113 HRES 401 IH: Expressing support for designation of the third Tuesday of November as National Entrepreneurs Day.
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-10-30
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.

IV113th CONGRESS1st SessionH. RES. 401IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESOctober 30, 2013Mr. Peters of California (for himself, Mr. Grimm, Mr. Murphy of Florida, Mr. Cárdenas, Ms. Bordallo, Mr. Cicilline, Mr. Vargas, Ms. Kuster, Mr. Rice of South Carolina, Mrs. Davis of California, Ms. DelBene, Ms. Esty, Mr. Loebsack, Mr. Peters of Michigan, Mr. Payne, Mr. Lowenthal, Mrs. Negrete McLeod, Ms. Chu, Mr. Polis, Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Honda, Mr. Kilmer, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Mr. Kind, Mr. Heck of Washington, Mr. Foster, and Mr. Bentivolio) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceRESOLUTIONExpressing support for designation of the third Tuesday of November as National Entrepreneurs Day.Whereas since our Nation’s beginning, innovation, creativity, industriousness, and entrepreneurship have formed the economic fiber of the United States;Whereas entrepreneurs’ willingness to evaluate risk has resulted in unparalleled contributions to this country’s growth and development;Whereas entrepreneurship is the stimulus for strengthening the economy, advancing innovation, improving productivity, and creating new jobs;Whereas research conveys that innovation has been responsible for approximately two-thirds of our country’s economic growth since World War II;Whereas more than half-a-million new businesses are created in the United States every month and small business openings have accounted for 40 percent of new jobs in the last two decades;Whereas despite economic instability, 56 percent of adults were confident that they could start a business and 82 percent of entrepreneurs in 2012 used their own savings for startup cash, indicating that the American entrepreneurial spirit remains strong;Whereas collaboration and cooperation amidst a broad coalition of organizations, including nonprofit entrepreneurial incubators, angel investors, venture capitalists, crowd-funding initiatives, and other early-stage investors, catalyze entrepreneurial ventures;Whereas entrepreneurial literacy skills serve as one of the 21st-century content areas critical to success in communities and workplaces;Whereas more than 70 percent of young Americans envision starting a business or doing something entrepreneurial as adults;Whereas positive outcomes for youth who participate in entrepreneurship education programs include improved academic performance, increased critical thinking skills, and heightened occupational aspirations;Whereas to maintain our position as a world economic leader, the government, entrepreneurs, universities, and small and large businesses of this country must be united in a comprehensive effort to welcome and cultivate entrepreneurial savvy;Whereas entrepreneurship is America’s best offense for economic progress and its finest defense against the status quo; andWhereas the third Tuesday of November would be an appropriate date to designate as National Entrepreneurs Day: Now, therefore, be itThat the House of Representatives—(1)supports the designation of National Entrepreneurs Day;(2)recognizes the considerable contributions of entrepreneurs to the United States of America; and(3)honors those entrepreneurs who ignite innovation and inspire the next generation.


114 HR 5875 IH: To establish requirements for committees of the Senate and the Senate to consider and hold votes on nominations of individuals for appointments by the President, and for other purposes.
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-07-14
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I114th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 5875IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 14, 2016Mr. Peters (for himself, Mr. Polis, Mrs. Bustos, Ms. Esty, Mr. Kilmer, Mr. Kind, Mr. Perlmutter, and Mr. Foster) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on RulesA BILLTo establish requirements for committees of the Senate and the Senate to consider and hold votes on
			 nominations of individuals for appointments by the President, and for
			 other purposes.

		1.Requirements for Senate consideration and vote on nominations submitted by the President
 (a)Requirements for committeesIf the President submits to the Senate the nomination of an individual for appointment to an office, the following shall apply:
 (1)If the nomination is referred to a single committee of the Senate, the committee to which the nomination has been referred shall hold a vote on the nomination not later than 90 days after the President submits the nomination, or shall discharge the nomination without recommendation.
 (2)If, upon the submission of the nomination, the nomination is referred jointly to more than one committee of the Senate, each committee to which the nomination has been referred shall hold a vote on the nomination not later than 90 days after the President submits the nomination, or shall discharge the nomination without recommendation.
 (3)If, after the nomination is referred initially to a single committee of the Senate, the nomination is referred sequentially by unanimous consent to another committee of the Senate—
 (A)the committee to which the nomination was initially referred shall hold a vote on the nomination not later than 60 days after the President submits the nomination, or shall discharge the nomination without recommendation; and
 (B)if the committee to which the nomination was initially referred reports the nomination favorably to the Senate, each committee to which the nomination has been referred sequentially shall hold a vote on the nomination not later than 20 days after the first committee reports the nomination favorably, or shall discharge the nomination without recommendation.
					(b)Vote by full Senate
 (1)Vote upon favorable report by committeeIf each committee of the Senate to which the nomination of an individual has been referred reports the nomination favorably to the Senate or discharges the nomination without recommendation, the Senate shall hold a vote on the nomination not later than 60 days after the last such committee reports or discharges the nomination.
 (2)Vote on nominations not referred to committeesIf the President submits to the Senate the nomination of an individual for appointment to an office and the nomination is not referred to any committee of the Senate, the Senate shall hold a vote on the nomination not later than 150 days after the President submits the nomination.
 (3)Treatment of votes on cloture in case of nominations to Supreme CourtIn the case of the nomination of an individual for appointment to the Supreme Court of the United States, a vote in the Senate on a motion to invoke cloture on a motion to proceed to the consideration of the nomination shall be treated as a vote on the nomination for purposes of this subsection.
 2.Effective dateThis Act shall apply with respect to nominations submitted on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.


113 HR 941 IH: End Unnecessary Borrowing Act of 2013
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-03-04
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
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 941
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 4, 2013
			Mr. Capuano
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Financial
			 Services

		A BILL
		To ensure that any authority of the Mutual Mortgage
		  Insurance Fund to borrow amounts from the Treasury is used only to pay mortgage
		  insurance claims.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 End Unnecessary Borrowing Act of
			 2013.
		2.Limitation on use
			 of borrowing authorityParagraph (2) of section 206(f) of the
			 National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1711(f)(2)) is amended—
			(1)by inserting
			 (A) after (2); and
			(2)by adding at the
			 end the following new subparagraphs:

					(B)Subparagraph (A) may not be construed to
				authorize or require the Secretary to borrow any amounts to comply with the
				capital ratio requirement under such subparagraph.
					(C)Notwithstanding any other provision of
				law, any authority of the Secretary under this Act or otherwise to borrow
				amounts from the Treasury of the United States for the Mutual Mortgage
				Insurance Fund may be used only to the extent necessary to pay claims on
				mortgage insurance that is an obligation of such
				Fund.
					.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 498
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			February 26, 2009
			Mr. Burr introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Veterans'
			 Affairs

		A BILL
		To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize
		  dental insurance for veterans and survivors and dependents of veterans, and for
		  other purposes.

		1.Dental insurance for veterans
			 and survivors and dependents of veterans
			(a)Dental insurance
			 authorizedSubchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, United States
			 Code, is amended by inserting after section 1712B the following new
			 section:

					1712C.Dental
				insurance: veterans; certain survivors and dependents of veterans
						(a)In
				generalThe Secretary shall provide a dental insurance plan for
				the veterans and survivors and dependents of veterans described in subsection
				(b).
						(b)Covered veterans
				and survivors and dependentsThe veterans and survivors and
				dependents of veterans described in this subsection are as follows:
							(1)Any veteran who is
				enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment under section 1705 of this
				title.
							(2)Any survivor or
				dependent of a veteran who is eligible for medical care under section 1781 of
				this title.
							(c)BenefitsThe
				dental insurance plan under this section shall provide such benefits for dental
				care and treatment as the Secretary considers appropriate for the dental
				insurance plan, including diagnostic services, preventative services,
				endodontics and other restorative services, surgical services, and emergency
				services.
						(d)Enrollment(1)Enrollment in the dental
				insurance plan under this section shall be voluntary.
							(2)Enrollment in the dental insurance
				plan shall be for such minimum period as the Secretary shall prescribe for
				purposes of this section.
							(e)Premiums(1)Premiums for coverage
				under the dental insurance plan under this section shall be in such amount or
				amounts as the Secretary shall prescribe for purposes of this section. The
				amount or amounts so prescribed shall be sufficient to ensure that amounts
				collected as premiums shall cover the entire cost to the Secretary of the
				dental insurance plan.
							(2)The Secretary shall adjust the
				premiums payable under this section for coverage under the dental insurance
				plan on an annual basis. Each individual covered by the dental insurance plan
				at the time of such an adjustment shall be notified (by writing or by
				electronic mail) of the amount and effective date of such adjustment.
							(3)Each individual covered by the dental
				insurance plan shall pay the entire premium for coverage under the dental
				insurance plan.
							(f)Voluntary
				disenrollment(1)With respect to
				enrollment in the dental insurance plan under this section, the Secretary
				shall—
								(A)permit the voluntary disenrollment of
				an individual in the dental insurance plan if the disenrollment occurs during
				the 30-day period beginning on the date of the enrollment of the individual in
				the dental insurance plan; and
								(B)permit the voluntary disenrollment of
				an individual in the dental insurance plan for such circumstances as the
				Secretary shall prescribe for purposes of this subsection, but only to the
				extent such disenrollment does not jeopardize the fiscal integrity of the
				dental insurance plan.
								(2)The circumstances prescribed under
				paragraph (1)(B) shall include the following:
								(A)If an individual enrolled in the
				dental insurance plan relocates to a location outside the jurisdiction of the
				dental insurance plan that prevents utilization of the benefits under the
				dental insurance plan.
								(B)If an individual enrolled in the
				dental insurance plan is prevented by a serious medical condition from being
				able to obtain benefits under the dental insurance plan.
								(C)Such other circumstances as the
				Secretary shall prescribe for purposes of this subsection.
								(3)The Secretary shall establish
				procedures for determinations on the permissibility of voluntary
				disenrollments under paragraph (1)(B). Such procedures shall ensure timely
				determinations on the permissibility of such disenrollments.
							(g)Relationship to
				dental care provided by SecretaryNothing in this section shall affect the
				responsibility of the Secretary to provide dental care under section 1712 of
				this title and the participation of an individual in the dental insurance plan
				under this section shall not affect the individual’s entitlement to outpatient
				dental services and treatment, and related dental appliances, under that
				section.
						(h)RegulationsThe
				dental insurance plan under this section shall be administered under such
				regulations as the Secretary shall
				prescribe.
						.
			(b)Clerical
			 amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of
			 such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1712B the
			 following new item:

						1712C. Dental insurance: veterans; certain survivors and
				dependents of
				veterans.

					.


115 HR 2016 IH: CPI for Seniors Act of 2017
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-04-06
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.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2016IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 6, 2017Mr. Duncan of Tennessee (for himself and Mr. Lipinski) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the WorkforceA BILLTo mandate the monthly formulation and publication of a consumer price index specifically for senior citizens for the purpose of establishing an accurate Social Security COLA for such citizens.
1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the CPI for Seniors Act of 2017. 2.FindingsThe Congress finds the following:
(1)Each year the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor prepares and publishes consumer price indices (the most notable being the Consumer Price Index or CPI) that measure the rate of inflation in the economy of the United States. (2)A derivative of the CPI is used to determine an annual cost-of-living adjustment (hereinafter referred to as COLA) for millions of senior citizens (individuals aged 62 and over) who depend on their respective Social Security benefits.
(3)The Social Security COLA is calculated using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (hereinafter referred to as CPI–W), a subset of the population covered by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (hereinafter referred to as CPI–U). (4)While the experimental Consumer Price Index for Americans 62 Years of Age and Older (hereinafter referred to as CPI–E) is a more accurate measure of the average price of consumer goods and services purchased by senior citizens than the CPI–W, it too is derived from the CPI–U.
(5)According to numerous credible authorities, the present methods (CPI–U, CPI–W, and CPI–E to a lesser extent) used to measure inflation are flawed and deficient in measuring the average price of consumer goods and services purchased by senior citizens, and the overall impact of inflation on such citizens. (6)The present sampling regarding senior citizens is too small under the methods referred to in paragraph (5), creating an opportunity for sampling error.
(7)Prices used under the methods referred to in paragraph (5) are based on geographic areas, retail outlets, and sample items used and purchased by younger consumers and are not necessarily representative of the geographic areas, retail outlets, and sample items used and purchased by senior citizens. (8)The locations used under the methods referred to in paragraph (5) are urban locations that do not reflect the economic challenges faced in rural communities, which often have a far larger demographic segment of senior citizens.
(9)Senior citizens neither have the flexibility or the ability that younger consumers have to substitute necessary purchases in response to changes in prices, nor the same options as younger consumers have to supplement their income. (10)Premium increases for part B of Medicare, part D of Medicare, and other health care costs affecting senior citizens are not adequately considered under the methods referred to in paragraph (5).
(11)The cost of taxes on Social Security income is not considered under the methods referred to in paragraph (5), thus putting senior citizens at a greater economic disadvantage each year. 3.Mandate the monthly formulation and publication of a consumer price index for seniors (a)Establishment of new CPIThe Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor shall prepare and publish an index monthly to be known as the Consumer Price Index for Seniors (hereinafter referred to as CPI–S) that indicates monthly changes in expenditures for consumption that are typical for individuals in the United States who are 62 years of age or older.
(b)Submission to CongressThe Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor shall submit to the Joint Economic Committee a description of the actions taken by such Bureau to meet the requirements of this section not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and semi-annually thereafter. (c)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3438
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 31, 2009
			Mr. Issa introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Oversight and Government
			 Reform, and in addition to the Committee on
			 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 concerned

		A BILL
		To amend title 5, United States Code, to establish a
		  national health program administered by the Office of Personnel Management to
		  offer Federal employee health benefits plans to individuals who are not Federal
		  employees, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Access to Insurance for all Americans
			 Act.
		2.Extension of
			 Federal employee health insurance
			(a)In
			 generalSubpart G of part III of title 5, United States Code, is
			 amended—
				(1)by redesignating
			 chapters 89A and 89B as chapters 89B and 89C, respectively; and
				(2)by inserting after
			 chapter 89 the following:

						89AHealth insurance
				for non-Federal employees
							8921.DefinitionsIn this chapter—
								(1)the terms defined
				under section 8901 shall have the meanings given such terms under that section;
				and
								(2)the term
				Office means the Office of Personnel Management.
								8922.Health
				insurance for non-Federal employees
								(a)The Office shall
				administer a health insurance program for non-Federal employees in accordance
				with this chapter.
								(b)Except as provided
				under this chapter, the Office shall prescribe regulations to apply the
				provisions of chapter 89 to the greatest extent practicable to eligible
				individuals covered under this chapter.
								8923.Contract
				requirement
								(a)For each calendar
				year, the Office shall enter into a contract with 1 or more carriers to make
				available 1 or more health benefits plans (subject to the provisions of this
				chapter) to eligible individuals under this chapter.
								(b)In carrying out
				this section, the Office may require 1 or more carriers to enter into a
				contract described in subsection (a), as a condition of entering into a
				contract under section 8902.
								8924.Eligibility of
				non-Federal employees
								(a)Except as provided
				under subsection (b), any individual may enroll in a health benefits plan under
				this section.
								(b)An individual may
				not enroll in a health benefits plan under this chapter if the
				individual—
									(1)is enrolled or
				eligible to enroll for coverage under a public health insurance program,
				including—
										(A)title XVIII of the
				Social Security Act;
										(B)a State plan under
				title XIX of the Social Security Act;
										(C)a State plan under
				title XX of the Social Security Act; or
										(D)any other program
				determined by the Office;
										(2)is enrolled or
				eligible to enroll in a plan under chapter 89; or
									(3)is a member of the
				uniformed services as defined under section 101(a)(5) of title 10.
									8925.Alternative
				conditions to Federal employee health benefits plans
								(a)Rates charged and
				premiums paid for a health benefits plan under this chapter may differ between
				or among geographic regions.
								(b)No Government
				contribution shall be made for any individual under this chapter.
								(c)In the
				administration of this chapter, the Office shall ensure that individuals
				covered under this chapter shall be in a risk pool that is separate from the
				risk pool maintained for individuals covered under chapter
				89.
								.
				(b)Technical and
			 conforming amendments
				(1)Contract
			 requirement under chapter 89Section 8902 of title 5, United
			 States Code, is amended by adding after subsection (o) the following:

						(p)Any contract under
				this chapter may include, at the discretion of the Office, a provision that the
				carrier shall enter into a contract to provide 1 or more health benefits plans
				as described under chapter
				89A.
						.
				(2)Table of
			 chaptersThe table of chapters for part III of title 5, United
			 States Code, is amended—
					(A)by redesignating
			 the items relating to chapters 89A and 89B as chapters 89B and 89C,
			 respectively; and
					(B)by inserting after
			 the item relating to chapter 89 the following:

								89A.Health Insurance for Non-Federal
				  Employees8921

							.
					3.Deduction for
			 premiums paid by FEHBP non-employee enrollees
			(a)In
			 generalPart VII of
			 subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to
			 additional itemized deductions) is amended by redesignating section 224 as
			 section 225 and by inserting after section 223 the following new
			 section:

					224.Premiums paid
				for FEHBP coverage
						(a)In
				generalIn the case of an
				individual, there shall be allowed as a deduction an amount equal to the amount
				paid as premiums during the taxable year for coverage for the taxpayer, his
				spouse, and dependents under health insurance provided pursuant to chapter 89A
				of title 5, United States Code.
						(b)Special
				rules
							(1)Coordination
				with medical deduction, etcAny amount paid by a taxpayer for
				insurance to which subsection (a) applies shall not be taken into account in
				computing the amount allowable to the taxpayer as a deduction under section
				162(l) or 213(a). Any amount taken into account in determining the credit
				allowed under section 35 shall not be taken into account for purposes of this
				section.
							(2)Deduction not
				allowed for self-employment tax purposesThe deduction allowable
				by reason of this section shall not be taken into account in determining an
				individual’s net earnings from self-employment (within the meaning of section
				1402(a)) for purposes of chapter
				2.
							.
			(b)Deduction
			 allowed in computing adjusted gross incomeSubsection (a) of
			 section 62 of such Code is amended by inserting before the last sentence the
			 following new paragraph:

					(22)Premiums paid
				for FEHBP coverageThe 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 redesignating the item relating to section
			 224 as an item relating to section 225 and inserting before such item the
			 following new item:

						Sec. 224. Premiums paid for FEHBP
				coverage.

					.
			(d)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable
			 years ending after the date of the enactment of this Act.
			4.Plan for
			 extension of Federal employee health benefits programNot later than 6 months after the date of
			 enactment of this Act and after consultation with appropriate experts,
			 representatives of affected individuals, and Federal officers, the Director of
			 the Office of Personnel Management shall submit a comprehensive plan to
			 Congress that—
			(1)provides for the
			 orderly implementation of the amendments made by this Act; and
			(2)includes a
			 schedule of actions to be taken to provide for that implementation.


116 HR 2648 IH: Student Borrower Bankruptcy Relief Act of 2019
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-05-09
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.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2648IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 9, 2019Mr. Nadler (for himself, Mr. Katko, Mr. Cicilline, Ms. Scanlon, Mr. Swalwell of California, Mr. Neguse, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Connolly, Ms. Lofgren, Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Cohen, Ms. Jackson Lee, Ms. Dean, and Mr. Correa) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo provide bankruptcy relief for student borrowers.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Student Borrower Bankruptcy Relief Act of 2019. 2.Amendments (a)Exception to dischargeSection 523 of title 11, United States Code, is amended in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (8).
 (b)Conforming amendmentSection 1328(a)(2) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by striking (8),. 3.Effective date; application of amendments (a)Effective dateExcept as provided in subsection (b), this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
 (b)Application of amendmentsThe amendments made by this Act shall apply only with respect to cases commenced under title 11, United States Code, on or after the date of enactment of this Act.


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1668
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			October 6, 2011
			Mr. Merkley (for
			 himself, Mr. Moran,
			 Mr. Tester, Mr.
			 Begich, Mr. Wyden, and
			 Ms. Murkowski) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Homeland Security and
			 Governmental Affairs

		A BILL
		To provide that the Postal Service may not close any post
		  office which results in more than 10 miles distance (as measured on roads with
		  year-round access) between any 2 post offices.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Protecting Rural Post Offices Act of
			 2011.
		2.Limitation on
			 closing of post officesSection 404(d) of title 39, United States
			 Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

				(7)Notwithstanding any other provision of this
				subsection, in making any determination under subsection (a)(3) as to the
				necessity for the closing or consolidation of any post office, the Postal
				Service may not close any post office which results in more than 10 miles
				distance (as measured on roads with year-round access) between any 2 post
				offices.
				.


114 HR 2777 IH: Social Security Integrity Act of 2015
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-06-15
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.

		I
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2777
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 15, 2015
			Mr. King of Iowa introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

		A BILL
		To direct the Commissioner of Social Security to implement certain record keeping recommendations,
			 and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Social Security Integrity Act of 2015. 2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
 (1)Individuals can commit various types of fraud against the Government by reporting earnings under deceased individuals’ Social Security Numbers (SSNs).
 (2)Various Federal entities rely on the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) death information to detect unreported deaths and verify the accuracy of reported deaths.
 (3)The Numident is the SSA’s computer database file on all who have applied for a Social Security number. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the SSA conducted an audit and determined that the SSA did not have controls in place to annotate death information on the Numident records of numberholders who exceeded maximum reasonable life expectancies and were likely deceased.
 (4)The OIG identified approximately 6.5 million numberholders age 112 or older who did not have death information on the Numident.
 (5)The OIG identified 34 cases in which it appeared that the deceased numberholder’s name and Social Security Number (SSN) had been misused. In one instance an employer reported paying wages to someone from 2008 through 2012 using a numberholder’s name and SSN that had been born in 1886. SSA payment records indicated that the numberholder died in January 1965, but the SSA did not record the numberholder’s death on the Numident. SSA continued paying benefits to the numberholder’s widow until her death in February 1973. SSA’s Master Earning File (MEF) contained no reported earnings information for this numberholder from 1956 through 2007.
 (6)The OIG determined that thousands of the SSNs could have been used to commit identity fraud. For tax years 2006 through 2011, SSA received reports that individuals using 66,920 SSNs had approximately $3.1 billion in wages, tips, and self-employment income. SSA transferred the earnings to the Earnings Suspense File because the employees’ or self-employed individuals’ names on the earnings reports did not match the numberholders’ names.
 (7)During calendar years 2008 through 2011, employers made 4,024 E-Verify inquiries using 3,873 SSNs belonging to numberholders born before June 16, 1901. According to the OIG, these inquiries indicate individuals’ attempts to use the SSNs to apply for work.
 (8)The OIG determined that resolving these discrepancies will improve the accuracy and completeness of the Death Master File and help prevent future misuse of these SSNs.
 (9)The American taxpayer deserves to have the surety of knowing that every agency and department within the Federal Government takes the prudent actions necessary to prevent future fraud and waste of hard-earned dollars.
 (10)In line with the OIG’s recommendations, the SSA should take proactive action to protect the American taxpayer by ensuring that there are controls in place to annotate death information on the Numident records of numberholders who exceeded maximum reasonable life expectancies.
			3.Implementation of OIG recommendations
 (a)In generalNot later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of Social Security shall implement all of the recommendations described in the memorandum from the Office of the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration entitled Numberholders Age 112 or Older Who Did Not Have a Death Entry on the Numident (A–06–14–34030) and dated March 4, 2015.
 (b)ReportNot later than December 31 of each calendar year that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act and ends before the date that is 3 years after such date of enactment, the Commissioner shall submit to the Congress a report on the progress made toward implementation of each of the recommendations described in the memorandum specified in subsection (a), the methods used to implement such recommendations, the amount of funds expended and any other resources utilized to implement such recommendations, and the projected date of full implementation.


IV
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 494
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 20, 2004
Mr. Leach submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Rules

RESOLUTION
To create a select committee to investigate the awarding and carrying out of contracts to conduct activities in Afghanistan and Iraq and to fight the war on terrorism.

Whereas challenges to the national security have forced America to commit very large sums of Government funds to support operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and improve the security for the homeland;
Whereas Congress has a responsibility to ensure comprehensive oversight when Government funds are at issue;
Whereas the great size of the funds involved, together with the necessary speed with which these funds are committed, presents a challenge to the traditional oversight function of Congress;
Whereas conflicts of interest and Government overcharging are a danger whenever large sums of money are at stake, and are particularly unseemly in times of war;
Whereas in this age of global economic interdependence, the Administration has made a commitment to let contracts to foreign as well as domestic companies;
Whereas oversight should not be considered a partisan activity but viewed solely in the context of preserving public resources and bolstering people’s confidence in the Government;
Whereas the Truman Committee in World War II stands as a constructive precedent for bipartisan oversight of wartime contracting;
Whereas the Truman Committee was established within a Congress controlled by the same party as the Executive;
Whereas in times marked by corporate abuses and cheating, the integrity of the procurement process is of paramount importance to sustain the public’s support for government programs; and
Whereas whatever the merits of Government policy, the public has a right to expect that war profiteering does not occur and that its resources are carefully disbursed and honestly spent.

That, until otherwise provided by law,
there is hereby created a select committee to investigate the awarding and carrying out of contracts to conduct activities in Afghanistan and Iraq and to fight the war on terrorism (hereinafter referred to as the “select committee”).
2.Membership and functionsThe select committee is to be composed of 15 Members of the House, to be appointed by the Speaker (of whom 7 shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the minority leader), one of whom shall be designated as chairman from the majority party and one of whom shall be designated ranking member from the minority party. Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the select committee shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made. The select committee shall conduct an ongoing study and investigation of the awarding and carrying out of contracts by the Government to conduct activities in Afghanistan and Iraq and to fight the war on terrorism and make such recommendations to the House as the select committee deems appropriate regarding the following matters—
(1)bidding, contracting, and auditing standards in the issuance of Government contracts;
(2)oversight procedures;
(3)forms of payment and safeguards against money laundering;
(4)accountability of contractors and Government officials involved in procurement; and
(5)penalties for violations of law and abuses in the awarding and carrying out of Government contracts.
3.Rules and procedure
(a)QuorumOne-third of the members of the select committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business except for the reporting of the results of its study and investigation (with its recommendations) or the authorization of subpoenas, which shall require a majority of the committee to be actually present, except that the select committee may designate a lesser number, but not less than two, as a quorum for the purpose of holding hearings to take testimony and receive evidence.
(b)PowersFor the purpose of carrying out this resolution, the select committee may sit and act during the present Congress at any time and place within the United States or elsewhere, whether the House is in session, has recessed, or has adjourned and hold such hearings as it considers necessary and to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses, the furnishing of information by interrogatory, and the production of such books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, documents, and other things and information of any kind as it deems necessary, including classified materials.
(c)Issuance of Subpoenas A subpoena may be authorized and issued by the select committee in the conduct of any investigation or series of investigations or activities, only when authorized by a majority of the members voting, a majority being present. Authorized subpoenas shall be signed by the chairman or by any member designated by the select committee, and may be served by any person designated by the chairman or such member. Subpoenas shall be issued under the seal of the House and attested by the Clerk. The select committee may request investigations, reports, and other assistance from any agency of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Government.
(d)MeetingsThe chairman, or in his absence a member designated by the chairman, shall preside at all meetings and hearings of the select committee. All meetings and hearings of the select committee shall be conducted in open session, unless a majority of members of the select committee voting, there being in attendance the requisite number required for the purpose of hearings to take testimony, vote to close a meeting or hearing.
(e)Applicabities of Rules of the HouseThe Rules of the House of Representatives applicable to standing committees shall govern the select committee where not inconsistent with this resolution.
(f)Written Commitee RulesThe select committee shall adopt additional written rules, which shall be public, to govern its procedures, which shall not be inconsistent with this resolution or the Rules of the House of Representatives.
4.Administrative provisions
(a)Appointment of StaffThe select committee staff shall be appointed, and may be removed, by the chairman and shall work under the general supervision and direction of the chairman.
(b)Powers of Ranking Minority MemberAll staff provided to the minority party members of the select committee shall be appointed, and may be removed, by the ranking minority member of the committee, and shall work under the general supervision and direction of such member.
(c)CompensationThe chairman shall fix the compensation of all staff of the select committee, after consultation with the ranking minority member regarding any minority party staff, within the budget approved for such purposes for the select committee.
(d)Reimbursement of ExpensesThe select committee may reimburse the members of its staff for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by them in the performance of their functions for the select committee.
(e)Payment of ExpensesThere shall be paid out of the applicable accounts of the House such sums as may be necessary for the expenses of the select committee. Such payments shall be made on vouchers signed by the chairman of the select committee and approved in the manner directed by the Committee on House Administration. Amounts made available under this subsection shall be expended in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Committee on House Administration.
5.Reports The select committee shall from time to time report to the House the results of its study and investigation, with its recommendations. Any report made by the select committee when the House is not in session shall be filed with the Clerk of the House. Any report made by the select committee shall be referred to the committee or committees that have jurisdiction over the subject matter of the report.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 804
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 3, 2009
			Mr. Baca introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Energy and
			 Commerce

		A BILL
		To amend the Public Health Service Act to require the
		  expansion, intensification, and coordination of research and other activities
		  of the National Institutes of Health with respect to primary lateral
		  sclerosis.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Understanding and Research of PLS
			 Act .
		2.Primary lateral
			 sclerosisPart B of title IV
			 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284 et seq.) is amended by adding
			 at the end the following:

				409J.Primary
				lateral sclerosis
					(a)Expansion,
				intensification, and coordination of activitiesThe Director of NIH shall expand,
				intensify, and coordinate research and other activities of the National
				Institutes of Health with respect to primary lateral sclerosis.
					(b)Authorization of
				appropriationsFor the purpose of carrying out subsection (a),
				there is authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 for the period of fiscal
				years 2010 through 2014. Such authorization of appropriations shall be in
				addition to the authorization of appropriations in section 402A and any other
				authorization of appropriations available for such
				purpose.
					.


117 HR 929 IH: To provide that the amount of time that an elderly offender must serve before being eligible for placement in home detention is to be reduced by the amount of good time credits earned by the prisoner, and for other purposes.
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-02-08
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.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 929IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 8, 2021Mr. Deutch introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo provide that the amount of time that an elderly offender must serve before being eligible for placement in home detention is to be reduced by the amount of good time credits earned by the prisoner, and for other purposes.1.Elderly for certain nonviolent offendersSection 231(g)(5)(A)(ii) of the Second Chance Act of 2007 (34 U.S.C. 60541(g)(5)(A)(ii)) is amended by striking to which the offender was sentenced and inserting reduced by any credit toward the service of the prisoner’s sentence awarded under section 3624(b) of title 18, United States Code.


109 HR 4689 IH: Truth in Quality Grading Act of 2005
U.S. House of Representatives
2006-02-01
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.

I
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4689
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 1, 2006
Ms. Herseth (for herself, Mrs. Cubin, and Ms. Kaptur) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

A BILL
To amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act to provide that a quality grade label issued by the Secretary of Agriculture for beef and lamb may not be used for imported beef or imported lamb.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Truth in Quality Grading Act of 2005.
2.Quality grade labeling of beef and lamb
(a)DefinitionsSection 1 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(x)BeefThe term beef means meat produced from cattle (including veal).
(y)Imported beefThe term imported beef means beef that is not United States beef, whether or not the beef is graded with a quality grade issued by the Secretary.
(z)Imported lambThe term imported lamb means lamb that is not United States lamb, whether or not the lamb is graded with a quality grade issued by the Secretary.
(aa)LambThe term lamb means meat, other than mutton, produced from sheep.
(bb)United States beef
(1)In generalThe term United States beef means beef produced from cattle slaughtered in the United States.
(2)ExclusionThe term United States beef does not include beef produced from cattle imported into the United States.
(cc)United States lamb
(1)In generalThe term United States lamb means lamb produced from sheep slaughtered in the United States.
(2)ExclusionThe term United States lamb does not include lamb produced from sheep imported into the United States..
(b)MisbrandingSection 1(n) of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601(n)) is amended—
(1)in paragraph (11), by striking or at the end;
(2)in paragraph (12), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or; and
(3)by adding at the end the following:

(13)if it is imported beef or imported lamb and bears a label that indicates a quality grade issued by the Secretary..
(c)RegulationsNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall promulgate final regulations to carry out the amendments made by this section.
(d)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section take effect 60 days after the date on which final regulations are promulgated under subsection (c).


		II

		109th CONGRESS

		1st Session

		S. 1870

		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			October 17, 2005

			Mrs. Feinstein

			 introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the

			 Committee on Energy and Natural

			 Resources

		A BILL

		To clarify the authorities for the use of certain

		  National Park Service properties within Golden Gate National Recreation Area

		  and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, and for other

		  purposes.

		1.Golden Gate National

			 Recreation AreaSection 4(f)

			 of Public Law

			 92–589 (16 U.S.C. 460bb–3) is amended by

			 striking Haslett Warehouse, Cliff House Properties and Louis’

			 Restaurant, and all that follows and inserting Cliff House

			 Properties and Louis’ Restaurant, the Secretary may enter into a contract for

			 the management (including rental or lease) of the aforementioned properties

			 with such terms and conditions as will protect the Government’s interest. Any

			 proceeds from the use of such properties shall be available until expended,

			 without further appropriation, for the administration, maintenance, repair and

			 related expenses of the properties and for major renovation and park

			 rehabilitation of those buildings included in the Fort Mason Foundation

			 Agreement.

		2.San Francisco

			 Maritime National Historical ParkSection 3 of

			 Public Law

			 100–348 (16 U.S.C. 410nn–1) is

			 amended—

			(1)by amending the

			 text of subsection (c) to read as follows: Notwithstanding any other

			 provision of law, in the administration of any real or personal property

			 (including vessels and heavy marine equipment such as floating drydocks) that

			 is administered as part of the park, the Secretary may enter into a contract

			 for the management (including rental or lease) of such property with such terms

			 and conditions as will protect the Government’s interest. Any proceeds from the

			 use of such property shall be available until expended, without further

			 appropriation, for the administration, maintenance, repair, and related

			 expenses of the property.; and

			(2)in the second

			 sentence of subsection (d) by striking shall be credited and all

			 that follows and by inserting shall be available until expended, without

			 further appropriation, for use at the park for purposes of facility maintenance

			 and repair, interpretation, signage, habitat or facility enhancement, resource

			 preservation, annual operations (including fee collection), and law

			 enforcement..

			3.Conforming

			 amendments

			(a)Section 2(b) of

			 Public Law

			 100–348 (16 U.S.C. 410nn) is

			 amended—

				(1)by striking

			 numbered 641/80,053 and dated April 7, 1987 and inserting

			 numbered 350/80,012 and dated June 2004; and

				(2)by striking the

			 third and fourth sentences and inserting the following: The Secretary of

			 the Interior (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the

			 Secretary) may make minor revisions to the boundary of the park

			 in accordance with section 7(c) of the Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965

			 (16 U.S.C.

			 460l–9(c)).

				(b)Section 4(e) of

			 Public Law

			 92–589 (16 U.S.C. 460bb–3) is amended by

			 striking and for admission to the sailing vessel Balclutha and other

			 historic vessels of the National Maritime Museum.


115 S1896 RS: TSA LEAP Pay Reform Act of 2017
U.S. Senate
2018-10-02
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.

IICalendar No. 614115th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 1896IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESSeptember 28, 2017Mr. Johnson introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationOctober 2 (legislative day, September 28), 2018Reported by Mr. Thune, with an amendment and an amendment to the titleStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicA BILLTo amend section 8331 of title 5, United States Code, and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to
			 clarify the treatment of availability pay for Federal air marshals and
			 criminal investigators of the Transportation Security Administration, and
			 for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the TSA LEAP Pay Reform Act of 2017. 2.Retirement-creditable basic pay (a)Definition of basic payClause (ii) of section 8331(3)(E) of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

 (ii)received after September 11, 2001, by a Federal air marshal or criminal investigator (as defined in section 5545a(a)(2)) of the Transportation Security Administration, subject to all restrictions and earning limitations imposed on criminal investigators receiving such pay under section 5545a, including the premium pay limitations under section 5547;.
 (b)Fair Labor Standards Act exemptionSection 13 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 213) is amended— (1)in subsection (a)(16)—
 (A)by striking is paid  and inserting is entitled to; and (B)by inserting , or a Federal air marshal or criminal investigator employed by the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration who is entitled to such availability pay, as described in section 8331(3)(E)(ii) of such title (where entitlement is determined before the application of any premium pay limitation) before the semicolon; and
 (2)in subsection (b)(30)— (A)by striking is paid  and inserting is entitled to; and
 (B)by inserting , or a Federal air marshal or criminal investigator employed by the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration who is entitled to such availability pay, as described in section 8331(3)(E)(ii) of such title (where entitlement is determined before the application of any premium pay limitation) before the period.
					(c)Effective date; applicability
 (1)In generalSubject to paragraph (2), this Act, and the amendments made by this Act, shall take effect on the first day of the first pay period commencing on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
				(2)Retroactive application
 (A)In generalAny availability pay received for any pay period commencing before the date of enactment of this Act by a Federal air marshal or criminal investigator employed by the Transportation Security Administration shall be deemed basic pay under section 8331(3) of title 5, United States Code, if the Transportation Security Administration treated such pay as retirement-creditable basic pay, but the Office of Personnel Management, based on an interpretation of section 8331(3) of title 5, United States Code, did not accept such pay as retirement-creditable basic pay.
 (B)ImplementationNot later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall commence taking such actions as are necessary to implement the amendments made by this section with respect to availability pay deemed to be basic pay under subparagraph (A).

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the TSA LEAP Pay Reform Act of 2018. 2.Retirement-creditable basic pay (a)Definition of basic payClause (ii) of section 8331(3)(E) of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

 (ii)received after September 11, 2001, by a Federal air marshal or criminal investigator (as defined in section 5545a(a)(2)) of the Transportation Security Administration, subject to all restrictions and earning limitations imposed on criminal investigators receiving such pay under section 5545a, including the premium pay limitations under section 5547;.
			(b)Effective date; applicability
 (1)In generalSubject to paragraph (2), this Act, and the amendments made by this Act, shall take effect on the first day of the first pay period commencing on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
				(2)Retroactive application
 (A)In generalAny availability pay received for any pay period commencing before the date of enactment of this Act by a Federal air marshal or criminal investigator employed by the Transportation Security Administration shall be deemed basic pay under section 8331(3) of title 5, United States Code, if the Transportation Security Administration treated such pay as retirement-creditable basic pay, but the Office of Personnel Management, based on an interpretation of section 8331(3) of title 5, United States Code, did not accept such pay as retirement-creditable basic pay.
 (B)ImplementationNot later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall commence taking such actions as are necessary to implement the amendments made by this section with respect to availability pay deemed to be basic pay under subparagraph (A).Amend the title so as to read: A bill to amend section 8331 of title 5, United States Code, to clarify the treatment of
			 availability pay for Federal air marshals and criminal investigators of
			 the Transportation Security Administration, and for other purposes..October 2 (legislative day, September 28), 2018Reported with an amendment and an amendment to the title


113 SRES 421 ATS: Expressing the gratitude and appreciation of the Senate for the acts of heroism and military achievement by the members of the United States Armed Forces who participated in the June 6, 1944, amphibious landing at Normandy, France, and commending them for leadership and valor in an operation that helped bring an end to World War II.
U.S. Senate
2014-04-10
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

III113th CONGRESS2d SessionS. RES. 421IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESApril 10, 2014Mr. Boozman (for himself, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Begich, Mr. Manchin, Mr. Burr, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Moran, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Johanns, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Rubio, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Shelby, and Mr. Cornyn) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign RelationsMay 20, 2014Reported by Mr. Menendez, without amendmentMay 21, 2014Considered and agreed toRESOLUTIONExpressing the gratitude and appreciation of the Senate for the acts of heroism and military
			 achievement by the members of the United States Armed Forces who
			 participated in the June 6, 1944, amphibious landing at Normandy, France,
			 and commending them for leadership and valor in an operation that helped
			 bring an end to World War II.Whereas June 6, 2014, marks the 70th anniversary of the Allied assault at Normandy, France, by American, British, and Canadian troops,
			 which was known as Operation Overlord;Whereas, before Operation Overlord, the German Army still occupied France and the Nazi government
			 still had access to the raw materials and industrial capacity of Western
			 Europe;Whereas the naval assault phase on Normandy was codenamed Neptune, and the June 6th assault date is referred to as D-Day to denote the day on which the combat attack was initiated;Whereas the D-Day landing was the largest single amphibious assault in history, consisting of
			 approximately 31,000 members of the United States Armed Forces, 153,000
			 members of the Allied Expeditionary Force, 5,000 naval vessels, and more
			 than 11,000 sorties by Allied aircraft;Whereas soldiers of 6 divisions (3 American, 2 British, and 1 Canadian) stormed ashore in 5 main
			 landing areas on beaches in Normandy, which were code-named Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword;Whereas, of the approximately 10,000 Allied casualties incurred on the first day of the landing,
			 more than 6,000 casualties were members of the United States Armed Forces;Whereas the age of the remaining World War II veterans and the gradual disappearance of any
			 living memory of World War II and the Normandy landings make it necessary
			 to increase activities intended to pass on the history of these events,
			 particularly to younger generations;Whereas the young people of Normandy and the United States have displayed unprecedented commitment
			 to and involvement in celebrating the veterans of the Normandy landings
			 and the freedom that they brought with them in 1944;Whereas the significant material remains of the Normandy landing, such as shipwrecks and various
			 items of military equipment found both on the Normandy beaches and at the
			 bottom of the sea in French territorial waters, bear witness to the
			 remarkable material resources used by the Allied Armed Forces to execute
			 the Normandy landings;Whereas 5 Normandy beaches and a number of sites on the Normandy coast, including Pointe du Hoc,
			 were the scene of the Normandy landings, and constitute both now and for
			 all time a unique piece of humanity's world heritage, and a symbol of
			 peace and freedom, whose unspoilt nature, integrity, and authenticity must
			 be protected at all costs; andWhereas the world owes a debt of gratitude to the members of the greatest generation who assumed the task of freeing the world from Nazi and Fascist regimes and restoring liberty to
			 Europe: Now, therefore, be itThat the Senate—(1)recognizes the 70th anniversary of the Allied amphibious landing on D-Day, June 6, 1944, at Normandy, France, during
			 World War II;(2)expresses gratitude and appreciation to the members of the United States Armed Forces who
			 participated in the D-Day operations;(3)thanks the young people of Normandy and the United States for their involvement in recognizing and
			 celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Normandy landings with the aim of making future generations aware of the acts
			 of heroism and sacrifice performed by the Allied forces;(4)recognizes the efforts of the Government of France and the people of Normandy to preserve, for
			 future generations,
			 the unique world heritage represented by the Normandy beaches and the
			 sunken material remains of the Normandy landing, by inscribing them on the
			 United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
			 World Heritage List; and(5)requests the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to
			 observe the anniversary with appropriate ceremonies and programs to honor
			 the sacrifices of their fellow countrymen to liberate Europe.


114 HR 2932 IH: PLAYS in Youth Sports Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-06-25
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2932
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 25, 2015
			Mr. Kind (for himself, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Rangel, Mrs. Davis of California, Mr. Murphy of Florida, and Mr. Veasey) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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 provide for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish grant programs to improve
			 the health and positive youth development impacts of youth sports
			 participation, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Physical activity, Living healthy, Access, Youth development, and Safety in Youth Sports Act or the PLAYS in Youth Sports Act. 2.Grant programs (a)Organization grant program (1)In generalThe Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish a competitive grants program (in this section referred to as the Organization Grants Program) to award grants, in accordance with paragraph (3), to eligible national non-profit organizations to improve the health and positive youth development impacts of youth sports participation, in accordance with paragraph (4).
 (2)Eligible national non-profit organizationFor purposes of this subsection, a national non-profit organization shall be eligible for a grant under this subsection if such organization—
 (A)has experience with working with regional and local non-profit youth sports organizations in the areas of improved health, positive youth development, and safe playing environments consistent with the types of activities described in paragraph (5); and
 (B)submits to the Secretary a plan for awarding subgrants to regional and local non-profit youth sports organizations to improve physical activity or sports programs carried out in the areas served by such organizations to improve the health of youth through, and have positive impacts on, youth sports participation.
					(3)Administrative provisions
 (A)Amount of grantsEach grant awarded under this subsection shall be no more than $250,000 and no less than $10,000. (B)Selection of grantees through grant selection board (i)In generalNot later than one year after the date on which funds are first appropriated to carry out this section, the Secretary shall establish a grant selection board to select the eligible national non-profit organizations to be awarded grants under this subsection.
 (ii)CompositionSuch board shall consist of 10 members to be selected from the Department of Health and Human Services, including from the following:
 (I)The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), in particular the Family and Youth Services Bureau.
 (II)The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, in particular the Office of Adolescent Health and the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition.
 (III)The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in particular the Office of Noncommunicable Diseases, Injury and Environment Health, and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
 (IV)The Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. (V)The National Institutes of Health, in particular the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
 (iii)ConsiderationsIn selecting grantees under this subsection, the board under this subparagraph shall, with respect to a plan described in paragraph (2)(B) submitted by a national non-profit organization, evaluate the plan based on the ability of the plan to ensure that the grant will help improve the physical activity or sports program involved in at least one of the following areas:
 (I)Effectiveness, through activities described in paragraph (5)(B). (II)Participation, through activities described in paragraph (5)(C).
 (III)Health and Safety, through activities described in paragraph (5)(D). (4)Uses of grantsA grant awarded under this subsection to an eligible non-profit organization may be used by such organization only for awarding subgrants in accordance with paragraph (5) and consistent with the plan submitted by the organization under paragraph (2)(B).
				(5)Uses of subgrants
					(A)In general
 (i)Permissible activitiesA subgrant awarded to a regional and local non-profit youth sports organization pursuant to this subsection may be used by such organization for only the activities described in the subsequent subparagraphs of this paragraph in accordance with the provisions of the respective subparagraph.
 (ii)Excluded activitiesA subgrant awarded to a regional and local non-profit youth sports organization pursuant to this subsection may not be used by such organization for any of the following:
 (I)Any activity the organization is in the process of conducting or planning to conduct as of the date of application for a subgrant under this subsection.
 (II)Any activity primarily designed to expand the organization among those portions of the community that would otherwise participate in youth sports, rather than those efforts aimed at a particularly underserved participating portion of the community.
 (III)Efforts that are not likely to be continued after funding from the subgrant has expired. (iii)Amount of subgrantsA subgrant under this subsection shall be not more than $10,000 and not less than $1,000.
						(B)Activities to promote effectiveness of youth sports
 (i)ActivitiesThe activities described in this subparagraph are activities that promote effectiveness of physical activities or youth sports, including the following:
 (I)Training and certification programs for coaches, in accordance with clause (ii). (II)Developing and implementing coaching guidelines described in clause (iii).
 (III)Training for youth development and character development. (IV)Developing or implementing evaluation and results implementation process.
 (V)Instructing positive parental involvement. (VI)Developing and implementing an athlete code of conduct and instruction.
 (VII)Developing and implementing coach and volunteer retention efforts. (VIII)Fostering a positive sport experience for all involved that emphasizes athlete development over winning at all costs.
 (IX)Activities to enhance affects beyond the playing field, such as with respect to nutrition practices, academic performance, encouragement of life-long practices, and promotion of positive self-image.
 (ii)Training and certification program characteristicsFor purposes of clause (i)(I), a training or certification program for coaches described in such clause—
 (I)shall be based on consensus within the youth sports non-profit community; (II)should be interactive;
 (III)should aspire to coaching education at the youth sport level that provides coaches with baseline knowledge in the areas of coaching philosophy and style, communication, team management, practice and game-day planning, first aid, and rules as well as sport-specific content on teaching the techniques and tactics of the respective sport;
 (IV)should include content that is complete, comprehensive, affordable, and user-friendly; a convenient online 24/7 delivery system; supplemental resources and support materials, such as coaching youth sports books, study guides, forms, checklists, and plans; and a web-based tracking and reporting interface that documents a national coaches registry; and
 (V)should emphasize athlete development over winning at all costs. (iii)Coaching requirementsFor purposes of clause (i)(II), the coaching guidelines described in this clause, with respect to planning and practice of youth sports, are guidelines to achieve the following:
 (I)Developing and refining the philosophy and style of such coaching. (II)Developing the character of the youth athletes through role-modeling, teaching, and exhibiting appropriate citizenship behaviors.
 (III)Communicating effectively by role-modeling, teaching, and expecting honest and effective communication.
 (IV)Guiding athletes to develop self-confidence by modeling and teaching self-confident attributes and behaviors and creating situations in which athletes experience success.
 (V)Teaching the sport involved effectively by teaching the rules, systems, and defined plays of the sport involved.
 (VI)Teaching technical and tactical skills effectively by instructing athletes in the use of correct and safe techniques and teaching how to process game situations to gain a competitive advantage.
 (VII)Teaching sport decisionmaking skills effectively by modeling and teaching perception, attention, and concentration skills.
 (VIII)Challenging athletes in practice and competition by developing season and practice plans to create optimally challenging, safe, and effective practices and competitions.
 (IX)Physically preparing athletes by modeling, teaching, and expecting appropriate physical training, nutrition, and drug-free habits.
 (X)Taking all measures feasible to ensure the safety of athletes by checking facilities and equipment (and how such equipment fits), monitoring athletes’ activities closely, and correcting unsafe behavior immediately.
 (XI)Managing relationships effectively by modeling, teaching, and expecting positive interactions between coaches, athletes, parents, administrators, medical personnel, officials, and media.
 (XII)Supporting scholastic achievement by expecting commitment to academics and teaching the value of education.
 (C)Activities relating to participationThe activities described in this subparagraph are activities to lead to sustained increases in participation in youth sports, including the following:
 (i)Activities to lower barriers to participation, such as by making it easier for youth with disabilities to participate, acquiring or modifying space, raising money for an endowment to keep participation fees low or free, including through scholarships.
 (ii)Activities to target populations under-represented in youth sports or particularly at-risk communities, such as girls and other under-represented minorities, populations in geographical areas with particular low participation rates, populations with high obesity risk, populations in high crime and violence areas, homeless youth, youth with behavioral issues, youth with physical or mental disabilities.
 (iii)Activities for capacity building. (iv)Activities to engage parents and other family members to encourage life-long physical activity.
						(D)Activities to promote safety and health
 (i)ActivitiesThe activities described in this subparagraph are activities to promote safety and health, including the following:
 (I)Background checks described in clause (ii)(I) and the establishment of procedures for such background checks in accordance with clause (ii)(II).
 (II)Abuse prevention and response activities described in clause (iii). (III)Measures to implement program improvements as broadly as possible within the organization receiving the subgrant by providing resources for activities, such as administrative guidelines and materials, training opportunities, and codes of conduct.
 (IV)Training programs to address the matters described in clause (iv). (V)Prevention efforts to prevent and reduce the occurrence of concussions (through baseline screening, clear return to play and other post-concussion protocols, prevention efforts, parent and participant education) and of overuse and overload and injury risk.
 (VI)Practices to encourage water drinking, increased physical movement, nutritious snacks, and national healthy eating practices.
 (VII)Targeted programs for particular at-risk behavior or at-risk populations, such as with respect to lateral injuries in girls and for participants with physical and mental disabilities, such as Type 1 diabetes, eating disorders, and sickle cell trait.
 (VIII)Parent education. (IX)Parent code of conduct and instruction.
 (X)Athlete code of conduct and instruction. (XI)Bullying prevention.
 (XII)Safety procedures for engagement of youth sports photographers. (XIII)Venue and event safety.
 (XIV)Participant comprehensive health history and pre-screening recording, evaluation, and privacy securing, including in a standardized form or way that make it easy for participants to share their information with other organizations.
 (XV)Encouraging and facilitating participation in the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) of participants.
							(ii)Background checks
 (I)In generalFor purposes of clause (i)(I), background checks described in this clause— (aa)check for known offenses and pending actions of abuse, harm, or violent behavior and molestation of youth by coaches, mentors, or other adults with access to youth sports participants;
 (bb)screen employees, contractors, and volunteer forces who have regular contact with youth participants, authority or supervision roles with respect to such youth, opportunity to establish a position of trust with respect to such youth, or opportunity for one-on-one contact with such youth;
 (cc)should utilize advancements in technology that make criminal history information available to these organizations;
 (dd)must provide for reliable, rapid, comprehensive, up-to-date checks at a very reasonable cost so that the organizations can make informed screening decisions;
 (ee)provide access to criminal background information that has been recently updated, and is dependable, complete, and accessed from national databases, county courts (county of residence) and all available State sex offender registries; and
 (ff)provide screenings that generally cover identity verification, using social security number validation and address trace report; National Criminal database search, updated regularly with more than 300 million criminal records; the Office of Foreign Assets Control terrorist database search; Sex Offender Registry search of all available States with at least one county search that generally covers longest and most recent residency in the past five years.
 (II)ProceduresFor purposes of clause (i)(I), the establishment of procedures for conducting and reviewing background checks described in subclause (I) shall identify who is responsible for conducting the checks, reviewing the criminal history records, determining fitness, notifying the volunteer or staff of the decision, managing legally compliant notices, and the dissemination, control, storage, and destruction of information gained in the background check.
 (iii)Abuse prevention and response activitiesFor purposes of clause (i)(II), abuse prevention and response activities described in this clause are the following:
 (I)The development and reinforcement of appropriate communication, training, and response protocols for abuse and other inappropriate behavior.
 (II)Awareness, prevention, and response guidelines, including a protocol to immediately report potential criminal behavior on the part of any coach or official to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
 (III)Reference checking of volunteers, including previous clubs, teams, or athletes with whom the individual has worked.
 (IV)Questioning about the individual’s behaviors and if anyone has reported any inappropriate behavior that might be of concern.
 (V)Work with insurance providers or other risk management experts to help maintain a safe environment. (iv)Training programsFor purposes of clause (i)(IV), the matters described in this clause are the following:
 (I)First aid, CPR, and defibrillator. (II)Mild traumatic brain injury or concussion.
 (III)Heat acclimatization and heat illness prevention. (IV)Human kinetics coaching education.
 (V)Risk management. (VI)Legal issues.
 (VII)Pre-participation Physical Evaluation (PPE). (VIII)Emergency planning.
 (IX)Training practices. (X)Strength and conditioning.
 (XI)Nutrition. (XII)Recognizing sports-related illnesses and injuries.
 (XIII)Prevention and care of concussions. (XIV)Equipment fitting.
 (XV)Safe playing conditions. (6)FundingThere is authorized to carry out this subsection such sums as may be necessary.
				(b)State and local grant program
 (1)In generalThe Secretary of Health and Human Services may establish a grant program under which the Secretary shall award one-time competitive grants to municipalities, counties, and States to fund efforts of such municipalities, counties, and States to establish and implement model standards, such as through surveys, studies, pilot programs, and guidelines, for out-of-school youth sports coaches.
 (2)RequirementsA grantee under this subsection must agree to enact or improve implementation of standards that— (A)do not conflict or otherwise negatively interfere with standards that apply within the jurisdiction of such grantee; and
 (B)are aimed at improving effectiveness, participation, and health and safety of youth sports. (3)Permitted activitiesA grant under this subsection may be used for activities including the following:
 (A)Surveys. (B)Studies.
 (C)Pilot programs. (D)Development of guidelines and standards.
 (E)Education and outreach. (F)Implementation efforts.
 (4)Selection criteriaGrants under this subsection shall be awarded, with respect to model standards described in paragraph (1), based on the following criteria:
 (A)Number of coaches affected by such standards. (B)Degree with which activities and standards, as applicable, are easy and affordable to the organization or coach involved.
 (C)Comprehensiveness of such standards and the number of subjects covered effectively by such standards.
					(5)Reports
 (A)By granteesAs a condition of receipt of a grant under this subsection, a grantee shall submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services such information as specified by the Secretary, by such time as specified by the Secretary, to complete the report described in subparagraph (B).
 (B)By SecretaryNot later than five years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall publish a national report on lessons learned from the model standards implemented pursuant to grants awarded under this subsection. The report shall—
 (i)measure the effectiveness of such standards in improving health, safety, participation rate, and inclusion; and
 (ii)describe the areas in which funding under such grants was spent, including by purposes and outcomes.
 (6)FundingThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as are necessary. 3.Youth sports research (a)GAO studyNot later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on—
 (1)a history of the prior 50 years of Federal Government programs used to help promote the effectiveness, participation, health, and safety of non-school based organized youth sports; and
 (2)evidence available on the effectiveness and outcomes of such programs. (b)HHS studyNot later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to Congress a report on—
 (1)youth sports risk prevention efforts conducted or supported by the Department of Health and Human Services and other Federal agencies;
 (2)beneficial practices in place relating to such efforts and the effectiveness of such practices; and (3)assessing further steps and resources needed to reduce risks and increase the benefits of sports.
 4.Safety promotionThe Secretary of Health and Human Services is authorized, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health, to undertake, support, enhance, and expand research and prevention efforts to advance youth sports safety.


		II
		109th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 3769
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			August 1, 2006
			Mr. Ensign (for himself,
			 Mr. Nelson of Florida,
			 Mr. Coleman, Mr. Lieberman, Mr.
			 Santorum, and Mr. Frist)
			 introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Foreign
			 Relations

		A BILL
		To encourage multilateral cooperation and authorize a
		  program of assistance to facilitate a peaceful transition in Cuba, and for
		  other purposes.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Cuba Transition Act of
			 2006.
		2.FindingsCongress makes the following
			 findings:
			(1)The Cuban people
			 are seeking change in their country, including through the 1998 Agreement for
			 Democracy, independent journalist activity, and other civil society
			 initiatives.
			(2)Civil society
			 groups and independent, self-employed Cuban citizens will be essential to the
			 consolidation of a genuine and effective transition to democracy from an
			 authoritarian, communist government in Cuba, and therefore merit increased
			 international assistance.
			(3)The people of the
			 United States support a policy of proactively helping the Cuban people to
			 establish a democratic system of government, including supporting Cuban citizen
			 efforts to prepare for transition to a better and more prosperous
			 future.
			(4)The
			 Inter-American Democratic Charter adopted by the General Assembly of the
			 Organization of American States (OAS) provides both guidance and mechanisms for
			 response by OAS members to the governmental transition in Cuba and that
			 country’s eventual reintegration into the inter-American system.
			(5)United States
			 Government support of pro-democracy elements in Cuba and planning for the
			 transition in Cuba is essential for the identification of resources and
			 mechanisms that can be made available immediately in response to profound
			 political and economic changes on the island.
			(6)Consultations
			 with democratic development institutions and international development agencies
			 regarding Cuba are a critical element in the preparation of an effective
			 multilateral response to the transition in Cuba.
			3.PurposesThe purposes of this Act are as
			 follows:
			(1)To support
			 multilateral efforts by the countries of the Western Hemisphere in planning for
			 a transition of the government in Cuba and the return of that country to the
			 Western Hemisphere community of democracies.
			(2)To encourage the
			 development of an international group to coordinate multilateral planning to a
			 transition of the government in Cuba.
			(3)To authorize
			 funding for programs to assist the Cuban people and independent nongovernmental
			 organizations in Cuba in preparing the groundwork for a peaceful transition of
			 government in Cuba.
			(4)To provide the
			 President with funding to implement assistance programs essential to the
			 development of a democratic government in Cuba.
			4.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)Democratically
			 elected government in CubaThe term democratically elected
			 government in Cuba has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the
			 Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (22 U.S.C.
			 6023).
			(2)Transition
			 government in CubaThe term transition government in
			 Cuba has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Cuban Liberty
			 and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (22 U.S.C.
			 6023).
			5.Multilateral
			 initiatives related to CubaThe Secretary of State is authorized to
			 designate such sums as may be necessary of total amounts made available for
			 contributions to international organizations to be provided to the Organization
			 of American States for—
			(1)Inter-American
			 Commission on Human Rights activities relating to the situation of human rights
			 in Cuba; and
			(2)the funding of an
			 OAS emergency fund for the deployment of human rights observers, election
			 support, and election observation in Cuba as described in section 109(b) of the
			 Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (22 U.S.C.
			 6039(b)(1)).
			6.Sense of
			 Congress
			(a)Sense of
			 Congress regarding consultation with Western HemisphereIt is the
			 sense of Congress that the President should begin consultation, as appropriate,
			 with governments of other Western Hemisphere countries regarding a transition
			 in Cuba.
			(b)Sense of
			 Congress regarding other consultationsIt is the sense of
			 Congress that the President should begin consultations with appropriate
			 international partners and governments regarding a multilateral diplomatic and
			 financial support program for response to a transition in Cuba.
			7.Assistance
			 provided to the Cuban people in preparation for a transition in Cuba
			(a)AuthorizationNotwithstanding
			 any other provision of law other than
			 section
			 634A of the Foreign Assistance
			 Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2394–1) and comparable
			 notification requirements contained in any Act making appropriations for
			 foreign operations, export financing, and related programs, the President is
			 authorized to furnish such sums as may be necessary in assistance and provide
			 other support for individuals and independent nongovernmental organizations to
			 support democracy-building efforts for Cuba, including assistance for—
				(1)political
			 prisoners and members of their families;
				(2)persons
			 persecuted or harassed for dissident activities;
				(3)independent
			 libraries;
				(4)independent
			 workers’ rights activists;
				(5)independent
			 agricultural cooperatives;
				(6)independent
			 associations of self-employed Cubans;
				(7)independent
			 journalists;
				(8)independent youth
			 organizations;
				(9)independent
			 environmental groups;
				(10)independent
			 economists, medical doctors, and other professionals;
				(11)establishing and
			 maintaining an information and resources center to be in the United States
			 interests section in Havana, Cuba;
				(12)prodemocracy
			 programs of the National Endowment for Democracy related to Cuba;
				(13)nongovernmental
			 programs to facilitate access to the Internet, subject to section 102(g) of the
			 Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (22 U.S.C.
			 6032(g));
				(14)nongovernmental
			 charitable programs that provide nutrition and basic medical care to persons
			 most at risk, including children and elderly persons; and
				(15)nongovernmental
			 charitable programs to reintegrate into civilian life persons who have
			 abandoned, resigned, or been expelled from the Cuban armed forces for
			 ideological reasons.
				(b)DefinitionsIn
			 this section:
				(1)Independent
			 nongovernmental organizationThe term independent
			 nongovernmental organization means an organization that the Secretary of
			 State determines, not less than 15 days before any obligation of funds to the
			 organization, is a charitable or nonprofit nongovernmental organization that is
			 not an agency or instrumentality of the Cuban Government.
				(2)Eligible Cuban
			 recipientsThe term eligible Cuban recipients is
			 limited to any Cuban national in Cuba, including political prisoners and their
			 families, who are not officials of the Cuban Government or of the ruling
			 political party in Cuba, as defined in section 4(10) of the Cuban Liberty and
			 Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (22 U.S.C. 6023(10)).
				8.Support for a
			 transition government in Cuba
			(a)Authorization
			 of appropriationsIn addition to funds otherwise available for
			 such purposes, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are
			 necessary to the President to establish a fund to provide assistance to a
			 transition government in Cuba as defined in section 4(14) of the Cuban Liberty
			 and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (22 U.S.C.
			 6023(14)).
			(b)Designation of
			 FundThe fund authorized in subsection (a) shall be known as the
			 Fund for a Free Cuba.
			(c)Availability of
			 fundsAmounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) are
			 authorized to remain available until expended.