I
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5388
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 18, 2004
Mr. Ehlers introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

A BILL
To establish an interagency aerospace revitalization task force to develop a national strategy for aerospace workforce cultivation, training, and recruitment.

1.FindingsCongress finds the following:
(1)The aerospace industry generates nearly 15 percent of the gross domestic product of the United States, supports approximately 11,000,000 jobs in the United States, and leads the United States economy in net exports.
(2)The aerospace industry contributes directly to the economic and national security of the United States through military, space, air transport, and information technology applications.
(3)A skilled and educated workforce represents the most valuable asset of the United States economy.
(4)Total employment in the aerospace industry stands at its lowest point in 50 years.
(5)27 percent of the aerospace manufacturing workforce will become eligible for retirement by 2008.
(6)Students in the United States rank near the bottom of the leading industrialized countries of the world in mathematics and science test performance.
(7)To ensure the security of high-skilled jobs and the global competitiveness of the domestic aerospace industry, the United States requires coordinated Federal Government policies to sustain and expand the science, mathematics, engineering, and manufacturing workforce.
2.Interagency aerospace revitalization task force
(a)EstablishmentThere is established a task force to be known as the Interagency Aerospace Revitalization Task Force (in this section referred to as the Task Force).
(b)DutiesThe Task Force shall develop a national strategy for aerospace workforce development, including strategies for—
(1)maximizing cooperation among departments and agencies of the Federal Government and the use of resources of the Federal Government in fulfilling demand for a skilled workforce across all vocational classifications;
(2)developing integrated Federal Government policies to promote and monitor public and private sector programs for science, engineering, technology, mathematics, and skilled trades education and training; and
(3)establishing partnerships with industry, organized labor, academia, and State and local governments to—
(A)collect and disseminate information on occupational requirements and projected employment openings; and
(B)coordinate appropriate agency resources, including grants, loans, and scholarships, for the advancement of workforce education, training, and certification programs.
(c)Membership
(1)Number and appointmentThe Task Force shall be composed of 9 members who shall be appointed as follows:
(A)One member shall be the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training.
(B)One member shall be a representative of the Department of Commerce and shall be appointed by the Secretary of Commerce.
(C)One member shall be a representative of the Department of Defense and shall be appointed by the Secretary of Defense.
(D)One member shall be a representative of the Department of Education and shall be appointed by the Secretary of Education.
(E)One member shall be a representative of the Department of Transportation and shall be appointed by the Secretary of Transportation.
(F)One member shall be a representative of the Department of Energy and shall be appointed by the Secretary of Energy.
(G)One member shall be a representative of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and shall be appointed by the Administrator of NASA.
(H)One member shall be a representative of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and shall be appointed by the Director of the NSF.
(I)One member shall be appointed by the President.
(2)ChairpersonThe Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training shall serve as the chairperson of the Task Force.
(3)Deadline for appointmentEach member shall be appointed to the Task Force not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(4)VacanciesA vacancy in the Task Force shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
(5)Prohibition of CompensationMembers of the Task Force may not receive pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of their service on the Task Force.
(d)Meetings
(1)In GeneralThe Task Force shall meet at the call of the Chairperson.
(2)FrequencyThe Task Force shall meet not less than two times each year.
(3)Quorum5 members of the Task Force shall constitute a quorum.
(e)Annual ReportsNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for four years, the Task Force shall submit to Congress, and make available to the public, a report containing the findings, recommendations, policies, and initiatives developed pursuant to the duties of the Task Force under subsection (b).
(f)TerminationThe Commission shall terminate on the date of the submission of the final report under subsection (e).


117 S1110 IS: Making Access To Cleanup Happen Act of 2021
U.S. Senate
2021-04-14
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1110IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESApril 14, 2021Mr. Romney (for himself and Mr. Bennet) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and ForestryA BILLTo amend the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 with respect to preagreement costs of emergency watershed protection measures, and for other purposes. 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Making Access To Cleanup Happen Act of 2021 or the MATCH Act of 2021.2.Emergency watershed programSection 403 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2203) is amended by adding at the end the following:(c)Preagreement costs(1)Definition of sponsorIn this subsection, the term sponsor means—(A)a State or local government; and(B)an Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)).(2)Preagreement project costsNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall—(A)identify a list of emergency watershed protection measures the cost of which may be incurred by a sponsor prior to entering into an agreement with the Secretary under this section; and(B)develop a procedure, including appropriate deadlines, to be implemented at the State level, through which a sponsor may request, for a specified natural disaster, additional emergency watershed protection measures the cost of which may be incurred by a sponsor prior to entering into an agreement with the Secretary under this section.(3)Agreement contributionIf the Secretary and a sponsor enter into an agreement under this section, the Secretary shall consider any applicable preagreement costs incurred by the sponsor for undertaking emergency watershed protection measures identified under paragraph (2) as meeting part of the contribution of the sponsor toward the cost of the project.(4)Assumption of riskA sponsor that undertakes emergency watershed protection measures prior to entering into an agreement with the Secretary under this section shall assume the risk of incurring any cost of undertaking those measures.(5)EffectNothing in this subsection requires the Secretary to enter into an agreement with a sponsor..


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 3182
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 15, 2012
			Mrs. Gillibrand
			 introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Armed
			 Services

		A BILL
		To require a report on implementation of a termination of
		  the ground combat exclusion policy for female members of the Armed
		  Forces.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Gender Equality in Combat
			 Act.
		2.Report on
			 implementation of termination of ground combat exclusion policy for female
			 members of the Armed Forces
			(a)ReportNot
			 later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
			 of Defense shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and
			 the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report on the
			 implementation of a termination of the ground combat exclusion policy for
			 female members of the Armed Forces.
			(b)ElementsThe
			 report required by subsection (a) shall set forth the following:
				(1)A proposed
			 effective date for the termination of the ground combat exclusion policy for
			 female members of the Armed Forces.
				(2)A schedule for
			 implementation of the termination of the ground combat exclusion policy by the
			 Department of Defense and the Armed Forces.
				(3)An identification
			 of the funds to be required for the termination of the ground combat exclusion
			 policy.
				(4)An assessment of
			 the impacts of the termination of the ground combat exclusion policy—
					(A)on military
			 readiness, effectiveness, and unit cohesion; and
					(B)for policies,
			 guidance, and training (including policies, guidance, and training relating to
			 personnel management, leadership, facilities, investigations, and
			 benefits).
					(5)An identification
			 of mechanisms to address any impacts identified pursuant to paragraph
			 (4).
				(6)An identification
			 of mechanisms to provide monitoring of workforce climate and military
			 effectiveness necessary to achieve effective implementation of the termination
			 of the ground combat exclusion policy.
				(7)An identification
			 of the laws affected by the termination of the ground combat exclusion policy,
			 and an assessment of such effects.
				(8)A proposal for
			 such legislative action as the Secretary considers appropriate for
			 implementation of the termination of the ground combat exclusion policy.
				(c)Ground combat
			 exclusion policy definedIn this section, the term ground
			 combat exclusion policy has the meaning given that term in section
			 652(a)(4) of title 10, United States Code.


113 S1947 RS: Government Publishing Office Act of 2014
U.S. Senate
2014-01-16
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IICalendar No. 357113th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 1947IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJanuary 16, 2014Ms. Klobuchar (for herself and Mr. Chambliss) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and AdministrationApril 10, 2014Reported by Mr. Schumer, without amendmentA BILLTo rename the Government Printing Office the Government Publishing Office, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
		  Government Publishing Office Act of 2014.2.Redesignation of Government Printing Office to Government Publishing Office(a)In generalThe Government Printing Office is hereby redesignated the Government Publishing Office.(b)ReferencesAny reference to the Government Printing Office in any law, rule, regulation, certificate,
			 directive, instruction, or other official paper in force on the date of
			 enactment of this Act shall be considered to refer and apply to the
			 Government Publishing Office.3.Redesignation of Public Printer to Director of the Government Publishing Office(a)Title 44, United States CodeTitle 44, United States Code, is amended—(1)by striking Public Printer each place that term appears and inserting Director of the Government Publishing Office; and(2)in the heading for each of sections  301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 502, 710, 1102, 1111, 1115,
			 1340, 1701, 1712, and 1914, by striking Public Printer and inserting Director of the Government Publishing Office.(b)Other referencesAny reference in any law other than in title 44, United States Code, or in any rule, regulation,
			 certificate, directive, instruction, or other official paper in force on
			 the date of enactment of this Act to the Public Printer shall be
			 considered to refer and apply to the Director of the Government Publishing
			 Office.4.Redesignation of Deputy Public Printer to Deputy Director of the Government Publishing Office(a)Title 44, United States CodeTitle 44, United States Code, is amended—(1)by striking Deputy Public Printer each place that term appears and inserting Deputy Director of the Government Publishing Office; and(2)in the heading for each of sections  302 and 303, by striking Deputy Public Printer and inserting Deputy Director of the Government Publishing Office.(b)Other referencesAny reference in any law other than in title 44, United States Code, or in any rule, regulation,
			 certificate, directive, instruction, or other official paper in force on
			 the date of enactment of this Act to the Deputy Public Printer shall be
			 considered to refer and apply to the Deputy Director of the Government
			 Publishing Office.5.Director requirementsSection 301 of title 44, United States Code, is amended—(1)in the first sentence, by striking , who must be a practical printer and versed in the art of bookbinding,; and(2)in the second sentence, by striking His and inserting The.6.Deputy Director requirementsSection 302 of title 44, United States Code, is amended—(1)in the first sentence, by striking , who must be a practical printer and versed in the art of bookbinding,; and(2)in the second sentence—(A)by striking He and inserting The Deputy Director of the Government Publishing Office;(B)by striking perform the duties formerly required of the chief clerk,;(C)by striking , and perform and inserting and perform; and(D)by striking of him.7.Other conforming amendmentsChapter 3 of title 44, United States Code is amended—(1)in the first sentence of section 304, by striking or his and inserting or the Director's;(2)in section 305(a)—(A)by striking he considers and inserting the Director considers; and(B)by striking He may not and inserting The Director of the Government Publishing Office may not;(3)in section 306, by striking his direction and inserting the direction of the Director;(4)in section 308—(A)in subsection (b)(1)—(i)by striking his accounts and inserting the accounts of the disbursing officer; and(ii)by striking his name and inserting the name of the disbursing officer;(B)in subsection (b)(2)—(i)by striking his estate and inserting the estate of the disbursing officer;(ii)by striking to him and inserting to the deputy disbursing officer; and(iii)by striking his service and inserting the service of the deputy disbursing officer;  and(C)in subsection (c)(1)—(i)by striking by him and inserting by such officer or employee;(ii)by striking his discretion and inserting the discretion of the Comptroller General; and(iii)by striking whenever he each place that terms appears and inserting whenever the Comptroller General;(5)in section 309—(A)in the second sentence of subsection (a), by striking by him and inserting by the Director; and(B)in subsection (f), by striking his or her discretion and inserting the discretion of the Comptroller General;(6)in section 310, by striking his written request and inserting the written request of the Director;(7)in section 311(b), by striking he justifies and inserting the Director justifies;(8)in section 312, by striking his service and inserting the service of such officer; and(9)in section 317, by striking his delegate and inserting a delegate of the Director.April 10, 2014Reported without amendment


114 HR 454 IH: Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-01-21
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.

		I
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 454
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			January 21, 2015
			Mr. Jones introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

		A BILL
		To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for forgiveness of certain overpayments of
			 retired pay paid to deceased retired members of the Armed Forces following
			 their death.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act. 2.Forgiveness of certain overpayments of retired pay paid for periods after death of retired members (a)Forgiveness When Payments Deposited to Joint AccountsSection 2771 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

 (e)The United States shall forgive any overpayment of retired or retainer pay arising from payment of such retired or retainer pay for any period after the date of the death of the recipient through the last day of the month in which such death occurs if such payment is electronically deposited in an accredited financial institution to a joint account bearing the name of the decedent and another individual who is the decedent’s designated beneficiary under subsection (a)(1)..
 (b)Coordination With Survivor Benefit PlanSection 1450 of title 10, United States Code, is amended— (1)in subsection (a), by inserting or that applies under subsection (n) after under subsection (j); and
 (2)by adding at the end the following new subsection:  (n)Special Effective Date Rule When Final Retired Pay Overpayment Is Forgiven (1)Annuity effective on first day of month after deathIn a case covered by paragraph (2), an annuity payable to a surviving spouse shall be effective on the first day of the first month beginning after the death of the person to whom section 1448 of this title applies, rather than on the date otherwise applicable under subsection (a).
 (2)Covered casesParagraph (1) applies in a case in which— (A)there is an overpayment of retired pay of a person to whom section 1448 of this title applies that is forgiven pursuant to section 2771(e) of this title; and
 (B)the person who is the designated beneficiary of such person under section 2771(a)(1) of this title is the surviving spouse of such person..
 (c)Effective DateSubsection (e) of section 2771 of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to payments made to persons dying on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.


114 S2510 IS: Arts Require Timely Service Act of 2016
U.S. Senate
2016-02-08
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II114th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 2510IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 8, 2016Mr. Hatch (for himself and Mr. Leahy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo encourage and facilitate international participation in the performing arts and for other
			 purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Arts Require Timely Service Act of 2016 or the ARTS Act of 2016. 2.International participation in the performing artsSection 214(c)(6)(D) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(6)(D)) is amended—
 (1)in the first sentence, by inserting (i) before Any person;
 (2)in the second sentence—
 (A)by striking Once and inserting Except as provided in clause (ii), once; and
 (B)by striking Attorney General shall and inserting Secretary of Homeland Security shall;
 (3)in the third sentence, by striking The Attorney General and inserting The Secretary; and
 (4)by adding at the end the following:

 (ii)The Secretary of Homeland Security shall adjudicate each petition for an alien with extraordinary ability in the arts (as described in section 101(a)(15)(O)(i)), an alien accompanying such an alien (as described in section 101(a)(15)(O)(ii)), or an alien described in section 101(a)(15)(P) (other than an alien described in paragraph (4)(A) (relating to athletes)) not later than 14 days after—
 (I)the date on which the petitioner submits the petition with a written advisory opinion, letter of no objection, or request for a waiver; or
 (II)the date on which the 15-day period described in clause (i) has expired, if the petitioner has had an appropriate opportunity to supply rebuttal evidence.
 (iii)If a petition described in clause (ii) is not adjudicated by the end of the 14-day period described in clause (ii) and the petitioner is an arts organization described in paragraph (3), (5), or (6) of section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code for the taxable year preceding the calendar year in which the petition is submitted, or an individual or entity petitioning primarily on behalf of such an organization, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide the petitioner with the premium processing services referred to in section 286(u), without a fee..


115 SRES 360 IS:  Calling for international accountability for the crimes against humanity committed by the Burmese military against the Rohingya in Burma.
U.S. Senate
2017-12-13
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		III
		115th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. RES. 360
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			December 13, 2017
			Mr. Durbin (for himself, Mr. Merkley, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Markey, and Mr. Van Hollen) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

		RESOLUTION

Calling for international accountability for the crimes against humanity committed by the Burmese
			 military against the Rohingya in Burma.

 Whereas actions by the military of Burma, known as the Tatmadaw, including continuing assaults on personnel and territory controlled by armed ethnic organizations, military offensives immediately preceding and following national peace conferences, and human rights abuses against noncombatant civilians in conflict areas, undermine the confidence in establishing a credible nationwide cease-fire agreement to end Burma’s civil war;
 Whereas Burmese military officials have a longstanding history of targeting ethnic groups and armed ethnic organizations in Burma, in addition to the Rohingya, and whereas there are ongoing conflicts currently in the Shan, Kachin, and Rakhine states;
 Whereas August 25, 2017, attacks on security posts in Burma by the military group Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army resulted in a brutal, systematic, and disproportionate reprisal by the Burmese military and security forces on Rohingya villages;
 Whereas more than 624,000 Rohingya refugees have fled to Bangladesh since the Burmese military commenced its scorched-earth campaign, with the burning of villages and local monuments, and reports of widespread rape, starvation, killing, and forcible deportation;
 Whereas Burmese military officials have promulgated fabrications about the Rohingya to sow negative public perception of the minority ethnic group, including that they are not Burmese, that they are uniformly implicated in terrorist activities and controlled by international terrorist groups with the intention of creating an Islamic State, that they attacked their own people and burned down their own villages in order to gain international sympathy, and that they are fleeing to Bangladesh for economic reasons or to create the appearance of ethnic cleansing;
 Whereas the Government of Burma has consistently denied access to the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar established to investigate human rights violations around the country;
 Whereas the Commander in Chief of the Burmese military, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has made statements communicating his antipathy for the Rohingya people, including on March 27, 2017, where he reportedly said that [t]he Bengalis in Rakhine state are not Myanmar citizens and they are just people who come and stay in the country, and on September 2, 2017, where he reportedly said that the ongoing military operations against the Rohingya were aimed at unfinished business from World War II;
 Whereas a Human Rights Watch report entitled, All of My Body Was Pain: Sexual Violence Against Rohingya Women and Girls in Burma, documented the Burmese military’s widespread acts of sexual violence against women and girls since August 25, 2017;
 Whereas Article 7 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court includes murder, forced deportation, rape, and persecution among its definition of crimes against humanity;
 Whereas, on September 11, 2017, in his opening statement for the United Nations Human Rights Council’s 36th session, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein reiterated his concern about the pattern of gross violation of human rights of the Rohingya in Burma, calling the persecution a textbook case of ethnic cleansing;
 Whereas, on October 23, 2017, the Department of State suspended travel waivers for Burmese military leaders, found that all Burmese military units and officers involved in operations in northern Rakhine State are ineligible for United States assistance programs, rescinded invitations for Burmese security leaders to travel to United States-sponsored programs, and pressed for access for the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar to hold responsible those who have committed violence against the Rohingya;
 Whereas, on November 3, 2017, the international human rights organization Human Rights Watch called for the United Nations Security Council to refer Burma to the International Criminal Court in light of Burma’s failure to investigate mass atrocities against the Rohingya;
 Whereas, on November 6, 2017, the United Nations Security Council issued Presidential Statement SC/13055 calling on Burma to end the excessive military force and intercommunal violence that had devastated the Rohingya community in Rakhine State in Burma;
 Whereas, on November 16, 2017, the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee approved draft resolution A/C.3/72/L.48 calling for an end to the abuse of human rights against the Rohingya by Burmese authorities, accountability for the perpetrators, and unrestricted access for United Nations investigators in Burma;
 Whereas, on November 22, 2017, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson declared that the Burmese military’s crackdown constitutes ethnic cleansing against the Rohingyas;
 Whereas, on November 28, 2017, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women called on Burma to report within six months on rapes and sexual violence against Rohingya women and girls by its security forces in northern Rakhine State and further to take measures to punish soldiers responsible for these acts;
 Whereas the United Nations Human Rights Council held a Special Session on December 5, 2017, where it adopted a resolution strongly condemning the alleged systematic and gross violations of human rights and abuses committed against the Rohingya in Burma and requested the High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue to track the progress concerning the human rights situation of Rohingya people; and
 Whereas the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein recommended on December 5, 2017, the establishment of a new impartial and independent mechanism, complementary to the work of the Fact-Finding Mission, to assist individual criminal investigations of those responsible: Now, therefore, be it

 That the Senate— (1)recognizes the adoption of the resolution (A/HRC/RES/S–27/1) on the situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Burma by the United Nations Human Rights Council on December 5, 2017;
 (2)condemns the Burmese military for its atrocities against the Rohingya, which constitute ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity;
 (3)reaffirms the longstanding international prohibitions and norms against the use of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity in any circumstance and calls on the United Nations to pass resolutions condemning the human rights violations by Burmese security forces against the Rohingya;
 (4)urges the Government of Burma to allow for full, unhindered humanitarian access to the affected areas, and to allow the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission to Myanmar to examine the human rights violations by military and security forces in Burma and others abuses, with a particular focus on the situation in Rakhine State;
 (5)urges State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi to fully implement the Final Report of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State;
 (6)urges the Government of Burma to take immediate steps to close internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and the Rohingya ghetto at Aung Mingalar in Sittwe while respecting the rights and dignity of populations currently residing in these camps, and to further lift restrictions on freedom of movement of Rohingya living in villages throughout northern Rakhine State;
 (7)calls on the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury to impose targeted sanctions and travel restrictions against senior leaders of the Burmese military implicated in atrocities, including its multiple holding companies and banks;
 (8)urges the international community to assist with the economic development of the Rakhine State, one of the poorest states in Burma, in which poverty exacerbates tensions between ethnic groups;
 (9)urges the Government of Burma to conduct a comprehensive and transparent investigation—with the support of a credible international third party—to examine abuses against the Rohingya and hold perpetrators accountable;
 (10)urges the United Nations to establish an independent mechanism to assist individual criminal investigations of those responsible for atrocity crimes against the Rohingya and refer those responsible to the International Criminal Court;
 (11)calls on the United Nations Security Council to impose a comprehensive arms embargo against Burma; and
 (12)calls upon the nations of the world to revoke travel visas for Burmese Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and all other members of the Burmese military responsible for the ethnic cleansing campaign and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya.


IV
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 156
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 11, 2009
Mr. McCotter (for himself and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

RESOLUTION
Supporting Charter 08 and the ideals of the Charter 08 movement.

Whereas since seizing power in 1949, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has brutally ruled the Chinese people using murder, imprisonment, beatings, torture, confiscation of private property, and fear in its efforts to destroy Chinese culture, and the inherent dignity and religious faiths of the Chinese people;
Whereas the CCP’s efforts to build and maintain a totalitarian Communist dictatorship have resulted in the deaths of tens of millions of Chinese citizens, egregious human rights violations, stifling corruption, and tremendous environmental damage;
Whereas, on December 9, 2008, 303 Chinese signatories announced the creation of Charter 08;
Whereas Charter 08 documents the widespread failings of the CCP, calls for urgent and extensive political reforms in Communist China, enumerates and endorses the ideas and principles of freedom, human rights, equality, Republicanism, democracy, and constitutional rule, and enumerates 19 recommendations for political reform within Communist China;
Whereas the signatories of Charter 08 represent numerous strata of Chinese society, including former members of the CCP;
Whereas despite detentions, interrogations, threats, job harassment, and confiscation of personal property by the Communist Chinese authorities to suppress the announcement of Charter 08, the CCP ultimately failed in its endeavor;
Whereas the CCP has directed the Communist Chinese Government to censor references to Charter 08 in Communist Chinese media and on the Internet;
Whereas Communist Chinese authorities have harassed and threatened over 100 of the 303 original signers of Charter 08 with the intent of coercing them to remove their names from Charter 08; and
Whereas since December 9, 2008, more than 8,100 Chinese citizens have signed Charter 08: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives—
(1)supports Charter 08 and the ideals of the Charter 08 movement;
(2)commends and respects the courage and bravery of the framers and signers of Charter 08;
(3)supports the Chinese people in their ongoing efforts to secure liberty, justice, the rule of law, representative government, political parties separate and independent from the CCP, and the protection of human rights through political reforms which would necessarily undermine the CCP’s totalitarian authority over all aspects of Communist China’s society;
(4)notes the concern demonstrated by the CCP over the spread of the Charter 08 movement;
(5)notes CCP efforts to destroy the Charter 08 movement, underscore the necessity of the reforms contained in the Charter 08, and highlight the growing influence of the Charter 08 movement in China;
(6)calls upon the CCP to release Liu Xiaobo, an original signer of Charter 08 who has been detained since December 8, 2008; and
(7)calls upon the CCP to cease its efforts to intimidate and coerce signers of Charter 08, end its state-enforced censorship of Charter 08 in Chinese media, and enter into negotiations with the leaders of the Charter 08 movement to adopt the principles and enact the political reforms contained in Charter 08.


114 S3287 IS: Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Act
U.S. Senate
2016-09-06
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		114th CONGRESS2d Session
		S. 3287
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			September 6, 2016
			Mr. Kirk (for himself and Mr. Durbin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

		A BILL
		To establish the Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area in the State of Illinois, and
			 for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Act.
 2.DefinitionsIn this Act: (1)Heritage areaThe term Heritage Area means the Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area established by section 3(a).
			(2)Local
 coordinating entityThe term local coordinating entity means the local coordinating entity for the Heritage Area designated by section 4(a).
			(3)Management
 planThe term management plan means the plan developed by the local coordinating entity under section 5(a).
 (4)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
 (5)StateThe term State means the State of Illinois.
			3.Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area
 (a)EstablishmentThere is established the Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area in the State.
 (b)BoundariesThe Heritage Area shall consist of the region in the city of Chicago, Illinois, bounded as follows:
 (1)18th Street on the North to 22nd Street on the South, from Lake Michigan on the East to Wentworth Avenue on the West.
 (2)22nd Street on the North to 35th Street on the South, from Lake Michigan on the East to the Dan Ryan Expressway on the West.
 (3)35th Street on the North to 47th Street on the South, from Lake Michigan on the East to the B&O Railroad (Stewart Avenue) on the West. (4)47th Street on the North to 55th Street on the South, from Cottage Grove Avenue on the East to the Dan Ryan Expressway on the West.
 (5)55th Street on the North to 67th Street on the South, from State Street on the West to Cottage Grove Avenue/South Chicago Avenue on the East.
 (6)67th Street on the North to 71st Street on the South, from Cottage Grove Avenue/South Chicago Avenue on the West to the Metra Railroad tracks on the East.
				4.Designation
			 of local coordinating entity
			(a)Local
 coordinating entityThe Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Commission shall be the local coordinating entity for the Heritage Area.
			(b)Authorities
 of local coordinating entityThe local coordinating entity may, for purposes of preparing and implementing the management plan, use Federal funds made available under this Act—
 (1)to prepare reports, studies, interpretive exhibits and programs, historic preservation projects, and other activities recommended in the management plan for the Heritage Area;
 (2)to make grants to the State, political subdivisions of the State, nonprofit organizations, and other persons;
 (3)to enter into cooperative agreements with the State, political subdivisions of the State, nonprofit organizations, and other organizations;
 (4)to hire and compensate staff;
 (5)to obtain funds or services from any source, including funds and services provided under any other Federal program or law; and
 (6)to contract for goods and services.
				(c)Duties of
 local coordinating entityTo further the purposes of the Heritage Area, the local coordinating entity shall—
 (1)prepare a management plan for the Heritage Area in accordance with section 5;
 (2)give priority to the implementation of actions, goals, and strategies set forth in the management plan, including assisting units of government and other persons in—
 (A)carrying out programs and projects that recognize and protect important resource values in the Heritage Area;
 (B)encouraging economic viability in the Heritage Area in accordance with the goals of the management plan;
 (C)establishing and maintaining interpretive exhibits in the Heritage Area;
 (D)developing heritage-based recreational and educational opportunities for residents and visitors in the Heritage Area;
 (E)increasing public awareness of and appreciation for the natural, historic, and cultural resources of the Heritage Area;
 (F)restoring historic buildings that are—
 (i)located in the Heritage Area; and
 (ii)related to the themes of the Heritage Area; and
 (G)installing throughout the Heritage Area clear, consistent, and appropriate signs identifying public access points and sites of interest;
 (3)consider the interests of diverse units of government, businesses, tourism officials, private property owners, and nonprofit groups within the Heritage Area in developing and implementing the management plan;
 (4)conduct public meetings at least semiannually regarding the development and implementation of the management plan; and
 (5)for any fiscal year for which Federal funds are received under this Act—
 (A)submit to the Secretary an annual report that describes—
 (i)the accomplishments of the local coordinating entity;
 (ii)the expenses and income of the local coordinating entity; and
 (iii)the entities to which the local coordinating entity made any grants;
 (B)make available for audit all records relating to the expenditure of the Federal funds and any matching funds; and
 (C)require, with respect to all agreements authorizing the expenditure of Federal funds by other organizations, that the receiving organizations make available for audit all records relating to the expenditure of the Federal funds.
					5.Management
			 plan
			(a)In
 generalNot later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available to carry out this Act, the local coordinating entity shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a management plan for the Heritage Area.
 (b)ContentsThe management plan for the Heritage Area shall—
 (1)include comprehensive policies, strategies, and recommendations for the conservation, funding, management, and development of the Heritage Area;
 (2)take into consideration existing State and local plans;
 (3)specify the existing and potential sources of funding to protect, manage, and develop the Heritage Area;
 (4)include an inventory of the natural, historic, cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of the Heritage Area relating to the themes of the Heritage Area that should be preserved, restored, managed, developed, or maintained; and
 (5)include an analysis of, and recommendations for, ways in which Federal, State, and local programs, may best be coordinated to further the purposes of this Act, including recommendations for the role of the National Park Service in the Heritage Area.
				(c)Disqualification
 from fundingIf a proposed management plan is not submitted to the Secretary by the date that is 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available to carry out this Act, the local coordinating entity may not receive additional funding under this Act until the date on which the Secretary receives the proposed management plan.
			(d)Approval
			 and disapproval of management plan
				(1)In
 generalNot later than 180 days after the date on which the local coordinating entity submits the management plan to the Secretary, the Secretary shall approve or disapprove the proposed management plan.
 (2)ConsiderationsIn determining whether to approve or disapprove the management plan, the Secretary shall consider whether—
 (A)the local coordinating entity is representative of the diverse interests of the Heritage Area, including governments, natural and historic resource protection organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and recreational organizations;
 (B)the local coordinating entity has provided adequate opportunities (including public meetings) for public and governmental involvement in the preparation of the management plan;
 (C)the resource protection and interpretation strategies contained in the management plan, if implemented, would adequately protect the natural, historic, and cultural resources of the Heritage Area; and
 (D)the management plan is supported by the appropriate State and local officials, the cooperation of which is needed to ensure the effective implementation of the State and local aspects of the management plan.
					(3)Disapproval
			 and revisions
					(A)In
 generalIf the Secretary disapproves a proposed management plan, the Secretary shall—
 (i)advise the local coordinating entity, in writing, of the reasons for the disapproval; and
 (ii)make recommendations for revision of the proposed management plan.
						(B)Approval or
 disapprovalThe Secretary shall approve or disapprove a revised management plan not later than 180 days after the date on which the revised management plan is submitted.
					(e)Approval of
			 amendments
				(1)In
 generalThe Secretary shall review and approve or disapprove substantial amendments to the management plan in accordance with subsection (d).
 (2)FundingFunds appropriated under this Act may not be expended to implement any changes made by an amendment to the management plan until the Secretary approves the amendment.
				6.Relationship
			 to other Federal agencies
			(a)In
 generalNothing in this Act affects the authority of a Federal agency to provide technical or financial assistance under any other law.
			(b)Consultation
 and coordinationThe head of any Federal agency planning to conduct activities that may have an impact on the Heritage Area is encouraged to consult and coordinate the activities with the Secretary and the local coordinating entity to the extent practicable.
			(c)Other
 Federal agenciesNothing in this Act— (1)modifies, alters, or amends any law or regulation authorizing a Federal agency to manage Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Federal agency;
 (2)limits the discretion of a Federal land manager to implement an approved land use plan within the boundaries of the Heritage Area; or
 (3)modifies, alters, or amends any authorized use of Federal land under the jurisdiction of a Federal agency.
				7.Private
 property and regulatory protectionsNothing in this Act— (1)abridges the rights of any property owner (whether public or private), including the right to refrain from participating in any plan, project, program, or activity conducted within the Heritage Area;
 (2)requires any property owner to permit public access (including access by Federal, State, or local agencies) to the property of the property owner, or to modify public access or use of property of the property owner under any other Federal, State, or local law;
 (3)alters any duly adopted land use regulation, approved land use plan, or other regulatory authority of any Federal, State, or local agency, or conveys any land use or other regulatory authority to the local coordinating entity;
 (4)authorizes or implies the reservation or appropriation of water or water rights;
 (5)diminishes the authority of the State to manage fish and wildlife, including the regulation of fishing and hunting within the Heritage Area; or
 (6)creates any liability, or affects any liability under any other law, of any private property owner with respect to any person injured on the private property.
			8.Evaluation;
			 report
			(a)In
 GeneralNot later than 3 years before the date on which authority for Federal funding terminates for the Heritage Area, the Secretary shall—
 (1)conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments of the Heritage Area; and
 (2)prepare a report in accordance with subsection (c).
 (b)EvaluationAn evaluation conducted under subsection (a)(1) shall—
 (1)assess the progress of the local coordinating entity with respect to—
 (A)accomplishing the purposes of this Act for the Heritage Area; and
 (B)achieving the goals and objectives of the approved management plan for the Heritage Area;
 (2)analyze the Federal, State, local, and private investments in the Heritage Area to determine the leverage and impact of the investments; and
 (3)review the management structure, partnership relationships, and funding of the Heritage Area for purposes of identifying the critical components for sustainability of the Heritage Area.
				(c)Report
				(1)In
 generalBased on the evaluation conducted under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall prepare a report that includes recommendations for the future role of the National Park Service, if any, with respect to the Heritage Area.
				(2)Required
 analysisIf the report prepared under paragraph (1) recommends that Federal funding for the Heritage Area be reauthorized, the report shall include an analysis of—
 (A)ways in which Federal funding for the Heritage Area may be reduced or eliminated; and
 (B)the appropriate time period necessary to achieve the recommended reduction or elimination.
					(3)Submission
 to congressOn completion of the report, the Secretary shall submit the report to—
 (A)the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; and
 (B)the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.
					9.Authorization
			 of appropriations
			(a)In
 generalThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $10,000,000, of which not more than $1,000,000 may be authorized to be appropriated for any fiscal year.
			(b)Cost-Sharing
 requirementThe Federal share of the cost of any activity carried out using funds made available under this Act shall be not more than 50 percent.
			10.Termination of
 authorityThe authority of the Secretary to provide financial assistance under this Act terminates on the date that is 15 years after the date of enactment of this Act.


116 HR 8802 IH: Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act of 2020
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-11-20
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 8802IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESNovember 20, 2020Mr. Horsford (for himself, Mr. LaHood, and Mr. Panetta) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and MeansA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to create a refundable tax credit for travel expenditures, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act of 2020.2.Establishment of tax credit to support the convention and trade show industry(a)In generalFor purposes of section 38 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the convention and trade show restart credit shall be treated as a credit listed at the end of subsection (b) of such section. For purposes of this section, the convention and trade show restart credit for any taxable year is an amount equal to the sum of—(1)50 percent of the qualified participation costs paid or incurred by a taxpayer during such taxable year, and(2)in the case of an eligible provider, 100 percent of the qualified restart costs paid or incurred by such provider during such taxable year.(b)Qualified participation costsFor purposes of this section, the term qualified participation costs means any costs or expenses paid or incurred by the taxpayer after December 31, 2020, for any employee or officer of the taxpayer to attend a qualified event, including registration fees, lodging, and costs with respect to carrying out an exhibition relating to the taxpayer. Such term shall not include any costs which are not necessary for the attendance of such employee or officer at such event.(c)Eligible provider; qualified restart costsIn this section—(1)Eligible providerThe term eligible provider means any person which—(A)provides facilities at which a qualified event may be held, or(B)sponsors or is otherwise responsible for the administration of a qualified event.(2)Qualified restart costsThe term qualified restart costs means any costs paid or incurred by an eligible provider after December 31, 2020, in reopening after such date a facility described in paragraph (1)(A) which was closed or forced to reduce services due to the virus SARS–CoV–2 or coronavirus disease 2019 (hereinafter referred to in this section as COVID–19), including—(A)any renovation, remediation, or additional labor and rental costs related to preventing individuals present in such facility from contracting COVID–19, and(B)any testing of employees of the taxpayer or guests of such facility for symptoms of COVID–19.(d)Qualified event(1)In generalIn this section, the term qualified event means—(A)a convention, seminar, or similar meeting (as such terms are used in section 274 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986),(B)a business meeting (as such term is used in such section), or(C)a trade show,which takes place after December 31, 2020. (2)Trade showFor purposes of this subsection, the term trade show means any exhibition at which different businesses within a particular industry promote their products and services.(e)Denial of double benefitNo deduction shall be allowed under any provision of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to any amount taken in account in determining the credit allowed to a taxpayer under this section.(f)Location requirementNo credit shall be allowed under this section with respect to any qualified event unless such event is held within the United States (including any territory or possession of the United States).(g)Payroll credit for nonprofit employers(1)In generalIn the case of an organization which is described in section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code, the credit determined under this section shall be allowed as a credit against applicable employment taxes paid by such organization for calendar quarters in the taxable year, and not treated as a credit listed at the end of section 38(b) of such Code. (2)Limitations and refundability(A)Credit limited to employment taxesThe credit allowed by paragraph (1) with respect to calendar quarters in any taxable year shall not exceed the applicable employment taxes (reduced by any credits allowed under subsections (e) and (f) of section 3111 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, sections 7001 and 7003 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and section 2301 of the CARES Act) on the wages paid with respect to the employment of all the employees of the organization for such taxable year.(B)Refundability of excess credit(i)In generalIf the amount of the credit under paragraph (1) exceeds the limitation of subparagraph (A) for any calendar quarter, such excess shall be treated as an overpayment that shall be refunded under sections 6402(a) and 6413(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.(ii)Treatment of paymentsFor purposes of section 1324 of title 31, United States Code, any amounts due to the employer under this paragraph shall be treated in the same manner as a refund due from a credit provision referred to in subsection (b)(2) of such section.(3)Applicable employment taxesFor purposes of this subsection, the term applicable employment taxes means the following:(A)The taxes imposed under section 3111(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.(B)So much of the taxes imposed under section 3221(a) of such Code as are attributable to the rate in effect under section 3111(a) of such Code. (h)Regulations and guidanceThe Secretary of the Treasury (or the Secretary's delegate) may prescribe such regulations and other guidance as may be appropriate or necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.(i)TerminationThis section shall not apply to any costs paid or incurred in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2023. 3.Improvements to employee retention tax credit(a)Increase in credit percentageSection 2301(a) of the CARES Act (Public Law 116–136) is amended by striking 50 percent and inserting 80 percent.(b)Increase in per employee limitationSection 2301(b)(1) of the CARES Act is amended by striking for all calendar quarters shall not exceed $10,000. and inserting shall not exceed—(A)$15,000 in any calendar quarter, and(B)$45,000 in the aggregate for all calendar quarters..(c)Modification of threshold for treatment as a large employer(1)In generalSection 2301(c)(3)(A) of the CARES Act is amended—(A)by striking for which the average number of full-time employees (within the meaning of section 4980H of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) employed by such eligible employer during 2019 was greater than 100 in clause (i) and inserting which is a large employer, and(B)by striking for which the average number of full-time employees (within the meaning of section 4980H of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) employed by such eligible employer during 2019 was not greater than 100 in clause (ii) and inserting which is not a large employer.(2)Large employer definedSection 2301(c) of the CARES Act is amended by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (7) and by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new paragraph:(6)Large employerThe term large employer means any eligible employer if—(A)the average number of full-time employees (as determined for purposes of section 4980H(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) employed by such eligible employer during calendar year 2019 was greater than 1,500, and(B)the gross receipts (within the meaning of section 448(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) of such eligible employer during calendar year 2019 was greater than $41,500,000..(d)Phase-In of eligibility based on reduction in gross receipts(1)Reduction of decline in gross receipts necessary to qualify for creditSection 2301(c)(2)(B) of the CARES Act is amended—(A)by striking 50 percent in clause (i) and inserting 90 percent, and(B)by striking 80 percent in clause (ii) and inserting 90 percent.(2)Phase-in of credit if reduction in gross receipts is less than 50 percentSection 2301(c)(2) of the CARES Act is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:(D)Phase-in of credit where business not suspended and reduction in gross receipts less than 50 percent(i)In generalIn the case of any calendar quarter with respect to which an eligible employer would not be an eligible employer if subparagraph (B)(i) were applied by substituting 50 percent for 90 percent, the amount of the credit allowed under subsection (a) shall be reduced by the amount which bears the same ratio to the amount of such credit (determined without regard to this subparagraph) as—(I)the excess gross receipts percentage point amount, bears to(II)40 percentage points.(ii)Excess gross receipts percentage point amountFor purposes of this subparagraph, the term excess gross receipts percentage point amount means, with respect to any calendar quarter, the excess of—(I)the lowest of the gross receipts percentage point amounts with respect to any calendar quarter occurring during the period described in clause (iii), over(II)50 percentage points.(iii)Period describedFor purposes of applying clause (ii) to any calendar quarter, the period described in this clause is the period ending with such calendar quarter and beginning with the first calendar quarter during the period described in subparagraph (B).(iv)Gross receipts percentage point amountsFor purposes of this subparagraph, the term gross receipts percentage point amount means, with respect to any calendar quarter, the percentage (expressed as a number of percentage points) obtained by dividing—(I)the gross receipts (within the meaning of subparagraph (B)) for such calendar quarter, by(II)the gross receipts for the same calendar quarter in calendar year 2019..(3)Gross receipts of tax-exempt organizationsSection 2301(c)(2)(C) of the CARES Act is amended—(A)by striking of such Code, clauses (i) and (ii)(I) and inserting of such Code—(i)clauses (i) and (ii)(I),(B)by striking the period at the end and inserting , and, and(C)by adding at the end the following new clause:(ii)any reference in this section to gross receipts shall be treated as a reference to gross receipts within the meaning of section 6033 of such Code..(e)Modification of treatment of health plan expenses(1)In generalSection 2301(c)(5) of the CARES Act is amended to read as follows:(5)Wages(A)In generalThe term wages means wages (as defined in section 3121(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) and compensation (as defined in section 3231(e) of such Code).(B)Allowance for certain health plan expenses(i)In generalSuch term shall include amounts paid or incurred by the eligible employer to provide and maintain a group health plan (as defined in section 5000(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), but only to the extent that such amounts are excluded from the gross income of employees by reason of section 106(a) of such Code.(ii)Allocation rulesFor purposes of this section, amounts treated as wages under clause (i) shall be treated as paid with respect to any employee (and with respect to any period) to the extent that such amounts are properly allocable to such employee (and to such period) in such manner as the Secretary may prescribe. Except as otherwise provided by the Secretary, such allocation shall be treated as properly made if made on the basis of being pro rata among periods of coverage..(2)Conforming amendmentSection 2301(c)(3) of the CARES Act is amended by striking subparagraph (C).(f)Qualified wages permitted To include amounts for tip replacement(1)In generalSection 2301(c)(3)(B) of the CARES Act is amended by inserting (including tips which would have been deemed to be paid by the employer under section 3121(q)) after would have been paid.(2)Conforming amendmentSection 2301(h)(2) of the CARES Act is amended by inserting 45B or before 45S.(g)Certain governmental employers eligible for credit(1)In generalSection 2301(f) of the CARES Act is amended to read as follows:(f)Certain governmental employers(1)In generalThe credit under this section shall not be allowed to the Federal Government or any agency or instrumentality thereof.(2)ExceptionParagraph (1) shall not apply to any organization which is described in section 501(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code.(3)Special rulesIn the case of any State government, Indian tribal government, or any agency, instrumentality, or political subdivision of the foregoing—(A)clauses (i) and (ii)(I) of subsection (c)(2)(A) shall apply to all operations of such entity, and(B)subclause (II) of subsection (c)(2)(A)(ii) shall not apply..(2)Coordination with application of certain definitions(A)In generalSection 2301(c)(5)(A) of the CARES Act, as amended by the preceding provisions of this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following: For purposes of the preceding sentence (other than for purposes of subsection (b)(2)), wages as defined in section 3121(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be determined without regard to paragraphs (1), (5), (6), (7), (8), (10), (13), (18), (19), and (22) of section 3212(b) of such Code (except with respect to services performed in a penal institution by an inmate thereof)..(B)Conforming amendmentsSections 2301(c)(6) of the CARES Act is amended by striking Any term and inserting Except as otherwise provided in this section, any term.(h)Application of credit to employers of domestic workers(1)In generalSection 2301(c)(2) of the CARES Act, as amended by the preceding provisions of this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:(E)Employers of domestic workersIn the case of an employer with one or more employees who perform domestic service (within the meaning of section 3121(a)(7) of such Code) in the private home of such employer, with respect to such employees—(i)subparagraph (A) shall be applied—(I)by substituting employing an employee who performs domestic service in the private home of such employer for carrying on a trade or business in clause (i) thereof, (II)by substituting such employment for the operation of the trade or business described in clause (i) in clause (ii)(I) thereof, and(III)without regard to clause (ii)(II), and(ii)such employer shall be treated as a large employer..(2)Denial of double benefitSection 2301(h)(2) of the CARES Act, as amended by preceding provisions of this Act, is amended—(A)by striking shall not be taken into account for purposes of and inserting shall not be taken into account—(A)for purposes of,(B)by striking the period at the end and inserting , and, and(C)by adding at the end the following:(B)if such wages are paid for domestic service described in subsection (c)(2)(E), as employment-related expenses for purposes of section 21 of such Code.In the case of any individual who pays wages for domestic service described in subsection (c)(2)(E) and receives a reimbursement for such wages which is excludible from gross income under section 129 of such Code, such wages shall not be treated as qualified wages for purposes of this section..(i)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall take effect as if included in section 2301 of the CARES Act.4.Repeal of limitation on entertainment, etc. expenses related to trade or business(a)In generalSection 274 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—(1)by redesignating subsection (o) as subsection (p),(2)by redesignating subsection (l), as added by section 13304(c) of Public Law 115–97, as subsection (o), and(3)by moving such subsection (o), as so redesignated, to the location after subsection (n).(b)RepealThe amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) of section 13304 of Public Law 115–97 are repealed and the provisions of law amended by such subsections are restored as if such subsections had never been enacted.(c)Conforming amendmentSubsection (d) of section 13304 of Public Law 115–97 is amended by striking subsection (o) as subsection (p) in paragraph (1) and inserting subsections (o) and (p) as subsections (p) and (q), respectively.(d)Effective date(1)In generalThe amendments made by subsections (a) and (c) and the repeal made by subsection (b) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.(2)ApplicationThe provisions of law as restored by subsection (b) shall apply to amounts paid or incurred in taxable years ending after the date of the enactment of this Act. 5.Establishment of tax credit to support the restaurant industry(a)In generalFor purposes of section 38 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, in the case of an eligible taxpayer, the restaurant and dining restart credit shall be treated as a credit listed at the end of subsection (b) of such section. For purposes of this section, the restaurant and dining restart credit for any taxable year is an amount equal to the qualified restart costs paid or incurred by the eligible taxpayer during the taxable year.(b)Eligible taxpayerFor purposes of this section, the term eligible taxpayer means a taxpayer—(1)which owns a trade or business devoted to preparation and on-premises consumption of food and beverages, or(2)which owns property on which such a trade or business operates, if more than 50 percent of the square footage of such property is devoted to preparation of, and seating for on-premises consumption of, prepared meals.(c)Qualified restart costsFor purposes of this section, the term qualified restart costs means any costs paid or incurred by an eligible taxpayer on or after the date of the enactment of this Act in reopening a trade or business or property described in subsection (b), or increasing meal and beverage services provided by such trade or business or at such property, which was closed or forced to reduce services due to the virus SARS–CoV–2 or coronavirus disease 2019 (referred to in this section as COVID–19), including—(1)any renovation, remediation, or additional labor and rental costs related to preventing individuals present at such trade or business or on such property from contracting COVID–19; and(2)any testing of employees of the eligible taxpayer or guests of such trade or business or such property for symptoms of COVID–19.For purposes of the preceding sentence, a trade or business shall be treated as having reduced services if such trade or business reduced hours of operation, number of employees or employee hours, or capacity of seating areas, closed seating areas, or took any other measures which reduced services provided or operations of the trade or business as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury. (d)Denial of double benefitNo deduction shall be allowed under any provision of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to any amount taken in account in determining the credit allowed to a taxpayer under this section.(e)Regulations and guidanceThe Secretary of the Treasury (or the Secretary's delegate) may prescribe such regulations and other guidance as may be appropriate or necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.(f)TerminationThis section shall not apply to any costs paid or incurred in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022. 6.Credit for travel expenditures(a)In generalSubpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after section 36 the following new section:36A.Credit for travel expenditures(a)Allowance of creditIn the case of an individual who pays or incurs any qualified travel expenses during a taxable year, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this subtitle for such taxable year an amount equal to 50 percent of such expenses.(b)Limitations(1)Dollar limitationThe credit allowed under subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not exceed the sum of—(A)$1,500 ($750 in the case of a married individual filing a separate return), plus(B)$500 for each qualifying child (as defined in section 152(c)) of the individual, but not to exceed $1,500.(2)Limitation based on adjusted gross income(A)In generalThe amount allowable as a credit under subsection (a) (after the application of paragraph (1) and determined without regard to this paragraph) for the taxable year shall be reduced (but not below zero) by $2 for every $50 by which the taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income for such taxable year exceeds $75,000 ($150,000 in the case of a joint return).(B)Modified adjusted gross incomeThe term modified adjusted gross income means the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer for the taxable year increased by any amount excluded from gross income under section 911, 931, or 933. (c)Qualified travel expenseFor purposes of this section—(1)In generalThe term qualified travel expense means any amount paid or incurred for travel within the United States which is at least 50 miles from the individual's home and includes an overnight stay, including amounts paid or incurred for food and beverages, lodging, recreation, transportation, amusement or entertainment, including live entertainment and sporting events, and gasoline.(2)Minimum amountAny expense (determined by treating all items on a single receipt as 1 expense) which is less than $25 shall not be taken into account under paragraph (1).(3)United StatesThe term United States includes the territories and possessions of the United States.(4)ExceptionFor purposes of paragraph (1), amounts paid with respect to a residence or other lodging owned by the individual shall not be treated as qualified travel expenses.(d)Election To carry credit to preceding yearAt the election of the taxpayer, any credit allowable under this section for a taxable year may be carried back (in its entirety) to the preceding taxable year and treated as a credit allowed under this subpart for such year.(e)RestrictionsNo credit shall be allowed to an individual under subsection (a) with respect to a qualified travel expense if—(1)the individual receives a refund or reimbursement from any person for the expense,(2)a deduction is allowed under section 162 with respect to the expense,(3)a deduction under section 151 with respect to individual is allowable to another taxpayer for such taxable year, or(4)the individual does not attach sufficient evidence of the expense, as prescribed by the Secretary, to the return of tax for such taxable year.(f)TerminationThis section shall not apply to any qualified travel expenses paid or incurred after December 31, 2023..(b)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections for subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 36 the following new item:Sec. 36A. Credit for travel expenditures..(c)Conforming amendmentSection 6211(b)(4)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting , 36A after 36.(d)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to amounts paid or incurred after December 31, 2020.


114 HR 1856 IH: Employee Benefits Protection Act of 2015
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-04-16
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1856
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 16, 2015
			Ms. Slaughter (for herself and Mr. Jones) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

		A BILL
		To amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the National Labor Relations Act
			 to protect the health benefits of retirees, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Employee Benefits Protection Act of 2015. 2.Notification of extent to which health benefits can be modified or terminated (a)Inclusion in summary plan descriptionSection 102(b) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1022) is amended by inserting ; in the case of a group health plan (as so defined), whether the provisions of the plan permit the plan sponsor or any employer participating in the plan to unilaterally modify or terminate the benefits under the plan with respect to employees, retired employees, and beneficiaries, and when and to what extent benefits under the plan are fully vested with respect to employees, retired employees, and beneficiaries after the name and address of such issuer.
 (b)Presumption that retired employee health benefits cannot be modified or terminatedSection 502 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1132) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

 (n)In the case of a suit brought under this title by a participant or beneficiary relating to benefits of a retired employee or the dependents of a retired employee under a group health plan (as defined in section 733(a)(1)), the presumption for purposes of such suit shall be that as of the date an employee retires or completes 20 years of service with the employer, benefits available under the plan during retirement of the employee are fully vested and cannot be modified or terminated for the life of the employee or, if longer, the life of the employee's spouse. This presumption can be overcome only upon a showing, by clear and convincing evidence, that the terms of the group health plan allow for a modification or termination of benefits available under the plan and that the employee, prior to becoming a participant in the plan, was made aware, in clear and unambiguous terms, that the plan allowed for such modification or termination of benefits..
 3.Protection of retirees under certain collectively bargained agreementsSection 8 of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 158) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 (h)It shall be an unfair labor practice for any labor organization and any employer to enter into any contract or agreement, express or implied, whereby the organization and employer agree to modify the terms of any previous agreement in a manner that would result in a reduction or termination of retiree health insurance benefits provided to an employee or a dependent of an employee under the previous agreement, if such modification of the terms of the previous agreement occurs after the date on which the employee retires..
		4.Comptroller General report
 (a)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on the strategies that corporations use to avoid obligations to pay promised employee and retiree benefits.
 (b)ContentsThe report under subsection (a) shall include a discussion of— (1)the use of spin-offs, mergers, subsidiaries, bankruptcies, asset sales, and other strategies to avoid obligations to pay promised employee and retiree benefits;
 (2)the impact of such avoidance on the financial, physical, and mental well-being of employees and retirees;
 (3)the impact on Federal and State budgets when employers terminate or reduce the benefits of employees and retirees, including the costs that are incurred when employees and retirees seek assistance from Federal and State government programs and services as a result of the termination or reduction of their employment-related benefits; and
 (4)recommendations to prevent corporations from evading contractual obligations to pay employee and retiree benefits.


110 HCON 178 IH: Expressing the sense of the Congress that

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-06-28
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		IV
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. CON. RES. 178
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 28, 2007
			Mr. Dreier (for
			 himself, Mr. Hastert,
			 Mr. Cole of Oklahoma,
			 Mr. Pitts,
			 Mr. Putnam, and
			 Mr. Rush) submitted the following
			 concurrent resolution; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
		Expressing the sense of the Congress that
		  the United States should expand trade opportunities with Mongolia by initiating
		  negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement with
		  Mongolia.

		Whereas Mongolia rejected 1-party Communist rule and
			 embarked on democratic and free-market reforms in 1990;
		Whereas these reforms included privatizing state
			 enterprises, lifting price controls, and instituting fiscal discipline;
		Whereas presidential and legislative elections have been
			 held, with extremely high voter turnout, since 1996;
		Whereas Mongolia remains steadfastly committed to greater
			 economic reforms;
		Whereas Mongolia has been a member of the World Trade
			 Organization since 1997;
		Whereas in 1999 the United States provided permanent
			 normal trade relations treatment to the products of Mongolia;
		Whereas the United States and Mongolia signed a bilateral
			 Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) in 2004;
		Whereas bilateral trade between the United States and
			 Mongolia in 2006 was valued at $137,000,000;
		Whereas Mongolia has been an early political and
			 logistical supporter of the global war on terror, contributing troops,
			 engineers, and medical personnel to Operation Iraqi Freedom since April 2003,
			 offering overflight clearances for United States forces, and participating in
			 training artillery units of the Afghan National Army;
		Whereas on August 6, 2002, the President signed into law
			 H.R. 3009 (Public Law 107–210), the Trade Act of 2002, which provides for an
			 expedited procedure for congressional consideration of international trade
			 agreements; and
		Whereas workers, consumers, business owners, and investors
			 benefit substantially from expanding and diversifying trade opportunities by
			 reducing tariff and nontariff barriers to trade: Now, therefore, be it

		That it is the sense of the Congress that
			 the United States should expand trade opportunities with Mongolia by initiating
			 negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement with Mongolia.


114 HR 5867 IH: National Strategy for School Security Act of 2016
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-07-14
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I114th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 5867IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 14, 2016Mr. Messer introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
			 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo require the development of a national strategy to secure schools against terrorism nationwide,
			 and ensure domestic preparedness for and the response to terrorism, and
			 for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the National Strategy for School Security Act of 2016. 2.National strategy to secure schools from threats of terrorism (a)In generalTo assist in the domestic preparedness for and response to acts of terrorism and other emergencies and to coordinate Federal efforts to secure elementary and secondary schools (as such terms are defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)), not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation and cooperation with the Secretary of Education and the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies and departments, shall develop and submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a national school security strategy including, as appropriate, updates to such strategy.
 (b)ContentsThe strategy required under subsection (a) shall— (1)account and describe all Federal programs, projects, and activities, including spending levels, to secure elementary and secondary schools from acts of terrorism and other emergencies;
 (2)identify specific school security vulnerabilities from acts of terrorism or other emergencies within the United States, and delineate goals for closing such security vulnerabilities;
 (3)describe actions to be taken to achieve such goals and the means necessary to do so, including steps to reform, improve, and streamline existing efforts to align the current threat environment to schools; and
 (4)identify new authorities or changes in existing authorities required to address school security. (c)SunsetThe requirement to transmit updated national strategies under this section shall terminate on the date that is seven years after the date of the enactment of this Act.


113 HR 3086 : Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2014-07-16
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 3086
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
		July 16, 2014ReceivedAN ACT
		To permanently extend the Internet Tax Freedom Act.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act.
		2.Permanent moratorium on Internet access taxes and multiple and discriminatory taxes on electronic
			 commerce
			(a)In generalSection 1101(a) of the Internet Tax Freedom Act (47 U.S.C. 151 note) is amended by striking  during the period beginning November 1, 2003, and ending November 1, 2014.
			(b)Effective dateThe amendment made by this section shall apply to taxes imposed after the date of the enactment of
			 this Act.

	Passed the House of Representatives July 15, 2014.Karen L. Haas,Clerk