116 S3672 IS: Pandemic TANF Assistance Act
U.S. Senate
2020-05-11
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.

II116th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 3672IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMay 11, 2020Mr. Wyden (for himself, Mr. Brown, Mr. Schatz, and Mr. Casey) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo provide States and Indian Tribes with flexibility in administering the temporary assistance for needy families program due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID–19), to make emergency grants to States and Indian Tribes to provide financial support for low-income individuals affected by that public health emergency, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Pandemic TANF Assistance Act.2.Emergency flexibility for State and Tribal TANF programs(a)Suspension of requirements and penalties relating to the time limit for assistance, work, and certain other requirements(1)In generalDuring the applicable period—(A)sections 407(a), 407(e)(1), and 408(a)(7)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 607(a), 607(e)(1), 608(a)(7)(A)) shall have no force or effect;(B)no penalty shall be imposed against an individual or the individual’s family with respect to section 407(e)(1) or 408(b)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 607(e)(1), 608(b)(3));(C)a State shall not deny, reduce, or terminate assistance to a family because an individual does not comply with such section 407(e)(1) or does not otherwise engage in work required by the State; (D)a State shall not deny, reduce, or terminate assistance to an individual or the individual’s family with respect to a failure to cooperate with completing the assessment required under section 408(b)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 608(b)(1));(E)a State may defer a required assessment of the employability of an individual under section 408(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 608(b)) to 90 days following the end of the applicable period; (F)no condition on assistance for an individual or the individual's family shall be imposed in connection with enforcing penalties described in section 409(a)(5) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 609(a)(5)); (G)no penalty shall be imposed against an individual or the individual’s family with respect to section 408(a)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 608(a)(2)); and (H)paragraphs (3), (5), (9), (14), and (15) of section 409(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 609(a)) shall not apply with respect to any violation of a requirement described in such a paragraph that occurs during or with respect to the applicable period. (2)Tribal programsDuring the applicable period—(A)the minimum work participation requirements and time limits established under section 412(c) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 612(c)) shall have no force or effect;(B)no penalty shall be imposed against an individual or the individual's family with respect to a violation of such requirements or limits;(C)no condition on assistance for an individual or the individual's family shall be imposed in connection with enforcing penalties described in section 409(a)(5) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 609(a)(5)); and(D)the penalties established under such section 412(c) shall not apply with respect to conduct engaged in during or with respect to the applicable period.(b)Application To program enforcement provisions(1)Waiver of certain penaltiesThe Secretary shall not impose a penalty against a State or Indian tribe under paragraph (3), (5), (9), (14), or (15) of section 409(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 609(a)) with respect to any violation of a requirement described in such a paragraph that occurs during or with respect to the applicable period. (2)Corrective compliance plansIf a State or Indian tribe has a corrective compliance plan in effect during or with respect to the applicable period that involves a violation for which a penalty specified in paragraph (1) would be imposed, the Secretary shall—(A)disregard the months occurring during the applicable period (and any portion of such months) for purposes of determining whether the State or Indian tribe has not, in a timely manner, corrected or discontinued, as appropriate, the violation pursuant to the corrective compliance plan accepted by the Secretary; and(B)consult with the State or Indian tribe on modifications to the corrective compliance plan for how the State will correct or discontinue, as appropriate, the violation and how the State will ensure compliance with the requirements of part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) after the applicable period ends.(c)Penalty for noncompliance(1)In generalSubject to the succeeding provisions of this subsection, if the Secretary finds that during or with respect to the period that begins on the date of enactment of this section and ends on November 30, 2020, a State or an Indian tribe has imposed a penalty waived under subsection (a), including denying, reducing, terminating, or conditioning assistance under a program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act or any program funded with qualified State expenditures (as defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 609(a)(7)(B)(i))), the Secretary shall reduce the grant payable to the State under section 403(a)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(1)) or the grant payable to the tribe under section 412(a)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 612(a)(1)) for fiscal year 2021 by an amount equal to 5 percent of the State or tribal family assistance grant (as applicable). (2)Penalty based on severity of failureThe Secretary shall impose reductions under paragraph (1) with respect to fiscal year 2021 based on the degree of noncompliance. (3)Application of aggregate penalty limitFor purposes of section 409(d) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 609(d)), paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be considered to be included in section 409(a) of such Act. (d)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Applicable periodThe term applicable period means the period that begins on October 1, 2019, and ends on November 30, 2020.(2)Other termsEach other term has the meaning given the term for purposes of part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).3.Coronavirus Emergency Assistance Grants for Low-Income FamiliesTitle VI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), as added by section 5001(a) of division A of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (Public Law 116–136), is amended by adding at the end the following:602.Coronavirus Emergency Assistance Grants for Low-Income Families(a)In generalSubject to the succeeding provisions of this section, each emergency grant State shall be entitled to receive from the Secretary a grant pursuant to this section for the period beginning on April 1, 2020, and ending on September 30, 2021, in the amount determined for the State under subsection (b).(b)Amount of grants(1)In generalSubject to paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), the amount of the grant for an emergency grant State for the period described in subsection (a) shall be the amount equal to the product of—(A)the amount appropriated in paragraph (1) of subsection (h) that remains after the application of paragraph (2) of that subsection; and(B)the quotient of—(i)the number of individuals in families with income below the poverty line in the State in the most recent year for which data are available from the Bureau of the Census; and(ii)the number of individuals in families with income below the poverty line in all States (other than States specified in subsection (h)(2)(A)) in such year.(2)Other StatesThe amount of the grant for an emergency grant State specified in subsection (h)(2)(A) shall be based on such poverty data as the Secretary determines appropriate.(3)Redistribution of unused fundsThe Secretary shall redistribute, under a procedure and methodology the Secretary determines appropriate, funds available for payments to emergency grant States under this section for which, as of July 30, 2021, States have not applied to be paid to other emergency grant States that apply for payment from such funds. (4)Inclusion of families of 1For purposes of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), in determining the number of individuals in families with income below the poverty line in a State, the Secretary shall take household composition into account and shall treat a single individual as a family of 1, without regard to whether the household of the individual is composed of more than 1 family.(c)Use of funds(1)In generalAn emergency grant State receiving a grant under this section shall only use the grant funds for the following:(A)To provide short-term cash, non-cash, or in-kind emergency disaster relief (as appropriate) to— (i)help eligible families address and avoid emergencies with respect to basic needs;(ii)prevent or remedy household emergencies of eligible families, such as evictions, foreclosures, forfeitures, and terminations of utility services; and(iii)help eligible families address and avoid emergencies so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives.(B)To ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals during the period of a Federal or State emergency declaration concerning Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), by providing subsidized jobs for individuals who are members of eligible families that can be performed remotely or are deemed essential (with individuals provided proper personal protective equipment and complying with Federal and State social distancing guidelines).(C)To provide subsidized employment for individuals who are members of eligible families after the period of a Federal or State emergency declaration concerning Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) ends (when safe to do so, taking into account the need to prevent the spread or reoccurrence of coronavirus).(2)NondisplacementAn emergency grant State receiving a grant under this section shall not use the grant funds to—(A)displace or replace an employee, position, or volunteer, or to partially displace or replace an employee, position or volunteer, such as through a reduction in hours, wages, or employment benefits;(B)displace or replace an employee participating in a strike, collective bargaining or union activities, or union organizing; or(C)displace or replace an employee who was furloughed or unable to work due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (including due to illness, measures taken to avoid infection, or needing to provide care for another individual). (3)NondiscriminationAn emergency grant State receiving a grant under this section shall not employ any policies or practices that have the effect of making any eligible family less likely to receive assistance by reason of race, sex, religious creed, national origin, or political affiliation. (4)Protecting other benefitsFor purposes of any Federal, State, or local law, including those for purposes of public assistance programs and taxation, any benefit provided under paragraph (1)(A) for an eligible family shall be treated as short-term, non-cash, in-kind emergency disaster relief without regard to the form in which the benefit is provided and shall be disregarded from income. (d)State letter of intent(1)In generalIn order to receive a payment for a fiscal year quarter from the grant determined for an emergency grant State under this section, a State shall submit a letter of intent to the Secretary, not later than 30 days before the first day of each such quarter (or, in the case of a quarter that has started or will start within 30 days of the date of enactment of this section, a State shall submit a letter of intent to the Secretary not later than 15 days after such date of enactment in order to receive an emergency grant for that quarter) that— (A)specifies the amount of funds requested by the State for a quarter;(B)describes how the State will use the funds to assist eligible families during the quarter; and(C)describes how funds provided will not supplant any existing expenditures or programs funded or administered by the State.(2)Public availabilityThe State shall make the letter of intent submitted by the State under this subsection available to the public.(3)No delay of payments; hold harmless(A)In generalThe Secretary shall make payments by the applicable deadline under subsection (f)(2) to each State that submits a letter of intent for a quarter by the applicable deadline under paragraph (1), without regard to whether the Secretary has issued the guidance required under subsection (f)(1).(B)Hold harmlessA State that uses funds paid to the State for any quarter occurring prior to the issuance of the guidance required under subsection (f)(1) consistent with the letter of intent submitted by the State for the quarter and the State's good faith interpretation of the requirements of this section, shall not be penalized under subsection (f)(3) or in any other manner if, after such guidance is issued, the Secretary determines the State did not use the funds consistent with such guidance.(e)Reports(1)State reports Not later than January 1, 2022, each emergency grant State shall submit a report to the Secretary on how the State used the grant funds received by the State in such form and manner, and containing such information, as the Secretary shall require.(2)Report to congressNot later than September 30, 2022, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on the grants made under this section based on the reports submitted under paragraph (1).(f)Miscellaneous(1)Expedited implementationThe Secretary shall implement this section as quickly as reasonably possible, pursuant to the issuance of appropriate guidance to States.(2)Timely distribution of grants(A)Initial paymentsNot later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall pay each State that is an emergency grant State as of such date, the grant payable to such State for the 3rd quarter of fiscal year 2020. (B)Subsequent paymentsThe Secretary shall continue to make payments not later than the first day of each quarter to emergency grant States under this section for the 4th quarter of fiscal year 2020 and each quarter of fiscal year 2021. (3)Misuse of funds(A)In generalIf the Secretary determines that an emergency grant State has used grant funds received by the State in violation of the requirements of this section, the State shall remit to the Secretary an amount equal to the amount so used.(B)Application of appeal proceduresSection 410 shall apply to a determination by the Secretary under subparagraph (A) in the same manner as such section applies to an imposition of a penalty under section 409. (g)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Eligible familiesThe term eligible family means a family (including a family of one)—(A)whose monthly income, as of the date on which the family applies for emergency disaster relief or subsidized employment, does not exceed 200 percent of the poverty line applicable to a family of the size involved (as determined under section 673(2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2))); and (B)that has been adversely affected by the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (including due to illness, economic disruption, measures taken to avoid infection, or needing to provide care for another individual). (2)Emergency grant StateThe term emergency grant State means a State that submits a letter of intent containing the information specified in subsection (d)(1) to the Secretary with respect to a fiscal year quarter by the submission deadline for such quarter.(3)StateThe term State has the meaning given that term in section 419(5) and includes the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Indian tribes as defined in section 419(4).(h)Appropriation(1)In generalOut of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated for the period beginning on April 1, 2020, and ending on September 30, 2021, $10,000,000,000 for grants under this section.(2)Reservation of funds(A)Certain territoriesThe Secretary shall reserve 3.5 percent of the amount appropriated under paragraph (1) for grants to Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Indian tribes (as defined in section 419(4)).(B)Technical assistanceThe Secretary shall reserve $500,000 of the amount appropriated under paragraph (1) to provide technical assistance to States and Indian tribes with respect to the emergency grants made under this section..


		II
		109th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 3909
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			September 18, 2006
			Mrs. Clinton introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Foreign
			 Relations

		A BILL
		To amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide
		  assistance for developing countries to promote quality basic education and to
		  establish the achievement of universal basic education in all developing
		  countries as an objective of United States foreign assistance policy, and for
		  other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Education for All Act of
			 2006.
		2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
			(1)Throughout the
			 world, an alarming number of children are not receiving primary education. At
			 least 115,000,000 children of primary school age are not in school, and
			 3/5 of such children are girls. Worldwide, half of school
			 age children who start primary school drop out. At least 70 countries are
			 unlikely to achieve the goal of 100 percent of children completing primary
			 school by 2015.
			(2)The final report
			 of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States
			 (hereafter in this section referred to as the Report) concluded
			 that education that teaches tolerance, the dignity and value of each
			 individual, and respect for different beliefs must be a key element in any
			 global strategy to eliminate terrorism.
			(3)Extending the
			 vision of educational opportunity described in the Report to all developing
			 countries is critical to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development
			 Goals and prevent the rise of violent extremism worldwide.
			(4)The Report
			 concluded that the United States Government must offer an example of moral
			 leadership in the world and offer parents and their children a vision of the
			 future that emphasizes individual educational and economic opportunity.
			(5)At the World
			 Education Forum held in Dakar, Senegal in 2000, the United States joined more
			 than 180 other nations in committing to the goal of universal basic education
			 by 2015. Universal completion of primary school and eliminating gender
			 disparity in all levels of education not later than 2015 are part of the United
			 Nations Millennium Development Goals.
			(6)According to the
			 2002 United Nations Development Programme Arab Human Development Report,
			 10,000,000 children between the ages of 6 through 15 in the Arab world do not
			 attend school, and 2/3 of the 65,000,000 illiterate adults
			 in the Arab world are women. At all educational stages, the most important
			 challenge facing education in the Arab world is the declining quality of such
			 education.
			(7)The Report noted
			 that the United Nations has rightly equated literacy as freedom
			 and that the international community is moving toward setting a goal of
			 reducing by half the illiteracy rate in the Middle East by 2010, through the
			 implementation of education programs targeting women and girls and supporting
			 programs for adult literacy.
			(8)Basic education
			 has been demonstrated to be fundamental to development. No country has reached
			 sustained economic growth without achieving near universal primary education.
			 Education reduces poverty and inequality, and lays the foundation for sound
			 governance, civic participation, and strong institutions.
			(9)Investing in
			 girls’ education delivers substantial returns not only in educational
			 attainment but also in increasing women’s incomes, delaying the start of sexual
			 activity, reducing infant mortality, increasing women’s political
			 participation, and spurring economic growth.
			(10)The Report
			 concluded that ensuring educational opportunity is essential to the efforts of
			 the United States to defeat global terrorism and recommended that the United
			 States Government should offer to join with other nations in generously
			 supporting [spending funds] . . . directly on building and operating primary
			 and secondary schools in those Muslim states that commit to sensibly investing
			 financial resources in public education..
			(11)Credible
			 estimates indicate that at least an additional $7,000,000,000 to
			 $10,000,000,000 per year of external development assistance is necessary for
			 developing countries to achieve universal basic education by 2015.
			3.Assistance to
			 achieve universal basic EducationThe Foreign
			 Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) is amended by
			 inserting after section 105 the following new section:

				105A.Universal
				basic Education
					(a)PurposeIt
				is the purpose of this section to ensure that the United States provides the
				resources and leadership to ensure a successful international effort to provide
				all children with a quality basic education in order to achieve the goal of
				universal basic education by 2015 agreed to at the World Education Forum held
				in Dakar, Senegal in 2000.
					(b)PolicyIt
				is the policy of the United States to work with foreign countries and
				international organizations to increase the global commitment to achieving
				universal basic education—
						(1)to assist
				developing countries committed to serious reforms to provide all children with
				a quality elementary education and secondary education; and
						(2)to provide
				incentives to encourage reform of the education system and improve educational
				services in countries that lack such commitment.
						(c)PrinciplesIn
				developing the global commitment referred to in subsection (b), the policy of
				the United States shall be guided by the following principles:
						(1)United states
				resourcesTo lead a global commitment to achieving universal
				basic education, the United States shall commit substantial new resources for
				education in developing countries to inspire confidence in such countries that
				efforts to reform education in such countries will receive adequate
				resources.
						(2)Other major
				donorsThe United States Government shall encourage other donors
				to contribute commensurate amounts to support such a global commitment.
						(3)Private sector
				and nongovernmental participation and contributionsUnited States
				efforts in leading such a global commitment shall include explicit strategies
				to encourage and integrate contributions of strategic direction and financial
				resources from indigenous and international private sector and civil society
				organizations interested in supporting quality universal basic education
				efforts.
						(4)School access,
				quality, and completionUnited States assistance for basic
				education in developing countries shall seek to expand access to school for all
				children and to improve the quality of education in order to increase the
				number of children completing a basic education.
						(5)Coordination
				within the united states governmentA comprehensive strategy
				shall improve coordination and collaboration among all departments and agencies
				of the United States Government involved in education assistance to ensure
				efficient and effective use of the resources of the United States.
						(6)Coordination
				between education and aids prevention effortsUnited States
				assistance shall support efforts to improve coordination between global health
				and education initiatives in United States Government programs and
				internationally to reduce the adverse impact of HIV/AIDS on education systems,
				teaching forces, and vulnerable children in developing countries.
						(7)Integration of
				education plans within overall national economic
				strategiesUnited States policies and programs shall encourage
				poor countries to ensure that efforts are developed within an overall strategy
				of economic and market reforms to reduce poverty and spur sustained economic
				growth.
						(8)High standards
				of accountability and transparency in budgetingThe United States
				shall develop procedures to monitor the expenditure of funds allocated for the
				purposes described in this section, and shall only provide funds to the
				government of a foreign country only if such government has developed high
				standards of budget transparency, independent monitoring, and
				accountability.
						(d)DefinitionsIn
				this section:
						(1)AIDSThe
				term AIDS has the meaning given that term in section
				104A(g).
						(2)Appropriate
				congressional committeesThe term appropriate congressional
				committees means the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on
				Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and the
				Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives.
						(3)Basic
				educationThe term basic education means an
				education, generally consisting of completion of 9–10 years of schooling,
				including early childhood development, primary education, some secondary
				education, teacher training, literacy training, and life skills
				training.
						(4)HIV/AIDSThe
				term HIV/AIDS has the meaning given that term in section
				104A(g).
						(5)Education for
				all fast track initiativeThe term Education for All Fast
				Track Initiative means the Fast Track Initiative launched in 2002 to
				mobilize donor resources to support Education for All, an international
				commitment launched in 1990 to bring the benefits of education to every
				individual.
						(6)Member states
				of the group of eightThe term member states of the Group
				of Eight means the countries of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan,
				Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
						(e)Development and
				Implementation of a Comprehensive United States Strategy on Education for
				All
						(1)Education for
				all task forceThe President shall establish an Education for All
				Task Force as described in this subsection.
						(2)PurposesThe
				purposes of the Task Force are—
							(A)to carry out the
				policy set out in subsection (b); and
							(B)to develop a
				unified strategy of the United States to promote universal basic
				education.
							(3)MembershipThe
				Task Force shall include the following members:
							(A)The Administrator
				of the United States Agency for International Development.
							(B)The Secretary of
				the Treasury.
							(C)The Secretary of
				Labor.
							(D)The Secretary of
				Education.
							(E)The Secretary of
				Health and Human Services.
							(F)The Secretary of
				Agriculture.
							(G)The Secretary of
				State.
							(H)The Chief
				Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
							(I)The Coordinator
				of United States Government Activities to Combat HIV/AIDS Globally.
							(J)The National
				Security Advisor.
							(K)The National
				Economic Advisor.
							(4)Co-chairs and
				headquartersThe Task Force shall be co-chaired by the National
				Security Advisor and the National Economic Advisor, and the headquarters of the
				Task Force shall be located at both the National Security Council and the
				National Economic Council.
						(f)Unified
				Strategy
						(1)ContentThe
				unified strategy developed by the Task Force should include a detailed
				description of the United States plan to promote universal basic education,
				including a description of the following elements:
							(A)The manner in
				which the resources of the United States shall be used to achieve universal
				basic education, including—
								(i)the efforts of
				the United States to coordinate an international effort to achieve universal
				basic education by 2015;
								(ii)the activities
				of the United States to leverage contributions from member states of the Group
				of Eight and other donors to provide universal basic education by 2015;
				and
								(iii)the assistance
				provided by the United States to leverage contributions from the private sector
				and civil society organizations to achieve universal basic education.
								(B)The efforts of
				the United States to coordinate with other donors to reduce duplication and
				waste at the global and country levels and ensure efficient coordination among
				all relevant departments and agencies of the United States Government.
							(C)The strategy of
				the United States to support efforts to overcome challenges to achieving
				universal basic education, including strategies to target hard-to-reach
				populations to promote education as a fundamental means to preventing the
				spread of HIV/AIDS, and to support efforts to reduce the adverse impact of
				HIV/AIDS on education systems.
							(2)Requirement to
				consultThe Task Force shall consult with nongovernmental
				organizations and individuals involved in the promotion and implementation of
				education assistance programs in developing countries to give such
				organizations and individuals an opportunity to contribute to, and comment on,
				the unified strategy to promote universal basic education developed by the Task
				Force.
						(3)Schedule for
				completion of strategyNot later than 180 days after the date of
				enactment of the Education for All Act of 2006, the Task Force shall submit the
				unified strategy to the President and to appropriate congressional
				committees.
						(g)National
				Education Plans
						(1)AuthorityThe
				President is authorized to provide funds and other assistance to an eligible
				entity to assist a foreign country to create the policies, processes, or
				infrastructure to develop and implement a comprehensive national education plan
				as described in this subsection to allow all citizens of such country to access
				and complete basic education.
						(2)Eligible
				entityIn this subsection, the term eligible entity
				means—
							(A)the government of
				a foreign country; or
							(B)a person that the
				President determines is appropriate to receive assistance under this
				subsection.
							(3)Criteria for
				national education plansAssistance may be provided under this
				subsection to an eligible entity to assist a foreign country that is developing
				a comprehensive, national education plan, or to encourage a foreign country to
				develop a comprehensive national education plan. Such a national education plan
				shall—
							(A)include explicit,
				credible strategies to achieve universal basic education;
							(B)be developed in
				accordance with the provisions of—
								(i)this
				section;
								(ii)the Education
				for All Fast Track Initiative;
								(iii)the Poverty
				Reduction Strategy Paper process administered by the World Bank and the
				International Monetary Fund; and
								(iv)the Millennium
				Challenge Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.);
								(C)be developed and
				implemented in consultation with indigenous, nongovernmental organizations and
				civil society organizations;
							(D)demonstrate a
				clear commitment of political and financial resources to education by the
				foreign country to ensure that assistance made available under this subsection
				supplements, not supplants, the investment in education made by such
				country;
							(E)establish clear
				processes for the monitoring and tracking of funds committed to education, and
				clear standards for assessing progress toward achieving universal basic
				education; and
							(F)include special
				strategies—
								(i)to target
				hard-to-reach populations, especially girls, out-of-school youth, children with
				disabilities, orphans, refugees, populations in emergency situations, and
				children impacted by AIDS;
								(ii)to improve
				coordination between education and other sectors, particularly the health
				sector, in order to address the role of education in preventing HIV/AIDS and
				other diseases and to specify efforts to minimize the adverse impact of the
				disease on school systems and children’s access to schooling; and
								(iii)to ensure that
				schools provide quality education and are not incubators for violent
				extremism.
								(4)Activities
				supportedAssistance provided under this subsection may be used
				to support efforts to expand access and to improve the quality of basic
				education, including—
							(A)in a foreign
				country that has demonstrated a capacity to develop a national education plan,
				efforts—
								(i)to ensure an
				adequate supply of trained teachers, effective curriculum, and adequate
				infrastructure;
								(ii)to build systems
				to provide continuing support, training, and professional development for all
				educators;
								(iii)to eliminate
				fees for educational services, including fees for tuition, uniforms, and
				materials, and to provide access to education without additional costs to
				families;
								(iv)to build systems
				to ensure continuing information collection, monitoring, and evaluation of
				education services and financing; and
								(v)to ensure that
				schools are not incubators for violent extremism; and
								(B)in a foreign
				country that has not demonstrated a capacity to develop a national education
				plan, efforts—
								(i)to assist such
				country in developing such a capacity;
								(ii)to assist civil
				society organizations, international organizations, and local governments that
				have demonstrated a commitment to education reform in implementing programs to
				provide basic education on a community level, with an emphasis on such programs
				that could be expanded if such country demonstrates a national commitment to
				basic education; and
								(iii)to assist civil
				society organizations and international organizations to provide education in
				situations of humanitarian emergency or armed conflict.
								(5)Suspension of
				assistanceThe President may suspend the provision of all or part
				of the assistance provided under this subsection for a foreign country if there
				is substantial evidence that a government of such country—
							(A)(i)is not tracking and
				monitoring the use of foreign and domestic assistance to develop or implement a
				comprehensive, national education plan and making such tracking and monitoring
				information available to the public; or
								(ii)is using such assistance for
				unauthorized purposes; and
								(B)fails to come
				forward with an immediate plan to address a deficiency described in clause (i)
				or (ii) of subparagraph (A).
							(h)Universal Basic
				Education Fellowship Program
						(1)AuthorityThe
				Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development is
				authorized to establish an education fellowship program at the United States
				Agency for International Development to increase the expertise of the personnel
				of the Agency in promoting universal basic education and to carry out the
				provisions of this section.
						(2)Term of
				fellowshipAn individual may participate in a fellowship under
				this subsection for a term of not more than 3 years.
						(3)QualificationsAn
				individual is qualified to participate in a fellowship under this subsection if
				such individual has the specific expertise required—
							(A)to develop and
				implement the policies and programs of this section; and
							(B)to promote the
				exchange of knowledge and experience among the Agency, the education service
				delivery community, private business, and the academic and research
				communities.
								(i)Relationship to Other
				LawsThe President shall exercise the authority provided in this
				section in accordance with other applicable law.
								(j)Authorization
				of Appropriations
						(1)Authorization
				of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to the
				President to carry out the provisions of this section amounts as
				follows:
							(A)$600,000,000 for
				fiscal year 2007.
							(B)$1,000,000,000
				for fiscal year 2008.
							(C)$1,500,000,000
				for fiscal year 2009.
							(D)$2,000,000,000
				for fiscal year 2010.
							(E)$2,500,000,000
				for fiscal year 2011.
							(2)Availability of
				fundsAmounts made available under paragraph (1) are authorized
				to remain available until expended and are in addition to amounts otherwise
				available for such
				purposes.
						.


110 HRES 1108 IH: Expressing the sense of the House of

U.S. House of Representatives
2008-04-15
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		IV
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. RES. 1108
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 15, 2008
			Mr. Shays (for
			 himself and Mr. Reichert) submitted
			 the following resolution; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Foreign
			 Affairs

		RESOLUTION
		Expressing the sense of the House of
		  Representatives that future Iraq reconstruction should be paid for by the
		  Government of Iraq.

		Whereas Americans are grateful to the men and women who
			 have served and are serving in the Armed Forces;
		Whereas over 4,000 American troops have been killed, over
			 30,000 American troops wounded, and our Nation has spent close to
			 $500,000,000,000 to free the citizens of Iraq;
		Whereas Iraq has the world’s third largest oil reserve,
			 with 115,000,000,000 proven barrels of oil;
		Whereas Iraq’s oil sales brought in $41,000,000,000 in
			 2007, and over $10,000,000,000 in 2008 as of March 5;
		Whereas approximately $12,000,000,000 is in an account
			 into which the Government of Iraq deposits revenues, and out of which it draws
			 for expenditures;
		Whereas another account contains approximately
			 $27,000,000,000 in currency reserves; and
		Whereas there have been problems allocating and spending
			 these funds: Now, therefore, be it

		That it is the sense of the House of
			 Representatives that funding for future Iraq reconstruction initiatives and
			 training of Iraqi security forces should come from Iraqi revenues, and if the
			 Government of Iraq cannot properly allocate and spend its revenues, any funding
			 from the United States to Iraq for reconstruction and security training should
			 be provided as a loan to Iraq.


109 HR 2011 IH: Transparency and Accountability in Security Contracting Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-04-28
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2011
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 28, 2005
Mr. Price of North Carolina (for himself, Mr. Spratt, Mr. Snyder, and Mr. Cramer) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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 require accountability for personnel performing private security functions under Federal contracts.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Transparency and Accountability in Security Contracting Act.
2.Requirements relating to personnel performing private security functions under Federal contracts
(a)Accountability requirements for personnel performing private security functions under federal contracts
(1)Requirement to provide certain information about personnel performing private security functionsEach covered contract shall require the contractor to provide to the contracting officer for the contract, not later than 5 days after award of the contract, the following information regarding private security functions performed under the contract:
(A)Number of persons to be used to perform such functions.
(B)A description of how such persons are trained to carry out tasks specified under the contract relating to such functions.
(C)A description of each category of activity relating to such functions required by the contract.
(2)Updates of informationThe information provided under paragraph (1) shall be updated during contract performance as necessary.
(3)Safeguarding informationThe head of each agency awarding a covered contract shall take such actions as are necessary to protect any information provided under paragraph (1) that is a trade secret, or commercial or financial information, from disclosure to persons outside the Government.
(4)AccountingEach covered contract shall include the following requirements:
(A)Upon award of the contract, the contractor shall provide cost estimates of salary, benefits, insurance, materials, logistics, travel, administrative costs, and other costs of carrying out private security functions under the contract.
(B)Before contract closeout (other than closeout of a firm, fixed price contract), the contractor shall provide a report on the actual costs of carrying out private security functions under the contract, in the same categories as provided under subparagraph (A).
(5)Casualty reportingEach covered contract shall require full reporting to the contracting officer for the contract by the contractor of all personnel casualties in carrying out the contract.
(6)OversightBefore a covered contract is awarded, the head of the agency awarding the contract shall ensure that sufficient resources are available to enable contracting officers of the agency to perform oversight of the performance of the contract.
(7)Waiver authority
(A)The head of the agency awarding a covered contract may waive a requirement of this section with respect to a contract in an emergency or exceptional situation, as determined by the head of the agency. Any such waiver shall be limited to the requirements that are impossible or impracticable to implement because of the emergency or exceptional situation. In any case in which the head of an agency waives a requirement under this section with respect to a contract, the agency head shall submit to the congressional committees listed in subparagraph (B) a report, within 30 days after the date of the waiver, that describes the contract, the waiver, the emergency or exceptional situation that justified the waiver, and a plan for bringing the contract into compliance with the waived requirements as soon as possible or an explanation of why the waiver needs to be permanent.
(B)The congressional committees referred to in subparagraph (A) are the following:
(i)The Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, Government Reform, and International Relations of the House of Representatives.
(ii)The Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and Foreign Relations of the Senate.
(b)Hiring, training, and equipment standards relating to private security contractors
(1)RegulationsNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development shall prescribe in regulations minimum standards (appropriate for each department or agency) for the persons that covered contractors may hire for the performance of private security functions under the contract, and minimum standards for the training of such persons, including the level of training and any certifications required. The standards may vary based on the duties of personnel, but must address past criminal activity, security clearance requirements, and other issues that either Secretary or the Administrator determines may lead to security or performance concerns.
(2)Guidance for equipmentThe Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, and the Administrator for the United States Agency for International Development shall issue guidance (appropriate for each department or agency) on equipment used for private security functions under covered contracts with the department or agency concerned, including appropriate levels of body armor and equipment armor, and a recommended list of re-armorers and weapons and armor manufacturers for complying with such guidelines.
(3)Consultation with secretary of defenseThe Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development shall consult with the Secretary of Defense in developing regulations and guidance under this subsection.
(c)Report on cost analysis relating to equipmentNot later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, shall submit to Congress a report containing—
(1)an analysis of the costs to the Federal Government of purchasing equipment to supply to contractors to carry out private security functions under covered contracts in comparison to the costs to the Federal Government of reimbursing contractors for equipment purchased by the contractors to carry out such functions; and
(2)such findings and recommendations as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(d)DefinitionsIn this section:
(1)Covered contractThe term covered contract means—
(A)a prime contract with the Department of Defense, the Department of State, or the United States Agency for International Development;
(B)a subcontract at any tier under any prime contract with a department or agency referred to in subparagraph (A); or
(C)a task order issued under a task or delivery order contract entered into by a department or agency referred to in subparagraph (A); if the work to be performed under the contract, subcontract, or task order includes private security functions to be performed outside the United States.
(2)Private security functionsThe term private security functions, with respect to a covered contract, means—
(A)any activities for which personnel are allowed to carry weapons in the performance of the contract; or
(B)the performance of any of the following:
(i)Military logistics and maintenance.
(ii)Interrogation of prisoners.
(iii)Convoy security.
(iv)Guarding vital facilities and personnel.
(v)Tactical security work.
(vi)Local force training.
(e)Effective dateThis section shall apply to covered contracts entered into on or after the date occurring 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.


117 HCON 23 IH: Directing the Architect of the Capitol to preserve evidence of the January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol so that evidence of the attack may be made available for viewing by visitors to the Capitol.
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-03-09
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. CON. RES. 23IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 9, 2021Mr. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on House AdministrationCONCURRENT RESOLUTIONDirecting the Architect of the Capitol to preserve evidence of the January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol so that evidence of the attack may be made available for viewing by visitors to the Capitol.1.Preservation of evidence of attack on United States Capitol(a)Preservation; availability for viewing by visitorsThe Architect of the Capitol shall preserve evidence of the January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol, including by preserving features which were damaged in the attack, so that evidence of the attack may be made available for viewing by visitors to the Capitol.(b)ConsultationIn carrying out this section, the Architect shall consult with the Office of the Historian of the House of Representatives, the Senate Historical Office, and the Joint Committee on the Library to determine which evidence is most appropriate for preservation and the most effective methods for making such evidence available for viewing by visitors to the United States Capitol.


I
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 3901
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 4, 2004
Mr. Crane (for himself, Mr. Sam Johnson of Texas, Mr. Cantor, Mr. Ramstad, Mr. Hostettler, Mr. Ryan of Wisconsin, Mr. Brady of Texas, Ms. Dunn, Mrs. Johnson of Connecticut, Mr. Hayworth, Mr. McInnis, Mr. Herger, Mr. English, Mr. Gutknecht, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Ballenger, Mr. Paul, Mr. Ryun of Kansas, Mr. Green of Wisconsin, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Peterson of Pennsylvania, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Cannon, Ms. Harris, Mrs. Musgrave, Mr. Bass, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Kline, Mr. Beauprez, Mr. Hensarling, Mr. Barrett of South Carolina, Mr. Weldon of Florida, Mrs. Myrick, Mr. King of Iowa, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Bartlett of Maryland, Mr. Gingrey, Mr. Istook, Mr. Miller of Florida, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Flake, Mr. Jones of North Carolina, Mr. Goode, and Mr. Feeney) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a deduction for premiums for high deductible health plans required with respect to health savings accounts.

1.Deduction of premiums for high deductible health plans
(a)In generalPart VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to additional itemized deductions for individuals) is amended by redesignating section 224 as section 225 and by inserting after section 223 the following new section:

224.Premiums for high deductible health plans
(a)Deduction allowedIn the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a deduction for the taxable year the aggregate amount paid by such individual as premiums under a high deductible health plan with respect to months during such year for which such individual is an eligible individual with respect to such health plan.
(b)DefinitionsFor purposes of this section—
(1)Eligible individualThe term eligible individual has the meaning given such term by section 223(c)(1).
(2)High deductible health planThe term high deductible health plan has the meaning given such term by section 223(c)(2).
(c)Special rules
(1)Deduction allowable for only 1 planFor purposes of this section, in the case of an individual covered by more than 1 high deductible health plan for any month, the individual may only take into account amounts paid for 1 of such plans for such month.
(2)Employer provided coverage
(A)In generalNo deduction shall be allowed to an individual under subsection (a) for any amount paid for coverage under a high deductible health plan for a month if that individual participates in any coverage for such month that is excluded (in whole or in part) from the gross income of the individual or the individual's spouse under section 106.
(B)Cafeteria plans, etcEmployer contributions to a cafeteria plan or a flexible spending or similar arrangement which are excluded from gross income under section 106 shall be treated for purposes of this section as paid by the employer.
(3)Contributions to health savings account requiredA deduction shall not be allowed under subsection (a) for a taxable year with respect to such individual if such individual is not allowed a deduction under section 223 for such taxable year.
(4)Medical and health savings accountsSubsection (a) shall not apply with respect to any amount which is paid or distributed out of an Archer MSA or a health savings account which is not included in gross income under section 220(f) or 223(f), as the case may be.
(5)Coordination with deduction for health insurance of self-employed individualsThe amount taken into account by the taxpayer in computing the deduction under section 162(l) shall not be taken into account under this section.
(6)Coordination with medical expense deductionThe amount taken into account by the taxpayer in computing the deduction under this section shall not be taken into account under section 213. .
(b)Deduction allowed whether or not individual itemizes other deductionsSubsection (a) of section 62 of such Code is amended by inserting after paragraph (19) the following new paragraph:

(20)Premiums for high deductible health plansThe deduction allowed by section 224..
(c)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections for part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by striking the last item and inserting the following new items:

Sec. 224. Premiums for high deductible health plans
Sec. 225. Cross reference.
(d)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2003.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 95
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			January 6, 2009
			Mr. Vitter introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		A BILL
		To prohibit appropriated funds from being used in
		  contravention of section 642(a) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant
		  Responsibility Act of 1996.

		1.Restriction of COPS funding
			 for sanctuary citiesNone of
			 the amounts appropriated in any Act for the Community Oriented Policing
			 Services Program may be used in contravention of section 642(a) of the Illegal
			 Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C.
			 1373(a)).


115 HR 1316 IH: Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-03-02
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1316IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 2, 2017Mr. Collins of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Loebsack, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. Duncan of Tennessee, Mrs. McMorris Rodgers, Mr. Blum, Mr. Sarbanes, and Mr. Babin) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Armed Services, and 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 concernedA BILLTo amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for pharmacy benefits manager standards
			 under the Medicare prescription drug program and Medicare Advantage
			 program to further transparency of payment methodologies to pharmacies,
			 and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act. 2.Pharmacy benefits manager standards under the Medicare program for prescription drug plans and MA–PD plans (a)In generalSection 1860D–12(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–112(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

 (7)Pharmacy benefits manager transparency requirementsEach contract entered into with a PDP sponsor under this part with respect to a prescription drug plan offered by such sponsor or with an MA organization offering an MA–PD plan under part C shall provide that the sponsor or organization, respectively, may not enter into a contract with any pharmacy benefits manager (referred to in this paragraph as a PBM) to manage the prescription drug coverage provided under such plan, or to control the costs of the prescription drug coverage under such plan, unless the PBM adheres to the following criteria when handling personally identifiable utilization and claims data or other sensitive patient data:
 (A)The PBM may not transmit any personally identifiable utilization, protected health information, or claims data, with respect to a plan enrollee, to a pharmacy owned by a PBM if the plan enrollee has not voluntarily elected in writing or via secure electronic means to fill that particular prescription at the PBM-owned pharmacy.
 (B)The PBM may not require that a plan enrollee use a retail pharmacy, mail order pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, or other pharmacy entity providing pharmacy services in which the PBM has an ownership interest or that has an ownership interest in the PBM, or provide an incentive to a plan enrollee to encourage the enrollee to use a retail pharmacy, mail order pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, or other pharmacy entity providing pharmacy services in which the PBM has an ownership interest or that has an ownership interest in the PBM, if the incentive is applicable only to such pharmacies..
 (b)Regular update of prescription drug pricing standardParagraph (6) of section 1860D–12(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–112(b)) is amended to read as follows:

					(6)Regular update of prescription drug pricing standard
 (A)In generalIf the PDP sponsor of a prescription drug plan (or MA organization offering an MA–PD plan) uses a standard for reimbursement (as described in subparagraph (B)) of pharmacies based on the cost of a drug, each contract entered into with such sponsor under this part (or organization under part C) with respect to the plan shall provide that the sponsor (or organization) shall—
 (i)update such standard not less frequently than once every 7 days, beginning with an initial update on January 1 of each year, to accurately reflect the market price of acquiring the drug;
 (ii)disclose to applicable pharmacies and the contracting entities of such pharmacies the sources used for making any such update immediately without requirement of request;
 (iii)if the source for such a standard for reimbursement is not publicly available, disclose to the applicable pharmacies and the respective contracting entities of such pharmacies all individual drug prices to be so updated in advance of the use of such prices for the reimbursement of claims;
 (iv)establish a process to appeal, investigate, and resolve disputes regarding individual drug prices that are less than the pharmacy acquisition price for such drug, which must be adjudicated within 7 days of the pharmacy filing its appeal; and
 (v)provide all such pricing data in an .xml spreadsheet format or a comparable easily accessible and complete spreadsheet format.
 (B)Prescription drug pricing standard definedFor purposes of subparagraph (A), a standard for reimbursement of a pharmacy is any methodology or formula for varying the pricing of a drug or drugs during the term of the pharmacy reimbursement contract that is based on the cost of the drug involved, including drug pricing references and amounts that are based upon average wholesale price, wholesale average cost, average manufacturer price, average sales price, maximum allowable cost (MAC), or other costs, whether publicly available or not..
 (c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2018.
 3.Regular update of prescription drug pricing standard under TRICARE retail pharmacy programSection 1074g(d) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

 (3)To the extent practicable, with respect to the TRICARE retail pharmacy program described in subsection (a)(2)(E)(ii), the Secretary shall ensure that a contract entered into with a TRICARE managed care support contractor includes requirements described in section 1860D–12(b)(6) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–112(b)(6)) to ensure the provision of information regarding the pricing standard for prescription drugs..
		4.Prescription drug transparency in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program
 (a)In generalSection 8902 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsections:

 (p)A contract may not be made or a plan approved under this chapter under which a carrier has an agreement with a pharmacy benefits manager (in this subsection referred to as a PBM) to manage prescription drug coverage or to control the costs of the prescription drug coverage unless the carrier and PBM adhere to the following criteria:
 (1)The PBM may not transmit any personally identifiable utilization, protected health information, or claims data with respect to an individual enrolled under such contract or plan to a pharmacy owned by the PBM if the individual has not voluntarily elected in writing or via secure electronic means to fill that particular prescription at such a pharmacy.
 (2)The PBM may not require that an individual enrolled under such contract or plan use a retail pharmacy, mail order pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, or other pharmacy entity providing pharmacy services in which the PBM has an ownership interest or that has an ownership interest in the PBM or provide an incentive to a plan enrollee to encourage the enrollee to use a retail pharmacy, mail order pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, or other pharmacy entity providing pharmacy services in which the PBM has an ownership interest or that has an ownership interest in the PBM, if the incentive is applicable only to such pharmacies.
						(q)
 (1)If a contract made or plan approved under this chapter provides for a standard for reimbursement (as described in paragraph (2)) with respect to a prescription drug plan, such contract or plan shall provide that the applicable carrier—
 (A)update such standard not less frequently than once every 7 days, beginning with an initial update on January 1 of each year, to accurately reflect the market price of acquiring the drug;
 (B)disclose to applicable pharmacies and the contracting entities of such pharmacies the sources used for making any such update immediately without requirement of request;
 (C)if the source for such a standard for reimbursement is not publicly available, disclose to the applicable pharmacies and contracting entities of such pharmacies all individual drug prices to be so updated in advance of the use of such prices for the reimbursement of claims;
 (D)establish a process to appeal, investigate, and resolve disputes regarding individual drug prices that are less than the pharmacy acquisition price for such drug, which must be adjudicated within 7 days of the pharmacy filing its appeal; and
 (E)provide all such pricing data in an .xml spreadsheet format or a comparable easily accessible and complete spreadsheet format.
 (2)For purposes of paragraph (1), a standard for reimbursement of a pharmacy is any methodology or formula for varying the pricing of a drug or drugs during the term of the pharmacy reimbursement contract that is based on the cost of the drug involved, including drug pricing references and amounts that are based upon average wholesale price, wholesale average cost, average manufacturer price, average sales price, maximum allowable cost, or other costs, whether publicly available or not..
 (b)ApplicationThe amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to any contract entered into under section 8902 of title 5, United States Code, on or after the date of enactment of this section.


116 S2696 IS: Strengthening Services for Native Elders Act of 2019
U.S. Senate
2019-10-24
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. 2696IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESOctober 24, 2019Ms. Smith (for herself and Ms. Murkowski) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to expand supportive services for Native American aging
			 programs, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Strengthening Services for Native Elders Act of 2019.
 2.Expanding supportive services for Native American aging programsTitle VI of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3057 et seq.) is amended— (1)in part D—
 (A)by amending section 643 (42 U.S.C. 3057n) to read as follows:  643.Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title—
 (1)for parts A and B, $38,524,324 for fiscal year 2020, $40,835,783 for fiscal year 2021, $43,285,930 for fiscal year 2022, $45,883,086 for fiscal year 2023, and $48,636,071 for fiscal year 2024; and
 (2)for part C, subject to section 644, $10,785,575 for fiscal year 2020, $11,432,710 for fiscal year 2021, $12,118,672 for fiscal year 2022, $12,845,792 for fiscal year 2023, and $13,616,540 for fiscal year 2024.; and
 (B)by adding at the end the following:  644.Funding set aside (a)In generalOf the amount appropriated under section 643(2) for a fiscal year, the Assistant Secretary shall, subject to subsection (b), make available an amount, not to exceed 5 percent of the amount appropriated under section 643(2) for the fiscal year, to carry out part D for such fiscal year.
 (b)ApplicabilityThe requirement under subsection (a) shall apply for a fiscal year only if— (1)the amount appropriated for parts A and B for the fiscal year is greater than the amount appropriated for such parts for fiscal year 2019; and
 (2)the amount the Assistant Secretary makes available for parts A and B for such fiscal year is not less than the amount the Assistant Secretary made available for such parts for fiscal year 2019.;
 (2)by redesignating part D as part E; and (3)by inserting after part C the following:

					DSupportive services for healthy aging and independence
						636.Program
 (a)In generalThe Assistant Secretary shall carry out a competitive demonstration program for making grants to tribal organizations or Native Hawaiian organizations with applications approved under part A or B, respectively, to pay for the Federal share of carrying out programs to enable the organizations to build their capacity to provide a wider range of in-home and community supportive services to enable older individuals to maintain their health and independence and to avoid long-term care facility placement.
							(b)Supportive services
 (1)In generalSubject to paragraph (2), supportive services described in subsection (a) may include any of the activities described in section 321(a).
 (2)PriorityThe Assistant Secretary, in making grants under this section, shall give priority to organizations that will use the grant funds for supportive services described in subsection (a) that are for in-home assistance, transportation, information and referral, case management, health and wellness programs, legal services, family caregiver support services, and other services that directly support the independence of the older individuals served.
 (c)Rule of constructionNothing in this section shall be construed or interpreted to prohibit the provision of supportive services under part A or B..
 3.Enhancing capacity to support Native American aging programsTitle II of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3011 et seq.) is amended— (1)in section 201(c)(3)(H) (42 U.S.C. 3011(c)(3)(H)), by inserting to ensure adequate capacity to deliver the services under such title, which technical assistance and training programs may include program management, data development and use, basic business skills, grant development, program and service innovations, and staff professional development and certification before the semicolon at the end; and
 (2)by amending section 216 (42 U.S.C. 3020f) to read as follows:  216.Authorization of appropriations (a)In generalFor purposes of carrying out this Act, there are authorized to be appropriated for administration, salaries, and expenses of the Administration $44,042,171 for fiscal year 2020, $46,684,701 for fiscal year 2021, $49,485,783 for fiscal year 2022, $52,454,930 for fiscal year 2023, and $55,602,226 for fiscal year 2024.
 (b)Authorization of appropriations for programsThere are authorized to be appropriated— (1)to carry out section 201(g), $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2020 through 2024;
 (2)to carry out section 202(a)(21) (relating to the National Eldercare Locator Service), $2,186,227 for fiscal year 2020, $2,317,401 for fiscal year 2021, $2,456,445 for fiscal year 2022, $2,603,832 for fiscal year 2023, and $2,760,062 for fiscal year 2024;
 (3)to carry out section 215, $1,992,460 for fiscal year 2020, $2,112,008 for fiscal year 2021, $2,238,728 for fiscal year 2022, $2,373,052 for fiscal year 2023, and $2,515,435 for fiscal year 2024;
 (4)to carry out section 202 (relating to Elder Rights Support Activities under this title), $1,375,011 for fiscal year 2020, $1,457,511 for fiscal year 2021, $1,544,962 for fiscal year 2022, $1,637,660 for fiscal year 2023, and $1,735,919 for fiscal year 2024;
 (5)to carry out section 202(b) (relating to the Aging and Disability Resource Centers), $8,708,043 for fiscal year 2020, $9,230,526 for fiscal year 2021, $9,784,357 for fiscal year 2022, $10,371,419 for fiscal year 2023, and $10,993,704 for fiscal year 2024; and
 (6)to carry out section 201(c)(3)(H) (relating to technical assistance and training programs for grantees under title VI), $500,000 for fiscal year 2021..


110 HRES 267 IH: Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of British marines and sailors held captive by Iran, and for other purposes.
U.S. House of Representatives
2007-03-26
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 267
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 26, 2007
Mr. Kirk (for himself, Mr. Andrews, Mr. Scott of Georgia, Mr. Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania, Mr. Sestak, Mr. Klein of Florida, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Engel, Mr. Wexler, Mr. Sires, Ms. Linda T. Sánchez of California, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Chabot, Mr. Mack, Mr. Burton of Indiana, Mr. McCotter, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Mr. Boustany, Mr. Patrick J. Murphy of Pennsylvania, Mr. Shimkus, Mr. Cantor, Mr. English of Pennsylvania, Mr. Israel, Mr. Miller of Florida, Mr. Carnahan, Ms. Bean, Mr. Barrow, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Mr. Melancon, Mr. LoBiondo, Mr. Conaway, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Mahoney of Florida, Mr. McNerney, Mr. Fossella, Mr. Kuhl of New York, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Pence, Mr. Garrett of New Jersey, Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida, Mr. Platts, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Shuster, Mr. Porter, Mr. Knollenberg, Mr. Feeney, Mr. Cannon, Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, Mr. Campbell of California, Mr. Goodlatte, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Culberson, Mr. Crenshaw, Mrs. Tauscher, Mrs. Miller of Michigan, Mr. Renzi, Mr. Young of Florida, Ms. Giffords, and Mr. Jordan of Ohio) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

RESOLUTION
Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of British marines and sailors held captive by Iran, and for other purposes.

Whereas on March 23, 2007, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy seized 15 British marines and sailors;
Whereas the British Navy personnel were engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters when they were accosted by Iranian vessels;
Whereas Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons in defiance of the international community continues to threaten America’s national security and Middle East regional stability;
Whereas the seizure of the British sailors came on the same day the United Nations Security Council introduced a new resolution to sanction the Government of Iran for its continued defiance of the International Atomic Energy Agency and its noncompliance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons; and
Whereas Great Britain remains one of the strongest allies of the United States and a partner in the war on terrorism: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives—
(1)condemns the Islamic Republic of Iran for the seizure of 15 British marines and sailors and demands their unconditional release; and
(2)calls on the United Nations Security Council to condemn this seizure and explore new sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the restriction of the supply of gasoline, to prevent further Iranian hostile action, deny Iran’s ability to militarize the Persian Gulf, and enforce Iran’s nonproliferation commitments.


110 HR 1410 IH: Emergency Child Care for the Gulf

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-03-08
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1410
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 8, 2007
			Mr. Jefferson (for
			 himself, Mr. Taylor,
			 Ms. Norton,
			 Mr. Ellison, and
			 Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida)
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Education and
			 Labor

		A BILL
		To provide emergency child care in the Gulf Coast Region,
		  and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Emergency Child Care for the Gulf
			 Coast Region Act of 2007.
		2.FindingsThe Congress finds as follows:
			(1)Studies have stated that reopening child
			 care facilities was crucial for helping parents get back to work and businesses
			 to recover.
			(2)Studies have shown
			 that without available and affordable child care economic recovery will be
			 greatly impeded and lead to a reduction in worker productivity.
			(3)In New Orleans
			 before Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the city had 1,912 day-care slots at 266
			 licensed centers, but now 80 percent of those centers and 75 percent of those
			 slots are gone.
			(4)The National
			 Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies reported in a study
			 published by the Mississippi State University Early Childhood Institute that
			 between 62 to 94 percent of the licensed child care slots in the three coastal
			 counties hardest hit by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in Mississippi were
			 lost.
			(5)In Jackson County,
			 Mississippi, initial assessment found that one-fourth of the county’s licensed
			 centers were damaged beyond repair, representing 11 percent of the county’s
			 licensed child care capacity. Another 39 percent of centers needed repairs.
			IEmergency child
			 care business incentive grant program for the Gulf Coast Region
			101.EstablishmentThe Secretary of Health and Human Services
			 shall establish a program to make grants to—
				(1)businesses and
			 consortia in the Gulf Coast Region—
					(A)to pay start-up
			 costs incurred to provide child care services; or
					(B)to provide
			 additional child care services needed by the employees of such businesses;
			 and
					(2)nonprofit business
			 organizations in the Gulf Coast Region to provide technical information and
			 assistance to enable businesses to provide child care services.
				102.Eligibility to
			 receive grantsTo be eligible
			 to receive a grant under section 101, a business, nonprofit business
			 organization, or consortium shall submit to the Secretary an application in
			 accordance with section 103.
			103.ApplicationThe application required by section 102
			 shall be submitted by a business, nonprofit business organization, or
			 consortium at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the
			 Secretary may require by rule, except that such application shall
			 contain—
				(1)an assurance that
			 the applicant shall expend, for the purpose for which such grant is made, an
			 amount not less than 10 percent of the amount of such grant;
				(2)an assurance that
			 such applicant will expend such grant for the use specified in paragraph (1) or
			 (2) of section 101, as the case may be;
				(3)an assurance that
			 such applicant will employ strategies to ensure that child care services
			 provided by such applicant, or provided with the technical information and
			 assistance made available by such applicant, are provided at affordable rates,
			 and on an equitable basis, to low- and moderate-income employees;
				(4)an assurance that
			 such applicant—
					(A)in the case of a
			 business or consortium, will comply with all State and local licensing
			 requirements applicable to such business or consortium concerning the provision
			 of child care services; or
					(B)in the case of a
			 nonprofit business organization, will employ procedures to ensure that
			 technical information and assistance provided under this title by such business
			 organization will be provided only to businesses that provide child care
			 services in compliance with all State and local licensing requirements
			 applicable to child care providers in such State; and
					(5)in the case of a
			 business or consortium, an assurance that if the employees of such applicant do
			 not require all the child care services for which such grant and the funds
			 required by paragraph (1) are to be expended by such applicant, the excess of
			 such child care services shall be made available to families in the community
			 in which such applicant is located.
				104.Selection of
			 granteesFor purposes of
			 selecting applicants to receive grants under this title, the Secretary shall
			 give priority to businesses that have fewer than 200 full-time employees. To
			 the extent practicable, the Secretary shall—
				(1)make grants
			 equitably under this title to applicants located in all geographical regions of
			 the United States; and
				(2)give priority to
			 applicants for grants under section 101(1).
				105.DefinitionsAs used in this title:
				(1)BusinessThe
			 term business means a person engaged in commerce whose primary
			 activity is not providing child care services.
				(2)Child care
			 servicesThe term child care services means care for
			 a child that is—
					(A)provided on the
			 site at which a parent of such child is employed or at a site nearby in the
			 community; and
					(B)subsidized at
			 least in part by the business that employs such parent.
					(3)ConsortiumThe
			 term consortium means 4 or more businesses acting jointly. A
			 consortium may also include a nonprofit private organization.
				(4)SecretaryThe
			 term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human
			 Services.
				(5)Gulf Coast
			 RegionThe term Gulf Coast Region means the area for
			 which the President has declared the existence of a major disaster, in
			 accordance with section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
			 Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170), as a consequence of Hurricanes
			 Katrina and Rita.
				106.Authorization
			 of appropriationsThere is
			 authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title $1,500,000 for fiscal
			 year 2008.
			IIEmergency
			 development of a child care training infrastructure in the Gulf Coast
			 Region
			201.Grants
				(a)AuthorityThe
			 Secretary of Health and Human Services shall award grants to eligible entities
			 to develop distance learning child care training technology infrastructures in
			 the Gulf Coast Region and to develop model technology-based training courses
			 for child care providers and child care workers in the Gulf Coast Region, to be
			 provided through distance learning programs made available through the
			 infrastructure. The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent possible, ensure
			 that such grants are awarded in those areas of the Gulf Coast Region with the
			 fewest training opportunities for child care providers.
				(b)Eligibility
			 requirementsTo be eligible to receive a grant under subsection
			 (a), an entity shall—
					(1)develop the
			 technological and logistical aspects of the infrastructure described in this
			 section and have the capability of implementing and maintaining the
			 infrastructure;
					(2)to the maximum
			 extent possible, develop partnerships with secondary schools, institutions of
			 higher education, State and local government agencies, and private child care
			 organizations for the purpose of sharing equipment, technical assistance, and
			 other technological resources, including—
						(A)developing sites
			 from which individuals may access the training;
						(B)converting standard
			 child care training courses to programs for distance learning; and
						(C)promoting ongoing
			 networking among program participants; and
						(3)develop a mechanism
			 for participants to—
						(A)evaluate the
			 effectiveness of the infrastructure, including the availability and
			 affordability of the infrastructure, and the training offered through the
			 infrastructure; and
						(B)make
			 recommendations for improvements to the infrastructure.
						(c)ApplicationTo
			 be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), an entity shall submit an
			 application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary
			 may require, and that includes—
					(1)a
			 description of the partnership organizations through which the distance
			 learning programs will be made available;
					(2)the capacity of
			 the infrastructure in terms of the number and type of distance learning
			 programs that will be made available;
					(3)the expected number
			 of individuals to participate in the distance learning programs; and
					(4)such additional
			 information as the Secretary may require.
					(d)Limitation on
			 feesNo entity receiving a grant under this section may collect
			 fees from an individual for participation in a distance learning program funded
			 in whole or in part under this section that exceed the pro rata share of the
			 amount expended by the entity to provide materials for the program and to
			 develop, implement, and maintain the infrastructure (minus the amount of the
			 grant awarded under this section).
				(e)Rule of
			 constructionNothing in this section shall be construed as
			 requiring a child care provider to subscribe to or complete a distance learning
			 program made available under this section.
				202.DefinitionIn this title, the term Gulf Coast
			 Region means the area for which the President has declared the existence
			 of a major disaster, in accordance with section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford
			 Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170), as a consequence
			 of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
			203.Authorization
			 of appropriationsThere is
			 authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title $1,000,000 for fiscal
			 year 2008.
			IIIEmergency child
			 care provider development and retention grant program in the Gulf Coast
			 Region
			301.Grants
				(a)In
			 generalThe Secretary of Health and Human Services shall make
			 grants available to eligible child care providers in the Gulf Coast Region in
			 accordance with this section, to improve the qualifications and promote the
			 retention of qualified child care providers.
				(b)Eligibility To
			 receive grantsTo be eligible to receive a grant under this
			 section, a child care provider shall—
					(1)have a child
			 development associate credential (or equivalent), an associate of the arts
			 degree in the area of child development or early child education, a
			 baccalaureate degree in the area of child development or early child education,
			 or a baccalaureate degree in an unrelated field; and
					(2)be
			 employed as a child care provider for not less than 1 calendar year, or (if the
			 provider is employed on the date of the eligibility determination in a child
			 care program that operates for less than a full calendar year) the program
			 equivalent of 1 calendar year, ending on the date of the application for such
			 grant, except that not more than 3 months of education related to child
			 development or to early child education obtained during the corresponding
			 calendar year may be treated as employment that satisfies the requirements of
			 this paragraph.
					(c)Preservation of
			 eligibilityA State shall not take into consideration whether a
			 child care provider is receiving, may receive, or may be eligible to receive
			 any funds or benefits under any other provision of this Act for purposes of
			 selecting eligible child care providers to receive grants under this
			 section.
				IVChild care
			 provider scholarship program
			401.Scholarship
			 grants
				(a)In
			 generalThe Secretary of Health and Human Services shall make
			 scholarship grants available to eligible child care providers in accordance
			 with this section to improve their educational qualifications to provide child
			 care services.
				(b)Eligibility
			 requirement for scholarship grantsTo be eligible to receive a
			 scholarship grant under this section, a child care provider shall be employed
			 as a child care provider for not less than 1 calendar year, or (if the provider
			 is employed on the date of the eligibility determination in a child care
			 program that operates for less than a full calendar year) the program
			 equivalent of 1 calendar year, ending on the date of the application for such
			 grant.
				(c)Selection of
			 granteesFor purposes of selecting eligible child care providers
			 to receive scholarship grants under this section and determining the amounts of
			 such grants, a State shall not—
					(1)take into
			 consideration whether a child care provider is receiving, may receive, or may
			 be eligible to receive any funds or benefits under any other provision of this
			 Act, or under any other Federal or State law that provides funds for
			 educational purposes; or
					(2)consider as
			 resources of such provider any funds such provider is receiving, may receive,
			 or may be eligible to receive under any other provision of this Act, under any
			 other Federal or State law that provides funds for educational purposes, or
			 from a private entity.
					(d)Cost-sharing
			 requiredThe amount of a scholarship grant made under this
			 section to an eligible child care provider shall be equal to or less than the
			 cost of the educational or training program for which such grant is
			 made.
				(e)Annual maximum
			 scholarship grant amountThe maximum aggregate dollar amount of a
			 scholarship grant made to an eligible child care provider under this section in
			 a fiscal year shall be $7,500.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4128
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 1, 2012
			Mr. Hunter (for
			 himself, Mr. Stutzman,
			 Mr. Kinzinger of Illinois,
			 Mr. Denham,
			 Mr. Palazzo,
			 Mr. Rooney,
			 Mr. Quayle,
			 Mr. Guthrie,
			 Mr. Franks of Arizona,
			 Mr. Grimm,
			 Mr. Issa, Mr. Pitts, Mrs.
			 Bachmann, Mrs. Blackburn,
			 Mr. Broun of Georgia,
			 Mr. Mulvaney,
			 Mr. Walsh of Illinois, and
			 Mr. Bilbray) introduced the following
			 bill; which was referred to the Committee
			 on Education and the Workforce

		A BILL
		To recognize a primary measure of national unemployment
		  for purposes of the Federal Government.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Real Unemployment Calculation
			 Act.
		2.Primary measure
			 of unemploymentThe measure of
			 unemployment issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics known as U5 shall be
			 treated by the Bureau as the official unemployment rate and shall be considered
			 by the Federal Government as the primary measure of unemployment in the United
			 States.


114 HR 4496 IH: FUNDS Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-02-08
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		114th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4496
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 8, 2016
			Mr. Schweikert introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

		A BILL
		To provide that amounts collected by the Federal Government through legal settlements, fines, or
			 financial penalties shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury
			 for purposes of deficit reduction, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Funding Unpaid National Debt with Settlements Act or the FUNDS Act. 2.Use of legal settlement, fines, or financial penalties collected by the Federal Government to reduce the debt (a)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law, any covered funds shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury for purposes of deficit reduction.
 (b)Definition of covered fundsIn this section, the term covered funds means any civil penalty collected in a civil action brought by any Federal agency, any amounts received by a Federal agency in a settlement or consent decree entered in such an action, any fine levied in an administrative proceeding or pursuant to an agency rule, and any fine collected for any Federal criminal offense, but does not include any penalty or interest collected by the Internal Revenue Service under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.