114 HR 2743 IH: Hydrographic Services Improvement Amendments Act of 2015
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-06-11
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2743
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 11, 2015
			Mr. Young of Alaska introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

		A BILL
		To reauthorize the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Hydrographic Services Improvement Amendments Act of 2015. 2.Reauthorization of Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 (a)ReauthorizationsSection 306 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 892d) is amended—
 (1)by inserting before the text the following: (a) In general.—; (2)in subsection (a) (as designated by the amendment made by paragraph (1))—
 (A)in paragraph (1), by striking surveys— and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting surveys, $70,814,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019.; (B)in paragraph (2), by striking vessels— and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting vessels, $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019.;
 (C)in paragraph (3), by striking Administration— and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting Administration, $29,932,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019.; (D)in paragraph (4), by striking title— and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting title, $26,800,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019.; and
 (E)in paragraph (5), by striking title— and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting title, $30,564,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019.; and (3)by adding at the end the following new subsection:

 (b)Arctic programsOf the amount authorized by this section for each fiscal year— (1)$5,000,000 is authorized for use to acquire hydrographic data, provide hydrographic services, conduct coastal change analyses necessary to ensure safe navigation, and improve the management of coastal change in the Arctic; and
 (2)$2,000,000 is authorized for use to acquire hydrographic data and provide hydrographic services in the Arctic necessary to delineate the United States extended Continental Shelf..
 (b)Limitation on administrative expenses for surveysSection 306 of such Act (33 U.S.C. 892d) is further amended by adding at the end the following:  (c)Limitation on administrative expenses for surveysOf amounts authorized by this section for each fiscal year for hydrographic surveys, not more than 5 percent is authorized for administrative costs..
 3.GAO studyThe Comptroller General of the United States shall, by not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act—
 (1)conduct a study comparing the unit costs of hydrographic surveys conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the unit costs of procuring performance of such surveys; and
 (2)report to the Congress on the findings of such study.


110 HR 7026 IH: To amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990

U.S. House of Representatives
2008-09-23
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 7026
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			September 23, 2008
			Mr. Sestak (for
			 himself and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen)
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Education and
			 Labor

		A BILL
		To amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990
		  to establish the Silver Scholarship program to encourage increased volunteer
		  work by seniors.

		1.Silver scholarship
			 programs
			(a)In
			 generalSubtitle H of title I
			 of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12653 et seq.), is
			 amended by adding at the end the following:

					198F.Silver
				scholarship programs
						(a)EstablishmentThe
				Corporation is authorized to award grants to eligible entities, to enable the
				entities to provide volunteers participating in service projects in accordance
				with this section with scholarships that may be used by the volunteers or by
				individuals designated by the volunteers.
						(b)Eligible
				entitiesTo be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an
				entity shall be a public agency or private nonprofit organization with
				experience in administering service programs (including the programs described
				in or administered under title II of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973
				(42 U.S.C. 5000 et seq.)).
						(c)ApplicationsTo
				be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an entity shall submit to
				the Corporation an application at such time, in such manner, and containing
				such information as the Corporation may reasonably require.
						(d)Criteria and
				priorities for grantsThe Corporation shall establish criteria
				and priorities for awarding grants under this section.
						(e)Requirements for
				scholarshipAn entity that receives a grant under subsection (a)
				shall use the funds made available through the grant to award a scholarship
				described in subsection (a) to recipients, each of whom—
							(1)is, or has been
				designated for the scholarship by, a volunteer who—
								(A)has performed not
				less than 500 hours of volunteer service, of a type specified by the
				Corporation under subsection (f)(1), during a 12-month period that is—
									(i)after the
				volunteer at issue has attained age 55; and
									(ii)after the date of
				the enactment of this section; or
									(B)has performed not
				less than 250 hours but less than 500 hours of volunteer service of that type
				during such a 12-month period, based on compelling personal circumstances;
				and
								(2)has received,
				during the 5-year period preceding the date that the scholarship is awarded,
				fewer than 2 scholarships under this section.
							(f)Services,
				criteria, and priorities for scholarshipsThe Corporation
				shall—
							(1)specify the types
				of volunteer service a volunteer may engage in to meet term of service
				requirements for a scholarship under this section, which shall include—
								(A)tutoring or
				mentoring in a school, after-school program, or other community-based
				educational setting; and
								(B)assisting persons
				with special needs, including persons who are homebound, to continue living
				independently; and
								(2)establish criteria
				and priorities for eligible entities to use in awarding scholarships under this
				section.
							(g)Amount of
				scholarshipThe entities shall award the scholarships—
							(1)in an amount of
				not more than $1,000; or
							(2)in a amount that is
				prorated based on the individual’s hours of service, for an individual who
				meets the requirements of subsection (e) with a term of service described in
				subsection (e)(2)(B).
							(h)Use of
				scholarshipsA scholarship awarded under this section may be
				used—
							(1)by the volunteer
				or the person designated by the volunteer, in accordance with subsection
				(e);
							(2)only for qualified
				tuition and related expenses, as defined in section 117 of the Internal Revenue
				Code of 1986, and only under such conditions as are set forth by the
				Corporation through regulation; and
							(3)not later than 20
				years after the date of the award of the scholarship, to allow time for
				an individual designated under subsection (e)(1) to use the
				scholarship.
							(i)Authorization of
				appropriationsOf the funds appropriated to carry out this
				section—
							(1)not more than 15
				percent shall be used for administrative purposes by the Corporation;
							(2)not less than 50
				percent shall be made available for grants under subsection (a) and used to
				award scholarships to volunteers who have met the term of service requirements
				for the scholarships by providing tutoring or mentoring described in subsection
				(f)(1)(A);
							(3)not less than 10
				percent shall be made available for such grants and used to award scholarships
				to volunteers who have met the requirements by providing assistance described
				in subsection (f)(1)(B); and
							(4)not more than 10
				percent shall be made available for such grants and used for administrative
				purposes by the eligible entities receiving the
				grants.
							.
			(b)Authorization of
			 appropriationsSection 501(a)(2), as amended by section 202(b) of
			 this Act, is further amended—
				(1)by striking
			 section 198E each place it appears and inserting sections
			 198E and 198F; and
				(2)by adding at the
			 end the following:

						(D)Silver
				scholarship programThere are authorized to be appropriated to
				carry out section 198F, $20,000,000 for the first fiscal year beginning after
				the date of the enactment of section 198F and such sums as are necessary for
				each fiscal year
				thereafter.
						.
				(c)Table of
			 contentsThe table of contents of the Act is further amended in
			 the items relating to subtitle H of title I, by adding at the end the
			 following:

						Sec. 198F. Silver scholarship
				programs.

					.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1204
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			June 8, 2009
			Mrs. Murray introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Veterans'
			 Affairs

		A BILL
		To amend the Department of Veterans Affairs
		  Health Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2001 to require the provision of
		  chiropractic care and services to veterans at all Department of Veterans
		  Affairs medical centers, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Chiropractic Care Available to All
			 Veterans Act of 2009.
		2.Program for provision
			 of chiropractic care and services to veteransSection 204(c) of the Department of Veterans
			 Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2001 (Public Law 107–135;
			 38 U.S.C.
			 1710 note) is amended—
			(1)by inserting
			 (1) before The program; and
			(2)by adding at the
			 end the following new paragraph:

					(2)The program shall be carried out at
				not fewer than 75 medical centers by not later than December 31, 2009, and at
				all medical centers by not later than December 31,
				2011.
					.


110 HRES 1446 IH: Expressing the importance of swimming

U.S. House of Representatives
2008-09-16
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.

		IV
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. RES. 1446
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			September 16, 2008
			Mr. Sires (for
			 himself, Ms. Wasserman Schultz,
			 Mr. Payne, and
			 Mr. Pastor) submitted the following
			 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
			 Commerce

		RESOLUTION
		Expressing the importance of swimming
		  lessons and recognizing the danger of drowning in the United States, especially
		  among minority children.

		Whereas the recent success of the United States Olympic
			 swim team, including the record-breaking eight gold medals won by Michael
			 Phelps, has brought great attention to swimming;
		Whereas a recent New York Times article entitled
			 Despite Olympic Gold, Swimming Statistics Are Grim, highlighted
			 the irony of the United States Olympic glory in light of a shocking number of
			 drownings in the United States;
		Whereas the New York Times has also highlighted the
			 discrepancies in swimming education between African-American children and White
			 children in the article Everyone Into the Water;
		Whereas according to the Centers for Disease Control and
			 Prevention (CDC), there were 3,582 unintentional and fatal drownings in the
			 United States in 2005 representing an average of 10 drowning deaths each
			 day;
		Whereas for every child who fatally drowns in the United
			 States, there are four near-drowning incidents that require emergency care and
			 can lead to brain damage resulting in permanent disabilities ranging from loss
			 of memory to the loss of all basic functions;
		Whereas children are the most susceptible to fatal
			 drowning incidents with one out of four victims being 14 years old or
			 younger;
		Whereas drowning is the second most common unintentional
			 cause of death among children ages 1 to 14;
		Whereas minority drowning rates greatly exceed the rates
			 of White children;
		Whereas according to the CDC, the fatal drowning rate for
			 African-American children between the ages of 5 and 14 is over three times
			 higher than the rate for White children, and the rate for American Indian and
			 Alaska Native children is over two times higher;
		Whereas according to a recent study by the University of
			 Memphis, almost 60 percent of African-American and Latino children do not know
			 how to swim as compared to roughly 30 percent of White children;
		Whereas long-existing stigmas regarding minorities and
			 swimming have contributed to the lack of swimming education in minority
			 communities, and nonswimming minority families are far less likely than
			 nonswimming White families to enroll in swimming lessons;
		Whereas according to the United States Census Bureau, in
			 2007, 33.7 percent of African-Americans, 28.6 percent of Latinos, and 12.5
			 percent of Asian-Americans lived below the poverty line as compared to 10.1
			 percent of Whites, and swimming lessons can cost hundreds of dollars per
			 course;
		Whereas the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act
			 was signed into law in December 2007 addressing the pressing need for increased
			 pool and spa safety requirements and education to prevent accidental deaths by
			 drowning;
		Whereas effective drowning prevention strategies require
			 several approaches such as supervision, fully gated pools, CPR training, and
			 swimming skills;
		Whereas the ability to swim is an important and essential
			 skill, and according to Safe Kids Worldwide, in order to help prevent drowning,
			 children should be enrolled in swimming lessons as early as age 4 to learn how
			 to float, tread water, and enter and exit the pool; and
		Whereas nonprofit initiatives like Asphalt’s Green
			 Waterproofing program and USA Swimming’s Make A Splash program,
			 as featured by the New York Times, are working hard to meet the need for
			 swimming lessons by partnering with local communities to offer all children
			 access to swimming education: Now, therefore, be it

		That the House of
			 Representatives—
			(1)expresses the importance of access to
			 swimming lessons for all communities in the United States;
			(2)recognizes the danger of fatal
			 unintentional drowning in the United States;
			(3)condemns the persistent high rates of fatal
			 drowning among all children, especially minority children;
			(4)celebrates the passage of the Virginia
			 Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, and recognizes that swimming lessons
			 represent only one part of drowning prevention programs;
			(5)celebrates the work of initiatives like
			 Asphalt’s Green Waterproofing program, USA Swimming’s Make A
			 Splash, and Safe Kids USA to educate parents and caregivers on water
			 safety and drowning prevention messages; and
			(6)encourages public and private funding to
			 support current and future initiatives that provide all children access to
			 swimming education.


		II

		Calendar No. 215

		109th CONGRESS

		1st Session

		S. 1718

		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			September 19, 2005

			Mr. Enzi (for himself

			 and Mr. Kennedy) introduced the following

			 bill; which was read the first time

			September 20, 2005

			Read the second time and placed on the

			 calendar

		A BILL

		To provide special rules for disaster relief employment

		  under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 for individuals displaced by

		  Hurricane Katrina.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the

			 Hurricane Katrina Employment and

			 Training Assistance Act.

		2.Special rules

			 for National Emergency Grants related to Hurricane Katrina

			(a)Use of grants

			 for projects outside disaster areaFunds provided to States that

			 submit applications for assistance described in section 173(a)(2) of the

			 Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2918(a)(2)) to address the effects

			 of Hurricane Katrina may be used to provide disaster relief employment and

			 other assistance under section 173(d)(1) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 2918(d)(1)) on

			 projects that provide assistance in areas outside of the disaster area (as such

			 term is defined in section 173(a)(2) of such Act).

			(b)Expanded

			 eligibility for disaster relief employmentFunds provided to States that submit

			 applications for assistance described in section 173(a)(2) of the Workforce

			 Investment Act of 1998 to address the effects of Hurricane Katrina may be used

			 to provide disaster relief employment and other assistance under section

			 173(d)(1) of such Act, or public sector employment authorized under subsection

			 (c) of this Act, to individuals who were unemployed at the time of the

			 emergency or major disaster involved and to individuals who are without

			 employment history, in addition to individuals described in section 173(d)(2)

			 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2918(d)(2)).

			(c)Authorization

			 for general public sector employmentFunds provided to States that submit

			 applications for assistance described in section 173(a)(2) of the Workforce

			 Investment Act of 1998 to address the effects of Hurricane Katrina may be used

			 to provide to eligible individuals temporary employment by public sector

			 entities for a period not to exceed 6 months in addition to disaster relief

			 employment described in section 173(d)(1) of such Act.

			(d)Extension of the

			 duration of disaster relief employmentThe Secretary of Labor may extend the

			 6-month maximum duration of employment under this Act and under section 173(d)

			 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2918(d)) for not more than

			 an additional 6 months due to extraordinary circumstances.

			(e)Priority for

			 disaster relief employment fundsIn awarding national emergency

			 grants to States under section 173(a)(2) of the Workforce Investment Act of

			 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2918(a)(2)) to address the effects of Hurricane Katrina by

			 providing disaster relief employment, the Secretary of Labor shall—

				(1)first, give

			 priority to States in which areas that have suffered major disasters (as

			 defined in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency

			 Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122)) are located; and

				(2)second, give

			 priority to the remaining States that have been most heavily impacted by the

			 demand for services by workers affected by Hurricane Katrina.

				(f)DocumentationIn

			 providing disaster relief employment under section 173(a)(2) of the Workforce

			 Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2918(a)(2)), an entity shall not deny such

			 employment to a worker affected by Hurricane Katrina because of the worker's

			 inability, due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina, to provide at the time of

			 application appropriate documentation of eligibility under section 173(d)(2) of

			 such Act (29 U.S.C. 2918(d)(2)).

			(g)Eligibility for

			 needs-Related paymentsFunds

			 provided to States that submit applications for asisstance described in section

			 173(a)(2) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2918(a)(2)) to

			 address the effects of Hurricane Katrina may be used to provide needs-related

			 payments (described in section 134(e)(3) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 2864(e)(3))) to

			 individuals described in subsection (b) who do not qualify for (or have ceased

			 to qualify for) unemployment compensation, and who are not employed on a

			 project described under section 173(d) of such Act, for the purpose of enabling

			 such individuals to participate in activities described in paragraphs (2), (3),

			 or (4) of section 134(d) of such Act.

			(h)Use of available

			 fundsWith the approval of

			 the Secretary of Labor, any State may use funds that remain available for

			 expenditure under any grants awarded to the State under section 173 of the

			 Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2918) or under this section, to

			 provide any assistance authorized under such section 173 or this section, or

			 personal protective equipment not otherwise available through public funds or

			 private contributions, to assist workers affected by Hurricane Katrina,

			 including workers who have relocated from areas for which an emergency or major

			 disaster (as defined in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief

			 and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122)) was declared, due to the effects

			 of Hurricane Katrina.

			(i)Expanded

			 eligibility for employment and training activities

				(1)In

			 generalIn awarding national emergency grants under section

			 173(a)(1) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2918(a)(1)), the

			 Secretary may award such a grant to an entity to provide employment and

			 training assistance available under section 173(a)(1) of such Act to workers

			 affected by Hurricane Katrina, including workers who have relocated from areas

			 for which an emergency or major disaster (as defined in section 102 of the

			 Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.

			 5122)) was declared, due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

				(2)Eligible

			 entityIn this subsection, the term entity means a

			 State, a local board (as defined in section 101 of the Workforce Investment Act

			 of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2801)), or an entity described in section 166(c) of such Act

			 (29 U.S.C. 2911(c)), that submits an application for assistance described in

			 section 173(a)(1) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to address the

			 effects of Hurricane Katrina.

				3.Sense of

			 Congress

			(a)Mobile one-Stop

			 centersIt is the sense of

			 Congress that States that operate mobile one-stop centers, established as part

			 of one-stop delivery systems authorized under subtitle B of title I of the

			 Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2811 et seq.) should, where

			 possible, make such centers available for use in the areas affected by

			 Hurricane Katrina, and areas where large numbers of workers affected by

			 Hurricane Katrina have been relocated.

			(b)Expanded

			 operational hoursIt is the

			 sense of Congress that one-stop operators (as such term is defined in section

			 101 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2801) should increase

			 access for workers affected by Hurricane Katrina to the one-stop delivery

			 systems authorized under subtitle B of title I of such Act, including through

			 the implementation of expanded operational hours at one-stop centers and

			 on-site services for individuals in temporary housing locations.

		September 20, 2005

		Read the second time and placed on the

		  calendar


116 HR 1238 IH: To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to treat certain planted soybean crops as harvested commodity crops under the Market Facilitation Program.
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-02-14
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.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1238IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 14, 2019Mr. Abraham (for himself, Mr. Estes, Mr. Kelly of Mississippi, and Mr. Guest) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on AgricultureA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Agriculture to treat certain planted soybean crops as harvested
			 commodity crops under the Market Facilitation Program.

 1.Planted crop treated as harvested cropIf the Secretary of Agriculture determines that market conditions have discouraged or prevented a producer of a soybean crop from harvesting such crop or entering such crop in to the stream of commerce, the Secretary shall, for purposes of the Market Facilitation Program under part 1409 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (established pursuant to the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (15 U.S.C. 714 et seq.)) treat such soybean crop as an eligible crop for payments under such Market Facilitation Program.


114 HR 1264 IH: CFPB Pay Fairness Act of 2015
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-03-04
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. 1264
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 4, 2015
Mr. Duffy (for himself, Mr. Neugebauer, and Mr. Barr) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL
To amend the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to set the rate of pay for employees of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection in accordance with the General Schedule.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the CFPB Pay Fairness Act of 2015. 2.Rate of pay for employees of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (a)In generalSection 1013(a)(2) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 5493(a)(2)) is amended to read as follows:

(2)CompensationThe rates of basic pay for all employees of the Bureau shall be set and adjusted by the Director in accordance with the General Schedule set forth in section 5332 of title 5, United States Code.. (b)Effective dateThe amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to service by an employee of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection following the 90-day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act.


		II
		Calendar No. 112
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1420
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			July 27, 2011
			Mr. Toomey (for himself,
			 Mr. Vitter, Mr.
			 Paul, Mr. Rubio,
			 Mr. Lee, Mr.
			 Risch, Mr. DeMint,
			 Mr. Hoeven, Mr.
			 Coats, Mr. Barrasso,
			 Mr. Boozman, Mr. Chambliss, Mr.
			 Coburn, Mr. Cornyn,
			 Mr. Crapo, Mr.
			 Enzi, Mr. Graham,
			 Mr. Grassley, Mr. Hatch, Mr.
			 Heller, Mrs. Hutchison,
			 Mr. Inhofe, Mr.
			 Johanns, Mr. Johnson of
			 Wisconsin, Mr. Kirk,
			 Mr. Lugar, Mr.
			 Moran, Mr. Roberts,
			 Mr. Wicker, Ms.
			 Ayotte, Mr. Isakson,
			 Mr. Blunt, and Mr. Corker) introduced the following bill; which was
			 read the first time

			July 27, 2011
			Read the second time and placed on the
			 calendar

		A BILL
		To require that the United States Government prioritize
		  all obligations on the debt held by the public, Social Security benefits, and
		  military pay in the event that the debt limit is reached, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short
			 titleThis title may be cited
			 as the Ensuring the Full Faith and
			 Credit of the United States and Protecting America's Soldiers and Seniors
			 Act.
		2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
			(1)The Secretary of the Treasury is legally
			 required to carry out the obligations set forth in Public Law 104-121.
			(2)The debt obligations held by the Social
			 Security trust fund may only be redeemed in order to pay Social Security
			 benefits and necessary administrative expenses.
			(3)So long as there is a positive balance of
			 assets in the Social Security trust fund, an appropriate amount of obligations
			 may be converted into an equal amount of publicly held debt in order to finance
			 the full and timely payment of all Social Security obligations without
			 exceeding the debt ceiling.
			3.Prioritize
			 obligations on the debt held by the public, Social Security benefits, and
			 military payIn the event that
			 the debt of the United States Government reaches the statutory limit as defined
			 in section 3101 of title 31, United States Code, the following shall take equal
			 priority over all other obligations incurred by the Government of the United
			 States:
			(1)The authority of the Department of the
			 Treasury contained in section 3123 of title 31, United States Code, to pay with
			 legal tender the principal and interest on debt held by the public.
			(2)The authority of
			 the Commissioner of Social Security to pay monthly old-age, survivors’ and
			 disability insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act.
			(3)The payment of
			 pay and allowances for members of the Armed Forces on active duty.

		July 27, 2011
		Read the second time and placed on the
		  calendar


113 HR 5800 IH: Secure Data Act of 2014
U.S. House of Representatives
2014-12-04
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5800
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			December 4, 2014
			Ms. Lofgren (for herself, Mr. Massie, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Amash, Mr. O'Rourke, Mr. Sensenbrenner, Ms. DelBene, Mr. Poe of Texas, Mr. Nadler, and Mr. Holt) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Select Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
			 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

		A BILL
		 To prohibit Federal agencies from mandating the deployment of vulnerabilities in data security
			 technologies.

		1.Short title
			This Act may be cited as the Secure Data Act of 2014.
		2.Prohibition on data security vulnerability mandates
			(a)In generalExcept as provided in subsection (b), no agency may mandate that a manufacturer, developer, or
			 seller of covered products design or alter the security functions in its
			 product or service to allow the surveillance of any user of such product
			 or service, or to allow the physical search of such product, by any
			 agency.
			(b)ExceptionSubsection (a) shall not apply to mandates authorized under the Communications Assistance for Law
			 Enforcement Act (47 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.).
			(c)DefinitionsIn this section—
				(1)the term agency has the meaning given the term in section 3502 of title 44, United States Code; and
				(2)the term covered product means any computer hardware, computer software, or electronic device that is made available to the
			 general public.


116 HR 3257 IH: Student Loan Fairness Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-06-13
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.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3257IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 13, 2019Ms. Bass (for herself, Ms. Norton, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Mr. Clyburn, Ms. Johnson of Texas, Mr. Rush, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Ms. Jackson Lee, Ms. Lee of California, Mrs. Lawrence, Mr. Clay, Mr. Butterfield, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Fudge, Mr. Richmond, Mr. Payne, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Ms. Adams, Ms. Plaskett, and Mrs. Hayes) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Ways and Means, 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 increase purchasing power, strengthen economic recovery, and restore fairness in financing
			 higher education in the United States through student loan forgiveness,
			 caps on interest rates on Federal student loans, and refinancing
			 opportunities for private borrowers, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Student Loan Fairness Act. 2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
 (1)A well-educated citizenry is critical to our Nation’s ability to compete in the global economy. (2)The Federal Government has a vested interest in ensuring access to higher education.
 (3)Higher education should be viewed as a public good benefitting our country rather than as a commodity solely benefitting individual students.
 (4)Total outstanding student loan debt officially surpassed total credit card debt in the United States in 2015, and now exceeds $1,400,000,000,000.
 (5)Excessive student loan debt is impeding economic growth in the United States. Faced with excessive repayment burdens, many individuals are unable to start businesses, invest, or buy homes. Relieving student loan debt would give these individuals greater control over their earnings and would increase entrepreneurship and demand for goods and services.
 (6)Because of soaring tuition costs, students often have no choice but to amass significant debt to obtain an education that is widely considered a prerequisite for earning a living wage.
 (7)Amidst rising tuition rates and stagnant grant funding, many students are forced to supplement Federal loans with private loans, which frequently feature higher interest rates with fewer consumer protections.
 (8)A borrower who experiences an extended hardship for whatever reason, or a borrower who experiences a series of separate hardships over a longer period of time, will often have no choice but to default on his or her private student loans. Opportunities to put such private loans into forbearance are limited.
 (9)During the period of forbearance on private student loans, interest continues to accrue and is capitalized, and once the borrower comes out of forbearance, he or she owes significantly more on the principal of the loan than before the hardship period began.
 3.10/10 Loan Repayment and ForgivenessPart G of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 is amended by adding at the end the following:

				493E.10/10 Loan Repayment and Forgiveness
					(a)10/10 Loan Repayment Plan
 (1)10/10 Loan Repayment Plan authorizedNotwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Secretary shall carry out a program (to be known as the 10/10 Loan Repayment Plan) under which—
 (A)a borrower of an eligible loan who is eligible under paragraph (3) may elect to have the borrower's aggregate monthly payment for all such loans not exceed the monthly payment amount described in paragraph (2);
 (B)any interest due and not paid under a monthly payment under this subsection— (i)shall continue to accrue; and
 (ii)shall be capitalized up to an amount equal to 10 percent of the original principal amount of all the eligible loans that the borrower is repaying under this subsection;
 (C)any principal due and not paid under a monthly payment under this subsection shall be deferred, and shall be forgiven in accordance with subsection (b) if the borrower meets the requirements for forgiveness under such subsection;
 (D)the amount of time the borrower makes monthly payments under this subsection may exceed 10 years; (E)a borrower who is repaying an eligible loan pursuant to 10/10 Loan Repayment under this subsection may elect, at any time, to terminate repayment pursuant to 10/10 Loan Repayment and repay such loan under the standard repayment plan, in which case the amount of time the borrower is permitted to repay such loans may exceed 10 years; and
 (F)the special allowance payment to a lender calculated under section 438(b)(2)(I), when calculated for a loan in repayment under this section, shall be calculated on the principal balance of the loan and on any accrued interest unpaid by the borrower in accordance with this section.
 (2)10/10 Loan Repayment monthly payment formulaA borrower who has elected to participate in the 10/10 Loan Repayment Plan under this subsection shall, during each month the borrower is participating in such Plan, make a monthly payment in an amount equal to—
 (A)one-twelfth of the amount that is 10 percent of the result obtained by calculating, on at least an annual basis, the amount by which—
 (i)the borrower’s, and the borrower’s spouse’s (if applicable), adjusted gross income; exceeds (ii)150 percent of the poverty line applicable to the borrower’s family size as determined under section 673(2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)), as adjusted by
 (iii)the regional variation in the cost of living (determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce and the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor) for the geographic area in which the borrower resides, so that a borrower residing in a higher cost geographic area will experience a downward trend in such monthly payment amount; or
 (B)in the case of a borrower who is in deferment due to an economic hardship described in section 435(o), $0.
 (3)EligibilityThe Secretary shall establish procedures for annually determining the borrower's eligibility for 10/10 Loan Repayment, including verification of a borrower's annual adjusted gross income and the annual amount due on the total amount of eligible loans, and such other procedures as are necessary to effectively implement 10/10 Loan Repayment under this subsection.
 (4)Special rule for married borrowers filing separatelyIn the case of a married borrower who files a separate Federal income tax return, the Secretary shall calculate the amount of the borrower's 10/10 Loan Repayment under this subsection solely on the basis of the borrower's student loan debt and adjusted gross income, and the regional variation in the cost of living described in paragraph (2)(A)(iii).
						(b)10/10 Loan Forgiveness
 (1)In generalThe Secretary shall carry out a program (to be known as the 10/10 Loan Forgiveness Program) to forgive a qualified loan amount, in accordance with paragraph (3), on an eligible loan for a borrower who, after the date that is 10 years prior to the date of enactment of the Student Loan Fairness Act, has made 120 monthly payments on the eligible loan pursuant to any one or a combination of the following:
 (A)Monthly payment under the 10/10 Loan Repayment Plan under subsection (a). (B)Monthly payment under any other repayment plan authorized under part B or D of an amount that, for a given month, is not less than the monthly payment amount calculated under subsection (a) that the borrower would have owed in the year in which such payment was made, based on the borrower’s adjusted gross income and eligible loan balance for such year.
 (C)For any month after such date during which the borrower is in deferment due to an economic hardship described in section 435(o), monthly payment of $0.
 (2)Method of loan forgivenessTo provide loan forgiveness under paragraph (1), the Secretary is authorized to carry out a program— (A)through the holder of the loan, to assume the obligation to repay a qualified loan amount for a loan made, insured, or guaranteed under part B of this title; and
 (B)to cancel a qualified loan amount for a loan made under part D of this title. (3)Qualified loan amountAfter the borrower has made 120 monthly payments described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall forgive—
 (A)with respect to new borrowers on or after the date of enactment of the Student Loan Fairness Act, the sum of— (i)the balance of principal and fees due on the borrower’s eligible loans as of the time of such forgiveness, not to exceed $45,520; and
 (ii)the amount of interest that has accrued on the balance described in clause (i) as of the time of such forgiveness; or (B)with respect to any other eligible borrower, the balance of principal, interest, and fees due on the borrower’s eligible loans as of the time of such forgiveness.
 (4)Exclusion from taxable incomeThe amount of a borrower’s eligible loans forgiven under this section shall not be included in the gross income of the borrower for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
 (c)Supporting documentation requiredA borrower who has elected to participate in the 10/10 Loan Repayment Plan under subsection (a), or who is requesting forgiveness under the 10/10 Loan Forgiveness Program under subsection (b), shall provide to the Secretary such information and documentation as the Secretary determines, by regulation, to be necessary to verify the borrower’s adjusted gross income and payment amounts made on eligible loans of the borrower for the purposes of such Plan or Program.
 (d)Definition of eligible loanIn this section the term eligible loan means any loan made, insured, or guaranteed under part B or D.. 4.Capping interest rates for all Federal Direct loansSection 455(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(b)) is amended—
 (1)by redesignating paragraphs (9) and (10) as paragraphs (10) and (11), respectively; and (2)by inserting after paragraph (8) the following:

 (8)Rate of interest for all new Federal Direct loansNotwithstanding any other provision of this Act, with respect to a loan under this part for which the first disbursement of principal is made (or in the case of a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan, for which the application is received) on or after October 1, 2020, or the date of enactment of the Student Loan Fairness Act, whichever is later, the applicable rate of interest shall not exceed 3.4 percent..
			5.10/10 Loan Repayment Plan as plan selected by the Secretary
			(a)FFEL Loans
 (1)In generalSection 428(b)(9) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078(b)(9)) is amended— (A)in subparagraph (A)—
 (i)by striking and at the end of clause (iv); (ii)in clause (v), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
 (iii)by adding at the end the following new clause:  (vi)beginning October 1, 2020, a 10/10 Loan Repayment Plan, with varying annual repayment amounts based on the discretionary income of the borrower, in accordance with section 493E.; and
 (B)in subparagraph (B), by striking (A)(i) and inserting (A)(vi). (2)Effective dateThe amendment made by paragraph (1)(B) shall be effective beginning October 1, 2020.
				(b)Direct Loans
 (1)In generalSection 455(d) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(d)) is amended— (A)in paragraph (1)—
 (i)by striking and at the end of subparagraph (D); (ii)in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
 (iii)by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:  (F)beginning on October 1, 2020, a 10/10 Loan Repayment Plan, with varying annual repayment amounts based on the discretionary income of the borrower, in accordance with section 493E.; and
 (B)in paragraph (2)— (i)by striking may and inserting shall; and
 (ii)by striking (A), (B), or (C) and inserting (F). (2)Effective dateThe amendment made by paragraph (1)(B) shall be effective beginning October 1, 2020.
 6.Improving and expanding Public Service Loan ForgivenessSection 455(m) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(m)) is amended— (1)in paragraph (1), by striking 120 and inserting 60 each place it appears; and
 (2)in paragraph (3)(B)— (A)in clause (i), by striking or after the semicolon;
 (B)in clause (ii), by striking the period and inserting ; or; and (C)by adding at the end the following:

 (iii)a full-time job as a primary care physician in an area or population designated as a Medically Underserved Area or Population by the Health Resource and Services Administration..
				7.Refinancing private education loans for certain borrowers
 (a)Consolidation for certain borrowersSection 455(g) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(g)) is amended— (1)by striking A borrower and inserting the following:

 (1)In generalA borrower; (2)by inserting , and any loan described in paragraph (2) after July 1, 2010; and
 (3)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:  (2)Consolidation of private education loans as a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan for certain borrowers (A)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law, a borrower who meets the eligibility criteria described in subparagraph (B) shall be eligible to obtain a Federal Direct Consolidation loan under this paragraph that—
 (i)shall include an eligible private education loan; and (ii)may include a loan described in section 428C(a)(4).
 (B)Eligible borrowerA borrower of an eligible private education loan is eligible to obtain a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan under this paragraph if the borrower—
 (i)was eligible to borrow a loan under section 428H, a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, a loan under section 428B, or a Federal Direct PLUS loan for a period of enrollment at an institution of higher education, or, with respect to a borrower who was enrolled at an institution of higher education on less than a half-time basis, would have been eligible to borrow such a loan for such period of enrollment if the borrower had been enrolled on at least a half-time basis;
 (ii)borrowed at least one eligible private education loan for a period of enrollment described in clause (i); and (iii)has an average adjusted gross income (based on the borrower’s adjusted gross income from the 3 most recent calendar years before application for consolidation under this section) that is equal to or less than the borrower’s total education debt (determined by calculating the sum of the borrower’s loans described in section 428C(a)(4) and eligible private education loans) at the time of such application.
 (C)Definition of eligible private education loanFor purposes of this paragraph, the term eligible private education loan means a private education loan (as such term is defined in section 140 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1650)) made on or before the date of enactment of the Student Loan Fairness Act, including the amount of outstanding principal, accrued interest, and related fees and costs (as determined by the Secretary) owed by a borrower on such a loan.
 (D)Purchase of loanFor each eligible private education loan that a borrower is consolidating under this paragraph, the Secretary shall notify the holder that the Secretary is purchasing the loan, and the Secretary shall then purchase such loan, as described under section 140A of the Truth in Lending Act.
 (E)Terms and rate of interestA Federal Direct Consolidation Loan made under this paragraph shall have the same terms and conditions as a Federal Direct Consolidation loan under paragraph (1), except that the applicable rate of interest for a Federal Direct Consolidation loan made under this paragraph shall not exceed 3.4 percent.
 (F)Notification of eligible borrowersThe Secretary shall take such steps as may be necessary to notify eligible borrowers of the availability of consolidation under this paragraph no later than 60 days after the date of enactment of the Student Loan Fairness Act, including notifying such borrowers of the deadline to apply for such a loan under subparagraph (G).
 (G)Application deadline for loans under this paragraphA borrower may apply for loans under this paragraph during the 1-year period beginning on the date of enactment of the Student Loan Fairness Act. The Secretary shall not make a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan under this paragraph to any borrower who has not submitted an application for such a loan to the Secretary before the end of such period.
 (H)Authorization and appropriationThere are authorized to be appropriated, and there are appropriated, such sums as may be necessary to carry out this paragraph..
 (b)Sale of private education loans to the GovernmentChapter 2 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1631 et seq.) is amended— (1)by redesignating section 140A as section 140B; and
 (2)by inserting after section 140 the following:  140A.Sale of private education loans to the Government (a)In generalThe Bureau shall issue regulations to require a private education lender to sell an eligible private education loan to the Secretary of Education, upon request of the Secretary, for purposes of consolidating such loan, as described under section 455(g)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
 (b)Determination of priceThe price paid for a private education loan under subsection (a) shall— (1)include the amount of outstanding principal on the loan, the amount of accrued interest on the loan, and any fees or other costs owed by the consumer on the loan; and
 (2)be adjusted to account for the time value of such amount. (c)DefinitionsFor purposes of this section:
 (1)Eligible private education loanThe term eligible private education loan means a private education loan, as defined under section 140(a), made on or before the date of enactment of the Student Loan Fairness Act.
 (2)Private education lenderThe term private education lender has the meaning given such term under section 140(a).; and (3)in the table of contents for such chapter—
 (A)by redesignating the item relating to section 140A as item 140B; and (B)by inserting after the item relating to section 140 the following:

								140A. Sale of private education loans to the Government..
 (c)Conforming amendmentSection 428C(a)(3)(B)(i)(V) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078–3(a)(3)(B)(i)(V)) is amended—
 (1)by striking or at the end of item (bb); (2)by striking the period at the end of item (cc) and inserting ; or; and
 (3)by adding at the end the following:  (dd)for the purpose of consolidating an eligible private education loan under section 455(g)(2), whether such loan is consolidated alone, with other eligible private education loans, or with loans described in paragraph (4)..
				8.Interest-free deferment of unsubsidized loans during periods of unemployment
			(a)FFEL Unsubsidized loan deferment
 (1)Section 428H(e)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078–8(e)(2)) is amended— (A)in subparagraph (A), by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting subparagraphs (C) and (D); and
 (B)by adding at the end the following:  (D)Interest on loans made under this section for which payments are deferred under clause (ii) of section 428(b)(1)(M), for a period of deferment granted to a borrower on or after the date of enactment of the Student Loan Fairness Act, shall accrue and be paid by the Secretary during any period during which loans are so deferred, not in excess of 3 years..
 (2)Conforming amendmentSection 428(b)(1)(Y)(iii) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078(b)(1)(Y)(iii)) is amended by inserting (other than a deferment under clause (ii) of such subparagraph on or after the date of enactment of the Student Loan Fairness Act) after of this paragraph.
 (b)Direct Unsubsidized loan defermentSection 455(f)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(f)(1)) is amended— (1)in subparagraph (A)—
 (A)by striking or at the end of clause (i); and (B)by adding at the end the following:

 (iii)a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, with respect to a period of deferment described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) granted to a borrower on or after the date of enactment of the Student Loan Fairness Act; or; and
 (2)in subparagraph (B), by inserting not described in subparagraph (A)(iii) after Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. (c)Treatment of consolidation loansSection 428C(b)(4)(C)(ii) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078–3(b)(4)(C)(ii)) is amended—
 (1)by striking or at the end of subclause (II); (2)by redesignating subclause (III) as subclause (IV);
 (3)by inserting after subclause (II) the following:  (III)by the Secretary, in the case of a consolidation loan for which the application is received on or after the date of enactment of the Student Loan Fairness Act, except that the Secretary shall pay such interest only for a period not in excess of 3 years for which the borrower would be eligible for a deferral under clause (ii) of section 428(b)(1)(M); or; and
 (4)in subclause (IV) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)), by striking (I) or (II) and inserting (I), (II), or (III). (d)Income-Based repaymentSection 493C(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 10983(b))—
 (1)in paragraph (3)— (A)in subparagraph (A), by striking and after the semicolon;
 (B)by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C); (C)by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:

 (B)shall, on subsidized and unsubsidized loans, be paid by the Secretary for a period of not more than 3 years during which the borrower is eligible for a deferment due to unemployment described in section 455(f)(2)(B) (regardless of whether the student is in such a deferment), except that—
 (i)this subparagraph shall only apply to periods during which the borrower is eligible for such a deferment on or after the date of enactment of the Student Loan Fairness Act; and
 (ii)in the case of a subsidized loan, such period shall not include any period described in subparagraph (A) or any period during which the borrower is in deferment due to an economic hardship described in section 435(o); and; and
 (D)in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated by subparagraph (B))— (i)in clause (i), by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting subparagraphs (A) and (B); and
 (ii)in clause (ii), by inserting , subject to subparagraph (B), after unsubsidized loan; (2)by striking and at the end of paragraph (8);
 (3)by striking the period at the end of paragraph (9) and inserting ; and; and (4)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

 (10)the amount of the principal and interest on a borrower’s loans repaid or canceled under paragraph (7) shall not be included in the gross income of the borrower for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986..
 9.Excluding loans forgiven under certain repayment programs from gross incomeSection 455(e)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(e)(2)) is amended— (1)in the paragraph heading, by inserting and forgiveness after repayment; and
 (2)by adding at the end the following: The amount of the principal and interest on a borrower’s loans forgiven pursuant to income contingent repayment shall not be included in the gross income of the borrower for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986..


110 HR 42 IH: Serving Everyone with Reliable, Vital Internet, Communications, and Education Act of 2007
U.S. House of Representatives
2007-01-04
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. 42
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 4, 2007
Ms. Velázquez introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL
To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to continue in effect and expand the Lifeline Assistance Program and the Link Up Program, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Serving Everyone with Reliable, Vital Internet, Communications, and Education Act of 2007.
2.FindingsThe Congress finds the following:
(1)Today’s telecommunications market offers consumers an array of social, economic, and educational communications.
(2)Communications today also offer Americans better access to emergency assistance.
(3)It is essential to the Nation’s continued progress for all sectors of the population to have adequate access to telecommunications. America must work to reduce and ultimately eliminate the harmful technological divide.
(4)The Congress reaffirms the Nation’s public policy commitment to providing universal service. All consumers should have access to high-quality telecommunications services at affordable rates.
3.Universal serviceSubsection (j) of section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254) is amended to read as follows:

(j)Lifeline Assistance; Link Up America
(1)PurposesThe purposes of this subsection are—
(A)to advance universal service; and
(B)to ensure that high-quality telecommunications services and other evolving telecommunication technologies, such as Internet access and broadband services, are available to low-income consumers at just, reasonable, and affordable rates.
(2)Continuation and expansion of programsFor the purposes described in paragraph (1), the Commission—
(A)shall continue in effect the Lifeline Assistance Program and the Link Up Program; and
(B)expand such programs under paragraph (3).
(3)ExpansionThe Commission shall expand the assistance provided through the Lifeline Assistance Program and the Link Up Program by allowing low-income consumers participating in such programs to choose to use such assistance for any one of the following:
(A)Wire or wireless telephone service.
(B)Internet access service.
(C)Wire or wireless broadband service.
(D)Any evolving technology the Commission deems consistent with the purposes described in paragraph (1).
(4)Rule of constructionThis subsection shall not be construed—
(A)to affect any program under this section other than the Lifeline Assistance Program or the Link Up Program; or
(B)except as inconsistent with the provisions of this subsection, to affect the authority of the Commission to make modifications to the Lifeline Assistance Program or the Link Up Program.
(5)DefinitionsIn this subsection:
(A)The term broadband service means high-speed Internet access service—
(i)offering integrated access to voice communications, high-speed data service, video-demand services, and interactive delivery services; and
(ii)transmitting data at speeds exceeding 200 kilobits per second, in at least one direction, from the user’s computer to the Internet or from the Internet to the user’s computer.
(B)The term Lifeline Assistance Program means the Lifeline Assistance Program provided for by the Commission under subpart E of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (and any related or successor regulations).
(C)The term Link Up Program means the Link Up Program provided for by the Commission under subpart E of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (and any related or successor regulations). .
4.Study
(a)StudyNot later than May 1, 2008, the Federal Communications Commission shall conduct a study and submit a report to the Congress on the following:
(1)The necessary benefit level for a household participating in the Lifeline Assistance Program or the Link Up Program which will encourage low-income consumers to seek broadband service.
(2)Projections on the potential of new broadband service consumers who would seek this service if economically accessible.
(3)Industry requirements to provide broadband service access in underserved areas.
(4)Data that accurately illustrates the extent of current deployment of broadband service to residential users.
(5)Policy proposals conducive to addressing gaps in broadband service availability.
(b)DefinitionsIn this section, the terms broadband service, Lifeline Assistance Program, and Link Up Program have the meanings given to those terms in section 254(j) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by section 3 of this Act.


109 HR 6382 IH: Law Enforcement Abuse Transparency and

U.S. House of Representatives
2006-12-06
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.

		I
		109th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 6382
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			December 6, 2006
			Ms. McKinney
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		A BILL
		To deny Federal assistance to any State or local law
		  enforcement agencies whose officers use excessive force or violence leading to
		  the death of innocent or unarmed citizens, or who fail to establish, enforce,
		  and follow transparent and accountable procedures that fully protect the lives
		  and health of citizens during surveillance, interrogation, arrest or
		  imprisonment from torture, excessive physical or psychological abuse and death,
		  and to require a system of transparent legal and public review of such
		  allegations and cases that can result in the sanction, punishment, and removal
		  of officers who perpetrate such abuses or their superiors.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Law Enforcement Abuse Transparency and
			 Accountability Act of 2006.
		2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
			(1)American law
			 enforcement has a fundamental duty to provide compassion, aid, and protection
			 and safety to the people it serves.
			(2)A
			 primary function of law enforcement is to preserve life, regardless of the
			 race, ethnicity, religion, social or economic standing, sexual preference, or
			 country of origin of the individuals involved.
			(3)Over many years,
			 thousands of cases of State and local law enforcement agency violations of
			 suspects, detainees, and prisoners went inadequately addressed across the
			 United States, especially in African-American communities and other communities
			 of color or poverty.
			(4)In recent years,
			 procedures, training, and public oversight have failed to significantly curb or
			 eliminate abuses and murders of innocent suspects and citizens at the hands of
			 officers of the law, to fully investigate claims of excessive use of force, or
			 to adequately reprimand, punish, or remove such offenders or their
			 superiors.
			(5)A
			 special prosecutor in Chicago has been investigating a police abuse ring that
			 operated over three decades with impunity, responsible for torturing over 200
			 African-American males in their custody at the Area 2 and Area 3 police
			 headquarters.
			(6)Since the 1997 New
			 York Police Department torture of Abner Louima, and the fatal shooting of
			 Amadou Bailo Diallo in 1999, public and media attention concerning abuse of
			 power and the unjustified and improper use of force by law enforcement in
			 communities of color has continuously increased, as have the number of outraged
			 community responses and the demands for external oversight of police
			 practices.
			(7)More recently,
			 police in Chicago on November 25, 2006, police officers in New York City shot
			 50 times and killed an unarmed man, Sean Bell. The next day, a community rally
			 protested the police action and called for the removal of Police Commissioner
			 Raymond Kelly.
			(8)Fatal shootings
			 and abuse of suspects and prisoners have come to light again recently in other
			 cities, including Atlanta, Georgia, and DeKalb County, Georgia.
			(9)Every major State
			 and local city law enforcement agency receives and depends on some level of
			 Federal funding, training, grants, or assistance, paid for primarily from the
			 tax revenues of the citizens being abused.
			(10)The common and
			 continuing unaccountable behavior and silence of members of law enforcement
			 agencies regarding these abuses are a disgrace to the efforts of law
			 enforcement agencies throughout the United States and should not be
			 tolerated.
			(11)The lack of
			 transparency, oversight, community involvement, independent review and
			 investigation, and consequences to the law enforcement violators makes
			 continuing abuse more likely, and must be reversed by denying Federal funding
			 to any law enforcement agency that fails to establish a minimum of professional
			 training and procedures of engagement; that tolerates abuses or fatal use of
			 excessive force; that fails to operate under rules of transparency and
			 community oversight, investigation, and review; that fails to discipline,
			 remove, or otherwise hold accountable any perpetrators acting under the color
			 of law enforcement; or that refuses to fairly hear each case or allegation of
			 possible abuse or excessive use of force by law enforcement officers, reviewed
			 by an established and independent forum.
			3.Sense of
			 CongressIt is the sense of
			 Congress that the dishonorable actions referred to in section 2 should be
			 independently investigated, recorded, and condemned.
		4.Ineligibility for
			 Federal assistance
			(a)In
			 generalDuring the 1-year period beginning on the date of
			 enactment of this Act, or until transparency and accountability are fully
			 restored, law enforcement agencies that do not have established procedures for
			 independent oversight and review, or do not hold violations by police of
			 excessive use of force, torture, or manslaughter accountable, shall be
			 ineligible to participate in any Federal program, whether by funding,
			 assistance, contract, grant, personnel support, or otherwise.
			(b)LicensesDuring
			 the 1-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, any Federal
			 license issued to any such law enforcement agencies shall be suspended, or
			 until transparency and accountability are fully restored.
			(c)EquipmentLaw
			 enforcement agencies identified as carrying out abuses or wrongful deaths,
			 without consequence or open public review or allegations, shall immediately
			 return all federally-owned equipment in the possession or use of such law
			 enforcement agencies to the appropriate Federal agency.
			5.Law enforcement
			 agencies definedIn this Act,
			 the term law enforcement agencies means the following entities
			 in any State or locality within the control and jurisdiction of the United
			 States receiving Federal funds for training, equipment, or other
			 support.


116 HRES 275 IH: Supporting the goals and ideals of “Financial Literacy Month”.
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-04-01
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. RES. 275IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 1, 2019Mrs. Beatty (for herself and Mr. Stivers) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and ReformRESOLUTIONSupporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month.

 Whereas according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (referred hereinafter as the FDIC), at least 25.2 percent of households in the United States, or nearly 32,600,000 households with approximately 63,000,000 adults, are unbanked or underbanked and therefore have not had an opportunity to access savings, lending, and other basic financial services;
 Whereas according to the 2018 Consumer Financial Literacy Survey final report of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling—
 (1)only 41 percent of adults in the United States have a budget; (2)79 percent of adults in the United States acknowledged that they could benefit from additional advice and answers to everyday financial questions from a professional;
 (3)1 in 4 adults in the United States admitted they do not pay all their bills on time; and (4)61 percent of adults have had credit card debt in the past 12 months and most have done nothing to obtain a lower interest rate for their credit card debt;
 Whereas the Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. households by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that 40 percent of adults could not cover a $400 emergency expense without borrowing or selling something of value;
 Whereas according to the statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the fourth quarter of 2018 entitled Financial Accounts of the United States: Flow of Funds, Balance Sheets, and Integrated Macroeconomic Accounts, outstanding household debt in the United States was $15.6 trillion;
 Whereas according to the 2018 Survey of the States: Economic and Personal Finance Education in Our Nation’s Schools, a biennial report by the Council for Economic Education—
 (1)only 22 States require students to take an economics course as a high school graduation requirement; and
 (2)only 17 States require students to take a personal finance course as a high school graduation requirement, either independently or as part of an economics course;
 Whereas according to the Gallup-HOPE Index, only 52 percent of students in the United States have money in a bank or credit union account;
 Whereas expanding access to the safe, mainstream financial system will provide individuals with less expensive and more secure options for managing finances and building wealth;
 Whereas quality personal financial education is essential to ensure that individuals are prepared— (1)to manage money, credit, and debt; and
 (2)to become responsible workers, heads of household, investors, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and citizens;
 Whereas increased financial literacy empowers individuals to make wise financial decisions and reduces the confusion caused by an increasingly complex economy;
 Whereas a greater understanding of, and familiarity with, financial markets and institutions will lead to increased economic activity and growth; and
 Whereas, in 2003, Congress— (1)determined that coordinating Federal financial literacy efforts and formulating a national strategy is important; and
 (2)in light of that determination, passed the Financial Literacy and Education Improvement Act (20 U.S.C. 9701 et seq.), establishing the Financial Literacy and Education Commission: Now, therefore, be it

 That the House of Representatives— (1)supports the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month to raise public awareness about—
 (A)the importance of personal financial education in the United States; and (B)the serious consequences that may result from a lack of understanding about personal finances; and
 (2)calls on the Federal Government, States, localities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and the people of the United States to observe Financial Literacy Month with appropriate programs and activities.


114 S406 IS: Disaster Assistance Recoupment Fairness Act of 2015
U.S. Senate
2015-02-05
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 CONGRESS1st SessionS. 406IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 5, 2015Mr. Menendez (for himself, Mr. Schumer, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Booker, Mr. Vitter, and Mr. Cassidy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsA BILLTo waive and repay certain debts relating to assistance provided to individuals and households.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Disaster Assistance Recoupment Fairness Act of 2015. 2.Debts arising since 2012 (a)DefinitionIn this section, the term covered assistance means assistance provided—
 (1)under section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174); and
 (2)in relation to a major disaster declared by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) during the period beginning on January 1, 2012 and ending on the date of enactment of this Act.
 (b)Waiver authorityThe Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall waive a debt owed to the United States related to covered assistance provided to an individual or household, unless the debt involves fraud, the intentional presentation of a false claim, or intentional misrepresentation by the debtor or any party having an interest in the claim.
 (c)Repayment authorityThe Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall reimburse a debtor for any payments made by the debtor on a debt owed to the United States related to covered assistance, if the Administrator would have otherwise been required to waive the debt under subsection (b).


113 HRES 178 EH: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 527) to amend the Helium Act to complete the privatization of the Federal helium reserve in a competitive market fashion that ensures stability in the helium markets while protecting the interests of American taxpayers, and for other purposes.
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-04-25
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.

IV
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 178
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

April 25, 2013

RESOLUTION
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 527) to amend the Helium Act to complete the privatization of the Federal helium reserve in a competitive market fashion that ensures stability in the helium markets while protecting the interests of American taxpayers, 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. 527) to amend the Helium Act to complete the privatization of the Federal helium reserve in a competitive market fashion that ensures stability in the helium markets while protecting the interests of American taxpayers, 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. 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. In lieu of the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources now printed in the bill, it shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 113–9. That amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read. All points of order against that amendment in the nature of a substitute are waived. No amendment to that amendment in the nature of a substitute 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. 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. Any Member may demand a separate vote in the House on any amendment adopted in the Committee of the Whole to the bill or to the amendment in the nature of a substitute made in order as original text. 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.
2.On any legislative day during the period from April 27, 2013, through May 3, 2013—
(a)the Journal of the proceedings of the previous day shall be considered as approved; and
(b)the Chair may at any time declare the House adjourned to meet at a date and time, within the limits of clause 4, section 5, article I of the Constitution, to be announced by the Chair in declaring the adjournment.
3.The Speaker may appoint Members to perform the duties of the Chair for the duration of the period addressed by section 2 of this resolution as though under clause 8(a) of rule I.
4.The Committee on Education and the Workforce may, at any time before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, 2013, file a report to accompany H.R. 1406.
5.It shall be in order at any time through the legislative day of April 26, 2013, for the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules as though under clause 1 of rule XV.

Karen L. Haas,Clerk.


115 HR 337 : Black Hills National Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-02-07
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.

		IIB
		115th CONGRESS1st Session
		H. R. 337
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
		February 7 (legislative day, February 6), 2017Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural ResourcesAN ACT
		To transfer administrative jurisdiction over certain Bureau of Land Management land from the
			 Secretary of the Interior to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for
			 inclusion in the Black Hills National Cemetery, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThe Act may be cited as the Black Hills National Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act. 2.Withdrawal and transfer of public land for cemetery use (a)Due DiligencePrior to the withdrawal and transfer in subsection (b), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs will complete appropriate environmental, cultural resource and other due diligence activities on the public lands identified in subsection (c), so that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may confirm that the land is suitable for cemetery purposes. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall notify the Secretary of the Interior of such due diligence activities prior to initiating and shall coordinate as needed during the performance of such activities.
 (b)Withdrawal and transferAfter completion of the due diligence activities in subsection (a) and upon receipt by the Secretary of the Interior of written confirmation from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that the land is suitable for cemetery purposes, and subject to valid existing rights, the public lands described in subsection (c) shall be—
 (1)withdrawn from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining laws, the mineral leasing laws, and the geothermal leasing laws, for as long as the lands remain under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;
 (2)deemed property as defined in section 102(9) of title 40, United States Code, for as long as the lands remain under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and
 (3)transferred to the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for use as national cemeteries under chapter 24 of title 38, United States Code.
 (c)Land descriptionThe public lands withdrawn, deemed property, and transferred under subsection (b) shall be the approximately 200 acres of land adjacent to Black Hills National Cemetery, South Dakota, generally depicted as Proposed National Cemetery Expansion on the map entitled Proposed Expansion of Black Hills National Cemetery—South Dakota and dated June 16, 2016, except the land located within 100 feet of the centerline of the Centennial Trail (which runs along the northern boundary of the Proposed National Cemetery Expansion) and that is located south of the Trail.
 (d)Boundary modificationImmediately after the public lands are withdrawn, deemed property, and transferred under subsection (b), the boundary of the Black Hills National Cemetery shall be modified to include the public lands identified in subsection (c).
 (e)Modification of public land orderImmediately after the public lands under subsection (b) are withdrawn, deemed property, and transferred under subsection (b), Public Land Order 2112, dated June 6, 1960 (25 Fed. Reg. 5243), shall be modified to exclude the lands identified in subsection (c).
			3.Legal descriptions
 (a)Preparation of legal descriptionsAs soon as practicable following receipt of written confirmation from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that the land is suitable for cemetery purposes, the Secretary of the Interior shall publish in the Federal Register a notice containing the legal descriptions of the public lands withdrawn, deemed property, and transferred under section 2(b).
 (b)Legal effectThe legal descriptions prepared under subsection (a) shall have the same force and effect as if the legal descriptions were included in this Act, except that the Secretary of the Interior may correct any clerical and typographical errors in the legal descriptions.
 (c)AvailabilityCopies of the map referred to in section 2(c) and the legal descriptions prepared under subsection (a) shall be available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of—
 (1)the Bureau of Land Management; and (2)the National Cemetery Administration.
 (d)CostsThe Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall reimburse the Secretary of the Interior for reasonable costs incurred by the Secretary of the Interior in implementing this section, including the costs of any surveys.
			4.Restoration to public lands for non-cemetery use
 (a)Notice and effectUpon a determination by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that all or a portion of the lands withdrawn, deemed property, and transferred under section 2 shall not be used for cemetery purposes, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall notify the Secretary of the Interior of such determination. Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall transfer administrative jurisdiction of the lands subject to such notice to the Secretary of the Interior.
 (b)DecontaminationThe Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall be responsible for costs of any decontamination of the lands resulting from contamination on the lands withdrawn, deemed property, and transferred under section 2(b) while the Secretary of Veterans Affairs exercised jurisdiction over those lands subject to a notice under subsection (a) determined by the Secretary of the Interior to be necessary for the lands to be restored to the public lands.
 (c)Restoration to the public landsThe lands subject to a notice under subsection (a) shall only be restored to the public lands upon acceptance by the Secretary of the Interior and a determination by the Secretary of the Interior that such lands are suitable for restoration to the public lands and operation of one or more of the public land laws.
 (d)Opening orderIf the Secretary of the Interior accepts the lands subject to such a notice and determines that the lands are suitable for restoration, in whole or in part, the Secretary of the Interior may open the lands to operation of one or more of the public land laws and may issue an order to that effect.
			Passed the House of Representatives February 6, 2017.Karen L. Haas,Clerk


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 2134
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			October 29, 2009
			Mr. Alexander (for
			 himself and Mr. Corker) introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To suspend temporarily the duty on Poly-Pale, 25 KG Bag,
		  China.

		1.Poly-Pale, 25 KG Bag,
			 China
			(a)In
			 generalSubchapter II of chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff
			 Schedule of the United States is amended by inserting in numerical sequence the
			 following new heading:

								9902.01.00Dimerized gum (100%) rosin, catalyzed with sulfuric acid,
						softening point not less than 92 degrees centigrade, acid number not less than
						140, (CAS No. 65997–05–9) (provided for in subheading 3806.90.00)FreeNo
						changeNo changeOn or before 12/31/2011

					.
			(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by subsection (a) applies to goods
			 entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the 15th day
			 after the date of enactment of this Act.