114 HR 475 IH: GI Bill Processing Improvement Act of 2015
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-01-22
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. 475
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			January 22, 2015
			Mr. Wenstrup introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

		A BILL
		To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the laws administered by the
			 Secretary of Veterans Affairs relating to educational assistance, and for
			 other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the GI Bill Processing Improvement Act of 2015. 2.Improvement of information technology of the Veterans Benefits Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs (a)Processing of certain educational assistance claimsThe Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, to the maximum extent possible, make such changes and improvements to the information technology system of the Veterans Benefits Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that—
 (1)to the maximum extent possible, all original and supplemental claims for educational assistance under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, are adjudicated electronically; and
 (2)rules-based processing is used to make decisions with respect to such claims with little human intervention.
 (b)ReportNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the changes made pursuant to the requirements of subsection (a).
 (c)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $30,000,000 to carry out this section during fiscal years 2015 and 2016.
			3.Approval of courses of education provided by public institutions of higher learning for purposes of
			 All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program and Post-9/11
			 Educational Assistance conditional on in-State tuition rate for veterans
 (a)Extension of effective dateSection 702(b) of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–146) is amended by striking July 1, 2015 and inserting July 1, 2016.
 (b)Technical amendmentSection 3679(c)(2)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking or 3319 and all that follows and inserting of this title or to whom educational assistance is transferred under section 3319 of this title. 4.Recodification and improvement of election process for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program (a)In generalSubchapter III of chapter 33 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

					3326.Election to receive educational assistance
 (a)Individuals eligible To elect participation in post-9/11 educational assistanceAn individual may elect to receive educational assistance under this chapter if such individual— (1)as of August 1, 2009—
 (A)is entitled to basic educational assistance under chapter 30 of the title and has used, but retains unused, entitlement under that chapter;
 (B)is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10 and has used, but retains unused, entitlement under the applicable chapter;
 (C)is entitled to basic educational assistance under chapter 30 of this title but has not used any entitlement under that chapter;
 (D)is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10 but has not used any entitlement under such chapter;
 (E)is a member of the Armed Forces who is eligible for receipt of basic educational assistance under chapter 30 this title and is making contributions toward such assistance under section 3011(b) or 3012(c) of this title; or
 (F)is a member of the Armed Forces who is not entitled to basic educational assistance under chapter 30 of this title by reason of an election under section 3011(c)(1) or 3012(d)(1) of this title; and
 (2)as of the date of the individual’s election under this paragraph, meets the requirements for entitlement to educational assistance under this chapter.
 (b)Cessation of contributions toward GI billEffective as of the first month beginning on or after the date of an election under subsection (a) of an individual described by paragraph (1)(E) of that subsection, the obligation of the individual to make contributions under section 3011(b) or 3012(c) of this title, as applicable, shall cease, and the requirements of such section shall be deemed to be no longer applicable to the individual.
						(c)Revocation of remaining transferred entitlement
 (1)Election to revokeIf, on the date an individual described in paragraph (1)(A) or (1)(C) of subsection (a) makes an election under that subsection, a transfer of the entitlement of the individual to basic educational assistance under section 3020 of this title is in effect and a number of months of the entitlement so transferred remain unutilized, the individual may elect to revoke all or a portion of the entitlement so transferred that remains unutilized.
 (2)Availability of revoked entitlementAny entitlement revoked by an individual under this paragraph shall no longer be available to the dependent to whom transferred, but shall be available to the individual instead for educational assistance under chapter 33 of this title in accordance with the provisions of this section.
 (3)Availability of unrevoked entitlementAny entitlement described in paragraph (1) that is not revoked by an individual in accordance with that paragraph shall remain available to the dependent or dependents concerned in accordance with the current transfer of such entitlement under section 3020 of this title.
							(d)Post-9/11 educational assistance
 (1)In generalSubject to paragraph (2) and except as provided in subsection (e), an individual making an election under subsection (a) shall be entitled to educational assistance under this chapter in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, instead of basic educational assistance under chapter 30 this title, or educational assistance under chapter 107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10, as applicable.
 (2)Limitation on entitlement for certain individualsIn the case of an individual making an election under subsection (a) who is described by paragraph (1)(A) of that subsection, the number of months of entitlement of the individual to educational assistance under this chapter 33 shall be the number of months equal to—
 (A)the number of months of unused entitlement of the individual under chapter 30 of this title, as of the date of the election, plus
 (B)the number of months, if any, of entitlement revoked by the individual under subsection (c)(1). (e)Continuing entitlement to educational assistance not available under 9/11 assistance program (1)In generalIn the event educational assistance to which an individual making an election under subsection (a) would be entitled under chapter 30 of this title, or chapter 107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10, as applicable, is not authorized to be available to the individual under the provisions of this chapter the individual shall remain entitled to such educational assistance in accordance with the provisions of the applicable chapter.
 (2)Charge for use of entitlementThe utilization by an individual of entitlement under paragraph (1) shall be chargeable against the entitlement of the individual to educational assistance under this chapter at the rate of one month of entitlement under this chapter for each month of entitlement utilized by the individual under paragraph (1) (as determined as if such entitlement were utilized under the provisions of chapter 30 of this title, or chapter 107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10, as applicable).
							(f)Additional post-9/11 assistance for members having made contributions toward GI bill
 (1)Additional assistanceIn the case of an individual making an election under subsection (a) who is described by subparagraph (A), (C), or (E) of paragraph (1) of that subsection, the amount of educational assistance payable to the individual under this chapter 33 as a monthly stipend payable under paragraph (1)(B) of section 3313(c) of this title, or under paragraphs (2) through (7) of that section (as applicable), shall be the amount otherwise payable as a monthly stipend under the applicable paragraph increased by the amount equal to—
 (A)the total amount of contributions toward basic educational assistance made by the individual under section 3011(b) or 3012(c) of this title, as of the date of the election, multiplied by
 (B)the fraction— (i)the numerator of which is—
 (I)the number of months of entitlement to basic educational assistance under chapter 30 of this title remaining to the individual at the time of the election; plus
 (II)the number of months, if any, of entitlement under such chapter 30 revoked by the individual under subsection (c)(1); and
 (ii)the denominator of which is 36 months. (2)Months of remaining entitlement for certain individualsIn the case of an individual covered by paragraph (1) who is described by subsection (a)(1)(E), the number of months of entitlement to basic educational assistance remaining to the individual for purposes of paragraph (1)(B)(i)(II) shall be 36 months.
 (3)Timing of paymentThe amount payable with respect to an individual under paragraph (1) shall be paid to the individual together with the last payment of the monthly stipend payable to the individual under paragraph (1)(B) of section 3313(c) of this title, or under subsections (b) through (g) of that section (as applicable), before the exhaustion of the individual’s entitlement to educational assistance under this chapter.
							(g)Continuing entitlement to additional assistance for critical skills or speciality and additional
 serviceAn individual making an election under subsection (a)(1) who, at the time of the election, is entitled to increased educational assistance under section 3015(d) of this title, or section 16131(i) of title 10, or supplemental educational assistance under subchapter III of chapter 30 of this title, shall remain entitled to such increased educational assistance or supplemental educational assistance in the utilization of entitlement to educational assistance under this chapter, in an amount equal to the quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, equivalent of the monthly amount of such increased educational assistance or supplemental educational assistance payable with respect to the individual at the time of the election.
						(h)Alternative election by Secretary
 (1)In generalIn the case of an individual who, on or after January 1, 2016, submits to the Secretary an election under this section that the Secretary determines is clearly against the interests of the individual, the Secretary may make an alternative election on behalf of the individual that the Secretary determines is in the best interests of the individual.
 (2)NoticeIf the Secretary makes an election on behalf of an individual under this subsection, the Secretary shall notify the individual by not later than seven days after making such election and shall provide the individual with a 30-day period, beginning on the date of the individual’s receipt of such notice, during which the individual may modify or revoke the election made by the Secretary on the individual’s behalf. The Secretary shall include, as part of such notice, a clear statement of why the alternative election made by the Secretary is in the best interests of the individual as compared to the election submitted by the individual. The Secretary shall provide the notice required under this paragraph by electronic means whenever possible.
 (i)Irrevocability of electionsAn election under subsection (a) or (c)(1) is irrevocable.. (b)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

						3326. Election to receive educational assistance..
 (c)Conforming repealSubsection (c) of section 5003 of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–252; 38 U.S.C. 3301 note) is hereby repealed.
			5.Centralized reporting of veteran enrollment by certain groups, districts, and consortiums of
			 educational institutions
 (a)In generalSection 3684(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1)in paragraph (1), by inserting 32, 33, after 31,; and
 (2)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:  (4)For purposes of this subsection, the term educational institution may include a group, district, or consortium of separately accredited educational institutions located in the same State that are organized in a manner that facilitates the centralized reporting of the enrollments in such group, district, or consortium of institutions..
 (b)Effective dateThe amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to reports submitted on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
			6.Provision of information regarding veteran entitlement to educational assistance
 (a)In generalSubchapter II of chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

 3699.Provision of certain information to educational institutionsFor each veteran or other individual pursuing a course of education that has been approved under this chapter using educational assistance to which the veteran or other individual is entitled under chapter 30, 32, 33, or 35 of this title, the Secretary shall make available to the educational institution offering the course information about the amount of such educational assistance to which the veteran or other individual is entitled. Such information shall be provided to such educational institution through an Internet website and shall be regularly updated to reflect any amounts used by the veteran or other individual..
 (b)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3698 the following new item:

						3699. Provision of certain information to educational institutions..


115 HR 1489 IH: Marine Access and State Transparency
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-03-09
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1489IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 9, 2017Mr. Young of Alaska introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesA BILLTo amend title 54, United States Code, to provide for congressional approval of national monuments
			 and restrictions on the use of national monuments, to establish
			 requirements for declaration of marine national monuments, and for other
			 purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Marine Access and State Transparency or the MAST Act . 2.Congressional authorization of declarations of national monuments and restrictions on public use (a)Declarations of national monumentsSection 320301 of title 54, United States Code, is amended—
 (1)in subsection (a), by striking The President may and inserting After obtaining congressional approval of a proposed national monument and certifying compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect to the proposed national monument, and subject to subsection (e), the President may; and
 (2)by adding at the end the following:  (e)Requirements for declarations of marine national monuments (1)RequirementsThe President may not declare any area of the exclusive economic zone to be a national monument unless—
 (A)such declaration is specifically authorized by an Act of Congress; (B)the President has submitted a proposal to make such declaration to the Governor of each State, and of each territory, any part of which is located within 200 nautical miles of that area;
 (C)each such Governor submits to the President notice that the legislature of that State or territory has approved the proposal; and
 (D)the declaration is substantially the same as the proposal. (2)Exclusive economic zone definedIn this subsection the term exclusive economic zone means the zone established by Proclamation Numbered 5030, dated March 10, 1983..
 (b)Restrictions on public useChapter 3203 of title 54, United States Code, is amended— (1)by adding at the end the following:

 320304.Restrictions on public useThe Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of Commerce with respect to any area of the exclusive economic zone (as defined in section 320301(e)) designated as a national monument, shall not implement any restrictions on the public use of a national monument until the expiration of an appropriate review period (as determined by such Secretary) providing for public input and congressional approval.; and
 (2)in the analysis at the beginning of the chapter, by adding at the end the following:   320304. Restrictions on public use..


115 S1474 IS: Recognizing the Environmental Gains In Overcoming Negligence Act
U.S. Senate
2017-06-29
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.

		II
		115th CONGRESS1st Session
		S. 1474
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			June 29, 2017
			Ms. Duckworth (for herself, Ms. Harris, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Carper, and Mr. Sanders) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works

		A BILL
		To prohibit the use of fiscal year 2018 funds for the closure, consolidation, or elimination of
			 certain offices of the Environmental Protection Agency.

		1.Short title
 This Act may be cited as the Recognizing the Environmental Gains In Overcoming Negligence Act or the REGION Act.
 2.Regional and program offices of the Environmental Protection AgencyNo regional or program office of the Environmental Protection Agency shall be closed, consolidated, or eliminated using funds made available for fiscal year 2018.


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 3636
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			September 26
			 (legislative day, September 17), 2008
			Mr. Dodd (for himself
			 and Mr. Bingaman) introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
			 and Pensions

		A BILL
		To amend title II of the Public Health Service Act to
		  provide for an improved method to measure poverty so as to enable a better
		  assessment of the effects of programs under the Public Health Service Act and
		  the Social Security Act, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Measuring American Poverty Act of
			 2008.
		2.FindingsThe Congress finds as follows:
			(1)On January 22, 2008, the House of
			 Representatives, by voice vote, passed House Concurrent Resolution 198
			 expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should set a
			 national goal of cutting poverty in half over the next 10 years.
			(2)The poverty rate is a critical indicator of
			 how widely shared prosperity is in the economy, and a key benchmark for
			 targeting resources towards the most disadvantaged.
			(3)The official
			 poverty measure, while helpful, is based on outdated assumptions and fails to
			 accurately measure economic deprivation or take into account the availability
			 of many economic resources.
			(4)The official
			 poverty measure offers inadequate guidance about the effectiveness of public
			 anti-poverty efforts.
			(5)In
			 1995, the National Academy of Sciences’ Panel on Poverty and Family Assistance
			 recommended adoption of an improved poverty measure, which addresses many
			 shortcomings of the official poverty measure and which remains relevant and
			 offers a starting point for an improved measure.
			3.Statement of
			 purposeThe purpose of this
			 Act is to provide for an improved and updated method for measuring the extent
			 to which families in the United States have sufficient income to allow a
			 minimal, socially acceptable, level of consumption that meets their basic
			 physical needs, including food, shelter (including utilities), clothing, and
			 other necessary items, in order to better assess the effects of certain
			 policies and programs in reducing the prevalence and depth of poverty, to
			 accurately gauge the level of economic deprivation, and to ensure appropriate
			 targeting of public resources.
		4.Modernization of
			 the measurement of povertyTitle II of the Public Health Service Act
			 (42 U.S.C. 202 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

				DModernization of
				the measurement of poverty
					271.Modernization
				of the measurement of poverty
						(a)In
				generalThe Bureau of the
				Census, in collaboration with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, after
				consultation about methodology with other Federal statistical agencies and
				outside experts, shall, to the extent possible and based on the best available
				data, calculate modern poverty thresholds and modern poverty rates as provided
				for in subsection (c), for each calendar year (including any calendar year
				before 2009 for which the information needed to perform the calculations is
				available or can be estimated with a reasonable degree of confidence, as
				determined by the Bureau of the Census) in accordance with this section.
						(b)Modern poverty
				thresholds
							(1)Calculation for
				reference family
								(A)In
				generalThe modern poverty threshold for a reference family
				consisting of 2 adults and their 2 related children shall be an amount equal to
				the average of 120 percent of the 33rd percentile of the distribution of annual
				expenditures by such families on food, clothing, and shelter (including
				utilities) during each of the 3 most recent years for which data is available
				from the Consumer Expenditure Survey, a superior Federal government source of
				data, or some combination of such sources.
								(B)Special
				ruleNotwithstanding any
				other provision of this section, insofar as the amounts described in
				subparagraphs (F) and (G) of subsection (c)(3) are not easily included in the
				distribution of expenditures referred to in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph,
				the Bureau of the Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics shall develop
				methods for including, and shall include, the actual or estimated amounts in
				the distribution of expenditures
								(2)Adjustment for
				family size and composition, and for geographic cost
				variationThe Bureau of the Census shall adjust the modern
				poverty threshold calculated under paragraph (1)—
								(A)for other family
				sizes and compositions, using the best available equivalence scales that
				consider economies of scale; and
								(B)to the maximum extent possible, for
				differences in the costs for the goods and services included in the threshold
				among States, sub-State non-metropolitan areas, and metropolitan areas, based
				on the best available data on the costs.
								(3)Accommodation of
				housing statusTo the maximum
				extent possible, the calculation for the threshold for the reference family
				described in paragraph (1) and the adjustments to the modern poverty thresholds
				for varied family sizes and compositions under paragraph (2)(A) shall be made
				separately for each of the following categories of families:
								(A)Families making
				rent payments for their primary residence, or who own their primary residence
				and have a mortgage secured by the residence.
								(B)Families who own
				their primary residence and do not have such a mortgage.
								(4)Annual
				publication of weighted average poverty thresholdsNot
				less often than annually, the Bureau of the Census, in collaboration with the
				Bureau of Labor Statistics, shall publish—
								(A)the average
				poverty threshold for each family size, determined by weighting each threshold
				by the proportion of families of that size to which the threshold applies,
				and
								(B)the average poverty threshold for each
				family size in each category described in paragraph (3), determined by
				weighting each threshold by the proportion of families of that size in that
				category and to which the threshold applies.
								(c)Modern poverty
				rates
							(1)In
				generalThe Bureau of the Census shall use the modern poverty
				thresholds calculated under subsection (b) to calculate—
								(A)the number and
				percentage of families in the United States whose adjusted market income does
				not exceed the applicable modern poverty threshold, and the number and
				percentage of individuals in the United States who are members of such
				families;
								(B)the number and percentage of families in
				the United States whose adjusted disposable income does not exceed the
				applicable modern poverty threshold, and the number and percentage of
				individuals in the United States who are members of such families; and
								(C)the numbers and
				percentages described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) for various demographic,
				geographic, and other subgroups of families in the United States, and for
				individuals who are members of such subgroups of families.
								(2)Adjusted market
				incomeFor purposes of this
				section, the adjusted market income of a family is—
								(A)the total of the amounts received by any
				member of the family during a calendar year from wages, salaries, and
				self-employment income, interest income, dividend income, realized capital
				gains, rents, royalties, estate and trust income, a qualified retirement plan
				(as defined in section 4974(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), a plan
				described in section 457(b) of such Code, or any other plan, contract, annuity,
				or account payments or distributions from which are in the nature of a
				retirement benefit, survivor and disability pensions and annuities, paid-up
				insurance policies, alimony payments, child support payments, private workers’
				compensation, regular contributions from persons not living with the family,
				and other relevant income as determined by the Bureau of the Census except for
				income described in subparagraph (C), (D), (E), or (F) of paragraph (3) of this
				subsection; minus
								(B)the total of the amounts paid by any member
				of the family during the calendar year for alimony or the support or
				maintenance of a noncustodial child, or to cover health care expenses or
				necessary work-related expenses, including child care and transportation
				expenses, and capping necessary work-related expenses at the lesser of the
				earnings of the parent with lesser earnings or another reasonable cap tied to
				the median expenditures of the reference family or Federal program and tax
				credit policies as determined by the Bureau of the Census in collaboration with
				the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
								(3)Adjusted
				disposable incomeFor
				purposes of this section, the Bureau of the Census shall define the adjusted
				disposable income of a family as follows, excluding any amounts that the Bureau
				of the Census, in collaboration with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, believes
				are not included in the distribution of expenditures referred to in subsection
				(b)(1) of this section or whose inclusion in the adjusted disposable income of
				a family would otherwise be inconsistent with the modern poverty thresholds
				described in subsection (b):
								(A)the adjusted
				market income of the family; minus
								(B)the total of the amounts paid by any member
				of the family during the calendar year to cover Federal income tax liability or
				Federal payroll tax liability, or if such information is not available, the
				total of any such liabilities that are payable by any member of the family
				during the calendar year; plus
								(C)the total of the
				amounts received by any member of the family during the calendar year from
				refundable Federal tax credits, or if such information is not available, the
				total of any such credits that are expected by any member of the family to be
				received during the calendar year; plus
								(D)the total of the amounts received by any
				member of the family during the calendar year which may be used to meet food,
				clothing, or shelter (including utilities) needs, to the extent that
				expenditures of the amounts are taken into account in determining poverty
				thresholds under this section, and which are—
									(i)referred to in
				section 459(h)(1)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act; or
									(ii)paid under a State program funded under
				part A of title IV of the Social Security Act, the supplemental security income
				program under title XVI of such Act, or any other Federal program or activity
				eligibility for which is based, in whole or in part, on need; plus
									(E)the total dollar value of any food
				assistance benefit (as defined in section 3(d) of the Food and Nutrition Act of
				2008) received by any member of the family during the calendar year under
				section 8 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008; plus
								(F)the total of the amounts received by any
				member of the family during the calendar year as described in section
				2605(b)(2) of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981; plus
								(G)the total of the
				amounts received by any member of the family during the calendar year as
				government-funded nonmedical in-kind, cash and near cash benefits that help
				families meet food, clothing and shelter (including utilities) needs, including
				nutrition programs, housing subsidies, and the value of public housing, not to
				exceed to the lesser of the share of the threshold defined in subsection (b)
				attributable to the component of the threshold towards which the benefit may be
				used or the estimated monetary value of the benefit to the recipient, to the
				extent possible and to the extent that expenditures of the amounts are taken
				into account in determining poverty thresholds under this section.
								(4)Inclusion of
				state and local taxes and transfersWithin 5 years after the date of the
				enactment of this section, the Bureau of the Census, in collaboration with the
				Bureau of Labor Statistics, and after consultation with other relevant
				statistical agencies, shall modify the calculation under paragraph (3) to take
				account of State and local taxes and transfers.
							(d)FamiliesFor purposes of this section, the term
				family includes—
							(1)an individual who
				is living alone;
							(2)all members of a
				household who are related by blood, marriage, adoption, or other legal
				arrangement; and
							(3)any unrelated
				individuals living together whom the Bureau of the Census, after assessing
				existing research and undertaking any necessary new research, determines should
				be treated as a family for purposes of this section.
							(e)Report on
				poverty ratesNot less
				frequently than annually, the Bureau of the Census shall produce, and make
				readily accessible to the public, a report which contains detailed tables and
				explanations of poverty rates—
							(1)as determined on
				the basis of adjusted market income;
							(2)as determined on
				the basis of adjusted disposable income; and
							(3)as determined on
				the basis of the Traditional Poverty Measure referred to in subsection
				(f).
							(f)References to
				existing poverty measure as the traditional poverty
				measureTo the extent
				practicable, whenever an officer or employee of the Federal Government refers
				to the poverty measure outlined in Office of Management and Budget Statistical
				Policy Directive 14, the officer or employee, as the case may be, shall refer
				to that measure as the Traditional Poverty Measure. Any
				reference in a law, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United
				States to the poverty measure outlined in Office of Management and Budget
				Statistical Policy Directive 14 is deemed to be a reference to the
				Traditional Poverty Measure.
						(g)Inclusion of
				information based on modern poverty thresholds and rates in published documents
				containing information based on historical poverty thresholds and
				rates
							(1)In
				generalTo the extent possible, a relevant Federal statistical
				agency that publishes a document which contains information about a subject,
				which was produced using the poverty measure outlined in Office of Management
				and Budget Statistical Policy Directive 14, shall include in the document
				information about the subject, which is produced using the modern poverty
				thresholds and modern poverty rates calculated under this section.
							(2)Public release
				of microdata file and online toolsOn releasing a document
				described in paragraph (1), the Bureau of the Census shall release to the
				public—
								(A)microdata files containing all of the
				individual variables that are necessary to compute the published modern poverty
				rates, as well as poverty rates determined on the basis of the Traditional
				Poverty Measure referred to in subsection (f), and to calculate poverty rates
				using different definitions of income and poverty thresholds;
								(B)other public
				online tools that enable poverty rates to be calculated using different
				definitions of income and poverty thresholds; and
								(C)the definitions of
				income set forth in, and the poverty thresholds established under, this
				section.
								(h)Consultation on
				improving calculation of the modern poverty thresholds or modern poverty rates;
				report to the CongressFrom
				time to time, and no less frequently than every 5 years, the Bureau of the
				Census, in collaboration with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, shall—
							(1)consult with other
				relevant Federal statistical agencies and outside experts on whether the method
				of, and sources of data for, calculating the modern poverty thresholds or
				modern poverty rates provided for in this section could be improved so as to
				better measure the extent to which families in the United States are able to
				secure sufficient income to allow a minimal, socially acceptable, level of
				consumption that meets their basic physical needs, including food, clothing,
				shelter (including utilities), and other necessary items; and
							(2)report to the
				Congress on any need for any such improvement.
							(i)No effect on
				benefit programsThis section shall not be interpreted to modify
				or authorize modification of eligibility of any entity for, or the amount or
				kind of benefits or assistance to be provided to any entity under, any program
				or activity funded, in whole or in part, with Federal funds.
						(j)Relevant federal
				statistical agencyIn this
				section, the term relevant Federal statistical agency means a
				Federal agency that—
							(1)is listed as a
				major statistical program of the United States in the annual report most
				recently made under section 3504(e)(2) of title 44, United States Code;
				or
							(2)the Bureau of the
				Census expects to be so listed in the next such report.
							(k)Limitations on
				authorization of appropriationsTo carry out this section, there are
				authorized to be appropriated to the Bureau of the Census not more than
				$5,000,000 for each fiscal year.
						272.Study of decent
				living standard
						(a)In
				generalThe Bureau of the
				Census, in collaboration with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, shall enter into
				a contract with the National Academy of Sciences which obligates the National
				Academy of Sciences to develop and publish a method of calculating a decent
				living standard threshold, including relevant variations for geography, family
				size, and other such factors, and a method of measuring the extent to which the
				income of families in the United States is sufficient to meet the
				threshold.
						(b)Technical
				supportThe Bureau of the Census, the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
				and other relevant statistical agencies shall provide necessary technical
				support for the efforts to develop the threshold and method referred to in
				subsection (a).
						(c)Definition of
				decent living standard thresholdIn subsection (a), the term decent
				living standard threshold means the amount of annual income that would
				allow an individual to live beyond deprivation at a safe and decent, but
				modest, standard of living.
						(d)Limitations on
				authorization of appropriationsTo carry out this section, there are
				authorized to be appropriated to the Bureau of the Census not more than
				$500,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010.
						273.Study of
				medical care risk measure
						(a)In
				generalThe Bureau of the
				Census, in collaboration with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Agency for
				Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
				Services shall enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences with
				obligates the National Academy of Sciences to develop and publish a method of
				measuring the extent of medical care risk in the United States and calculating
				the number and percentage of individuals in the United States who, to varying
				degrees, lack adequate health insurance, placing them at risk of being unable
				to afford needed treatment.
						(b)Technical
				supportThe Bureau of the Census, the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
				the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Centers for Medicare and
				Medicaid Services, and other relevant statistical agencies shall provide
				necessary technical support for the efforts to develop the method and measure
				referred to in subsection (a).
						(c)Definition of
				medical care riskIn subsection (a), the term medical care
				risk means the extent to which individuals are at risk of being unable
				to afford needed medical treatment, services, goods, and care.
						(d)Limitations on
				authorization of appropriationsTo carry out this section, there
				are authorized to be appropriated to the Bureau of the Census, not more than
				$500,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 and
				2010.
						.


115 HR 7138 IH: Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2018-11-15
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.

I115th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 7138IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESNovember 15, 2018Mr. Smith of New Jersey (for himself and Mr. Smith of Washington) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish an inter-agency task force on the use of
			 Federal lands for medical treatment and therapy through outdoor recreation
			 for veterans.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act. 2.Inter-agency Task Force on Outdoor Recreation for Veterans (a)EstablishmentNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a task force to be known as the Task Force on Outdoor Recreation for Veterans (in this Act referred to as the Task Force).
 (b)CompositionThe Task Force shall be composed of the following members or their designees: (1)The Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
 (2)The Secretary of the Interior. (3)The Secretary of Health and Human Services.
 (4)The Secretary of Agriculture. (5)The Secretary of Defense.
 (6)The Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers. (7)Any other members that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines to be appropriate.
 (c)ChairpersonsThe Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of the Interior shall serve as co-chairpersons of the Task Force.
			(d)Duties
 (1)Task ForceThe duties of the Task Force shall be— (A)to identify opportunities to formalize coordination between the Department of Veterans Affairs, public land agencies, and partner organizations regarding the use of Federal lands for medical treatment and therapy for veterans;
 (B)to identify barriers that exist to providing veterans with opportunities for medical treatment and therapy through the use of outdoor recreation on Federal lands; and
 (C)to develop recommendations to better facilitate the use of Federal lands for preventative care, medical treatment, and therapy for veterans.
 (2)ConsultationThe Task Force shall carry out such responsibilities in consultation with appropriate veterans outdoor recreation groups.
				(e)Reports
 (1)Preliminary reportNot later than 180 days after the date on which the Task Force is established, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the preliminary findings of the Task Force.
 (2)Final reportNot later than one year after the submission of the preliminary report under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the findings of the Task Force, which shall include the recommendations developed under subsection (d)(1)(C).
 (f)DurationThe Task Force shall terminate on the date that is one year after the date of the submission of the final report under in subsection (e)(2).
 (g)DefinitionsIn this Act: (1)The term Federal lands means—
 (A)lands that are under the administration of the Secretary of Agriculture; or (B)lands that are under the administration of the Secretary of Interior.
 (2)The term veteran has the meaning given such term in section 101(2) of title 38, United States Code.


 HR 185 ENR: To designate the United States courthouse located at 101 East Pecan Street in Sherman, Texas, as the Paul Brown United States Courthouse.
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.

IB
One Hundred Thirteenth Congress of the United States of AmericaAt the First SessionBegun and held at the City of Washington on Thursday, the third day of January, two thousand and thirteen
H. R. 185

AN ACT
To designate the United States courthouse located at 101 East Pecan Street in Sherman, Texas, as the Paul Brown United States Courthouse.

1.DesignationThe United States courthouse located at 101 East Pecan Street in Sherman, Texas, shall be known and designated as the Paul Brown United States Courthouse.
2.ReferencesAny reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the United States courthouse referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to the Paul Brown United States Courthouse.
 Speaker of the House of Representatives.Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.


109 HCON 137 IH: Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding Turkey’s claims of sovereignty over islands and islets in the Aegean Sea.
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-04-21
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 137
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 21, 2005
Mr. Andrews (for himself, Mr. Bilirakis, Mrs. Maloney, Mr. McGovern, and Ms. Watson) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding Turkey’s claims of sovereignty over islands and islets in the Aegean Sea.

Whereas the maritime boundary between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean Sea have been delimited in international law as having been agreed, established, and settled;
Whereas Turkey is claiming sovereignty over numerous islands and islets and unspecified gray areas in the Aegean Sea;
Whereas in article 12 of Treaty of Peace with Turkey and Other Instruments, done at Lausanne, Switzerland, on July 24, 1923, the sovereignty of Greece was established over the islands of the Eastern Mediterranean, other than Imuros, Tenedos and Rabbit Islands, the Dodecanese Islands in the Southern Eastern Aegean, and the islands situated at less than three miles from the Asiatic coast, for which no provision to the contrary was contained in such Treaty;
Whereas in article 15 of the Treaty of Peace with Turkey and Other Instruments, done at Lausanne, Switzerland, on July 24, 1923, Turkey renounced, in favor of Italy, all right, title, and interest in the 12 enumerated islands in the Dodecanese region that were occupied by Italy at the time of the Treaty, including the island of Calimnos and the islets dependent on such islands;
Whereas the Convention Between Italy and Turkey for the Delimitation of the Territorial Waters Between the Coasts of Anatolia and the Island of Castellorizo, done at Ankara, Turkey, on January 4, 1932, established the rights of Italy and Turkey in coastal islands, waters, and rocks in the Aegean Sea and delimited a maritime boundary between the two countries;
Whereas a protocol done at Ankara, Turkey, on December 28, 1932, and annexed to the 1932 Convention memorialized an agreement on a sea boundary between Italy and Turkey, which placed the Imia islets under the sovereignty of Italy;
Whereas in article 14 of the 1947 Paris Treaty of Peace with Italy, Italy ceded to Greece the Dodecanese islands under Italy's control, including the island of Calimnos and the adjacent islets of Imia;
Whereas the United States is a signatory to the 1947 Paris Treaty of Peace and all articles therein are a part of the law of the United States;
Whereas because the United States is party to treaty regimes that establish sea boundaries, most notably the Convention Ceding Alaska, done at Washington, District of Columbia, on March 30, 1867, which established the sea boundary between Alaska and Russia, the United States has an interest in maintaining and perpetuating such regimes as a matter of international law;
Whereas by resolution dated February 15, 1996, the European Parliament resolved that the sea boundaries established in the 1923 Lausanne Treaty of Peace and the 1932 Convention and Protocol Between Italy and Turkey are the borders between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean Sea;
Whereas the Government of Turkey claims Aegean islands within Greek sovereignty and continued violations of Greek sovereign airspace and territorial waters by the military forces of Turkey contravene the 1923 Lausanne Treaty of Peace, the 1932 Convention and Protocol Between Italy and Turkey, and the 1947 Paris Treaty of Peace, as well as international law and the Charter of the United Nations;
Whereas a fundamental principle of international law is that, once agreed, a boundary remains stable and predictable;
Whereas the eastern Mediterranean region, in which the Aegean Sea is located, is a region of vital strategic importance to the United States;
Whereas both Greece and Turkey are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and allies of the United States; and
Whereas it is in the interest of the United States and other nations to resolve disputes peacefully: Now, therefore, be it

That it is the sense of Congress that—
(1)the maritime boundaries established in the 1923 Lausanne Treaty of Peace, the 1932 Convention and Protocol Between Italy and Turkey, and the 1947 Paris Treaty of Peace, as well as international law, under which the Dodecanese islands and adjacent islets were ceded by Italy to Greece, are the borders between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean Sea; and
(2)any party, including Turkey, objecting to these established boundaries should seek redress in the International Court of Justice at The Hague.


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 2233
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			March 26, 2012
			Mr. Schumer (for
			 himself, Mr. Lee,
			 Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Blunt, Ms.
			 Klobuchar, Mr. Kirk,
			 Mr. Rubio, and Mr. Coons) introduced the following bill; which was
			 read twice and referred to the Committee
			 on the Judiciary

		A BILL
		To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to stimulate
		  international tourism to the United States.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Jobs Originated through Launching
			 Travel Act or the JOLT Act.
		2.Visa validity
			 periodIf the Secretary of
			 State demonstrates that the United States would not be adversely affected, the
			 Secretary may modify or enter into agreements with certain countries on a
			 nonreciprocal basis to allow for longer visa validity periods than the periods
			 with such countries that are in existence as of the date of the enactment of
			 this Act.
		3.Expediting
			 priority visitorsSection
			 286(u) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(u)) is
			 amended—
			(1)by amending the subsection heading to read
			 as follows:

					(u)Premium
				processing
				fee
					;
			(2)by striking The Attorney
			 General and inserting the following:

					(1)Employment-based
				petitions and applicationsThe Secretary of Homeland
				Security
					;
			(3)by striking This fee and
			 inserting The fee authorized under this paragraph;
			(4)by striking
			 The Attorney General may adjust this fee and inserting
			 The Secretary may adjust the fee authorized under this
			 paragraph; and
			(5)by adding at the
			 end the following:

					(2)Visitor
				visasThe Secretary of State shall offer premium processing for
				visitor visas issued to nonimmigrants described in section 101(a)(15)(B) and
				shall ensure that applicants requesting premium processing for such visas are
				interviewed and the visa application is adjudicated not later than 3 business
				days after the date of the applicant’s request for a visa appointment, absent
				compelling security concerns. The Secretary shall charge a fee for premium
				processing services under this paragraph in an amount sufficient to recover the
				costs incurred—
						(A)to more quickly
				process such visas in India, China, and Brazil; and
						(B)to create mobile
				interview units to process visa applications and conduct visa interviews in
				cities with more than 1,000,000 people that do not have a United States embassy
				or
				consulate.
						.
			4.Encouraging
			 Canadian tourism to the United StatesSection 211 of the Immigration and
			 Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1181) is amended by adding at the end the
			 following:

				(d)Canadian
				retireesThe Secretary of Homeland Security shall admit any
				alien, and the spouse and children of the alien, for a period of not less than
				240 days, if the alien demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that
				the alien—
					(1)is a citizen of
				Canada;
					(2)is older than 50
				years of age;
					(3)owns a residence
				in the United States or has signed a rental agreement for accommodations in the
				United States for the duration of the alien's stay in the United States;
					(4)is not
				inadmissible under section 212;
					(5)is not deportable
				under section 237;
					(6)will not engage
				in employment in the United States; and
					(7)will not seek any
				form of assistance or benefit described in section 403(a) of the Personal
				Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C.
				1613(a)).
					.
		5.Incentives for
			 foreign visitors visiting the United States during low peak seasons
			(a)Application
			 feesThe Secretary of State
			 shall give foreign visitors an incentive to apply for a visa when the demand is
			 lower by decreasing the visa application and issuance fees charged to
			 nonimmigrants described in section 101(a)(15)(B) of the Immigration and
			 Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(B)) in selected countries during periods
			 when there is low demand for visitor visas in such countries.
			(b)LimitationIn
			 decreasing visa application and issuance fees under subsection (a), the
			 Secretary shall—
				(1)subject to
			 paragraph (2), maximize the demand for such visa applications; and
				(2)maintain the
			 total amount collected from such fees.
				6.Visa Waiver Program
			 enhanced security and reform
			(a)DefinitionsSection
			 217(c)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1187(c)(1)) is
			 amended to read as follows:

					(1)Authority to
				designate; definitions
						(A)Authority to
				designateThe Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation
				with the Secretary of State, may designate any country as a program country if
				that country meets the requirements under paragraph (2).
						(B)DefinitionsIn
				this subsection:
							(i)Appropriate
				congressional committeesThe term appropriate congressional
				committees means—
								(I)the
				Committee on Foreign Relations, the
				Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and
				the Committee on the
				Judiciary of the Senate; and
								(II)the
				Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
				Homeland Security, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
				Representatives.
								(ii)Overstay
				rate
								(I)Initial
				designationThe term
				overstay rate means, with respect to a country being considered
				for designation in the program, the ratio of—
									(aa)the
				number of nationals of that country who were admitted to the United States on
				the basis of a nonimmigrant visa under section 101(a)(15)(B) whose periods of
				authorized stay ended during a fiscal year but who remained unlawfully in the
				United States beyond such periods; to
									(bb)the
				number of nationals of that country who were admitted to the United States on
				the basis of a nonimmigrant visa under section 101(a)(15)(B) whose periods of
				authorized stay ended during that fiscal year.
									(II)Continuing
				designationThe term
				overstay rate means, for each fiscal year after initial
				designation under this section with respect to a country, the ratio of—
									(aa)the
				number of nationals of that country who were admitted to the United States
				under this section or on the basis of a nonimmigrant visa under section
				101(a)(15)(B) whose periods of authorized stay ended during a fiscal year but
				who remained unlawfully in the United States beyond such periods; to
									(bb)the
				number of nationals of that country who were admitted to the United States
				under this section or on the basis of a nonimmigrant visa under section
				101(a)(15)(B) whose periods of authorized stay ended during that fiscal
				year.
									(III)Computation of
				overstay rateIn determining
				the overstay rate for a country, the Secretary of Homeland Security may utilize
				information from any available databases to ensure the accuracy of such
				rate.
								(iii)Program
				countryThe term program country means a country
				designated as a program country under subparagraph
				(A).
							.
			(b)Technical and
			 conforming amendmentsSection 217 of the Immigration and
			 Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1187) is amended—
				(1)by striking Attorney General
			 each place the term appears (except in subsection (c)(11)(B)) and inserting
			 Secretary of Homeland Security; and
				(2)in subsection
			 (c)—
					(A)in paragraph
			 (2)(C)(iii), by striking Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on
			 International Relations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
			 the Judiciary and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and
			 inserting appropriate congressional committees;
					(B)in paragraph
			 (5)(A)(i)(III), by striking Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on
			 Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Homeland Security, of the House of
			 Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Foreign
			 Relations, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of
			 the Senate and inserting appropriate congressional
			 committees; and
					(C)in paragraph (7),
			 by striking subparagraph (E).
					(c)Designation of
			 program countries based on overstay rates
				(1)In
			 generalSection 217(c)(2)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality
			 Act (8 U.S.C. 1187(c)(2)(A)) is amended to read as follows:

						(A)General
				numerical limitations
							(i)Low nonimmigrant
				visa refusal rateThe
				percentage of nationals of that country refused nonimmigrant visas under
				section 101(a)(15)(B) during the previous full fiscal year was not more than 3
				percent of the total number of nationals of that country who were granted or
				refused nonimmigrant visas under such section during such year.
							(ii)Low
				nonimmigrant overstay rateThe overstay rate for that country was not
				more than 3 percent during the previous fiscal
				year.
							.
				(2)Qualification
			 criteriaSection 217(c)(3) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1187(c)(3)) is
			 amended to read as follows:

						(3)Qualification
				criteriaAfter the initial
				period, a country may not be designated as a program country unless the
				Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State,
				determines, pursuant to the requirements under paragraph (5), that the
				designation will be
				continued.
						.
				(3)Continuing
			 designationSection
			 217(c)(5)(A)(i)(II) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1187(c)(5)(A)(i)(II)) is amended to
			 read as follows:

						(II)shall determine, based upon the evaluation
				in subclause (I), whether any such designation under subsection (d) or (f), or
				probation under subsection (f), ought to be continued or
				terminated;
						.
				(4)Computation of
			 visa refusal rates; judicial reviewSection 217(c)(6) of such Act
			 (8 U.S.C. 1187(c)(6)) is amended to read as follows:

						(6)Computation of
				visa refusal rates and judicial review
							(A)Computation of
				visa refusal ratesFor
				purposes of determining the eligibility of a country to be designated as a
				program country, the calculation of visa refusal rates shall not include any
				visa refusals which incorporate any procedures based on, or are otherwise based
				on, race, sex, or disability, unless otherwise specifically authorized by law
				or regulation.
							(B)Judicial
				reviewNo court shall have jurisdiction under this section to
				review any visa refusal, the Secretary of State’s computation of a visa refusal
				rate, the Secretary of Homeland Security’s computation of an overstay rate, or
				the designation or nondesignation of a country as a program
				country.
							.
				(5)Visa waiver
			 informationSection 217(c)(7) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1187(c)(7))
			 is amended—
					(A)by striking
			 subparagraphs (B) through (E); and
					(B)by striking
			 Waiver
			 information— and all that follows through In
			 refusing and inserting Waiver information—In refusing.
					(6)Waiver
			 authoritySection 217(c)(8) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1187(c)(8)) is
			 amended to read as follows:

						(8)Waiver
				authorityThe Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation
				with the Secretary of State, may waive the application of paragraph (2)(A)(i)
				for a country if—
							(A)the country meets
				all other requirements of paragraph (2);
							(B)the Secretary of
				Homeland Security determines that the totality of the country's security risk
				mitigation measures provide assurance that the country's participation in the
				program would not compromise the law enforcement, security interests, or
				enforcement of the immigration laws of the United States;
							(C)there has been a
				general downward trend in the percentage of nationals of the country refused
				nonimmigrant visas under section 101(a)(15)(B);
							(D)the country
				consistently cooperated with the Government of the United States on
				counterterrorism initiatives, information sharing, preventing terrorist travel,
				and extradition of the country's nationals to the United States before the date
				of its designation as a program country, and the Secretary of Homeland Security
				and the Secretary of State assess that such cooperation is likely to continue;
				and
							(E)the percentage of nationals of the country
				refused a nonimmigrant visa under section 101(a)(15)(B) during the previous
				full fiscal year was not more than 10 percent of the total number of nationals
				of that country who were granted or refused such nonimmigrant
				visas.
							.
				(d)Termination of
			 designation; probationSection 217(f) of the Immigration and
			 Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1187(f)) is amended to read as follows:

					(f)Termination of
				designation; probation
						(1)DefinitionsIn
				this subsection:
							(A)Probationary
				periodThe term probationary period means the fiscal
				year in which a probationary country is placed in probationary status under
				this subsection.
							(B)Program
				countryThe term program country has the meaning
				given that term in subsection (c)(1)(B).
							(2)Determination,
				notice, and initial probationary period
							(A)Determination of
				probationary status and notice of noncomplianceAs part of each
				program country’s periodic evaluation required by subsection (c)(5)(A), the
				Secretary of Homeland Security shall determine whether a program country is in
				compliance with the program requirements under subparagraphs (A)(ii) through
				(F) of subsection (c)(2).
							(B)Initial
				probationary periodIf the Secretary of Homeland Security
				determines that a program country visa is not in compliance with the program
				requirements under subparagraphs (A)(ii) through (F) of subsection (c)(2), the
				Secretary of Homeland Security shall place the program country in probationary
				status for the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the periodic
				evaluation is completed.
							(3)Actions at the
				end of the initial probationary periodAt the end of the initial
				probationary period of a country under paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary of
				Homeland Security shall take 1 of the following actions:
							(A)Compliance
				during initial probationary periodIf the Secretary determines
				that all instances of noncompliance with the program requirements under
				subparagraphs (A)(ii) through (F) of subsection (c)(2) that were identified in
				the latest periodic evaluation have been remedied by the end of the initial
				probationary period, the Secretary shall end the country’s probationary
				period.
							(B)Noncompliance
				during initial probationary periodIf the Secretary determines
				that any instance of noncompliance with the program requirements under
				subparagraphs (A)(ii) through (F) of subsection (c)(2) that were identified in
				the latest periodic evaluation has not been remedied by the end of the initial
				probationary period—
								(i)the Secretary may
				terminate the country’s participation in the program; or
								(ii)on an annual
				basis, the Secretary may continue the country’s probationary status if the
				Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, determines that the
				country’s continued participation in the program is in the national interest of
				the United States.
								(4)Actions at the
				end of additional probationary periodsAt the end of all
				probationary periods granted to a country pursuant to paragraph (3)(B)(ii), the
				Secretary shall take 1 of the following actions:
							(A)Compliance
				during additional periodThe
				Secretary shall end the country’s probationary status if the Secretary
				determines during the latest periodic evaluation required by subsection
				(c)(5)(A) that the country is in compliance with the program requirements under
				subparagraphs (A)(ii) through (F) of subsection (c)(2).
							(B)Noncompliance
				during additional periodsThe
				Secretary shall terminate the country's participation in the program if the
				Secretary determines during the latest periodic evaluation required by
				subsection (c)(5)(A) that the program country continues to be in non-compliance
				with the program requirements under subparagraphs (A)(ii) through (F) of
				subsection (c)(2).
							(5)Effective
				dateThe termination of a country's participation in the program
				under paragraph (3)(B) or (4)(B) shall take effect on the first day of the
				first fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the Secretary determines
				that such participation shall be terminated. Until such date, nationals of the
				country shall remain eligible for a waiver under subsection (a).
						(6)Treatment of
				nationals after terminationFor purposes of this subsection and
				subsection (d)—
							(A)nationals of a
				country whose designation is terminated under paragraph (3) or (4) shall remain
				eligible for a waiver under subsection (a) until the effective date of such
				termination; and
							(B)a waiver under
				this section that is provided to such a national for a period described in
				subsection (a)(1) shall not, by such termination, be deemed to have been
				rescinded or otherwise rendered invalid, if the waiver is granted prior to such
				termination.
							(7)Consultative
				role of the secretary of stateIn this subsection, references to
				subparagraphs (A)(ii) through (F) of subsection (c)(2) and subsection (c)(5)(A)
				carry with them the consultative role of the Secretary of State as provided in
				those
				provisions.
						.
			(e)Review of
			 overstay tracking methodologyNot later than 180 days after the date of
			 the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall
			 conduct a review of the methods used by the Secretary of Homeland
			 Security—
				(1)to track aliens
			 entering and exiting the United States; and
				(2)to detect any such
			 alien who stays longer than such alien's period of authorized admission.
				(f)Evaluation of
			 electronic system for travel authorizationNot later than 90 days
			 after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security
			 shall submit to Congress—
				(1)an evaluation of
			 the security risks of aliens who enter the United States without an approved
			 Electronic System for Travel Authorization verification; and
				(2)a description of
			 any improvements needed to minimize the number of aliens who enter the United
			 States without the verification described in paragraph (1).
				(g)Sense of
			 Congress on priority for review of program countriesIt is the
			 sense of Congress that the Secretary of Homeland Security, in the process of
			 conducting evaluations of countries participating in the visa waiver program
			 under section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1187),
			 should prioritize the reviews of countries in which circumstances indicate that
			 such a review is necessary or desirable.
			7.Expediting entry
			 for priority visitorsSection
			 7208(k)(4) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (8
			 U.S.C. 1365b(k)(4)) is amended to read as follows:

				(4)Expediting
				entry for priority visitors
					(A)In
				generalThe Secretary of Homeland Security shall expand the
				enrollment in the Global Entry Trusted Traveler Network (referred to in this
				paragraph as Global Entry) to include individuals employed by
				international organizations, selected by the Secretary, which maintain strong
				working relationships with the United States.
					(B)SponsorsAn
				individual may not be enrolled in Global Entry unless the individual is
				sponsored by—
						(i)an international
				organization selected by the Secretary under subparagraph (A); and
						(ii)the government
				that issued the passport that the individual is using to participate in Global
				Entry.
						(C)Security
				requirementsAn individual may not be enrolled in Global Entry
				unless the individual has successfully completed all applicable security
				requirements established by the Secretary, including cooperation from the
				applicable foreign government, to ensure that the individual does not pose a
				risk to the United States.
					(D)DiscretionExcept
				as provided in subparagraph (E), the Secretary shall retain unreviewable
				discretion to offer or revoke enrollment in Global Entry to any
				individual.
					(E)Ineligible
				travelersAn individual who is a citizen of a state sponsor of
				terrorism (as defined in section 301(13) of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions,
				Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8541(13)) may not be
				enrolled in Global
				Entry.
					.
		8.Visa
			 processing
			(a)In
			 generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary
			 of State shall—
				(1)require United
			 States diplomatic and consular missions—
					(A)to conduct visa
			 interviews for nonimmigrant visa applications determined to require a consular
			 interview—
						(i)not
			 later than 15 days after the date on which the applicant requests a visa
			 appointment; and
						(ii)beginning 1 year
			 after the date of the enactment of this Act, not later than 10 days after the
			 date on which the applicant requests a visa appointment; and
						(B)to adjudicate
			 nonimmigrant visa applications determined not to require a consular interview
			 not later than 10 days after the receipt of the completed application and
			 passport; and
					(2)not later than 90
			 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, submit a detailed strategic
			 plan that describes the resources needed to carry out paragraph (1)(A)(ii)
			 to—
					(A)the
			 Committee on the Judiciary of the
			 Senate;
					(B)the
			 Committee on Foreign Relations of the
			 Senate;
					(C)the
			 Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
			 Representatives; and
					(D)the
			 Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
			 Representatives.
					(b)Additional
			 officersThe Secretary shall use machine readable nonimmigrant
			 visa fees to hire a sufficient number of Foreign Service officers and limited
			 non-career appointment consular officers to continuously meet and maintain the
			 standards set forth in subsection (a).
			(c)Quarterly
			 reportNot later than 30 days after the end of the first full
			 quarter after the implementation of subsection (a), and not later than 30 days
			 after the end of each subsequent quarter, the Secretary shall submit a report
			 to the congressional committees set forth in subsection (a)(2) that
			 identifies—
				(1)each consular
			 post that failed to comply with the standards set forth in subsection (a)
			 during such quarter;
				(2)the cause for
			 such noncompliance; and
				(3)reforms that the
			 Secretary will be implement to comply with such standards.
				(d)Waiver
				(1)In
			 generalThe provisions under subsection (a) shall be temporarily
			 waived if a national security emergency requires the Secretary of State to
			 redistribute personnel and resources to assist the affected and surrounding
			 areas.
				(2)Reinstatement
					(A)In
			 generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), the provisions
			 under subsection (a) shall be reinstated not later than 1 year after the
			 national security emergency ends.
					(B)Noncompliance
			 reportIf the provisions under subsection (a) are not reinstated
			 by the deadline described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary of State shall
			 submit a report to the Committee on
			 Foreign Relations of the Senate and the
			 Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
			 Representatives that—
						(i)describes the
			 cause for noncompliance with the provisions under subsection (a); and
						(ii)includes a
			 detailed timeframe for compliance with such provisions.
						(e)Savings
			 provision
				(1)In
			 generalNothing in subsection (a) may be construed to affect the
			 consular officer’s authority—
					(A)to deny a visa
			 application under section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
			 U.S.C. 1201(g)); or
					(B)to initiate any
			 necessary or appropriate security-related check or clearance.
					(2)Security
			 checksThe completion of a security-related check or clearance
			 shall not be subject to the time limits set forth in subsection (a).
				(f)Effective
			 dateBeginning not later than 90 days after the date of the
			 enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall be in full compliance with the
			 provisions under subsection (a)(1).


110 HR 4899 IH: Community-Based Mental Health

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-12-19
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 4899
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			December 19, 2007
			Mr. Kennedy (for
			 himself and Mrs. Bono) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
			 Commerce

		A BILL
		To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide grants
		  for community-based mental health infrastructure improvement.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Community-Based Mental Health
			 Infrastructure Improvements Act.
		2.Community-based
			 mental health infrastructure improvementTitle V of the Public Health Service Act (42
			 U.S.C. 280g et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

				HCommunity-based
				mental health infrastructure improvements
					560.Grants for
				community-based mental health infrastructure improvements
						(a)Grants
				authorizedThe Secretary may award grants to eligible entities to
				expend funds for the construction or modernization of facilities used to
				provide mental health and behavioral health services to individuals.
						(b)Eligible
				entityIn this section, the term eligible entity
				means—
							(1)a State that is
				the recipient of a Community Mental Health Services Block Grant under subpart I
				of part B of title XIX and a Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block
				Grant under subpart II of such part; or
							(2)an Indian tribe or
				a tribal organization (as such terms are defined in sections 4(b) and 4(c) of
				the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act).
							(c)ApplicationA eligible entity desiring a grant under
				this section shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such
				manner, and containing—
							(1)a plan for the construction or
				modernization of facilities used to provide mental health and behavioral health
				services to individuals that—
								(A)designates a
				single State or tribal agency as the sole agency for the supervision and
				administration of the grant;
								(B)contains
				satisfactory evidence that such agency so designated will have the authority to
				carry out the plan;
								(C)provides for the
				designation of an advisory council, which shall include representatives of
				nongovernmental organizations or groups, and of the relevant State or tribal
				agencies, that aided in the development of the plan and that will implement and
				monitor any grant awarded to the eligible entity under this section;
								(D)in the case of an
				eligible entity that is a State, includes a copy of the State plan under
				section 1912(b) and section 1932(b);
								(E)(i)includes a listing of the
				projects to be funded by the grant; and
									(ii)in the case of an eligible entity
				that is a State, explains how each listed project helps the State in
				accomplishing its goals and objectives under the Community Mental Health
				Services Block Grant under subpart I of part B of title XIX and the Substance
				Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant under subpart II of such
				part;
									(F)includes
				assurances that the facilities will be used for a period of not less than 10
				years for the provision of community-based mental health or substance abuse
				services for those who cannot pay for such services, subject to subsection (e);
				and
								(G)in the case of a
				facility that is not a public facility, includes the name and executive
				director of the entity who will provide services in the facility; and
								(2)with respect to
				each construction or modernization project described in the application—
								(A)a description of
				the site for the project;
								(B)plans and
				specifications for the project and State or tribal approval for the plans and
				specifications;
								(C)assurance that the
				title for the site is or will be vested with either the public entity or
				private nonprofit entity who will provide the services in the facility;
								(D)assurance that
				adequate financial resources will be available for the construction or major
				rehabilitation of the project and for the maintenance and operation of the
				facility;
								(E)estimates of the
				cost of the project; and
								(F)the estimated
				length of time for completion of the project.
								(d)Subgrants by
				States
							(1)In
				generalA State that receives a grant under this section may
				award a subgrant to a qualified community program (as such term is used in
				section 1913(b)(1)).
							(2)Use of
				fundsSubgrants awarded pursuant to paragraph (1) may be used for
				activities such as—
								(A)the construction,
				expansion, and modernization of facilities used to provide mental and
				behavioral health services to individuals;
								(B)acquiring and
				leasing facilities and equipment (including paying the costs of amortizing the
				principal of, and paying the interest on, loans for such facilities and
				equipment) to support or further the operation of the subgrantee; and
								(C)the construction
				and structural modification (including equipment acquisition) of facilities to
				permit the integrated delivery of behavioral health and primary care of
				specialty medical services to individuals with co-occurring mental illnesses
				and chronic medical or surgical diseases at a single service site.
								(e)Request To
				transfer obligationAn eligible entity that receives a grant
				under this section may submit a request to the Secretary for permission to
				transfer the 10-year obligation of facility use, as described in subsection
				(c)(1)(F), to another facility.
						(f)Agreement to
				Federal shareAs a condition of receipt of a grant under this
				section, an eligible entity shall agree, with respect to the costs to be
				incurred by the entity in carrying out the activities for which such grant is
				awarded, that the entity will make available non-Federal contributions (which
				may include State or local funds, or funds from the qualified community
				program) in an amount equal to not less than $1 for every $1 of Federal funds
				provided under the grant.
						(g)Reporting
							(1)Reporting by
				StatesDuring the 10-year period referred to in subsection
				(c)(1)(F), the Secretary shall require that a State that receives a grant under
				this section submit, as part of the report of the State required under the
				Community Mental Health Services Block Grant under subpart I of part B of title
				XIX and the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant under subpart
				II of such part, a description of the progress on—
								(A)the projects
				carried out pursuant to the grant under this section; and
								(B)the assurances that
				the facilities involved continue to be used for the purpose for which they were
				funded under such grant during such 10-year period.
								(2)Reporting by
				Indian tribes and tribal organizationsThe Secretary shall
				establish reporting requirements for Indian tribes and tribal organizations
				that receive a grant under this section. Such reporting requirements shall
				include that such Indian tribe or tribal organization provide a description of
				the progress on—
								(A)the projects
				carried out pursuant to the grant under this section; and
								(B)the assurances
				that the facilities involved continue to be used for the purpose for which they
				were funded under such grant during the 10-year period referred to in
				subsection (c)(1)(F).
								(h)Failure To meet
				obligations
							(1)In
				generalIf an eligible entity that receives a grant under this
				section fails to meet any of the obligations of the entity required under this
				section, the Secretary shall take appropriate steps, which may include—
								(A)requiring that the
				entity return the unused portion of the funds awarded under this section for
				the projects that are incomplete; and
								(B)extending the
				length of time that the entity must ensure that the facility involved is used
				for the purposes for which it is intended, as described in subsection
				(c)(1)(F).
								(2)HearingPrior
				to requesting the return of the funds under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary
				shall provide the entity notice and opportunity for a hearing.
							(i)CollaborationThe
				Secretary may establish intergovernmental and interdepartmental memorandums of
				agreement as necessary to carry out this section.
						(j)Authorization of
				appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry
				out this section $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and such sums as may be
				necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through
				2012.
						.


109 HRES 638 IH: Congratulating Bill Gates, Melinda Gates, and Bono for being named time Magazine’s 2005 Person of the Year.
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-12-18
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.

IV
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 638
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 18, 2005
Ms. Waters submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the  Committee on Government Reform

RESOLUTION
Congratulating Bill Gates, Melinda Gates, and Bono for being named time Magazine’s 2005 Person of the Year.

Whereas Bill Gates was born in Seattle, Washington;
Whereas, in 1977, he co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen;
Whereas, by the late 1990s, Bill Gates had become one of the world’s most successful computer engineers and entrepreneurs while in the process becoming one of the wealthiest men in the world;
Whereas Melinda French was born and raised in Dallas, Texas;
Whereas Melinda French earned Bachelor Degrees in Computer Science and Economics from Duke University in 1986 and an MBA from Duke in 1987;
Whereas, on January 1, 1994, Bill Gates and Melinda French were married;
Whereas, in 2000, Bill and Melinda Gates founded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to improve global health and education;
Whereas Bono was born Paul Hewson on May 10, 1960, in Dublin, Ireland;
Whereas Larry Mullen Jr., Dave Evans, Adam Clayton, and Bono formed the band U2 in October 1976;
Whereas U2 has won 17 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005;
Whereas Bono has been a social activist throughout his career and has performed numerous times (ro raise money for various causes), including Band Aid, Live Aid in 1985, Amnesty International Conspiracy of Hope in 1986, Net Aid in 1999, and Live 8 concerts in 2005 to raise awareness of poverty and HIV/AIDS crisis in poor countries;
Whereas Bono was an active supporter of the Jubilee 2000 effort to cancel third world debts;
Whereas Time Magazine has been naming a Person of the Year since 1927 to honor the leaders, the adventurers, and the statesmen whose presence reached far beyond any single year, and whose impact we still feel today;
Whereas Time Magazine has named Bill and Melinda Gates and Bono its 2005 Persons of the Year, for their activism and charitable work to reduce global poverty and improve world health;
Whereas Time Magazine honored Bill and Melinda Gates for building the world’s largest charity, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which has an endowment of nearly $29 billion and for giving more money away faster than anyone ever has in 2005;
Whereas the foundation has saved at least 700,000 lives in poor countries by investing in vaccination programs and HIV/Aids and Malaria research. The foundation has donated computers and Internet access to 11,000 libraries and has sponsored the biggest scholarship fund in history;
Whereas Time Magazine honored Bono for his effort to make rich countries address the debt of poorer countries through concerts, speeches, advocacy, activism, and countless meetings with the heads of the G–8, including the President of the United States;
Whereas the activism and advocacy of Bono has served as a catalyst in the cancellation of $40 billion dollars in debt thereby permitting poor countries to invest in healthcare, education, and other social services, that will help break the cycle of poverty that plagues the heavily indebted countries;
Whereas Bono is the co-founder of the DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) organization which fights poverty and HIV in the developing world and the ONE Campaign to Make Poverty History;
Whereas the ONE campaign is an effort by the global citizens—ONE by ONE—to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty;
Whereas DATA was started with a grant from the Gates Foundation; and
Whereas Bono and Bill and Melinda Gates have formed a partnership to eradicate poverty, improve healthcare, and raise the standard of living for the global community: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives—
(1)Thanks Bono, Bill Gates, and Melinda Gates for their charitable efforts; and
(2)Congratulates each of them on their selection as Time Magazine’s Persons of the Year.


IA
One Hundred Eleventh Congress of the United States of America
At the First SessionBegun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the sixth day of January, two thousand and nine
H. J. RES. 44

JOINT RESOLUTION
Recognizing the service, sacrifice, honor, and professionalism of the Noncommissioned Officers of the United States Army.

Whereas the Noncommissioned Officer ranks, namely corporals and sergeants, date back more than 230 years in United States Army history, beginning with the birth of the Continental Army in 1775 and highlighted in the westward expansion of the United States, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam Conflict, the liberation of Kuwait, and the current Global War on Terror;
Whereas Noncommissioned Officers are accomplished military professionals who have combined civilian and military education opportunities to become the Army’s preeminent body of leadership;
Whereas Noncommissioned Officers are the backbone of the American Army and are the standard keepers for the Army in the training, leading, coaching, and mentoring of soldiers;
Whereas Noncommissioned Officers have provided invaluable service and have made great sacrifices in the line of duty, a virtue held most high, and they have continually proven their dedication and a willingness to make great sacrifices on behalf of the United States;
Whereas Noncommissioned Officers recognize their role in training young soldiers to become future leaders, and they also recognize that an important part of their job is caring and looking out for the welfare of junior enlisted members and their families;
Whereas Noncommissioned Officers are the eyes and ears of the commander, and have a well-earned reputation for having operational and strategic awareness to interpret and issue orders as necessary within their duties and in the absence of commissioned officers; and
Whereas the United States Army is an institution rich in cultural, ethnic, and gender diversity, and Noncommissioned Officers are outstanding role models for all Americans and are exemplary representatives of the moral character and strength of the United States: Now, therefore, be it

That Congress—
(1)recognizes the service, sacrifice, honor, and professionalism of the Noncommissioned Officers of the United States Army;
(2)expresses its deepest appreciation to the Noncommissioned Officers of the Army who serve or have served in defense of the United States; and
(3)encourages the people of the United States to recognize, commemorate, and honor the role and contribution of Noncommissioned Officers, past and present, in defense of the United States.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.


116 HR 490 IH: Heartbeat Protection Act of 2019
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-01-11
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.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 490IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 11, 2019Mr. King of Iowa (for himself, Mr. Massie, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Davidson of Ohio, Mr. Biggs, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Fleischmann, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Palazzo, Mr. Norman, Mr. Yoho, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Jones, Mr. Gohmert, Mr. Chabot, Mr. Webster of Florida, Mr. Meadows, Mr. Harris, Mr. Long, Mr. Conaway, Mr. Hill of Arkansas, Mr. Cloud, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Mooney of West Virginia, Mr. Higgins of Louisiana, Mr. Kelly of Mississippi, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Aderholt, Mr. Banks, Mr. Bishop of Utah, Mr. Perry, Mr. Hice of Georgia, Mr. Rouzer, Mr. Williams, Mr. Carter of Texas, Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania, Mr. Grothman, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Austin Scott of Georgia, Mr. Kustoff of Tennessee, Mr. Westerman, Mr. Olson, Mr. Huizenga, Mr. Lamborn, Mr. Jordan, Mr. Latta, Mr. Arrington, Mr. Babin, Mr. Guthrie, Mr. Emmer, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Rutherford, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Walker, Mrs. Lesko, Mr. Womack, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Moolenaar, Mr. Ratcliffe, Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Wittman, Mr. Estes, Mr. Gianforte, Mr. Fortenberry, Mr. Holding, Mr. Budd, Mr. Allen, Mr. Smith of Nebraska, Mr. LaHood, Mrs. Wagner, Mr. Dunn, and Mr. Carter of Georgia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit abortion in cases where a fetal heartbeat is
			 detectable.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Heartbeat Protection Act of 2019. 2.Abortions prohibited without a check for fetal heartbeat, or if a fetal heartbeat is detectable (a)Abortions prohibited without a check for fetal heartbeat, or if a fetal heartbeat is detectableChapter 74 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
 (1)in the chapter heading, by striking Partial-Birth; (2)by inserting after section 1531 the following:

						1532.Abortions prohibited without a check for fetal heartbeat, or if a fetal heartbeat is detectable
 (a)OffenseAny physician who knowingly performs an abortion and thereby kills a human fetus— (1)without determining, according to standard medical practice, whether the fetus has a detectable heartbeat;
 (2)without informing the mother of the results of that determination; or (3)after determining, according to standard medical practice, that the fetus has a detectable heartbeat,
								shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. This subsection does
			 not apply to an abortion that is necessary to save the life of a mother
			 whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness, or
			 physical injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by
			 or arising from the pregnancy itself, but not including psychological or
 emotional conditions.(b)Defendant may seek hearingA defendant indicted for an offense under this section may seek a hearing before the State Medical Board on whether the physician's conduct was necessary to save the life of the mother whose life was endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself, but not including psychological or emotional conditions. The findings on that issue are admissible on that issue at the trial of the defendant. Upon a motion of the defendant, the court shall delay the beginning of the trial for not more than 30 days to permit such a hearing to take place.
 (c)No liability for the mother on whom abortion is performedA mother upon whom an abortion is performed may not be prosecuted under this section, for a conspiracy to violate this section, or for an offense under section 2, 3, or 4 of this title based on a violation of this section.
 (d)Requirement for data retentionThe physician shall include in the medical file of the mother documentation of the determination, according to standard medical practice, of whether the fetus has a detectable heartbeat, the results of that determination, notification of the mother of those results, and any information entered into evidence in any proceedings under subsection (b). Paragraph (j)(2) of section 164.530 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, shall apply to such documentation.
 (e)SeverabilityIf any provision of this section or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid, the remainder of this section and the application of the provisions of the remainder to any person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.; and
 (3)in the table of sections, by inserting after the item pertaining to section 1841 the following:   1532. Abortions prohibited without a check for fetal heartbeat, or if a fetal heartbeat is detectable.. (b)Clerical amendmentThe table of chapters for part I of title 18, United States Code, is amended, in the item relating to chapter 74, to read as follows:

						74.Abortions1531.


IV114th CONGRESS2d SessionH. RES. 950IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDecember 7, 2016Mr. Garrett submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government ReformRESOLUTIONExpressing support for the designation of October 23 as a national day of remembrance of the tragic 1983 terrorist bombing of the United States Marine Corps Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon.
Whereas the United States deployed members of the Armed Forces to Lebanon in 1982 as part of a multinational peacekeeping force; Whereas early on the morning of October 23, 1983, a truck packed with explosives detonated outside of a building at Beirut International Airport that served as quarters for several hundred members of the United States Armed Forces deployed as part of the peacekeeping force;
Whereas 241 members of the Armed Forces were killed in the blast;  Whereas the Americans killed included 220 Marines, members of the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines-Battalion Landing Team, which made October 23, 1983, the deadliest day for the Marine Corps since the Battle of Iwo Jima in February 1945 during World War II;
Whereas, in addition to the Marine Corps casualties, 18 Navy sailors and three Army soldiers were killed, and more than 100 other members of the Armed Forces were injured; Whereas members of the Armed Forces from 39 States and Puerto Rico died while serving in Beirut, Lebanon, from 1982 to 1984;
Whereas, on the same day as the bombing of the Marine Corps Barracks, another suicide bomber killed 58 French paratroopers housed at another building in Beirut; and Whereas it is fitting and proper that the events of October 23, 1983, and the members of the United States Armed Forces who died in Beirut on that day are recognized through the establishment of a national remembrance day on October 23: Now, therefore, be it
That the House of Representatives— (1)supports the designation of a national day of remembrance for members of the United States Armed Forces who were killed or injured by the terrorist attack on the United States Marine Corps Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, on October 23, 1983; and
(2)encourages the people of the United States to support and participate in appropriate ceremonies, programs, and other activities in observance of such a national day of remembrance.


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 2647
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			February 14, 2008
			Mr. Kohl introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To suspend temporarily the duty on fan assisted, plugin,
		  scented oil dispensing, electrothermic appliances.

		1.Certain polymeric, scented
			 oil dispensing, electrothermic appliances
			(a)In
			 GeneralSubchapter II of chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff
			 Schedule of the United States is amended by inserting in numerical sequence the
			 following new heading:

								9902.85.16Fan assisted, plug-in, scented oil dispensing, elecrothermic
						appliances made of polymeric materials and having an overall height between 18
						and 21 mm (provided for in subheading 8516.79.00)FreeNo
						changeNo changeOn or before 12/31/2012

					.
			(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.