115 S1574 IS: Vietnam Human Rights Sanctions Act of 2017
U.S. Senate
2017-07-18
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.

II115th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1574IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJuly 18, 2017Mr. Cornyn (for himself, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Cassidy, and Mr. Rubio) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign RelationsA BILLTo impose sanctions on individuals who are complicit in human rights abuses committed against
			 nationals of Vietnam or their family members, and for other purposes.

		1.Short
 titleThis Act may be cited as the Vietnam Human Rights Sanctions Act of 2017.
 2.FindingsCongress makes the following findings:
 (1)The relationship between the United States and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has grown substantially since the end of the trade embargo in 1994, with annual trade between the countries reaching more than $36,000,000,000 in 2014.
 (2)However, the transition by the Government of Vietnam toward greater economic activity and trade, which has led to increased bilateral engagement between the United States and Vietnam, has not been matched by greater political freedom or substantial improvements in basic human rights for the people of Vietnam.
 (3)Vietnam remains an authoritarian state ruled by the Communist Party of Vietnam, which continues to deny the right of the people of Vietnam to participate in free and fair elections.
 (4)According to the Department of State’s 2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, Vietnam’s most significant human rights problems . . . were severe government restrictions of citizens’ political rights, particularly their right to change their government through free and fair elections; limits on citizens’ civil liberties, including freedom of assembly and expression; and inadequate protection of citizens’ due process rights, including protection against arbitrary detention.
 (5)The Country Reports also state that the Government of Vietnam continued to restrict speech that criticized individual government leaders; promoted political pluralism or multi-party democracy; or questioned policies on sensitive matters, such as human rights, religious freedom, or sovereignty disputes with China and sought to impede criticism by monitoring meetings and communications of political activists.
 (6)Furthermore, the Department of State documents that arbitrary arrest and detention, particularly for political activists, remained a problem, with the Government of Vietnam sentencing 29 arrested activists during 2014. Of those, 6 activists were convicted on national security charges in the penal code for undermining the unity policy, 17 for causing public disorder, and 6 for abusing democratic freedoms.
 (7)At the end of 2014, the Government of Vietnam reportedly held more than 125 political prisoners.
 (8)On September 24, 2012, 3 prominent Vietnamese bloggers—Nguyen Van Hai (also known as Dieu Cay), Ta Phong Tan, and Phan Thanh Hai (also known as Anh Ba Saigon)—were sentenced to prison based on 3-year-old blog postings criticizing the Government and leaders of Vietnam and the Communist Party of Vietnam. Nguyen Van Hai served 2 years of a 12-year prison sentence on charges of conducting propaganda against the state but was later released and departed from Vietnam. If he were to return, he would likely have to complete his prison sentence.
 (9)United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay responded to the sentencing of the bloggers on September 25, 2012, stating that [t]he harsh prison terms handed down to bloggers exemplify the severe restrictions on freedom of expression in Vietnam and calling the sentences an unfortunate development that undermines the commitments Vietnam has made internationally . . . to protect and promote the right to freedom of expression.
 (10)On March 21, 2013, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Daniel B. Baer testified before the Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate that in Vietnam we’ve been disappointed in recent years to see backsliding, particularly on . . . freedom of expression issues . . . people are being prosecuted for what they say online under really draconian national security laws . . . that is an issue that we continue to raise, both in our human rights dialogue with the Vietnamese as well as in other bilateral engagements.
 (11)Although the Constitution of Vietnam provides for freedom of religion, the Department of State’s 2013 International Religious Freedom Report maintains, Government practices and bureaucratic impediments restricted religious freedom. Unregistered and unrecognized religious groups were often subject to harassment, as well as coercive and punitive actions by authorities..
 (12)Likewise, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom 2015 Annual Report states, The Vietnamese government continues to control all religious activities through law and administrative oversight, restrict severely independent religious practice, and repress individuals and religious groups it views as challenging its authority, including independent Buddhists, Hoa Hao, Cao Dai, Catholics, and Protestants..
 (13)The 2013 Annual Report notes that in 2004 the United States designated Vietnam as a country of particular concern for religious freedom pursuant to section 402(b)(1) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6442(b)(1)), and that Vietnam responded at that time by releasing prisoners, prohibiting the policy of forced renunciations of faith, and expanding protections for religious groups, and that [m]ost religious leaders in Vietnam attributed these positive changes to the [country of particular concern] designation and the priority placed on religious freedom concerns in U.S.-Vietnamese bilateral relations.
 (14)However, the 2013 Annual Report concludes that since the designation as a country of particular concern was lifted from Vietnam in 2006, religious freedom conditions in Vietnam remain mixed, and therefore recommends to the Department of State that Vietnam should be redesignated as a country of particular concern.
 (15)Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Baer likewise testified that [i]n Vietnam the right to religious freedom, which seemed to be improving several years ago, has been stagnant for several years.
			3.Imposition of
			 sanctions on certain individuals who are complicit in human rights abuses
			 committed against nationals of Vietnam or their family members
 (a)DefinitionsIn this section:
				(1)Admitted;
 alien; immigration laws; nationalThe terms admitted, alien, immigration laws, and national have the meanings given those terms in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101).
				(2)Appropriate
 congressional committeesThe term appropriate congressional committees means—
 (A)the Committee on Finance, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
 (B)the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on Financial Services, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
					(3)Convention
 against TortureThe term Convention against Torture means the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, done at New York on December 10, 1984.
				(4)United States
 personThe term United States person means— (A)a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States; or
 (B)an entity organized under the laws of the United States or of any jurisdiction within the United States, including a foreign branch of such an entity.
					(b)Imposition of
 sanctionsExcept as provided in subsections (e) and (f), the President shall impose the sanctions described in subsection (d) with respect to each individual on the list required by subsection (c)(1).
			(c)List of
			 individuals who are complicit in certain human rights abuses
				(1)In
 generalNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a list of individuals who are nationals of Vietnam that the President determines are complicit in human rights abuses committed against nationals of Vietnam or their family members, regardless of whether such abuses occurred in Vietnam.
				(2)Updates of
 listThe President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an updated list under paragraph (1) as new information becomes available and not less frequently than annually.
				(3)Public
 availabilityThe list required by paragraph (1) shall be made available to the public and posted on the Web sites of the Department of the Treasury and the Department of State.
				(4)Consideration
 of data from other countries and nongovernmental organizationsIn preparing the list required by paragraph (1), the President shall consider data already obtained by other countries and nongovernmental organizations, including organizations in Vietnam, that monitor the human rights abuses of the Government of Vietnam.
				(d)Sanctions
				(1)Prohibition on
 entry and admission to the United StatesAn individual on the list required by subsection (c)(1) may not—
 (A)be admitted to, enter, or transit through the United States;
 (B)receive any lawful immigration status in the United States under the immigration laws, including any relief under the Convention Against Torture; or
 (C)file any application or petition to obtain such admission, entry, or status.
					(2)Financial
 sanctionsThe President shall block and prohibit all transactions in all property and interests in property of an individual on the list required by subsection (c)(1) if such property and interests in property are in the United States, come within the United States, or are or come within the possession or control of a United States person.
				(e)Exceptions To
 comply with international agreementsThe President may, by regulation, authorize exceptions to the imposition of sanctions under this section to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United States, and other applicable international agreements.
 (f)WaiverThe President may waive the requirement to impose or maintain sanctions with respect to an individual under subsection (b) or the requirement to include an individual on the list required by subsection (c)(1) if the President—
 (1)determines that such a waiver is in the national interest of the United States; and
 (2)submits to the appropriate congressional committees a report describing the reasons for the determination.
				(g)Termination of
 sanctionsThe provisions of this section shall terminate on the date on which the President determines and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the Government of Vietnam has—
 (1)unconditionally released all political prisoners;
 (2)ceased its practices of violence, unlawful detention, torture, and abuse of nationals of Vietnam while those nationals are engaging in peaceful political activity; and
 (3)conducted a transparent investigation into the killings, arrest, and abuse of peaceful political activists in Vietnam and prosecuted those responsible.
				4.Sense of
			 Congress on designation of Vietnam as a country of particular concern with
 respect to religious freedomIt is the sense of Congress that— (1)the relationship between the United States and Vietnam cannot progress while the record of the Government of Vietnam with respect to human rights and the rule of law continues to deteriorate;
 (2)the designation of Vietnam as a country of particular concern for religious freedom pursuant to section 402(b)(1) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6442(b)(1)) would be a powerful and effective tool in highlighting abuses of religious freedom in Vietnam and in encouraging improvement in the respect for human rights in Vietnam; and
 (3)the Secretary of State should, in accordance with the recommendation of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, designate Vietnam as a country of particular concern for religious freedom.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 322
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			January 8, 2009
			Mr. Gene Green of
			 Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To amend title II of the Social Security Act to remove
		  the limitation upon the amount of outside income which an individual may earn
		  while receiving benefits under such title, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Social Security Earnings Test Repeal
			 Act of 2009.
		2.Repeal of
			 provisions relating to deductions on account of work
			(a)In
			 generalSubsections (b), (c)(1), (d), (f), (h), (j), and (k) of
			 section 203 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 403) are repealed.
			(b)Conforming
			 amendmentsSection 203 of such Act (as amended by subsection (a))
			 is further amended—
				(1)in
			 subsection (c), by redesignating such subsection as subsection (b), and
					(A)by striking
			 Noncovered Work Outside the United States or in the
			 heading;
					(B)by redesignating
			 paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) as paragraphs (1), (2), and (3),
			 respectively;
					(C)by striking
			 For purposes of paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) and inserting
			 For purposes of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3); and
					(D)by striking the
			 last sentence;
					(2)in subsection (e),
			 by redesignating such subsection as subsection (c), and by striking
			 subsections (c) and (d) and inserting subsection
			 (b);
				(3)in subsection (g),
			 by redesignating such subsection as subsection (d), and by striking
			 subsection (c) each place it appears and inserting
			 subsection (b); and
				(4)in subsection (l),
			 by redesignating such subsection as subsection (e), and by striking
			 subsection (g) or (h)(1)(A) and inserting subsection
			 (d).
				3.Additional
			 conforming amendments
			(a)Provisions
			 relating to benefits terminated upon deportationSection
			 202(n)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 402(n)(1)) is amended by
			 striking Section 203 (b), (c), and (d) and inserting
			 Section 203(b).
			(b)Provisions
			 relating to exemptions from reductions based on early retirement
				(1)Section
			 202(q)(5)(B) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 402(q)(5)(B)) is amended by striking
			 section 203(c)(2) and inserting section
			 203(b)(1).
				(2)Section
			 202(q)(7)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 402(q)(7)(A)) is amended by striking
			 deductions under section 203(b), 203(c)(1), 203(d)(1), or 222(b)
			 and inserting deductions on account of work under section 203 or
			 deductions under section 222(b).
				(c)Provisions
			 relating to exemptions from reductions based on disregard of certain
			 entitlements to child’s insurance benefits
				(1)Section 202(s)(1)
			 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 402(s)(1)) is amended by striking paragraphs (2),
			 (3), and (4) of section 203(c) and inserting paragraphs (1),
			 (2), and (3) of section 203(b).
				(2)Section 202(s)(3)
			 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 402(s)(3)) is amended by striking The last
			 sentence of subsection (c) of section 203, subsection (f)(1)(C) of section 203,
			 and subsections and inserting Subsections.
				(d)Provisions
			 relating to suspension of aliens' benefitsSection 202(t)(7) of
			 such Act (42 U.S.C. 402(t)(7)) is amended by striking Subsections (b),
			 (c), and (d) and inserting Subsection (b).
			(e)Provisions
			 relating to reductions in benefits based on maximum
			 benefitsSection 203(a)(3)(B)(iii) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
			 403(a)(3)(B)(iii)) is amended by striking and subsections (b), (c), and
			 (d) and inserting and subsection (b).
			(f)Provisions
			 relating to penalties for misrepresentations concerning earnings for periods
			 subject to deductions on account of workSection 208(a)(1)(C) of
			 such Act (42 U.S.C. 408(a)(1)(C)) is amended by striking under section
			 203(f) of this title for purposes of deductions from benefits and
			 inserting under section 203 for purposes of deductions from benefits on
			 account of work.
			(g)Provisions
			 taking into account earnings in determining benefit computation
			 yearsClause (I) in the next to last sentence of section
			 215(b)(2)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(b)(2)(A)) is amended by striking
			 no earnings as described in section 203(f)(5) in such year and
			 inserting no wages, and no net earnings from self-employment (in excess
			 of net loss from self-employment), in such year.
			(h)Provisions
			 relating to rounding of benefitsSection 215(g) of such Act (42
			 U.S.C. 415(g)) is amended by striking and any deduction under section
			 203(b).
			(i)Provisions
			 relating to earnings taken into account in determining substantial gainful
			 activity of blind individualsThe second sentence of section
			 223(d)(4)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 423(d)(4)(A)) is amended by striking
			 if section 102 of the Senior Citizens Right to Work Act of 1996 had not
			 been enacted and inserting the following: if the amendments to
			 section 203 made by section 102 of the Senior Citizens Right to Work Act of
			 1996 and by the Social Security Earnings Test
			 Repeal Act of 2009 had not been enacted.
			(j)Provisions
			 defining income for purposes of SSISection 1612(a) of such Act
			 (42 U.S.C. 1382a(a)) is amended—
				(1)by striking
			 as determined under section 203(f)(5)(C) in paragraph (1)(A) and
			 inserting as defined in the last two sentences of this
			 subsection; and
				(2)by adding at the end (after and below
			 paragraph (2)(H)) the following:

						For
				purposes of paragraph (1)(A), the term wages means wages as
				defined in section 209, but computed without regard to the limitations as to
				amounts of remuneration specified in paragraphs (1), (6)(B), (6)(C), (7)(B),
				and (8) of section 209(a). In making the computation under the preceding
				sentence, (A) services which do not constitute employment as defined in section
				210, performed within the United States by an individual as an employee or
				performed outside the United States in the active military or naval services of
				the United States, shall be deemed to be employment as so defined if the
				remuneration for such services is not includible in computing the individual's
				net earnings or net loss from self-employment for purposes of title II, and (B)
				the term wages shall be deemed not to include (i) the amount of
				any payment made to, or on behalf of, an employee or any of his or her
				dependents (including any amount paid by an employer for insurance or
				annuities, or into a fund, to provide for any such payment) on account of
				retirement, or (ii) any payment or series of payments by an employer to an
				employee or any of his or her dependents upon or after the termination of the
				employee’s employment relationship because of retirement after attaining an age
				specified in a plan referred to in section 209(a)(11)(B) or in a pension plan
				of the
				employer..
				(k)Repeal of
			 deductions on account of work under the Railroad Retirement Program
				(1)In
			 generalSection 2 of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 (45
			 U.S.C. 231a) is amended—
					(A)by striking
			 subsection (f); and
					(B)by striking
			 subsection (g)(2) and by redesignating subsection (g)(1) as subsection
			 (g).
					(2)Conforming
			 amendments
					(A)Section 3(f)(1) of
			 such Act (45 U.S.C. 231b(f)(1)) is amended in the first sentence by striking
			 before any reductions under the provisions of section 2(f) of this
			 Act,.
					(B)Section 4(g)(2) of
			 such Act (45 U.S.C. 231c(g)(2)) is amended—
						(i)in
			 clause (i), by striking shall, before any deductions under section 2(g)
			 of this Act, and inserting shall; and
						(ii)in
			 clause (ii), by striking any deductions under section 2(g) of this Act
			 and before.
						4.Effective
			 dateThe amendments and
			 repeals made by this Act shall apply with respect to taxable years ending on or
			 after the date of the enactment of this Act.


113 HRES 159 IH: Expressing support for designation of the week of April 14, 2013, through April 20, 2013, as National Osteopathic Medicine Week.
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-04-12
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
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. RES. 159
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 12, 2013
			Mr. Heck of Nevada
			 submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Oversight and Government
			 Reform

		RESOLUTION
		Expressing support for designation of the
		  week of April 14, 2013, through April 20, 2013, as National Osteopathic
		  Medicine Week.

		Whereas there are currently more than 100,000 osteopathic
			 physicians and osteopathic medical students in the United States;
		Whereas osteopathic physicians have made significant
			 contributions to the United States health care system since the founding of
			 osteopathic medicine by Andrew Taylor Still, M.D., D.O., in 1874;
		Whereas osteopathic physicians have treated United States
			 presidents, Olympic athletes, contributed to the fight against AIDS and the
			 fight for civil rights, and served on national health care panels;
		Whereas osteopathic physicians are fully licensed to
			 prescribe medicine and practice in all specialty areas of medicine, including
			 surgery;
		Whereas osteopathic physicians are trained to consider the
			 health of the whole person and use their hands to help diagnose and treat their
			 patients;
		Whereas osteopathic physicians and medical students in the
			 United States are dedicated to improving the health of their communities
			 through education and awareness-based efforts, as well as by delivering quality
			 health services;
		Whereas the citizens of the United States recognize the
			 need for osteopathic physicians who are committed to bringing attention to
			 improving the health of people in the United States, regardless of age, income
			 level, or ethnicity; and
		Whereas the week of April 14, 2013, through April 20,
			 2013, would be an appropriate week to designate as National Osteopathic
			 Medicine Week: Now, therefore, be it

		That the House of Representatives supports
			 the designation of National Osteopathic Medicine Week.


I
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1510
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 16, 2009
Mr. Rehberg introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL
To amend the lead prohibition provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 to provide an exemption for certain all-terrain vehicles, and for other purposes.

1.Exemption for all-terrain vehicles
(a)Exclusion of certain materials or products and inaccessible component partsSection 101(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 is amended by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6) and inserting after paragraph (4) the following:

(5)Exception for all-terrain vehicles
(A)Determination by CommissionIf the Commission determines that it is not technologically feasible for certain all-terrain vehicles to comply with subsection (a) due to certain component parts that are required for the safety or functionality of such vehicles, the Commission, by regulation, shall exempt such vehicles from the requirements of such subsection.
(B)All-terrain vehicles definedFor purposes of this section, the term all-terrain vehicle means any motorized, off-highway vehicle designed to travel on 2, 3, or 4 wheels, having a seat designed to be straddled by the operator and handlebars for steering control..
(b)Additional amendmentSuch section is further amended in paragraph (1)(A) by striking any.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 4052
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			December 22, 2010
			Mr. Merkley (for
			 himself, Mr. Johnson,
			 Mr. Corker, and Mr. Enzi) introduced the following bill; which was
			 read twice and referred to the Committee
			 on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

		A BILL
		To require the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to
		  fully insure Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts.

		1.Interest on Lawyers Trust
			 Accounts
			(a)In
			 generalSection 11(a)(1)(B)(iii) of the Federal Deposit Insurance
			 Act, as added by section 343 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
			 Protection Act (Public Law 111–203), is amended—
				(1)by redesignating subclauses (I), (II), and
			 (III) as items (aa), (bb), and (cc), respectively, and adjusting the margins
			 accordingly;
				(2)by striking
			 means a deposit and inserting the following: “means—

						(I)a
				deposit
						;
				(3)in item (cc), as
			 so redesignated, by striking the period at the end and inserting ;
			 and; and
				(4)by adding at the
			 end the following:

						(II)a trust account established by an attorney
				or law firm on behalf of a client, commonly known as an Interest on
				Lawyers Trust Account, or a functionally equivalent account, as
				determined by the
				Corporation.
						.
				(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on
			 December 31, 2010.


116 S68 IS: Smart Choices Act
U.S. Senate
2019-01-09
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.

II116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 68IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJanuary 9, 2019Mr. Jones (for himself, Mr. Kaine, Mr. King, Ms. Klobuchar, Ms. Smith, and Mrs. Feinstein) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo require the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission to publish an annual report on the
			 estimated impact in each State of the Medicaid expansion added by the
			 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, including the estimated impact
			 that adopting such expansion would have in States that have not expanded
			 their Medicaid coverage.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Smart Choices Act. 2.Annual report estimating impact of expanding Medicaid coverageFor each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2020, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission shall publish an annual report estimating—
 (1)for each State that has elected to provide Medicaid coverage to individuals described in section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII)) for the fiscal year—
 (A)the amount of Federal funds under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) that the State will receive for the fiscal year for medical assistance provided to such individuals; and
 (B)the number of such individuals who are expected to receive coverage under the State Medicaid plan under such title in the fiscal year; and
 (2)for each State that has not elected to provide Medicaid coverage to individuals described in section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) of such Act for the fiscal year—
 (A)the amount of additional Federal funds under title XIX of such Act that the State would receive for the fiscal year if the State expanded coverage to such individuals; and
 (B)the number of additional individuals who would receive access to affordable, comprehensive coverage under the State Medicaid plan under such title in the fiscal year if the State expanded coverage to individuals described in section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) of such Act.


110 HR 768 IH: To provide that Executive Order 13166 shall have no force

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-01-31
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. 768
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			January 31, 2007
			Mr. King of New York
			 (for himself, Mr. Duncan,
			 Mr. Gingrey,
			 Mr. Hall of Texas,
			 Mr. Taylor,
			 Mr. Paul, Mr. King of Iowa, Mr. Royce, Mr.
			 Alexander, Mrs. Jo Ann Davis of
			 Virginia, Mr. Norwood,
			 Mr. Miller of Florida,
			 Mr. Rohrabacher,
			 Mr. Gallegly,
			 Mr. McCotter,
			 Mr. Platts,
			 Mr. Souder,
			 Mr. Sessions,
			 Mrs. Cubin,
			 Mr. Goode,
			 Mr. McKeon,
			 Mrs. Blackburn,
			 Mr. Baker,
			 Mr. Stearns,
			 Mr. Ramstad,
			 Mr. Bilirakis,
			 Mr. Culberson,
			 Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida,
			 Mr. Terry,
			 Mr. Wilson of South Carolina,
			 Mrs. Myrick,
			 Mr. Bachus, and
			 Mr. Price of Georgia) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government
			 Reform

		A BILL
		To provide that Executive Order 13166 shall have no force
		  or effect, and to prohibit the use of funds for certain
		  purposes.

		1.Nullification of effect of
			 executive orderExecutive
			 Order 13166, Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited
			 English Proficiency (August 16, 2000; 65 Fed. Reg. 50121), is null and
			 void and shall have no force or effect.
		2.Prohibition
			 against use of funds for certain purposesNo funds appropriated pursuant to any
			 provision of law may be used to promulgate or enforce any executive order that
			 creates an entitlement to services provided in any language other than
			 English.


111 HR 268 IH: To amend title 10, United States Code, to ensure that every military chaplain has the prerogative to close a prayer outside of a religious service according to the dictates of the chaplain’s own conscience.
U.S. House of Representatives
2009-01-07
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 268
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 7, 2009
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 ensure that every military chaplain has the prerogative to close a prayer outside of a religious service according to the dictates of the chaplain’s own conscience.

1.Protection of the religious freedom of military chaplains to close a prayer outside of a religious service according to the dictates of the chaplain’s conscience
(a)United States ArmySection 3547 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(c)If called upon to lead a prayer outside of a religious service, a chaplain shall have the prerogative to close the prayer according to the dictates of the chaplain’s own conscience..
(b)United States Military AcademySection 4337 of such title is amended—
(1)by inserting (a) before There; and
(2)by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(b)If called upon to lead a prayer outside of a religious service, the Chaplain shall have the prerogative to close the prayer according to the dictates of the Chaplain’s conscience..
(c)United States Navy and Marine CorpsSection 6031 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(d)If called upon to lead a prayer outside of a religious service, a chaplain shall have the prerogative to close the prayer according to the dictates of the chaplain’s own conscience..
(d)United States Air ForceSection 8547 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(c)If called upon to lead a prayer outside of a religious service, a chaplain shall have the prerogative to close the prayer according to the dictates of the chaplain’s own conscience..
(e)United States Air Force AcademySection 9337 of such title is amended—
(1)by inserting (a) before There; and
(2)by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(b)If called upon to lead a prayer outside of a religious service, the Chaplain shall have the prerogative to close the prayer according to the dictates of the Chaplain’s conscience..


114 S1548 IS: American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act of 2015
U.S. Senate
2015-06-10
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 CONGRESS1st Session
		S. 1548
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			June 10, 2015
			Mr. Whitehouse (for himself and Mr. Schatz) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance

		A BILL
		To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas
			 emission fees, reduce the rate of the corporate income tax, provide tax
			 credits to workers, deliver additional benefits to retired and disabled
			 Americans, and for other purposes.

		1.Short title
 This Act may be cited as the American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act of 2015.
		ICarbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emission fees
			101.Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emission fees
				(a)In
 generalChapter 38 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new subchapter:

						ECarbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emission feesSec. 4691. Fee for carbon dioxide emissions.
								Sec. 4692. Fee on fluorinated greenhouse gases.
								Sec. 4693. Fee for other greenhouse gas emissions.
								Sec. 4694. Escaped methane.
								Sec. 4695. Border adjustments for energy-intensive manufactured goods.
								Sec. 4696. Definitions and other rules.

							4691.Fee for carbon dioxide emissions
								(a)In
		  general
									(1)Fossil fuel products producing carbon emissions
 (A)In generalThere is hereby imposed a fee in an amount equal to the applicable amount at the rate specified in subparagraph (B) on—
 (i)coal— (I)removed from any mine in the United States, or
 (II)entered into the United States for consumption, use, or warehousing, (ii)petroleum products—
 (I)removed from any refinery, (II)removed from any terminal, or
 (III)entered into the United States for consumption, use, or warehousing, and (iii)natural gas—
 (I)entered into any processor, or (II)entered into the United States for consumption, use, or warehousing.
 (B)RateThe rate specified in this subparagraph with respect to any product described in subparagraph (A) is an amount equal to the applicable amount per ton of carbon dioxide that would be emitted through the combustion of such product (as determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency).
 (2)Emissions attributable to other substancesThere is hereby imposed a fee in an amount equal to the applicable amount per ton of carbon dioxide emitted—
 (A)from any facility which— (i)is required to report emissions, or to which emissions are attributed, under subpart A of part 98 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the enactment of the American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act of 2015, and
 (ii)emitted not less than 25,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions during the previous calendar year, and
 (B)by reason of the combustion or processing of any product other than coal, petroleum products, and natural gas.
										(b)Applicable
		  amount
									(1)In
 generalFor purposes of this part, the applicable amount is—
 (A)for calendar year 2016, $45, (B)for any calendar year following a year which is not a national emissions target attainment year, the sum of—
 (i)the product of the amount in effect under this subparagraph for the preceding calendar year and 102 percent, and
 (ii)the inflation adjustment amount determined under paragraph (2), and
 (C)for any calendar year following a year which is a national emissions target attainment year, the sum of—
 (i)the amount in effect under this subparagraph for the preceding calendar year, and (ii)the inflation adjustment amount determined under paragraph (2).
											(2)Inflation
		  adjustment amount
 (A)In generalThe inflation adjustment amount for any calendar year shall be an amount (not less than zero) equal to the product of—
 (i)the amount determined under paragraph (1)(B)(i) or (1)(C)(i), as applicable, for such year, and
 (ii)the percentage by which the CPI for the preceding calendar year exceeds the CPI for the second preceding calendar year.
 (B)CPIRules similar to the rules of paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 1(f) shall apply for purposes of this paragraph.
 (3)RoundingThe applicable amount under this subsection shall be rounded up to the next whole dollar amount.
 (4)National emissions target attainment yearFor purposes of paragraph (1), a calendar year is a national emissions target attainment year if the level of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States for the calendar year does not exceed 20 percent of the level of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States for calendar year 2005 as determined by the Secretary in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
									(c)Refunds
		  for capturing carbon dioxide and production of certain goods
									(1)Carbon dioxide capture, utilization,  and storage
 (A)In generalIn the case of a person who—
 (i)uses any coal, petroleum product, or natural gas for which a fee has been imposed under subsection (a)(1) in a manner which results in the emission of qualified carbon dioxide,
 (ii)captures the resulting emitted qualified carbon dioxide at a qualified facility, and
 (iii)(I)disposes of such qualified carbon dioxide in secure storage, or (II)utilizes such qualified carbon dioxide in a manner provided in subparagraph (D),
												there shall be allowed a refund, in
			 the same manner as if it were an overpayment of the fee imposed by such
 subsection, to such person in amount determined under subparagraph (B).(B)Amount of refundThe amount of the refund under this subparagraph is an amount equal to the product of— (i)the applicable amount under subsection (b) for the calendar year in which such qualified carbon dioxide was captured and disposed or utilized, and
 (ii)the adjusted tons of qualified carbon dioxide captured and disposed or utilized.
 (C)Adjusted total tonsFor purposes of subparagraph (B), the adjusted tons of qualified carbon dioxide captured and disposed or utilized shall be the total tons of qualified carbon dioxide captured and disposed or utilized reduced by the amount of any anticipated leakage of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere due to imperfect storage technology or otherwise, as determined by the Secretary in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
										(D)Requirements
											(i)In
 generalAny refund under subparagraph (A) shall apply only with respect to qualified carbon dioxide that has been captured and disposed or utilized within the United States.
											(ii)Disposal and secure
		  storage
 (I)Secure storageThe Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Energy, shall establish regulations similar to the regulations under section 45Q(d)(2) for determining adequate security measures for the secure storage of qualified carbon dioxide for purposes of subparagraph (A)(iii)(I).
 (II)RecaptureThe Secretary shall, by regulations, provide for recapturing the benefit of any refund made under subparagraph (A) with respect to any qualified carbon dioxide which is disposed in secure storage and ceases to be stored in a manner consistent with the requirements of this section.
 (iii)UtilizationThe Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall establish regulations providing for the appropriate methods and manners for the utilization of qualified carbon dioxide under subparagraph (A)(iii)(II), including the utilization of captured carbon dioxide for enhanced oil or gas recovery and the production of substances such as plastics, biofuels, and chemicals. Such regulations shall provide for the minimization of the escape or further emission of the qualified carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
 (E)Qualified carbon dioxide; qualified facilityFor purposes of this paragraph— (i)Qualified carbon dioxideThe term qualified carbon dioxide has the same meaning given that term under section 45Q(b).
 (ii)Qualified facilityThe term qualified facility has the same meaning given that term under section 45Q(c), determined without regard to paragraph (3) thereof.
 (2)Manufacture of certain goodsIn the case of a person who uses any coal, petroleum product, or natural gas for which a fee has been imposed under subsection (a)(1) as an input for a manufactured good that encapsulates carbon dioxide in a manner such that it does not result in the direct emission of carbon dioxide in the manufacturing or subsequent use of such good, a refund shall be allowed to such person in the same manner as if it were an overpayment of the fee imposed by such section in an amount that is equal to the product of—
 (A)an amount equal to the applicable amount under subsection (b) for the calendar year in which such product was used, and
 (B)the total tons of carbon dioxide that would have otherwise been emitted through the combustion of such product.
										(3)Exports
 In the case of a person who exports any coal, petroleum product, or natural gas from the United States for which a fee has been imposed under subsection (a)(1), a refund shall be allowed to such person in the same manner as if it were an overpayment of the fee imposed by such section in an amount that is equal to the fee previously imposed under such subsection with respect to such product (determined without regard to any increase under section 4694).
									4692.Fee on fluorinated greenhouse gases
 (a)In generalThere is hereby imposed a fee in an amount determined under subsection (b) on fluorinated greenhouse gases—
 (1)produced at a fluorinated greenhouse gas production facility, (2)imported into the United States by a fluorinated greenhouse gas importer, or
 (3)emitted by an industrial fluorinated greenhouse gas facility. (b)Amount of feeThe amount of fee imposed by subsection (a) shall be equal to 10 percent of the applicable amount determined under section 4691(b) per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent produced or imported.
								(c)Definitions
 (1)Fluorinated greenhouse gas production facilityThe term fluorinated greenhouse gas production facility means any facility which is included under the industrial gas supplier source category under subpart OO of part 98 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the enactment of the American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act of 2015.
 (2)Fluorinated greenhouse gas importerThe term fluorinated greenhouse gas importer means any importer who is included under— (A)the industrial gas supplier source category under subpart OO of part 98 of title 40, Code of Regulations, as in effect on the date of the enactment of the American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act of 2015, or
 (B)the source category under subpart QQ of such part (as so in effect). (3)Industrial fluorinated greenhouse gas facilityThe term industrial greenhouse gas facility means any facility which—
 (A)is included under— (i)the aluminum production source category under subpart F of part 98 of title 40, Code of Regulations, as in effect on the date of the enactment of the American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act of 2015,
 (ii)the HCFC-22 production and HFC-23 destruction source category under subpart O of such part (as so in effect), or
 (iii)the fluorinated gas production source category under subpart L of such part (as so in effect), and (B)emitted during the previous calendar year fluorinated greenhouse gases with a total carbon dioxide equivalent of not less than 25,000 tons.
 (d)Exemption for exportsFor purposes of determining fluorinated greenhouse gases produced or imported under subsection (a), there shall not be taken into account any fluorinated greenhouse gases exported from the United States in bulk or exported from the United States in equipment pre-charged with fluorinated greenhouse gases or containing fluorinated greenhouse gases in closed cell foams.
 (e)Refund for Consumptive Uses and DestructionIn the case of a person who uses any fluorinated greenhouse gas for which a fee has been imposed under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) as an input for a manufactured good that transforms the fluorinated greenhouse gas such that it cannot later be emitted or otherwise destroys the gas (without emissions), a refund shall be allowed to such person in the same manner as if it were an overpayment of the fee imposed by such subsection in an amount that is equal to the product of—
 (1)an amount equal to 10 percent of the applicable amount under section 4691(b) for the calendar year in which such fluorinated greenhouse gas was used or destroyed, and
 (2)the excess (if any) of— (A)the total carbon dioxide equivalent of the fluorinated greenhouse gases used or destroyed, over
 (B)the total carbon dioxide equivalent of any fluorinated greenhouse gases created as the result of the transformation or destruction process.
										4693.Fee for other greenhouse gas emissions
 (a)In generalThere is hereby imposed a fee in an amount determined under subsection (b) on the emission (including attributed emissions) of any greenhouse gas (other than carbon dioxide or fluorinated greenhouse gases) from any greenhouse gas emissions source.
 (b)Amount of feeThe amount of fee imposed by subsection (a) shall be equal to the applicable amount determined under section 4691(b) per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent emitted by the greenhouse gas emissions source.
 (c)Greenhouse gas emissions sourceThe term greenhouse gas emissions source means any facility which— (1)is required to report emissions (or which would be required to report emissions notwithstanding any other provision of law prohibiting the implementation of or use of funds for such requirements), or to which emissions are attributed, under part 98 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the enactment of the American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act of 2015, and
 (2)emitted during the previous calendar year greenhouse gases (not including carbon dioxide or fluorinated greenhouse gases) at a rate equal to the carbon dioxide equivalent of not less than 25,000 tons.
									4694.Escaped methane
								(a)Reporting program
 (1)In generalNot later than January 1, 2017, the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, shall establish and implement a program to provide for the collection of data on methane emissions by major non-natural sources, including methane emissions attributable to the extraction and distribution of coal, petroleum products, and natural gas.
 (2)Annual reportNot later than 12 months after the date that the Secretary implements the program described in paragraph (1), and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall issue a report, to be made available to the public and the appropriate Committees of Congress, on methane emissions, including—
 (A)identification of all major non-natural source categories of methane emissions, and (B)the total amount, expressed in tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, of—
 (i)methane emissions and total greenhouse gas emissions attributable to the extraction and distribution of coal within the United States during the preceding calendar year,
 (ii)methane emissions and total greenhouse gas emissions attributable to the extraction and distribution of petroleum products within the United States during the preceding calendar year, and
 (iii)methane emissions and total greenhouse gas emissions attributable to the extraction and distribution of natural gas within the United States during the preceding calendar year.
											(b)Supplementary fee for escaped methane
 (1)CoalIn the case of any calendar year beginning after 2017, the fee imposed under section 4691(a)(1) with respect to coal shall be increased by the amount determined by the Secretary (in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency) necessary to ensure that the total fees collected under such section with respect to coal are equal to the total amount of such fees that would be collected on coal if the fee imposed under section 4691(a)(1) also applied to the carbon-dioxide equivalent of methane emissions reported under subsection (a)(2)(B)(i).
 (2)Petroleum productsIn the case of any calendar year beginning after 2017, the fee imposed under section 4691(a)(1) with respect to petroleum products shall be increased by the amount determined by the Secretary (in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency) necessary to ensure that the total fees collected under such section with respect to petroleum products are equal to the total amount of such fees that would be collected on petroleum products if the fee imposed under section 4691(a)(1) also applied to the carbon-dioxide equivalent of methane emissions reported under subsection (a)(2)(B)(ii).
 (3)Natural gasIn the case of any calendar year beginning after 2017, the fee imposed under section 4691(a)(1) with respect to natural gas shall be increased by the amount determined by the Secretary (in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency) necessary to ensure that the total fees collected under such section with respect to natural gas are equal to the total amount of such fees that would be collected on natural gas if the fee imposed under section 4691(a)(1) also applied to the carbon-dioxide equivalent of methane emissions reported under subsection (a)(2)(B)(iii).
									4695.Border adjustments for energy-intensive manufactured goods
 (a)PurposeThe purpose of this section is to ensure the environmental effectiveness of this subchapter. (b)Exports (1)In generalIn the case of any energy-intensive manufactured good which is exported from the United States, the Secretary shall pay to the person exporting such good a refund equal to the amount of the cost of such good attributable to any fees imposed under this subchapter on inputs used in the manufacturing of such energy-intensive manufactured good (as determined under regulations established by the Secretary).
 (2)Reduction in refundThe amount of the refund under paragraph (1) shall be reduced by the amount, if any, of fees imposed on such goods or comparable domestically produced energy-intensive manufactured goods by the foreign nation or governmental unit to which such good is exported.
									(c)Imports
 (1)Imposition of equivalency feeIn the case of any energy-intensive manufactured good imported into the United States, there is imposed an equivalency fee on the person importing such good in an amount equal to the cost of such good which would be attributable to any fees imposed under this subchapter on inputs used in the manufacturing of such good if the inputs used in manufacturing such good were subject to such fees (as determined under regulations established by the Secretary).
 (2)Reduction in feeThe amount of the equivalency fee under paragraph (1) shall be reduced by the amount, if any, of any fees imposed on such energy-intensive manufactured goods by the foreign nation or governmental units from which such good was imported.
 (d)Treatment of alternative policies as feesUnder regulations established by the Secretary, foreign policies that have substantially the same effect in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases as fees shall be treated as fees for purposes of subsections (b)(2) and (c)(2).
								(e)Regulatory authority
 (1)In generalThe Secretary shall consult with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Energy in establishing rules and regulations implementing the purposes of this section.
 (2)TreatiesThe Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, may adjust the applicable amounts of the refunds and equivalency fees under this section in a manner that is consistent with any obligations of the United States under an international agreement.
									4696.Definitions and other rules
 (a)DefinitionsFor purposes of this subchapter: (1)Carbon dioxide equivalent The term carbon dioxide equivalent means, with respect to a greenhouse gas, the quantity of such gas that has a global warming potential equivalent to 1 metric ton of carbon dioxide, as determined pursuant to table A–1 of subpart A of part 98 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the enactment of the American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act of 2015.
 (2)Greenhouse gasThe term greenhouse gas has the meaning given such term under section 211(o)(1)(G) of the Clean Air Act, as in effect on the date of the enactment of the American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act of 2015.
 (3)CoalThe term coal has the same meaning given such term under section 48A(c)(4). (4)Petroleum productThe term petroleum product has the same meaning given such product under section 4612(a)(3).
									(5)Energy-intensive manufactured good
 (A)In generalThe term energy-intensive manufactured good means any manufactured good for which not less than 5 percent of the cost of which is attributable to energy costs, as determined by the Secretary.
										(B)List of energy-intensive manufactured goods
 (i)Initial listNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish a list of goods which qualify as energy-intensive manufactured goods.
 (ii)UpdatesNot less frequently than annually, the Secretary shall update the list published under this subparagraph.
											(6)Ton
										(A)In
 generalThe term ton means 1,000 kilograms. In the case of any greenhouse gas which is a gas, the term ton means the amount of such gas in cubic meters which is the equivalent of 1,000 kilograms on a molecular weight basis.
										(B)Fractional part
 of tonIn the case of a fraction of a ton, any fee imposed by this subchapter on such fraction shall be the same fraction of the amount of such fee imposed on a whole ton.
										(7)United
 StatesThe term United States has the meaning given such term by section 4612(a)(4).
									(b)Other rules
 (1)Assessment and collectionPayment of the fee imposed by sections 4691, 4692, and 4693 shall be assessed and collected in the same manner as taxes under this subtitle.
 (2)RegulationsThe Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this subchapter..
 (b)Clerical amendmentThe table of subchapters for chapter 38 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
					SUBCHAPTER E—Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emission fees.
				(c)Effective
 dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2015.
				IIReturning fee revenue to the American people
			201.Reduction in corporate tax rate
 (a)In generalSection 11(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— (1)by inserting and at the end of subparagraph (B),
 (2)by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D) and inserting the following:  (C)29 percent of so much of the taxable income as exceeds $75,000.,
 (3)by striking $11,750 in the second sentence and inserting $8,000, and (4)by striking the last sentence.
					(b)Conforming amendments
 (1)Paragraph (2) of section 11(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking 35 percent and inserting 29 percent. (2)Paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 1445(e) of such Code are each amended by striking 35 percent and inserting 29 percent.
 (3)Subparagraph (A) of section 7518(g)(6) of such Code is amended by striking 34 percent and inserting 29 percent. (4)Paragraph (2) of section 53511(f) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking 34 percent and inserting 29 percent.
					(c)Effective dates
 (1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2015.
 (2)WithholdingThe amendments made by subsection (b)(2) shall take effect on January 1, 2016. 202.Establishment of refundable credit for workers (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.Carbon fee offset credit
 (a)In generalIn the case of an eligible individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this subtitle for the taxable year an amount equal to the lesser of—
 (1)6.2 percent of the earned income of the taxpayer, or (2)$500 (twice such amount in the case of a joint return).
								(b)Eligible individual
 For purposes of this section, the term eligible individual means any individual other than— (1)any nonresident alien individual,
 (2)any individual with respect to whom a deduction under section 151 is allowable to another taxpayer for a taxable year beginning in the calendar year in which the individual's taxable year begins, and
 (3)any individual who, for the month of December of the taxable year, was entitled to or eligible for a benefit payment described in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 203(b) of the American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act of 2015.
								(c)Earned income
 (1)In generalFor purposes of this section, the term earned income has the meaning given such term by section 32(c)(2), except that such term shall not include net earnings from self-employment which are not taken into account in computing taxable income.
 (2)Certain combat zone compensationFor purposes of paragraph (1), any amount excluded from gross income by reason of section 112 shall be treated as earned income which is taken into account in computing taxable income for the taxable year.
								(d)Inflation adjustment
 (1)In generalIn the case of a taxable year beginning after 2016, the $500 amount in subsection (a)(2) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
 (A)such dollar amount, multiplied by (B)the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting calendar year 2015 for calendar year 1992 in subparagraph (B) thereof.
 (2)RoundingIf any dollar amount, after being increased under paragraph (1), is not a multiple of $10, such dollar amount shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $10..
 (b)Refunds disregarded in the administration of Federal programs and federally assisted programsAny credit or refund allowed or made to any individual by reason of section 36A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by this section) shall not be taken into account as income and shall not be taken into account as resources for purposes of determining the eligibility of such individual or any other individual for benefits or assistance, or the amount or extent of benefits or assistance, under any Federal program or under any State or local program financed in whole or in part with Federal funds.
				(c)Conforming amendments
 (1)Section 6211(b)(4)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting 36A, after 36,. (2)The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 36 the following new item:
						Sec. 36A. Carbon fee offset credit..
 (d)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2014. 203.Establishment of payments to Social Security beneficiaries and other retired and disabled Americans (a)Authority To make payments The Secretary of the Treasury or the Secretary of the Treasury's delegate (referred to in this section as the Secretary) shall, during the period between April 1 and May 15 of calendar year 2016 and each year thereafter, disburse a payment to each eligible beneficiary in an amount equal to the amount in effect for taxable years beginning in the preceding calendar year under section 36A(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
 (b)Eligible beneficiaryFor purposes of this section, the term eligible beneficiary means an individual who, for the month of December of the preceding year, was— (1)entitled to any benefit payment described in subparagraph (B) of section 2201(a)(1) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009; or
 (2)eligible for a benefit payment described in subparagraph (C) of such section. (c)Residency requirementA payment may be made under this section only to an eligible beneficiary who resides in any State (as defined in section 204(f)), as determined based on the current address of record for such beneficiary under the applicable program for payment of benefits described in subsection (b).
 (d)No double paymentsAn eligible beneficiary may not receive more than 1 payment per calendar year under this section, regardless of whether such beneficiary is entitled to or eligible for more than 1 benefit payment described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b).
 (e)Identification of recipientsThe Commissioner of Social Security, the Railroad Retirement Board, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall certify the eligible beneficiaries entitled to receive payments under this section and provide the Secretary with any information necessary to disburse such payments.
 (f)Application of additional rulesRules similar to the rules of subsections (a)(4), (c), and (d) of section 2201 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 shall apply for purposes of payments under this section.
				204.State-based cost mitigation grant program
 (a)In generalThe Secretary of the Treasury shall provide to each State which meets the requirements of subsection (d) a cost mitigation grant for each calendar year after 2015 in an amount determined under subsection (c).
 (b)Use of fundsA State receiving a cost mitigation grant under this section may use the grant only— (1)to assist low-income households in reducing energy expenses and meeting cost increases attributable to the fees imposed under subchapter E of chapter 38 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by this Act);
 (2)to assist rural households in reducing energy expenses and meeting such increases attributable to such fees; and
 (3)to provide job training and worker transition assistance, with priority given to workers and former workers in fossil-fuel related industries.
					(c)Amount of grant
 (1)In generalThe amount of the cost mitigation grant made to any State for any calendar year shall be equal to the product of—
 (A)the annual grant limitation determined under paragraph (3) for such calendar year; and (B)the State allocation percentage for the State (determined under paragraph (2)).
 (2)State allocation percentageThe State allocation percentage for a State is the amount (expressed as a percentage) equal to the quotient of— (A)the population of such State (as reported in the most recent decennial census); and
 (B)the population of all States (as reported in the most recent decennial census). (3)Annual grant limitation (A)In generalThe annual grant limitation is $20,000,000,000.
 (B)Inflation adjustmentIn the case of any calendar year after 2016, the $20,000,000,000 amount in subparagraph (A) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
 (i)such dollar amount; multiplied by (ii)the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for the calendar year, determined by substituting calendar year 2015 for calendar year 1992 in subparagraph (B) thereof.
 (4)RedistributionIn any case in which one or more States do not meet the requirements described in subsection (d) for a calendar year, an amount equal to the State allocation percentage for such State or States shall be distributed to each State which did meet such conditions in an amount equal to the product of—
 (A)such amount; and (B)the State allocation percentage of such State (determined by not taking into account under paragraph (2)(B) the population of any State which did not meet the requirements of subsection (d) for such calendar year).
						(d)Requirements for receipt of grant
 (1)In generalA State is eligible to receive a cost mitigation grant for any calendar year if— (A)the chief executive officer of the State certifies that the State will use such grant as needed to deliver benefits to all eligible low-income individuals through a household rebate program;
 (B)the State has filed with the Secretary of the Treasury a State plan covering the calendar year which details the use of the funds received under the grant;
 (C)the State agrees to comply with any audit requirements under subsection (d); and (D)the State has complied with the requirements of this section for all preceding years or the State has remedied all prior noncompliance to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Treasury.
 (2)Household rebate programFor purposes of paragraph (1)(A)— (A)In generalThe term household rebate program means a program for delivering to monthly benefits in an aggregate annual amount equal to the applicable amount to all eligible low-income individuals through a State-administered electronic benefit transfer system.
 (B)Applicable amountThe term applicable amount means, with respect to any eligible low-income individual for any calendar year, an amount equal to the excess of—
 (i)the amount in effect for taxable years ending with or within the preceding calendar year under section 36A(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, over
 (ii)any amount allowed or claimed as a credit by such individual under such section for the taxable year ending with or within the preceding calendar year.
							(C)Eligible low-income individuals
 The term eligible low-income individual means, with respect to any calendar year, any individual who— (i)has attained the age of 18 before the end of the calendar year;
 (ii)lives in a household that has a gross income that does not exceed 150 percent of the poverty line as defined by section 673(2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act;
 (iii)participates in a federally funded State administered assistance program or otherwise applies for such benefits under such a program; and
 (iv)for the month of December of the preceding calendar year, was not entitled to or eligible for a benefit payment described in section 203(b).
 (D)Coordination rulesThe Secretary of the Treasury shall coordinate with the States and other applicable Federal agencies to identify eligible low-income individuals.
 (e)AuditsThe Secretary of the Treasury shall audit the State use of grants under this section to ensure such uses comply with the requirements of this section and with the uses identified by the State under subsection (d)(1)(B). The Secretary may withhold a grant under this section if the Secretary determines that a State has not complied with such requirements.
 (f)StateFor purposes of this section, the term State includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the United States Virgin Islands.
 (g)AppropriationsThere are hereby appropriated such sums as necessary for making cost mitigation grants under this section.
				IIIOther provisions
			301.Public disclosure of revenues and expenditures
 (a)Establishment of websiteThe Secretary of the Treasury, or the Secretary's designee, shall establish a website for purposes of making the disclosures described in subsection (b).
 (b)DisclosuresThe Secretary shall make publicly available, on an ongoing basis and as frequently as possible, the following information:
 (1)The amount and sources of revenue attributable to this Act and the amendments made by this Act. (2)The amount of tax savings and benefits received as a result of title II of this Act.
 302.SeverabilityIf any provision of this Act or amendment made by this Act, or the application of a provision or amendment to any person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act and amendments made by this Act, and the application of the provisions and amendment to any person or circumstance, shall not be affected by the holding.


116 HRES 699 IH: Celebrating the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Poland.
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-11-14
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.

IV116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. RES. 699IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESNovember 14, 2019Mr. Burchett submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign AffairsRESOLUTIONCelebrating the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Poland.

 Whereas 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Poland;
 Whereas Poland is a strong ally of the United States on issues involving freedom and liberty; Whereas over 10 million United States citizens are of Polish-American ancestry;
 Whereas the United States, in its own war for independence, was assisted by two Polish leaders, Casimir Pulaski and Tadeusz Kosciuszko;
 Whereas Pulaski died fighting for United States independence while Kosciuszko, an engineer, was instrumental in helping George Washington win the Battle of Saratoga and became known as the father of West Point, the United States Military Academy;
 Whereas the United States recognizes that during the past 100 years of diplomatic relations, Poland was free for only 50 years, from 1919 to 1939 and from 1989 to present;
 Whereas the United States always maintained diplomatic ties between our two nations during the past 100 years despite challenging political circumstances in Poland, even moving the United States embassy to London during World War II;
 Whereas many Poles gave their lives fighting for the Allies during World War II; Whereas, in 1989, during the cold war and as Poland was transitioning from Soviet rule, freedom leader Lech Walesa addressed the United States Congress;
 Whereas Poland is one of only seven North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states to meet their two percent gross domestic product defense spending requirement;
 Whereas Poland deployed large numbers of members of its armed forces to the international coalition in Iraq and to the NATO forces in Afghanistan; and
 Whereas Poland remains a strong ally to the United States: Now, therefore, be it  That the House of Representatives—
 (1)celebrates the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Poland; (2)honors the service of the Poles who fought during World War II, Afghanistan, and Iraq, including those who gave their lives; and
 (3)honors the contributions by Polish Americans to the United States.


IV
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 281
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

March 25, 2009

RESOLUTION
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1404) to authorize a supplemental funding source for catastrophic emergency wildland fire suppression activities on Department of the Interior and National Forest System lands, to require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a cohesive wildland fire management strategy, and for other purposes.

That at any time after the adoption of this resolution the Speaker may, pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the House resolved into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1404) to authorize a supplemental funding source for catastrophic emergency wildland fire suppression activities on Department of the Interior and National Forest System lands, to require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a cohesive wildland fire management strategy, and for other purposes. The first reading of the bill shall be dispensed with. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. General debate shall be confined to the bill and shall not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Natural Resources. After general debate the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. The bill shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the bill are waived. Notwithstanding clause 11 of rule XVIII, no amendment to the bill shall be in order except those printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution. Each such amendment may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. All points of order against such amendments are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. At the conclusion of consideration of the bill for amendment the Committee shall rise and report the bill to the House with such amendments as may have been adopted. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and amendments thereto to final passage without intervening motion except one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

Lorraine C. Miller,Clerk.


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 2086
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			September 24, 2007
			Mr. Lott introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to extend
		  funding for 18 months for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
		  and for other purposes.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the SCHIP Extension Act of
			 2007.
		2.Extension of
			 SCHIPSection 2104 of the
			 Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397dd) is amended—
			(1)in subsection
			 (a)—
				(A)by striking
			 and at the end of paragraph (9);
				(B)by striking the
			 period at the end of paragraph (10) and inserting a semicolon; and
				(C)by adding at the
			 end the following new paragraph:

						(11)for fiscal year
				2008, $5,000,000,000; and
						(12)for the first 6
				months of fiscal year 2009,
				$2,500,000,000.
						;
				and
				(2)in subsection
			 (c)(4)(B), by striking and $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2007 and
			 inserting $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 and 2008, and
			 $20,000,000 for the first 6 months of fiscal year 2009.
			3.Additional
			 allotments to address SCHIP funding shortfalls for fiscal year 2008 and first 6
			 months of fiscal year 2009Section 2104 of the Social Security Act (42
			 U.S.C. 1397dd) is amended by adding at the end the following new
			 subsection:

				(i)Amounts To
				eliminate funding shortfalls for fiscal year 2008 and first 6 months of fiscal
				year 2009
					(1)In
				generalFrom the amounts appropriated under paragraph (4) for a
				shortfall period (as defined in paragraph (5)), the Secretary shall allot to
				each shortfall State described in paragraph (2) for such period such amount as
				the Secretary determines will eliminate the estimated shortfall described in
				paragraph (2) for the State for the shortfall period.
					(2)Shortfall state
				describedFor purposes of
				paragraph (1), a shortfall State described in this paragraph for a shortfall
				period is a State with a State child health plan approved under this title for
				which the Secretary estimates, on the basis of the most recent data available
				to the Secretary as of a date (specified by the Secretary) during the shortfall
				period, that the projected Federal expenditures under such plan for the State
				for the shortfall period will exceed the sum of—
						(A)the amount of the
				State's allotments for the two fiscal years ending before the shortfall period
				that will not be expended by the end of the more recent such fiscal
				year;
						(B)the amount of the
				State's allotment for the shortfall period; and
						(C)the amounts, if
				any, that are to be redistributed to the State during the shortfall period in
				accordance with subsection (f).
						(3)Proration
				ruleIf the amount available under paragraph (4) for a shortfall
				period is less than the total amount of the estimated shortfalls determined by
				the Secretary under paragraph (1) for such period, the amount of the estimated
				shortfall for each shortfall State determined under such paragraph for such
				period shall be reduced proportionally.
					(4)Appropriation; allotment
				authorityFor the purpose of
				providing additional allotments to shortfall States under this
				subsection—
						(A)Fiscal year
				2008For the shortfall period specified in paragraph (5)(A),
				there is appropriated, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise
				appropriated, such sums as are necessary for such fiscal year, but not to
				exceed $1,500,000,000.
						(B)First 6 months
				of fiscal year 2009For the
				shortfall period specified in paragraph (5)(B), there is appropriated, out of
				any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as are
				necessary for such period, but not to exceed $1,100,000,000.
						(5)Shortfall
				periods specifiedFor purposes of this subsection, each of the
				following is a shortfall period:
						(A)Fiscal year
				2008.
						(B)The first 6 months
				of fiscal year
				2009.
						.
		4.Option for
			 qualifying States to receive the enhanced portion of the SCHIP matching rate
			 for Medicaid coverage of certain childrenSection 2105(g) of the Social Security Act
			 (42 U.S.C. 1397ee(g)) is amended—
			(1)in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting
			 subject to paragraph (4), after Notwithstanding any other
			 provision of law,; and
			(2)by
			 adding at the end the following new paragraph:

					(4)Option for
				allotments
						(A)Payment of
				enhanced portion of matching rate for certain expendituresIn the
				case of expenditures described in subparagraph (B), a qualifying State (as
				defined in paragraph (2)) may elect to be paid from the State's allotment made
				under section 2104 for any fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2008)
				(insofar as the allotment is available to the State under subsections (e) and
				(i) of such section) an amount each quarter equal to the additional amount that
				would have been paid to the State under title XIX with respect to such
				expenditures if the enhanced FMAP (as determined under subsection (b)) had been
				substituted for the Federal medical assistance percentage (as defined in
				section 1905(b)).
						(B)Expenditures
				describedFor purposes of subparagraph (A), the expenditures
				described in this subparagraph are expenditures made after the date of the
				enactment of this paragraph and during the period in which funds are available
				to the qualifying State for use under subparagraph (A), for the provision of
				medical assistance to individuals residing in the State who are eligible for
				medical assistance under the State plan under title XIX or under a waiver of
				such plan and who have not attained age 19, and whose family income equals or
				exceeds 133 percent of the poverty line but does not exceed the Medicaid
				applicable income
				level.
						.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 349
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			January 19, 2011
			Mr. Sensenbrenner
			 (for himself, Mr. Burgess,
			 Mr. Duncan of South Carolina,
			 Mr. Ross of Florida,
			 Mr. Crawford,
			 Mr. Long, and
			 Mr. Duncan of Tennessee) introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To make subject to appropriations Acts the Internal
		  Revenue Service’s use of certain funds collected from user
		  fees.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 IRS Fee Reform Act of 2011.
		2.Internal Revenue
			 Service user fees subject to appropriations Acts
			(a)In
			 generalThe second sentence
			 of section 3 of title I of Public Law 103–329, under the heading
			 administrative
			 provisions-internal revenue service, is amended by
			 striking The Secretary of the Treasury may spend and all that
			 follows through and thereafter and inserting the following:
			 Any fees collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the
			 general fund of the Treasury and shall not be expended by the Internal Revenue
			 Service unless provided by an appropriations Act.
			(b)Conforming
			 amendmentThe last proviso of such section is amended by striking
			 and how they are being expended by the Service.
			(c)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by this section shall apply to fees
			 collected after the date of the enactment of this Act.


113 HR 2356 IH: We Are Watching You Act of 2013
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-06-13
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.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2356
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 13, 2013
			Mr. Capuano (for
			 himself and Mr. Jones) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
			 Commerce

		A BILL
		To provide for notification to consumers before a video
		  service collects visual or auditory information from the viewing area and to
		  provide consumers with choices that do not involve the collection of such
		  information, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 We Are Watching You Act of
			 2013.
		2.Notification and
			 consumer choice
			(a)Notification
				(1)In
			 generalAn operator of a
			 video service may not collect visual or auditory information from the vicinity
			 of the device used to display the video programming stream to the consumer
			 unless the operator—
					(A)displays, as part
			 of the video programming stream, a message that reads, We are watching
			 you.; and
					(B)provides to the
			 consumer a description of the types of information that will be collected and
			 how such information will be used.
					(2)On-screen
			 messageThe message required by paragraph (1)(A) shall be
			 displayed—
					(A)continuously during the time information is
			 being collected; and
					(B)in a color, font,
			 and size that are easily readable at a normal viewing distance.
					(3)Description of
			 information collected
					(A)In
			 generalThe description required by paragraph (1)(B) shall be
			 provided as part of the terms and conditions to which the consumer must agree
			 before using the video service.
					(B)Device provided
			 by operatorIn the case of a video service that is accessed
			 through a device sold or provided to the consumer by the operator of the video
			 service, the description required by paragraph (1)(B) shall be provided as part
			 of the written instructions and other materials accompanying the device, in
			 addition to being provided as required by subparagraph (A).
					(b)Consumer choice
			 of alternative service
				(1)In
			 generalIf an operator offers a video service involving the
			 collection of visual or auditory information from the vicinity of the device
			 used to display the video programming stream to the consumer, such operator
			 shall offer a video service that does not involve the collection of such
			 information but is otherwise identical in all respects.
				(2)Device provided
			 by operatorIn the case of a video service that is accessed
			 through a device sold or provided to the consumer by the operator of the video
			 service, the operator shall sell or provide in connection with the alternative
			 service required by paragraph (1) a device that is not capable of collecting
			 such information.
				(c)Requirements for
			 information disclosureAn
			 operator of a video service that collects visual or auditory information from
			 the vicinity of the device used to display the video programming stream to the
			 consumer may only disclose such information—
				(1)with the express
			 consent of the consumer; or
				(2)as required by a
			 court order issued in connection with a law enforcement investigation.
				(d)RegulationsThe
			 Commission may promulgate regulations in accordance with section 553 of title
			 5, United States Code, to implement and enforce this section.
			3.Enforcement by
			 Federal Trade Commission
			(a)Unfair or
			 deceptive acts or practicesA violation of section 2 or a
			 regulation promulgated under such section shall be treated as a violation of a
			 regulation under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C.
			 57a(a)(1)(B)) regarding unfair or deceptive acts or practices.
			(b)Powers of
			 CommissionThe Commission
			 shall enforce section 2 and the regulations promulgated under such section in
			 the same manner, by the same means, and with the same jurisdiction, powers, and
			 duties as though all applicable terms and provisions of the
			 Federal Trade Commission Act (15
			 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) were incorporated into and made a part of this Act. Any
			 person who violates such section or a regulation promulgated under such section
			 shall be subject to the penalties and entitled to the privileges and immunities
			 provided in the Federal Trade Commission Act.
			4.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)CommissionThe
			 term Commission means the Federal Trade Commission.
			(2)OperatorThe
			 term operator means, with respect to a video service, the person
			 with whom the consumer directly interacts to select and initiate the
			 transmission of the video programming stream.
			(3)Video
			 serviceThe term video service means the
			 transmission of a video programming stream to consumers by means of the
			 facilities of the operator of the service, the facilities of another person, or
			 any combination thereof.


109 HR 3417 IH: Health Education Loan Payment (HELP) for Citizen Soldiers Act of 2005
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-07-25
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3417
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 25, 2005
Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida (for herself, Ms. Hooley, Mr. Bartlett of Maryland, Mr. Platts, Mr. Burton of Indiana, and Mr. Snyder) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL
To amend title 10, United States Code, to increase the maximum amount of education loans that may be repaid on behalf of officers in the Selected Reserve who possess professional qualifications, or are enrolled in programs of education leading to professional qualifications, in health professions that are needed critically to meet wartime combat medical skill shortages.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Health Education Loan Payment (HELP) for Citizen Soldiers Act of 2005.
2.Loan repayment authority for health professions officers serving in Selected Reserve with wartime critical medical skillsSection 16302(c)(3) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking $50,000 and inserting $100,000.