish the ProgramSubject
			 to the availability of appropriations to carry out this Act, the Administrator
			 shall, not later than 3 months after the date of the enactment of this Act,
			 award a grant to an eligible nonprofit entity to establish a National Parents
			 Corps Program (referred to in this Act as the Program) to
			 promote safety, combat youth violence, and combat drug and alcohol abuse in
			 schools in the United States. The eligible nonprofit entity awarded such grant
			 shall be known as the NPCP Nonprofit Partner.
			(b)Program
			 activitiesThe NPCP Nonprofit
			 Partner shall use the grant awarded under this section to establish and
			 administer the Program, which shall include—
				(1)employing Parent
			 Leaders to carry out the Program at eligible schools that are selected to host
			 Parent Leaders, in accordance with
			 sections 4 and 5; and
				(2)working with schools, parents of children
			 enrolled in schools, local nonprofit organizations, and law enforcement
			 agencies and officers to promote safety, combat youth violence, and combat
			 drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse in schools.
				4.Participation of
			 schools
			(a)In
			 generalNot later than one
			 year after the date of enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the NPCP
			 Nonprofit Partner shall solicit applications from eligible schools desiring to
			 participate in the Program by hosting a Parent Leader. Each eligible school
			 selected to host a Parent Leader shall enter into a memorandum of understanding
			 with the NPCP Nonprofit Partner—
				(1)in which the
			 eligible school agrees to participate in the Program and host a Parent Leader
			 for the number of years that is equal to the number of grade levels taught at
			 the school; and
				(2)that outlines the
			 parameters and goals of hosting a Parent Leader and carrying out the Program at
			 the eligible school, including how the Parent Leader and the operation of the
			 Program will address the cultural, social, and crime prevention needs and goals
			 of the students at such school.
				(b)Selection
			 considerationsIn selecting
			 eligible schools to host Parent Leaders under this Act, the NPCP Nonprofit
			 Partner shall ensure that, to the extent practicable, the eligible schools
			 selected represent schools—
				(1)that are located
			 in a variety of geographical regions in the United States;
				(2)in urban, rural,
			 and suburban areas; and
				(3)in ethnically and
			 economically diverse communities.
				5.Parent
			 Leaders
			(a)Parent Leader
			 for each schoolFor each eligible school selected to participate
			 in the Program as a host school under
			 section 4, the NPCP Nonprofit Partner shall,
			 after consultation with the principal of the selected school, solicit
			 applications for, hire, and employ one Parent Leader. The Nonprofit Partner
			 shall use the grant funds provided under this Act to train, supervise, support,
			 and provide a salary and benefits to each Parent Leader.
			(b)Duties of Parent
			 LeadersEach Parent Leader
			 employed by the Nonprofit Partner shall, with respect to the eligible school
			 hosting the Parent Leader—
				(1)educate and
			 mobilize parents of students at the school to combat criminal and gang activity
			 and prevent students from social, cultural, and commercial forces that
			 encourage children and adolescents to initiate the use of drugs, alcohol, and
			 tobacco;
				(2)create a delivery system to provide parents
			 of students at the school with information regarding science-based prevention
			 and analysis related to early recognition of behaviors and traits that may lead
			 to or indicate drug, alcohol, and tobacco use and abuse, gang activity, and
			 violence;
				(3)work with school
			 officials, other parents of students at the school, and students at the school
			 to develop programs and practices to treat, prevent, and reduce violence and
			 drug, alcohol, and tobacco addiction for students at the school;
				(4)assist parents of
			 students at the school and school administrators with finding professional
			 assistance for any child who—
					(A)is using drugs,
			 including referrals to professionals who can assess the needs of the child for
			 counseling, treatment, and other appropriate assistance; or
					(B)is engaged in
			 violent activities or gang activities;
					(5)recruit and train
			 parent and student volunteers from the school to participate in drug and
			 violence prevention and education outreach and programming; and
				(6)consult with the NPCP Nonprofit Partner,
			 school administrators, local government authorities, local nonprofit
			 organizations, and other parents to develop best practices and training models
			 related to the prevention of school violence and drug, alcohol, and tobacco use
			 and abuse by students.
				(c)Parent Leader
			 eligibilityTo be eligible to be employed as a Parent Leader
			 under this Act, an individual shall—
				(1)be the parent (as such term is defined in
			 section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
			 7801)) of at least one student who will be enrolled, during the first year the
			 individual will be employed as a Parent Leader, in the lowest grade level
			 offered at the school that will host the Parent Leader;
				(2)not be employed
			 full-time at any position other than as a Parent Leader;
				(3)complete a background check, including
			 criminal records checks, fingerprint-based checks of State and national crime
			 information databases (as defined in section 534(f)(3)(A) of title 28, United
			 States Code), checks in any available child abuse and neglect registries, and
			 checks in any available sex offender registries; and
				(4)enter into an
			 agreement with the NPCP Nonprofit Partner to serve as a Parent Leader for a
			 number of years that is equal to the number of years normally required for a
			 student to complete all of the grade levels offered at the school that will
			 host the Parent Leader (as determined by the school), except that the
			 individual shall not be required to continue to serve as Parent Leader in the
			 case of an extreme, unforeseen circumstance (such as death, disability,
			 relocation, or criminal activity) that prevents the individual from completing
			 the term of service required under this paragraph.
				(d)VacanciesIf an individual who is employed as a
			 Parent Leader is unable to complete the term of service required under
			 subsection (c)(4), the NPCP Nonprofit
			 Partner shall, after consultation with the host school at which the Parent
			 Leader was serving, promptly solicit applications for, hire, and employ another
			 individual to serve as Parent Leader at such school, in accordance with the
			 requirements of this section.
			6.Reporting
			 requirements
			(a)Reports by
			 Parent LeadersNot less than
			 once each calendar quarter during each year a Parent Leader is employed by the
			 NPCP Nonprofit Partner, the Parent Leader shall submit to the NPCP Nonprofit
			 Partner and the school hosting the Parent Leader a report including activities
			 carried out by the Parent Leader to carry out the Program, the results of such
			 activities, best practices observed and used by the Parent Leader to carry out
			 the Program, and any other information the Parent Leader, the NPCP Nonprofit
			 Partner, or the school hosting the Parent Leader determine to be
			 appropriate.
			(b)Reports by NPCP
			 Nonprofit PartnerNot later than 6 months after the date of the
			 enactment of this Act, and every 6 months thereafter, the NPCP Nonprofit
			 Partner shall prepare and submit to the Administrator a report on the progress
			 and effectiveness of the Program, including—
				(1)statistics,
			 trends, and other data analyzing whether the Program is effective at preventing
			 school violence and drug, alcohol, and tobacco use and abuse by
			 students;
				(2)a
			 summary of the reports submitted by Parent Leaders; and
				(3)the results and
			 best practices reported by the Parent Leader at each school hosting a Parent
			 Leader.
				(c)Reports by
			 AdministratorNot later than one year after the date of the
			 enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall
			 prepare and submit to the Attorney General and the appropriate Congressional
			 committees a report relating to the progress and effectiveness of the
			 Program.
			7.Sense of the
			 CongressIt is the sense of
			 the Congress that eligible schools selected to host a Parent Leader in
			 accordance with section 4 should take such actions as may be necessary to
			 secure funding to employ a Parent Leader to carry out the Program after Federal
			 funding is no longer available to carry out this Act.
		8.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)AdministratorThe
			 term Administrator means the Administrator of the Office of
			 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
			(2)Eligible
			 nonprofit entityThe term eligible nonprofit entity
			 means an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
			 Code of 1986 that—
				(A)was operating on
			 the day before the date of the enactment of this Act;
				(B)has demonstrated
			 experience administering Federal grants in a fiscally responsible manner, as
			 determined by the Administrator;
				(C)has administered
			 national programs relating to addiction and parenting;
				(D)has developed and
			 administered programs similar to the Program authorized under this Act;
				(E)has worked with
			 the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Department of Health
			 and Human Services, and the Department of Justice in assessing and developing
			 initiatives relating to youth drug prevention and parental involvement;
			 and
				(F)has as its mission
			 to focus on child and youth drug prevention.
				(3)Eligible
			 schoolThe term eligible school means a public
			 middle school or secondary school (as such term is defined in section 9101 of
			 the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)) that has
			 demonstrated a commitment, as determined by the Secretary, to—
				(A)increasing
			 parental involvement in the school; and
				(B)reducing drug,
			 alcohol, and tobacco abuse by students enrolled in the school.
				(4)Appropriate
			 Congressional committeesThe term appropriate Congressional
			 committees means the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on
			 Education and Labor, and the Appropriations Committee in the House of
			 Representatives, and the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Health,
			 Education, Labor and Pensions, and the Appropriations Committee in the
			 Senate.
			9.Authorization of
			 appropriations
			(a)In
			 generalIn addition to other
			 amounts otherwise appropriated to carry out the purposes of this Act, there are
			 authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $5,500,000 for each of the
			 fiscal years 2012 through 2022.
			(b)Funding from
			 other sourcesThe
			 Administrator, the NPCP Nonprofit Partner, and eligible schools selected to
			 host a Parent Leader in accordance with
			 section 4 are authorized to solicit, receive,
			 and use funding from State, local, and private sources to carry out the
			 Program, including for expenses related to employing Parent Leaders.


117 S2055 IS: IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act of 2021
U.S. Senate
2021-06-15
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2055IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 15, 2021Mr. Grassley (for himself and Mr. Wyden) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify and reform rules relating to investigations and whistleblowers, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act of 2021.2.Standard and scope of review of whistleblower award determination(a)In generalParagraph (4) of section 7623(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—(1)by striking appealed to and inserting reviewed by; and(2)by adding at the end the following: Any review by the Tax Court under the preceding sentence shall be de novo and shall be based on the administrative record established at the time of the original determination and any additional newly discovered or previously unavailable evidence..(b)Conforming amendmentThe heading of paragraph (4) of section 7623(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking Appeal and inserting Review.(c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to cases under section 7623(b)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which are pending on, or filed on or after, the date of the enactment of this Act.3.Exemption from sequestration(a)In generalSection 255 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 905) is amended—(1)by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l); and(2)by inserting after subsection (j) the following: (k)Awards to whistleblowersAn award authorized under section 7623 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be exempt from reduction under any order issued under this part..(b)ApplicabilityThe amendment made by this section shall apply to any sequestration order issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 900 et seq.) after December 31, 2020.4.Whistleblower privacy protections(a)In generalParagraph (4) of section 7623(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by section 2, is further amended—(1)by striking determination.—Any determination and inserting “determination.—(A)In generalAny determination, and(2)by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:(B)Presumption of anonymityFor purposes of Rule 345(a) of the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure (as in effect on the date of the enactment of the IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act of 2021), and any successor rule, with respect to any action under this paragraph there shall be a rebuttable presumption that a whistleblower would be subject to retaliation, physical harm, social and professional stigma, or economic distress which outweighs the counterbalancing societal interests in knowing the whistleblower's identity..(b)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to petitions filed under Rule 345(a) of the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure which are pending on, or filed on or after, the date of the enactment of this Act.5.Modification of IRS whistleblower report(a)In generalSection 406(c) of division A of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 is amended by striking such use, in paragraph (1) and inserting such use (which shall include a list and descriptions of the top tax avoidance schemes, not to exceed 10, disclosed by whistleblowers during such year),.(b)Effective date The amendment made by this section shall apply to reports the due date for which are after the enactment of this Act.6.Interest on whistleblower awards(a)In generalSection 7623(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs (6) and (7), respectively, and by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new paragraph:(5)Interest(A)In generalIf the Secretary has not provided notice to an individual described in paragraph (1) of a preliminary award determination before the applicable date, the amount of any award under this subsection shall include interest from such date at the overpayment rate under section 6621(a).(B)ExceptionNo interest shall accrue under this paragraph after the date on which the Secretary provides notice to the individual of a preliminary award determination.(C)Applicable dateFor purposes of this paragraph, the applicable date is the date that is 12 months after the first date on which—(i)all of the proceeds resulting from actions subject to the award determination have been collected, and(ii)either—(I)the statutory period for filing a claim for refund has expired, or(II)the taxpayers subject to the actions and the Secretary have agreed with finality to the tax or other liabilities for the periods at issue, and either the taxpayers have waived the right to file a claim for refund or any claim for refund has been resolved..(b)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.7.Retention of collected proceeds to fund program costs(a)In generalSection 7623 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:(e)Retention of collected proceeds To fund program costs(1)In generalThe Secretary may retain annually up to 3 percent of the amount of proceeds collected as a result of actions described in subsection (a) (including any related actions) or from any settlements in response to such actions to be used for program costs (within the meaning of section 6307(d)(2)) associated with administering the whistleblower programs under this section, including reimbursing the applicable divisions of the Internal Revenue Service for costs associated with investigating whistleblower claims, except that the amount so retained in any year shall not exceed $10,000,000. The Secretary shall keep adequate records regarding amounts so retained and used. (2)Coordination rulesThe amount credited as paid by any taxpayer, and any award to a whistleblower, shall be determined without regard to this subsection.(3)Adjustment for inflationIn the case of calendar years beginning after 2022, the $10,000,000 amount in paragraph (1) shall be increased by an amount equal to—(A)such dollar amount, multiplied by(B)the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting 2021 for 2016 in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.If any increase under the preceding sentence is not a multiple of $10,000, such increase shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $10,000..(b)Effective dateThe amendment made by this section shall apply to proceeds collected after the date of the enactment of this Act.8.Correction regarding deductions for attorney's fees(a)In generalSection 62(a)(21)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking 7623(b) and inserting 7623.(b)Effective dateThe amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years ending after the date of the enactment of this Act.


110 HR 3940 IH: To amend the Deficit Reduction Act of

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-10-23
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3940
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			October 23, 2007
			Mr. Ellison (for
			 himself, Ms. McCollum of Minnesota,
			 Mr. Oberstar,
			 Mr. Walz of Minnesota, and
			 Mr. Peterson of Minnesota) introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Energy and
			 Commerce

		A BILL
		To amend the Deficit Reduction Act of
		  2005.

		1.RegulationsSection 6052(b) of the Deficit Reduction Act
			 of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 1396n note) is amended to read as follows:

				(b)Final
				RegulationsThe Secretary
				shall promulgate final regulations to carry out the amendment made by
				subsection (a) consistent with the notice and comment requirements in section
				553 of title 5, United States Code, except that the period of public comment on
				the proposed regulations shall be not less than 180 days. Consistent with the
				requirements of section 801(a)(1)(A) of title 5, United States Code, the final
				regulations shall take effect not less than 90 days after publication in the
				Federal Register or presentation to each House of the Congress or the
				Comptroller General, whichever occurs later.
				.


117 HR 3656 IH: Vaccine Access Improvement Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-06-01
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.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3656IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 1, 2021Mr. Doggett (for himself and Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and MeansA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide authority to add additional vaccines to the list of taxable vaccines.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Vaccine Access Improvement Act of 2021.2.Addition of new vaccines to list of taxable vaccines(a)In generalSection 4132(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:(Q)Any vaccine which is not described in any other subparagraph of this paragraph and which is included on the Vaccine Injury Table under section 2114 of the Public Health Service Act..(b)NotificationNot later than 30 days after the Secretary of Health and Human Services adds a vaccine to the Vaccine Injury Table pursuant of section 2114 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300aa–14), the Secretary shall notify the Secretary of the Treasury, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, the Committee on Finance of the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives of such designation.(c)Effective date(1)Sales, etcThe amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to sales and uses on or after the date on which the Secretary of Health and Human Services lists any new vaccine pursuant to section 2114 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300aa–14) for purposes of compensation for any vaccine-related injury or death through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund.(2)DeliveriesFor purposes of paragraph (1) and section 4131 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, in the case of sales on or before the effective date described in such paragraph for which delivery is made after such date, the delivery date shall be considered the sale date.


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1157
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			April 19, 2007
			Mr. Harkin introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To amend the Tariff Act of 1930 to
		  eliminate the consumptive demand exception relating to the importation of goods
		  made with forced labor.

		1.Goods made with forced or indentured
			 labor
			(a)In generalThe second sentence of section 307 of the
			 Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1307)
			 is amended by striking ; but in no case and all that follows to
			 the end period.
			(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by
			 this section applies to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for
			 consumption, on or after the date that is 15 days after the date of enactment
			 of this Act.


114 HRES 891 EH: Expressing concern over the disappearance of David Sneddon, and for other purposes.
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-09-28
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV
114th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 891
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

September 28, 2016

RESOLUTION
Expressing concern over the disappearance of David Sneddon, and for other purposes.

Whereas David Louis Sneddon is a United States citizen who disappeared while touring the Yunnan Province in the People’s Republic of China as a university student on August 14, 2004, at the age of 24;  Whereas David had last reported to family members prior to his disappearance that he intended to hike the Tiger Leaping Gorge in the Yunnan Province before returning to the United States and had placed a downpayment on student housing for the upcoming academic year, planned business meetings, and scheduled law school entrance examinations in the United States for the fall;
Whereas People's Republic of China officials have reported to the Department of State and the family of David that he most likely died by falling into the Jinsha River while hiking the Tiger Leaping Gorge, although no physical evidence or eyewitness testimony exists to support this conclusion;  Whereas there is evidence indicating that David did not fall into the river when he traveled through the gorge, including eyewitness testimonies from people who saw David alive and spoke to him in person after his hike, as recorded by members of David’s family and by embassy officials from the Department of State in the months after his disappearance;
Whereas family members searching for David shortly after he went missing obtained eyewitness accounts that David stayed overnight in several guesthouses during and after his safe hike through the gorge, and these guesthouse locations suggest that David disappeared after passing through the gorge, but the guest registers recording the names and passport numbers of foreign overnight guests could not be accessed;  Whereas Chinese officials have reported that evidence does not exist that David was a victim of violent crime, or a resident in a local hospital, prison, or mental institution at the time of his disappearance, and no attempt has been made to use David’s passport since the time of his disappearance, nor has any money been withdrawn from his bank account since that time;
Whereas David Sneddon is the only United States citizen to disappear without explanation in the People’s Republic of China since the normalization of relations between the United States and China during the administration of President Richard Nixon;  Whereas investigative reporters and nongovernmental organizations with expertise in the Asia-Pacific region, and in some cases particular expertise in the Asian Underground Railroad and North Korea's program, documented historically, to kidnap citizens of foreign nations for espionage purposes, have repeatedly raised the possibility that the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was involved in David's disappearance; and
Whereas investigative reporters and nongovernmental organizations who have reviewed David’s case believe it is possible that the Government of North Korea was involved in David’s disappearance because— (1)the Yunnan Province is regarded by regional experts as an area frequently trafficked by North Korean refugees and their support networks, and the Government of the People's Republic of China allows North Korean agents to operate throughout the region to repatriate refugees, such as prominent North Korean defector Kang Byong-sop and members of his family who were captured near the China-Laos border just weeks prior to David’s disappearance;
(2)in 2002, North Korean officials acknowledged that the Government of North Korea has carried out a policy since the 1970s of abducting foreign citizens and holding them captive in North Korea for the purpose of training its intelligence and military personnel in critical language and culture skills to infiltrate foreign nations;  (3)Charles Robert Jenkins, a United States soldier who deserted his unit in South Korea in 1965 and was held captive in North Korea for nearly 40 years, left North Korea in July 2004 (one month before David disappeared in China) and Jenkins reported that he was forced to teach English to North Korean intelligence and military personnel while in captivity;
(4)David Sneddon is fluent in the Korean language and was learning Mandarin, skills that could have been appealing to the Government of North Korea;  (5)tensions between the United States and North Korea were heightened during the summer of 2004 due to recent approval of the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 (Public Law 108–333) that increased United States aid to refugees fleeing North Korea, prompting the Government of North Korea to issue a press release warning the United States to drop its hostile policy;
(6)David Sneddon’s disappearance fits a known historical pattern often seen in the abduction of foreigners by the Government of North Korea;  (7)a well-reputed Japanese nonprofit specializing in North Korean abductions shared with the United States its expert analysis in 2012 about information it stated was received from a reliable source that a United States university student largely matching David Sneddon’s description was taken from China by North Korean agents in August 2004; and
(8)commentary published in the Wall Street Journal in 2013 cited experts looking at the Sneddon case who concluded that it is most probable that a U.S. national has been abducted to North Korea, and there is a strong possibility that North Korea kidnapped the American: Now, therefore, be it  That the House of Representatives—
(1)expresses its ongoing concern about the disappearance of David Louis Sneddon in Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China, in August, 2004;  (2)encourages the Department of State and the intelligence community to jointly continue investigations and to consider all plausible explanations for David's disappearance, including the possibility of abduction by the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea;
(3)urges the Department of State and the intelligence community to coordinate investigations with the Governments of the People's Republic of China, Japan, and South Korea and solicit information from appropriate regional affairs and law enforcement experts on plausible explanations for David's disappearance;  (4)encourages the Department of State to work with foreign governments known to have diplomatic influence with the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea;
(5)encourages the intelligence community to assess the possibility of the involvement of the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in David Sneddon's disappearance and to possibly seek his recovery; and  (6)requests that the Department of State and the intelligence community continue to work with and inform Congress and the family of David Sneddon on efforts to possibly recover David and to resolve his disappearance.

Karen L. Haas,Clerk.


		II
		Calendar No. 644
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 1341
		[Report No. 110–292]
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 9, 2007
			Mr. Kyl (for himself and
			 Mr. McCain) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Energy and Natural
			 Resources

			April 10, 2008
			Reported by Mr.
			 Bingaman, with an amendment
			Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert
			 the part printed in italic

		A BILL
		To provide for the exchange of certain Bureau of Land
		  Management land in Pima County, Arizona, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Las Cienegas Enhancement and Saguaro
			 National Park Boundary Adjustment Act.
		2.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)Conservation
			 areaThe term Conservation Area means the Las
			 Cienegas National Conservation Area.
			(2)CountyThe
			 term County means Pima County, Arizona.
			(3)Federal
			 landThe term Federal land means the Sahuarita
			 parcel of land, as generally depicted on the map entitled Las Cienegas
			 Enhancement Act—Federal Land and dated April 17, 2007.
			(4)LandownerThe
			 term landowner means Las Cienegas Conservation, LLC.
			(5)Non-federal
			 landThe term non-Federal land means—
				(A)the
			 Empirita-Simonson parcel of land consisting of approximately 2,392 acres, as
			 generally depicted on the map entitled Las Cienegas Enhancement
			 Act—Non-Federal Land and dated April 17, 2007; and
				(B)the Bloom parcel
			 of land consisting of approximately 160 acres, as generally depicted on the map
			 entitled Saguaro National Park, Bloom Tract and dated April 17,
			 2007.
				(6)ParkThe
			 term Park means Saguaro National Park.
			(7)SecretaryThe
			 term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
			(8)Well
			 siteThe term well site means a well site that
			 consists of approximately 98 acres of land, as generally depicted on the map
			 entitled Las Cienegas Enhancement Act—Non-Federal Land and dated
			 April 17, 2007.
			3.Land
			 exchange
			(a)In
			 generalIf the landowner offers to convey to the Secretary title
			 to the non-Federal land that is acceptable to the Secretary, the Secretary
			 shall—
				(1)accept the offer;
			 and
				(2)simultaneously
			 convey to the landowner all right, title, and interest of the United States in
			 and to the Federal land.
				(b)Valuation,
			 Appraisals, and Equalization
				(1)In
			 generalAs of the date of enactment of this Act, the value of the
			 Federal land and the non-Federal land—
					(A)shall be equal, as
			 determined by appraisals conducted in accordance with paragraph (2); or
					(B)if not equal,
			 shall be equalized in accordance with paragraph (3).
					(2)Appraisals
					(A)In
			 generalThe Federal land and the non-Federal land shall be
			 appraised by an independent, qualified appraiser that is agreed to by the
			 Secretary and the landowner.
					(B)RequirementsAn
			 appraisal under subparagraph (A) shall—
						(i)be conducted in
			 accordance with—
							(I)the Uniform
			 Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisition; and
							(II)the Uniform
			 Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice; and
							(ii)not later than
			 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, be submitted to the Secretary
			 and the landowner for approval.
						(3)Equalization
					(A)In
			 generalIf the value of the Federal land and the non-Federal land
			 is not equal, the value may be equalized by—
						(i)the Secretary by
			 making a cash equalization payment to the landowner;
						(ii)the landowner by
			 making a cash equalization payment to the Secretary; or
						(iii)reducing the
			 acreage of the Federal land or the non-Federal land to be exchanged, as
			 appropriate.
						(B)Amount of
			 paymentNotwithstanding section 206(b) of the Federal Land Policy
			 and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1716(b)), the Secretary may accept a cash
			 equalization payment under subparagraph (A)(ii) in an amount that exceeds 25
			 percent of the value of the Federal land.
					(C)Cash
			 equalization payments
						(i)DispositionAny
			 cash equalization payments received by the Secretary under subparagraph (A)(ii)
			 shall be deposited in the Federal Land Disposal Account established by section
			 206(a) of the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act (43 U.S.C.
			 2305(a)).
						(ii)UseAmounts
			 deposited under clause (i) shall be available to the Secretary, without further
			 appropriation and until expended, for the acquisition of land and interests in
			 land in southern Arizona.
						(c)Conditions of
			 conveyance
				(1)In
			 generalAs a condition of the conveyance of the Federal land to
			 the landowner, the landowner shall—
					(A)pay the costs of
			 carrying out the exchange of the Federal land and the non-Federal land under
			 this section, including any direct costs relating to any environmental reviews
			 and any required mitigation of the Federal land;
					(B)enter into an
			 agreement with the County to convey to the County the well site; and
					(C)relinquish to the
			 County any water rights to the well site held by the landowner.
					(2)Valid existing
			 rightsThe exchange of Federal land and non-Federal land shall be
			 subject to any easements, rights-of-way, and other valid encumbrances in
			 existence on the date of enactment of this Act.
				(d)Legal
			 descriptionsThe Secretary and the landowner may mutually agree
			 to—
				(1)correct minor
			 errors in the legal descriptions of the Federal land and the non-Federal land;
			 or
				(2)make minor
			 adjustments to the boundaries of the Federal land and the non-Federal
			 land.
				(e)Deadline for
			 completion of exchangeIt is the intent of Congress that the land
			 exchange under this section shall be completed—
				(1)not later than 1
			 year after the date of enactment of this Act; or
				(2)if there is a
			 dispute with respect to the appraisal, not later than 90 days after the date on
			 which the dispute is resolved.
				4.Administration
			(a)Administration
			 of land acquired by the United States
				(1)Empirita-Simonson
			 parcelOn acquisition by the Secretary, the parcel of non-Federal
			 land described in section 2(5)(A) shall—
					(A)become part of the
			 Conservation Area; and
					(B)be administered by
			 the Secretary in accordance with Public Law 106–538 (16 U.S.C.
			 460ooo et seq.).
					(2)Bloom
			 parcelOn acquisition by the Secretary, the parcel of non-Federal
			 land described in section 2(5)(B) shall—
					(A)become part of the
			 Park; and
					(B)be administered by
			 the Secretary in accordance with the Saguaro National Park Establishment Act of
			 1994 (16 U.S.C. 410zz et seq.).
					(b)National
			 conservation area boundary adjustmentThe boundary of the
			 Conservation Area is modified to exclude the 40-acre tract of Bureau of Land
			 Management that is leased to the town of Elgin, Arizona, for a sanitary
			 landfill.
			(c)Road
			 accessNot later than 18 months after the date on which the
			 non-Federal land is acquired by the Secretary, the Secretary shall, in
			 accordance with section 507 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
			 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1767), provide to the Secretary of Agriculture a right-of-way
			 through the non-Federal land for motorized public road access to the boundary
			 of the Coronado National Forest.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Las Cienegas Enhancement and Saguaro
			 National Park Boundary Adjustment Act.
		2.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)Conservation
			 areaThe term Conservation Area means the Las
			 Cienegas National Conservation Area.
			(2)CountyThe
			 term County means Pima County, Arizona.
			(3)Federal
			 landThe term Federal land means the parcel of land
			 consisting of approximately 1,196 acres, as generally depicted on the map
			 entitled Las Cienegas Enhancement Act—Federal Land and dated
			 April 17, 2007.
			(4)Non-federal
			 landThe term non-Federal land means—
				(A)the Empirita-Simonson
			 parcel of land consisting of approximately 2,568 acres, as generally depicted
			 on the map entitled Las Cienegas Enhancement Act—Non-Federal
			 Land and dated April 17, 2007; and
				(B)the Bloom parcel of land
			 consisting of approximately 160 acres, as generally depicted on the map
			 entitled Saguaro National Park, Bloom Tract and dated April 17,
			 2007.
				(5)ParkThe
			 term Park means Saguaro National Park.
			(6)SecretaryThe
			 term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
			(7)Well
			 siteThe term well site means a well site that
			 consists of approximately 98 acres of land, as generally depicted on the map
			 entitled Las Cienegas Enhancement Act—Non-Federal Land and dated
			 April 17, 2007.
			3.Land exchange
			(a)In
			 generalIf the owner of the non-Federal land offers to convey to
			 the Secretary title to the non-Federal land that is acceptable to the
			 Secretary, the Secretary shall—
				(1)accept the offer;
			 and
				(2)simultaneously convey to
			 the owner of the non-Federal land all right, title, and interest of the United
			 States in and to the Federal land.
				(b)Valuation, Appraisals,
			 and Equalization
				(1)In
			 generalThe value of the Federal land and the non-Federal
			 land—
					(A)shall be equal, as
			 determined by appraisals conducted in accordance with paragraph (2); or
					(B)if not equal, shall be
			 equalized in accordance with paragraph (3).
					(2)Appraisals
					(A)In
			 generalThe Federal land and the non-Federal land shall be
			 appraised by an independent, qualified appraiser that is agreed to by the
			 Secretary and the owner of the non-Federal land.
					(B)RequirementsAn
			 appraisal under subparagraph (A) shall—
						(i)be conducted in
			 accordance with—
							(I)the Uniform Appraisal
			 Standards for Federal Land Acquisition; and
							(II)the Uniform Standards of
			 Professional Appraisal Practice; and
							(ii)not later than 180 days
			 after the date of enactment of this Act, be submitted to the Secretary and the
			 owner of the non-Federal land for approval.
						(3)Equalization
					(A)In
			 generalIf the value of the Federal land and the non-Federal land
			 is not equal, the value may be equalized by—
						(i)the Secretary making a
			 cash equalization payment to the owner of the non-Federal land;
						(ii)the owner of the
			 non-Federal land making a cash equalization payment to the Secretary; or
						(iii)reducing the acreage of
			 the Federal land or the non-Federal land to be exchanged, as
			 appropriate.
						(B)Cash equalization
			 payments
						(i)DispositionAny
			 cash equalization payments received by the Secretary under subparagraph (A)(ii)
			 shall be deposited in the Federal Land Disposal Account established by section
			 206(a) of the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act (43 U.S.C.
			 2305(a)).
						(ii)UseAmounts
			 deposited under clause (i) shall be available to the Secretary, without further
			 appropriation and until expended, for the acquisition of land and interests in
			 land in southern Arizona.
						(c)Conditions of
			 conveyance
				(1)In
			 generalAs a condition of the conveyance of the Federal land, the
			 owner of the non-Federal land shall—
					(A)pay the costs of carrying
			 out the exchange of the Federal land and the non-Federal land under this
			 section, including any direct costs relating to any environmental reviews and
			 any required mitigation of the Federal land;
					(B)enter into an agreement
			 with the County to convey to the County the well site; and
					(C)relinquish to the County
			 any water rights to the well site held by the owner of the non-Federal
			 land.
					(2)Valid existing
			 rightsThe exchange of Federal land and non-Federal land shall be
			 subject to any easements, rights-of-way, and other valid encumbrances in
			 existence on the date of enactment of this Act.
				(d)Legal
			 descriptionsThe Secretary and the owner of the non-Federal land
			 may mutually agree to—
				(1)correct minor errors in
			 the legal descriptions of the Federal land and the non-Federal land; or
				(2)make minor adjustments to
			 the boundaries of the Federal land and the non-Federal land.
				(e)Deadline for completion
			 of exchangeIt is the intent of Congress that the land exchange
			 under this section shall be completed not later than 1 year after the date of
			 enactment of this Act.
			4.Administration
			(a)Administration of land
			 acquired by the United States
				(1)Empirita-Simonson
			 parcelOn acquisition by the Secretary, the parcel of non-Federal
			 land described in section 2(4)(A) shall—
					(A)become part of the
			 Conservation Area; and
					(B)be administered by the
			 Secretary in accordance with Public Law 106–538 (16 U.S.C.
			 460ooo et seq.).
					(2)Bloom
			 parcelOn acquisition by the Secretary, the parcel of non-Federal
			 land described in section 2(4)(B) shall—
					(A)become part of the Park;
			 and
					(B)be administered by the
			 Secretary in accordance with the Saguaro National Park Establishment Act of
			 1994 (16 U.S.C. 410zz et seq.).
					(b)National conservation
			 area boundary adjustmentThe boundary of the Conservation Area is
			 modified to exclude the 40-acre tract of Bureau of Land Management that is
			 leased to the town of Elgin, Arizona, for a sanitary landfill.
			(c)Road
			 accessNot later than 18 months after the date on which the
			 non-Federal land is acquired by the Secretary, the Secretary shall, in
			 accordance with section 507 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
			 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1767), provide to the Secretary of Agriculture a right-of-way
			 through the non-Federal land for motorized public road access to the boundary
			 of the Coronado National Forest.

		April 10, 2008
		Reported with an amendment


113 HR 857 IH: Protect Troops at War Act of 2013
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-02-27
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.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 857
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 27, 2013
			Mr. Cook introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on the Budget,
			 and in addition to the Committee on 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 amend section 251A of the Balanced Budget and
		  Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to eliminate the Department of Defense
		  sequestration for fiscal years 2013 and 2014 and sequester such eliminated sums
		  over a period of fiscal years 2015 through 2021.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Protect Troops at War Act of
			 2013.
		2.Findings and
			 purpose
			(a)FindingsCongress
			 finds the following:
				(1)On August 2, 2011,
			 the President signed into law S. 365, the Budget Control Act of 2011, which
			 reduced defense discretionary spending by $478 billion over ten years.
				(2)The Budget Control
			 Act of 2011 also established a sequestration in the event that a Joint Select
			 Committee on Deficit Reduction could not agree on an additional $1.2 trillion
			 in savings by November 2011.
				(3)The Joint Select
			 Committee on Deficit Reduction was unable to reach an agreement, which
			 triggered sequestration, resulting in an additional $495 billion reduction in
			 defense spending over the same ten-year period.
				(4)If these
			 reductions in defense spending remain intact, the total portion of defense
			 spending as a percentage of the total U.S. budget will be at its lowest point
			 since before World War II.
				(5)Sequestration
			 alone would reduce our military force to its smallest level since 1940,
			 resulting in the separation of more than 100,000 soldiers, sailors, Marines,
			 and airmen.
				(6)Since 2009, the
			 number of troops has more than doubled in Afghanistan from 30,000 to 66,000
			 today. During the same period, Congress has actively reduced the budget for the
			 Department of Defense.
				(b)PurposeIt
			 is the purpose of this Act to:
				(1)Avoid deeper,
			 irresponsible defense cuts in the face of an increasingly dangerous world that
			 unnecessarily threaten our national security and will cost American lives in
			 armed conflict abroad.
				(2)Invest in advanced
			 military technology in order to equip the U.S. military with the best resources
			 available to defend our country.
				(3)Not allow the
			 strategy of the U.S. military to be driven by budget constraints, which is
			 unacceptable. The strategy should drive the budget. Avoiding cuts while our
			 troops are at war allows necessary time to adjust strategy for the restructured
			 force post-Afghanistan. Before the House Armed Services Committee, Chairman of
			 the Joint Chiefs General Dempsey testified If you want [your military]
			 to be doing what it’s doing today, then we can’t give you another
			 dollar..
				(4)Ensure that the
			 U.S. military forces are adequately prepared. Commandant of the Marine Corps,
			 General Amos, in his statement before the House Armed Services Committee
			 remarked, By the end of calendar year 2013, less than half of our ground
			 units will be trained to the minimum readiness level required for
			 deployment.. Sequestration, if left unchecked, will cost American
			 lives. The hollow force experienced during the Korean War would be today’s
			 reality.
				(5)Halt irresponsible
			 budget cuts because no amount of savings can justify the loss of one American
			 service member.
				3.Postponement of
			 FY 2013 and 2014 defense sequestrationSection 251A of the Balanced Budget and
			 Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 is amended by adding at the end the
			 following new paragraph:

				(12)Notwithstanding paragraphs (5) and (8),
				there shall be no reductions under this section to discretionary appropriations
				or direct spending for fiscal year 2013 or 2014 for the defense function. The
				reduction that would otherwise have occurred shall be added to and distributed
				equally among the sequestration for the defense function for fiscal years 2015
				through
				2021.
				.
		4.Transfer
			 authority for funding of department of defense under continuing resolution and
			 sequester consistent with amounts authorized by national defense authorization
			 act for fiscal year 2013
			(a)In
			 generalIn accordance with subsection (b), the Secretary of
			 Defense may transfer amounts appropriated for the Department of Defense by the
			 Continuing Appropriations Resolution (Public Law 112–175) among accounts of the
			 Department of Defense.
			(b)Transfers
			 consistent with amounts appropriated or authorizedIn the event
			 of any transfers under subsection (a), the total amount in any account of the
			 Department of Defense that is available for obligation and expenditure in
			 fiscal year 2013 shall be consistent with, and may not exceed—
				(1)if a regular
			 appropriation Act making appropriations for the Department of Defense for
			 fiscal year 2013 is enacted before the date of the transfer, the level provided
			 for that account for that fiscal year by applicable provisions of such Act;
			 or
				(2)if no such Act is
			 enacted before the date of the transfer, the amount authorized to be
			 appropriated for that account for that fiscal year by applicable provisions of
			 division A of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013
			 (Public Law 112–239).
				(c)Notice to
			 congressNot later than 15 days before any transfer under
			 subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional
			 defense committees a report setting forth a description of the transfer,
			 including the amount of the transfer and the accounts from and to which the
			 funds were transferred.
			(d)Transfer subject
			 to notification requirementsIn addition to the notice required
			 under subsection (c), a transfer under subsection (a) shall be subject to the
			 applicable notification requirements for reprogramming in division A of Public
			 Law 112–74.
			(e)Transfer
			 authorityThe transfer authority provided by subsection (a) is in
			 addition to any other transfer authority provided by law.
			(f)DefinitionIn
			 this section, the term congressional defense committees has the
			 meaning given that term in section 101(a)(16) of title 10, United States
			 Code.


109 HR 1011 IH: To provide financial assistance to the United Nations Population Fund to provide urgent medical and health care to tsunami victims in Indonesia, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-03-01
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
109th CONGRESS 1st Session
H. R. 1011
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 1, 2005
Mrs. Maloney (for herself, Mr. Crowley, Mrs. Lowey, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, Mr. Israel, and Ms. Linda T. Sánchez of California) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

A BILL
To provide financial assistance to the United Nations Population Fund to provide urgent medical and health care to tsunami victims in Indonesia, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as Women, Children, and Infant Tsunami Victim Relief Act of 2005.
2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
(1)More than 150,000 people were killed as a result of the December 26, 2004, tsunami in Southeast Asia and more than 5,000,000 have been directly affected.
(2)Approximately 150,000 women in the three most affected countries in the region are pregnant, and many are facing complications related to their pregnancies, including trauma-induced miscarriage and the need for urgent medical and nutritional support.
(3)The Indonesian Midwife’s Association estimates that 30 percent of its 5,500 members died in the tsunami. Under normal conditions, approximately 15 percent of pregnancies in Indonesia require urgent assistance from midwives or doctors to ensure the health and survival of the babies and mothers.
(4)In disaster situations, health care systems crumble when they are most needed, especially by pregnant women. Emergency relief tends to focus on providing food and shelter, clearing roads, and maintaining security, to the exclusion of helping women in labor find a safe, clean place to deliver their babies, or on meeting the special nutrition and care needs of such women.
(5)Maternity hospitals, women’s health clinics, and other infrastructure for providing health services to women, including infrastructure related to providing maternal health assistance, ensuring safe delivery of babies, providing contraceptives and emergency obstetric care, and preventing sexually transmitted diseases, have been destroyed by the tsunami. In Sri Lanka, four of eight maternity clinics on the east coast were destroyed and the other four were greatly damaged. The Galle Teaching Hospital in Galle, Sri Lanka, relocated its 379 patients to another facility on higher ground. Although the hospital lost only one infant in the transition, the new facility has only 70 beds compared with the 415 beds the hospital had.
(6)Even before the tsunami, one woman died every minute somewhere in the world from complications related to pregnancy. Too often during disaster situations safe blood supplies, equipment for anesthesia, transfusions and caesarean sections, and trained personnel to save those women’s lives are unavailable. In disaster situations, the death toll rises steadily until such supplies and personnel can be located and brought in to the affected area.
(7)Violence against women, including rape, gang rape, molestation and physical abuse during rescue operations and in temporary shelters has been reported.
(8)The Women and Media Collective Group in Sri Lanka has issued a written appeal for public attention to serious issues concerning the safety and well-being of women which have not been addressed so far in relief efforts.
(9)The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has extensive experience and existing programs dedicated to delivering maternal and child health care, ensuring safe delivery of babies, ensuring adequate reproductive health, providing contraceptive supplies and services, and providing other critically needed types of assistance in Indonesia, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
(10)The UNFPA has extensive experience and the requisite capacity to address the needs and alleviate the suffering of victims of natural and man-made disasters.
(11)In 2001, the Bush Administration provided $600,000 in additional humanitarian relief support to the UNFPA to address the immediate need for emergency reproductive health needs of Afghan women refugees who were fleeing Afghanistan. This support was used to improve maternal and child health services, including providing hygiene kits, safe delivery kits, and cribs for newborns.
(12)The UNFPA has a long and proven track record in responding quickly and effectively in providing the necessary supplies and technical support to address reproductive health needs in humanitarian crises including in Sudan, Eritrea, Kosovo, and Sierra Leone.
(13)The UNFPA has made an urgent appeal to donor countries to raise $28,000,000 to provide relief to women in Indonesia, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
3.Assistance to tsunami victims
(a)Authorization of assistancePursuant to the authorization of appropriations under subsection (b), the Secretary of State shall make available funding to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to provide assistance to tsunami victims in Indonesia, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka. Funding provided to the UNFPA shall be used to—
(1)provide and distribute equipment, including safe delivery kits and hygiene kits, medicines, and supplies, including soap and sanitary napkins, to ensure safe childbirth and emergency obstetric care and to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS;
(2)reestablish maternal health services in areas where medical infrastructure and such services have been destroyed by the tsunami;
(3)prevent and treat cases of violence against women and youth;
(4)offer psychological support and counseling to women and youth; and
(5)promote the access of unaccompanied women and other vulnerable people to vital services, including access to water, sanitation facilities, food, and health care.
(b) Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of State $3,000,000 to provide the assistance described in subsection (a).


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5530
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 15, 2010
			Mr. Faleomavaega
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Natural
			 Resources

		A BILL
		To require the Secretary of the Interior to ensure that
		  the flags of the several States, the District of Columbia, and the territories
		  of the United States encircle the Washington Monument.

		1.Placement of flags at
			 Washington MonumentThe
			 Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park
			 Service, shall ensure that the flags of the several States, the District of
			 Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
			 Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, encircle the Washington
			 Monument in the District of Columbia.


		IIB
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 290
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			January 26, 2012
			Received; read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Veterans'
			 Affairs

		AN ACT
		To amend title 36, United States Code, to
		  ensure that memorials commemorating the service of the United States Armed
		  Forces may contain religious symbols, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 War Memorial Protection
			 Act.
		2.Inclusion of
			 religious symbols as part of military memorials
			(a)AuthorityChapter 21 of title 36,
			 United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

					2115.Inclusion of
				religious symbols as part of military memorials
						(a)Inclusion of
				religious symbols authorizedTo recognize the religious
				background of members of the United States Armed Forces, religious symbols may
				be included as part of—
							(1)a military
				memorial that is established or acquired by the United States Government;
				or
							(2)a military
				memorial that is not established by the United States Government, but for which
				the American Battle Monuments Commission cooperated in the establishment of the
				memorial.
							(b)Military
				memorial definedIn this
				section, the term military memorial means a memorial or monument
				commemorating the service of the United States Armed Forces. The term includes
				works of architecture and art described in section 2105(b) of this
				title.
						.
			(b)Clerical
			 amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of such chapter
			 is amended by adding at the end the following:

						2115. Inclusion of religious symbols as
				part of military
				memorials.

					.

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


116 HR 4116 IH: Prevent Gun Trafficking Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-07-30
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. 4116IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 30, 2019Ms. Kelly of Illinois (for herself, Mr. Moulton, and Mrs. McBath) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo amend title 18, United States Code, to combat straw purchases of firearms and deter firearms
			 trafficking.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Prevent Gun Trafficking Act. 2.Prohibition on straw purchases of firearms; prohibition on gun trafficking (a)In generalChapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
 (1)in section 921(a), by adding at the end the following:  (36)The term family members means spouses, domestic partners, parents and their children, including step-parents and their step-children, siblings, aunts or uncles and their nieces or nephews, or grandparents and their grandchildren.
						; and
 (2)by adding at the end the following:  932.Gun trafficking (a)It shall be unlawful for any person (other than a licensee under this chapter), in or otherwise affecting interstate or foreign commerce, to knowingly purchase or acquire, or attempt to purchase or acquire, a firearm from or through such a licensee for the possession of a third party.
 (b)It shall be unlawful for any person (other than a licensee under this chapter), in or otherwise affecting interstate or foreign commerce, to solicit, hire, demand, or order another person to purchase, or attempt to purchase, any firearm for the purpose of obtaining the firearm for the person or selling or transferring the firearm to a third party.
 (c)The Attorney General shall ensure that the firearm transaction record form required to be completed in connection with a firearm transaction includes a statement outlining the penalties that may be imposed for violating subsection (a).
 (d)This section shall not apply to any firearm— (1)that is purchased or acquired by any person, or that any person attempts to purchase or acquire, as a bona fide gift between family members; or
 (2)that is purchased or acquired by an agent of a lawful business, or that an agent of a lawful business attempts to purchase or acquire, for the purpose of transferring to another agent of the business, for lawful use in the business,
								if the purchaser or person acquiring the firearm has no reason to believe that the recipient of the
			 firearm will use or intends to use the firearm in a crime or is prohibited
			 from purchasing or possessing firearms under State or Federal law..
 (b)ForfeitureSection 982(a)(5) of such title is amended— (1)in subparagraph (D), by striking or at the end; and
 (2)by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:  (F)section 922(a)(1)(A) (related to unlicensed firearms sales);
 (G)section 922(d) (relating to illegal gun transfers); or (H)section 932 (relating to gun trafficking)..
 (c)Money laundering amendmentSection 1956(c)(7)(D) of such title is amended by striking section 924(n) and inserting section 922(a)(1)(A), 922(d), 924(n), or 932. (d)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections for such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following:

						932. Gun trafficking..
 3.Prohibition on disposition of firearm to person intending unlawful further dispositionSection 922(d) of title 18, United States Code, is amended in the first sentence— (1)in paragraph (8), by striking or at the end;
 (2)in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (3)by inserting after and below paragraph (9) the following:

 (10)intends to sell or otherwise dispose of the firearm or ammunition in violation of a Federal law, or to sell or otherwise dispose of the firearm or ammunition to a person in another State in violation of a law of that State..
 4.PenaltiesSection 924(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:  (8)Whoever knowingly violates section 922(a)(1)(A) or 932 shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.
				.
 5.Firearms subject to forfeitureSection 924(d) of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1)in paragraph (1), by inserting or 932 after section 924; and
 (2)in paragraph (3)— (A)in subparagraph (E), by striking and at the end;
 (B)in subparagraph (F), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and (C)by adding at the end the following:

 (G)any offense under section 932..


IV
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. CON. RES. 515
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 8, 2004
Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida (for herself, Mr. Fattah, Mr. Payne, Mr. Conyers, Ms. Lee, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, and Ms. Waters) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the Congress to support an increase in funds allocated to the Republic of Haiti and to expedite the delivery of emergency aid to the island nation because of the terrible destruction brought on by Hurricane Jeanne.

Whereas Hurricane Jeanne has wreaked havoc upon the nation of the Republic of Haiti, particularly the northern coastal areas;
Whereas the Government of Haiti has announced that there are at least 2,600 people who are badly injured, that 1,050 are missing, and that 300,000 are homeless;
Whereas in the city of Gonaives alone, there are 200,000 people who are homeless;
Whereas news reports have quoted the Brazilian army commander in charge of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Haiti, General Augusto Heleno Ribeiro Pereira, as complaining about the extremely slow pace of relief reaching the residents, many of whom have spent days without food;
Whereas even Haitians not directly affected by the storm are being forced to go hungry, do not have a sufficient water supply, and are suffering from extreme medicine and medical-assistance shortages;
Whereas many people, including children, have been contracting gangrene, which is being transmitted by attempts to cleanse injuries in contaminated water;
Whereas amputations are being performed under horrendous conditions, often without anesthetics, and physicians are performing amputations without electricity or running water;
Whereas thousands of barefoot survivors are being treated for severe injuries from gashes endured from collapsing roofs or from pieces of zinc roof that remain hidden by the mud blanketing the city;
Whereas it is estimated that there are only 1,000 physicians in a country of eight million people, most of whom are based in Port-au-Prince, the capital, and women are being forced to give birth at makeshift hospitals;
Whereas, even though minimal aid has arrived in Port-au-Prince, it is reportedly taking nine hours to move supplies to Gonaives, mainly because of the numerous impassible streets that are covered in mud;
Whereas aid trucks and food distribution centers have been looted by a population that has gone for days without food, and the country director of the Haiti Emergency Operation of the United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP), Guy Gavreau, said in late September that aid groups have been able to provide food to only about 25,000 people, which is only 10 percent of the population of Gonaives;
Whereas the floods from the storm have destroyed nearly all of the rice and fruit harvests in the Artibonite region, known as Haiti’s breadbasket, and because of this the nation is completely incapable of providing food for its citizens without outside assistance;
Whereas hundreds of Haitians line up daily for food every day after spending entire nights outside in the pouring rain;
Whereas, although UNWFP and CARE International distributed 120 tons of food in late September, that amount of food is only sufficient to feed 48,000 families for just one day;
Whereas, even though aid has reached Port-au-Prince, transporting it to Gonaives is a nine-hour drive, with the final leg of the route covered by mud-laden roads;
Whereas widespread looting has occurred, and hundreds of people are being treated for gunshot wounds received in fights over scarce food, and most residents who are homeless and without the means to barter are at the mercy of criminal gangs roaming the country;
Whereas communication is extremely difficult, as landline telephone services have been severed, cellular phones are barely working, and even satellite phone connections are unintelligible;
Whereas Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, and 80 percent of the population in the country lives below the threshold of absolute poverty, malnutrition is prevalent, per capita income is a mere $425, and average life expectancy is only 49.1 years; and
Whereas Haiti is our neighbor, our ally, and our friend, and is located just a few hundred miles off the coast of the State of Florida: Now, therefore, be it

That the Congress—
(1) supports an increase in the allocation of funds to the Republic of Haiti because of the terrible destruction brought on by Hurricane Jeanne; and
(2) for such reason, encourages the expedited delivery of emergency aid to Haiti.


116 S3524 IS: Coronavirus Credit Expansion Act
U.S. Senate
2020-03-18
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.

II116th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 3524IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 18, 2020Mr. Cotton introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and EntrepreneurshipA BILLTo modify terms related to the economic injury disaster loan program of the Small Business Administration for applicants affected by COVID–19, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Coronavirus Credit Expansion Act.2.Small business economic injury disaster loans(a)In generalWith respect to loans made under section 7(b)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)(2)) related to COVID–19—(1)the Small Business Administration shall expedite the loan approval process for those loans such that the loans are made as soon as is practicable; and(2)the maximum loan amount shall be $20,000,000.(b)FraudThe fine imposed for any conviction under sections 3729 through 3733 of title 31, United States Code (commonly known as the False Claims Act), relating to the use of funds provided under section 7(b)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)(2)) related to COVID–19 shall be equal to 3 times the amount of the loan.


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 2424
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			April 26, 2012
			Mr. Schumer introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To extend the temporary suspension of duty on mixtures
		  containing n-butyl-1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, 1-hydroxypyridine-2-thione, zinc
		  salt, and application adjuvants.

		1.Mixtures containing
			 n-butyl-1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, 1-hydroxypyridine-2-thione, zinc salt, and
			 application adjuvants
			(a)In
			 generalHeading 9902.40.58 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of
			 the United States (relating to mixtures containing
			 n-butyl-1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, 1-hydroxypyridine-2-thione, zinc salt, and
			 application adjuvants) is amended by striking the date in the effective period
			 column and inserting 12/31/2015.
			(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by subsection (a) applies to goods
			 entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the 15th day
			 after the date of the enactment of this Act.


117 HR 1033 IH: Renewable Energy Certainty Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-02-11
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1033IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 11, 2021Mr. Welch (for himself and Mr. Norman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, 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 certain long-term contracts for Federal purchases of energy.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Renewable Energy Certainty Act.2.Contracts for Federal purchases of energy(a)In generalPart 3 of title V of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 8251 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:554.Long-term contracts for energy(a)In generalNotwithstanding section 501(b)(1)(B) of title 40, United States Code, an agency may enter into a contract for the acquisition of energy generated from renewable energy sources or from cogeneration facilities covering a period of not more than 30 years.(b)Standardized energy purchase agreementNot later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary, through the Federal Energy Management Program, shall publish a standardized energy purchase agreement, setting forth commercial terms and conditions, that agencies may use to acquire energy generated from renewable energy sources or from cogeneration facilities.(c)Technical assistanceThe Secretary shall provide technical assistance to assist agencies in implementing this section..(b)Table of contents amendmentThe table of contents for such Act is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to such part 3 the following new item:Sec. 554. Long-term contracts for energy..