117 S379 IS: Libya Stabilization Act
U.S. Senate
2021-02-23
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II
117th CONGRESS1st Session
S. 379
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 23, 2021
Mr. Coons (for himself, Mr. Graham, Mr. Murphy, and Mr. Rubio) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

A BILL
To advance a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Libya and support the people of Libya.

1.Short title; table of contents
(a)Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Libya Stabilization Act. (b)Table of contentsThe table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings; statement of policy.
TITLE I—Identifying challenges to stability in Libya
Sec. 101. Codification of Executive Order 13726.
Sec. 102. Report on activities of certain foreign governments and actors in Libya.
Sec. 103. Strategy to counter Russian influence in Libya.
TITLE II—Actions to address foreign intervention in Libya
Sec. 201. Definitions.
Sec. 202. Imposition of sanctions with respect to persons supporting Russian military intervention in Libya.
Sec. 203. Imposition of sanctions with respect to persons threatening the peace or stability of Libya.
Sec. 204. Imposition of sanctions with respect to certain persons who are responsible for or complicit in human rights abuses committed in Libya.
Sec. 205. Sanctions described.
Sec. 206. Waiver; exceptions.
Sec. 207. Implementation; regulations; penalties.
Sec. 208. Termination.
TITLE III—Assistance for Libya
Sec. 301. Humanitarian relief for the people of Libya and international refugees and migrants in Libya.
Sec. 302. Support for democratic governance, elections, and democratic civil society.
Sec. 303. Engaging international financial institutions to advance Libyan economic recovery and improve public sector financial management.
Sec. 304. Recovering assets stolen from the Libyan people.
2.Findings; statement of policy
(a)FindingsCongress makes the following findings: (1)The stability and territorial unity of Libya is critical to the security of the United States, Europe, North Africa, and the Sahel, as well as maritime routes in the southern Mediterranean Sea.
(2)AFRICOM has identified containing instability in Libya as one of its six main lines of effort in Africa and works to support diplomatic efforts to reconstitute the Libyan state and to disrupt terrorist organizations that impede that process or threaten United States interests. (3)On April 4, 2019, Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces/Libyan National Army (LAAF/LNA) movement, ordered forces loyal to him to begin a unilateral military operation to take control of Tripoli, the capital of Libya and seat of the Government of National Accord (GNA), an interim body that emerged from previous United Nations-backed negotiations which the United States Government and United Nations Security Council have recognized since 2015.
(4)Although the LAAF/LNA movement initiated the offensive, all parties to the conflict and their associated forces have since April 2019 failed to observe their obligations under international humanitarian law and increased the geographic scope of the conflict, including by using heavy weapons, aircraft, and armed drones provided by foreign powers in violation of the United Nations arms embargo. Foreign mercenaries have reportedly also participated in the conflict.  (5)In November 2019, the GNA and the Government of Turkey signed a Memorandum of Understanding on maritime boundaries in the Mediterranean Sea, which was opposed by European Union member states and other countries in the region.
(6)On January 19, 2020, at a peace conference in Berlin, representatives of the Governments of Algeria, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Turkey, the Republic of Congo, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as regional and multilateral organizations, agreed to refrain from interference in Libya’s internal affairs, abide by the United Nations arms embargo, and advance a 55-point communique to resolve the conflict in Libya. (7)On January 30, 2020, then-United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) Ghassan Salamé asserted that the warring parties have continued to receive a sizable amount of advanced equipment, fighters, and advisors from foreign sponsors, in brazen violation of the UN arms embargo as well as of the pledges made by representatives of these countries in Berlin.
(8)On February 12, 2020, the United States Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs testified before the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, The task of bringing the Libyans back to the negotiating table has been complicated by the involvement of external actors. Libya is not the place for Russian mercenaries, or fighters from Syria, Chad, and Sudan. It is not the place for the Emiratis, Russians, or Turks to be fighting battles on the ground through intermediaries they sponsor or support with sophisticated and deadly equipment in pursuit of their own agendas.. (9)On September 2, 2020, Acting SRSG Stephanie Williams described to the United Nations Security Council cargo shipments and dozens of military resupply flights to the LAAF/LNA and the GNA as an alarming breach of Libya’s sovereignty, a blatant violation of the UN arms embargo, not to mention the commitments undertaken by the Berlin conference participants.
(10)On October 23, 2020, conflict parties in Libya agreed to a United Nations-facilitated ceasefire which called for all military units and armed groups on the front lines to return to their camps, all mercenaries and foreign fighters to depart from Libyan territory, and all military agreements on training be suspended within three months of the ceasefire’s signing. Ceasefire enforcement is historically difficult in Libya, and as of February 2021, mercenaries, foreign fighters, and foreign militaries remained active there. On February 4, 2021, the United Nations Security Council requested an advance team be sent to Libya as a first step to sending monitors to observe the ceasefire. (11)On November 13, 2020, UNSMIL announced that national elections in Libya are scheduled to take place on December 24, 2021. On January 20, 2021, Libyan leaders agreed to hold a constitutional referendum prior to the December 2021 election. On February 5, 2021, the 74-member United Nations-led Libyan Political Dialogue Forum reached an agreement on a unified interim Libyan executive to lead the country to national elections on December 24, 2021.
(12)According to the United Nations, since the LNA movement offensive began in April 2019, the conflict in Libya has led to the deaths of more than 400 civilians and the displacement of more than 200,000 people. (13)Parties to the conflict in Libya have killed civilians, committed torture and abuse, committed mass extrajudicial killings, requisitioned the houses of civilians, targeted medical facilities, and blocked humanitarian access to food, health, and other life-saving services, worsening humanitarian conditions.
(14)According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, as of December 2020, more than 574,000 migrants and refugees remained in Libya and continue to be at risk of killing, torture, arbitrary detention, rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence, forced labor, extortion and exploitation. Among these, between 1,000 and 3,000 migrants and refugees are held in official detention centers and many other migrants and refugees are believed to be held at other sites run by militias and trafficking groups. (15)On January 19, 2021, at least 43 migrants died in a shipwreck off of Libya’s coast, highlighting the vulnerable position of non-Libyan migrants who are either subject to detention and abuses in Libya or are forced to undertake unsafe attempts to reach Europe. More than 100 migrants drowned in 2020 and nearly 100 have drowned since January 2021 in the Mediterranean.
(16)On January 21, 2021, the United States joined the Governments of France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom to remind all Berlin Conference participants of the need to continue to support a ceasefire, restore full respect for the UN arms embargo, and end the toxic foreign interference that undermines the aspirations of all Libyans to reestablish their sovereignty and choose their future peacefully through national elections. (b)Statement of policyIt is the policy of the United States—
(1)to engage regularly at the senior-most levels and assert there is no military solution to the conflict in Libya and that only a political process can secure United States interests, ensure a stable and unified Libya, reduce the threat of terrorism, and provide peace and opportunity to the people of Libya; (2)to support the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1970 (2011) and 1973 (2011), which established an arms embargo on Libya, and subsequent resolutions modifying and extending the embargo;
(3)to support the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2146 (2014) and 2362 (2017), which condemn attempts to illicitly export petroleum and refined petroleum products from Libya, including by parallel institutions which are not acting under the authority of the Government of National Accord;  (4)to promote unified and effective Libyan oversight over the Libyan National Oil Corporation, the Central Bank of Libya, and the Libyan Investment Authority;
(5)to enforce Executive Order 13726 (81 Fed. Reg. 23559; relating to blocking property and suspending entry into the United States of persons contributing to the situation in Libya (April 19, 2016)), designed to target individuals or entities who threaten the peace, security, and stability of Libya; (6)to employ sanctions and support war-crimes prosecution, against any and all parties engaging in attacks on civilians, medical workers, and critical infrastructure, including water supplies, in Libya;
(7)to contribute to the peace and stability of Libya, prevent destabilizing arms shipments, and support efforts to safeguard Libya’s oil resources in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2259 (2015), 2278 (2016), 2362 (2017), and 2473 (2019); (8)to leverage diplomatic relations to convince the parties to the conflict in Libya to de-escalate and persuade foreign powers to stop providing weapons and financing that exacerbate the conflict;
(9)to encourage the parties to continue to engage in the political process led by UNSMIL;  (10)to support the United Nations-mediated political process, which seeks a negotiated and peaceful solution to the Libyan crisis;
(11)that a negotiated and peaceful political solution should include a transitional, civilian-led government representing all Libyans, preparations for credible elections, a fair and transparent allocation of resources, interim security arrangements, and a process to reunify security and economic institutions; (12)to support constant, unimpeded, and reliable humanitarian access to those in need and to hold accountable those who impede or threaten the delivery of humanitarian assistance;
(13)to advocate for the immediate release and safe evacuations of detained refugees and migrants threatened by conflict in Libya; (14)to assist implementation of UNSMIL’s plan for the organized and gradual closure of migrant detention centers in Libya and ensure robust protection assistance for refugees and migrants; and
(15)to support future democratic development and the economic recovery of Libya both during and after a negotiated and peaceful political solution. IIdentifying challenges to stability in Libya 101.Codification of Executive Order 13726Notwithstanding any other provision of law or Executive order, Executive Order 13726 (81 Fed. Reg. 23559), signed on April 19, 2016, and entitled Blocking Property and Suspending Entry into the United States of Persons Contributing to the Situation in Libya shall have the force and effect of law.
102.Report on activities of certain foreign governments and actors in Libya
(a)In generalNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes— (1)a description of the full extent of involvement in Libya by foreign governments, including the Governments of Russia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Sudan, Chad, the People’s Republic of China, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, including—
(A)a description of which governments are linked to drone and aircraft strikes; (B)a list of the types and estimated amounts of equipment transferred by each government described in this paragraph to the parties to the conflict, including foreign military contractors, mercenaries, or paramilitary forces operating in Libya;
(C)the estimated dollar value of various types of equipment and financial support provided by each government described in this paragraph to the parties to the conflict, including foreign military contractors, mercenaries, or paramilitary forces operating in Libya; and (D)the identification of any regular or irregular forces, including but not limited to mercenary groups and militias operating inside Libya, at the direction or with the consent of governments listed in this paragraph;
(2)a determination and analysis of whether the actions by the governments identified in paragraph (1)— (A) violate the arms embargo with respect to Libya in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2473 (2019) and predecessor Security Council resolutions;
(B)contribute to civilian death, harm, or other violations of international humanitarian law; or (C)involved weapons of United States origin or were in violation of United States end user license agreements;
(3)a description of United States diplomatic engagement with any governments found to be in violation of the arms embargo regarding enforcement of the embargo;  (4)a list of the specific offending materiel or financial support transfers provided by a government described in paragraph (1) that violate the arms embargo with respect to Libya in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2473 (2019) and predecessor Security Council resolutions;
(5)a determination and analysis of the activities of foreign armed groups, including the Russian Wagner Group, military contractors and mercenaries employed or engaged by the governments of Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, affiliates of the Islamic State (ISIS), al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), and other extremist groups, in Libya; (6)a determination of whether and to what extent the conflict in Libya is enabling the recruitment and training efforts of armed groups, including affiliates of ISIS, AQIM, and other extremist groups;
(7)a description of European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization efforts to enforce the United Nations arms embargo and facilitate a sustainable ceasefire, and of United States diplomatic engagement on these efforts; (8)a description of any violations of the arms embargo by European Union member states; and
(9)a description of European Union and Arab League states’ contributions to ceasefire monitoring, arms embargo enforcement, and election support and how the United States can partner with the EU and Arab League states on such contributions.  (b)FormThe report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.
(c)Appropriate congressional committees definedIn this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means— (1)the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and
(2)the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives. 103.Strategy to counter Russian influence in Libya (a)FindingsCongress makes the following findings:
(1)In January 2020, General Stephen Townsend, Commander of AFRICOM, warned that in Libya, Russia seeks to demonstrate itself as an alternative partner to the West and seeks to position itself alongside the southern flank of NATO. (2)On May 29, 2020, AFRICOM assessed that Russia deployed 14 military aircraft to Libya to support Russian state-sponsored private military contractors there.
(3)On June 18, 2020, AFRICOM Director of Operations Brigadier General Bradford Gering stated that Russia continues to push for a strategic foothold on NATO’s southern flank … at the expense of innocent Libya lives. (4)In January 2021, United States officials told the international press that mercenaries affiliated with the Wagner Group were constructing sophisticated defensive fortifications in central Libya.
(b)Report and strategy
(1)ReportNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on— (A)an assessment of Russian influence and objectives in Libya;
(B)the potential threat such influence poses to the United States, southern Europe, and NATO operations in the Mediterranean Sea; (C)Russia’s use of currency issuing and printing;
(D)Russia’s use of mercenaries, military contractors, and paramilitary forces in Libya; and (E)an assessment of the sanctions and other policies adopted by United States partners and allies against the Wagner Group and its destabilizing activities in Libya.
(2)StrategyNot later than 30 days after the date on which the report required by paragraph (1) is submitted to the appropriate congressional committees, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall brief the appropriate congressional committees regarding a strategy to counter threats identified in the report. (3)FormThe report required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.
(4)Appropriate congressional committees definedIn this subsection, the term appropriate congressional committees means— (A)the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
(B)the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. IIActions to address foreign intervention in Libya 201.DefinitionsIn this title:
(1)Admission; admitted, alienThe terms admission, admitted, and alien have the meanings given those terms in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101). (2)Appropriate congressional committeesThe term appropriate congressional committees means—
(A)the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and (B)the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
(3)Foreign personThe term foreign person means an individual or entity that is not a United States person and that is not a foreign government, unless acting in a commercial capacity. (4)KnowinglyThe term knowingly with respect to conduct, a circumstance, or a result, means that a person has actual knowledge, or should have known, of the conduct, the circumstance, or the result.
(5)United states personThe term United States person means— (A)a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States;
(B)an entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States, including a foreign branch of such an entity; or (C)any person in the United States.
202.Imposition of sanctions with respect to persons supporting Russian military intervention in Libya
(a)In generalOn and after the date that is 180 days after the date on which the report required by section 102 is submitted to the appropriate congressional committees, the President shall impose the sanctions described in section 205 with respect to a foreign person if the President determines that the foreign person, on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, knowingly engages in an activity described in subsection (b). (b)Activities describedA foreign person engages in an activity described in this subsection if the person knowingly provides significant financial, material, or technological support to, or knowingly engages in a significant transaction with a foreign person that is knowingly operating in a military capacity in Libya for or on behalf of the Government of the Russian Federation.
203.Imposition of sanctions with respect to persons threatening the peace or stability of Libya
(a)In generalOn and after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall impose the sanctions described in section 205 with respect to a foreign person if the President determines that the person, on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, knowingly engages in an activity described in subsection (b). (b)Activities describedA foreign person engages in an activity described in this subsection if, on or after the date of enactment, the person knowingly—
(1)is engaging in significant actions that threaten the peace, security, or stability of Libya by supplying arms or related material to Libyan forces; (2)is engaging in significant actions that obstruct, undermine, delay, or impede the United Nations-mediated political process that seeks a negotiated and peaceful solution to the Libyan crisis;
(3)is engaging in significant actions that lead to or result in the misappropriation of significant assets of the Government of Libya; (4)is involved in, or has been involved in, the significant illicit exploitation of crude oil or any other natural resources in Libya, including the significant illicit production, refining, brokering, sale, purchase, or export of oil produced in Libya;
(5)is significantly threatening or coercing financial institutions owned or controlled by the Government of Libya or the Libyan National Oil Company; (6)is significantly responsible for actions that are undermining—
(A)the United Nations-led political process to end the conflict in Libya; or (B)efforts to maintain peace and promote stabilization and economic recovery in Libya;
(7)is significantly responsible for civilian casualties or violations of international humanitarian law;  (8)is violating the UN arms embargo;
(9)is a successor entity to a person referred to in any of paragraphs (1) through (8); (10)owns or controls, or is owned or controlled by, a person referred to in any of paragraphs (1) through (8);
(11)is acting for or on behalf of a person referred to in any of paragraphs (1) through (8); or (12)has provided, or attempted to provide, significant financial, material, technological, or other support for, or goods or services in support of, a person referred to in any of paragraphs (1) through (8).
204.Imposition of sanctions with respect to certain persons who are responsible for or complicit in human rights abuses committed in Libya
(a)In generalThe President shall impose the sanctions described in section 205 with respect to each foreign person on the list required by subsection (b). (b)List of persons (1)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a list of foreign persons that the President determines are knowingly responsible for or complicit in, or to have directly or indirectly engaged in, serious human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law committed in Libya.
(2)Updates of listThe President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an updated list under paragraph (1)— (A)not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter until the date that is 5 years after such date of enactment; or
(B)as new information becomes available. (3)FormThe list required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex.
205.Sanctions describedThe sanctions to be imposed with respect to a foreign person under section 202, 203, or 204 are the following: (1)Blocking of propertyThe President shall exercise all of the powers granted to the President by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (except that the requirements of section 202 of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1701) shall not apply) to the extent necessary to block and prohibit all transactions in property and interests in property of the person if such property and interests in property are in the United States, come within the United States, or are or come within the possession or control of a United States person.
(2)Inadmissibility of certain individuals
(A)Ineligibility for visas, admission, or paroleAn alien described in section 202, 203, or 204(b)(1) is— (i)inadmissible to the United States;
(ii)ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to enter the United States; and (iii)otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into the United States or to receive any other benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
(B)Current visas revoked
(i)In generalAn alien described in section 202, 203, or 204(b)(1) is subject to revocation of any visa or other entry documentation regardless of when the visa or other entry documentation is or was issued. (ii)Immediate effectA revocation under clause (i) shall—
(I)take effect immediately; and (II)automatically cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the alien’s possession.
206.Waiver; exceptions
(a)WaiverThe President, acting through the Secretary of State, may waive the application of sanctions imposed with respect to a foreign person under this title if the Secretary— (1)determines that such a waiver is in the national interest of the United States; and
(2)not later than the date on which the waiver takes effect, submits to the appropriate congressional committees a notice of and justification for the waiver. (b)Exception for compliance with international obligationsSection 205(2) shall not apply to an alien if admitting or paroling the alien into the United States is necessary to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United States, or other applicable international obligations of the United States.
(c)Exception relating to importation of goods
(1)In generalThe authorities and requirements to impose sanctions under this title shall not include the authority or requirement to impose sanctions on the importation of goods. (2)Good definedIn this subsection, the term good means any article, natural or man-made substance, material, supply or manufactured product, including inspection and test equipment and excluding technical data.
207.Implementation; regulations; penalties
(a)ImplementationThe President may exercise all authorities provided to the President under sections 203 and 205 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) to carry out this title. (b)RegulationsThe President shall issue such regulations, licenses, and orders as are necessary to carry out this title.
(c)PenaltiesA person that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of this title or any regulation, license, or order issued to carry out this title shall be subject to the penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act described in subsection (a) of that section.  208.TerminationThe requirement to impose sanctions under this title shall terminate on December 31, 2026.
IIIAssistance for Libya
301.Humanitarian relief for the people of Libya and international refugees and migrants in Libya
(a)Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that— (1)the United States Government should—
(A)expand efforts to address Libya’s humanitarian crisis, which has been exacerbated by the conflict and the COVID–19 pandemic; (B)leverage diplomatic relations with the conflict parties to guarantee constant, reliable humanitarian access by frontline providers in Libya;
(C)leverage diplomatic relations with the conflict parties, the United Nations, and the European Union to ensure the release of vulnerable migrants and refugees from detention centers and ensure their voluntary safe passage; and (D)expand efforts to document and publicize violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and hold perpetrators accountable; and
(2)humanitarian assistance to address the crisis in Libya should be targeted toward those most in need and delivered through partners that uphold internationally recognized humanitarian principles. (b)Assistance authorized (1)In generalThe Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, in coordination with the Secretary of State, is authorized to provide humanitarian assistance to individuals and communities in Libya.
(2)Included assistanceAssistance authorized by paragraph (1) shall include the following to affected communities, including refugee and migrant populations: (A)Urgently needed health assistance, including logistical and technical assistance to hospitals, ambulances, and health clinics to support an effective COVID–19 response and educational resources to increase COVID–19 vaccine acceptance.
(B)Resources and training to increase communication and education to help communities slow the spread of COVID–19 and to increase future vaccine acceptance. (C)Public health commodities and services, including medicines and basic medical supplies and equipment.
(D)Protection assistance for vulnerable populations, including women, children, refugees, and migrants. (E)Other assistance, including food, shelter, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), as needed.
(F)Technical assistance to ensure health, food, and commodities are appropriately selected, procured, targeted, and distributed.  (c)StrategyNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy on the following:
(1)How the United States Government, working with relevant foreign governments and multilateral organizations, plans to address the humanitarian situation in Libya. (2)How to leverage diplomatic and assistance tools as well as strategic burden-sharing with international partners to improve the humanitarian situation in Libya.
(3)How to confront humanitarian access challenges, which have been compounded by COVID–19, and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid. (4)How to ensure protection for vulnerable refugees and migrants.
(5)How to address tragic and persistent deaths of migrants and refugees at sea and human trafficking. (6)How the United States will engage in diplomatic efforts to ensure support from international donors, including foreign governments and multilateral organizations.
(d)Diplomatic engagementThe Secretary of State, in consultation with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, shall work with relevant foreign governments and multilateral organizations to coordinate a high-level donor summit and carry out diplomatic engagement to advance the provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of Libya and international migrants and refugees in Libya and carry out the strategy required under subsection (c). (e)Appropriate congressional committees definedIn this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means—
(1)the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (2)the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
302.Support for democratic governance, elections, and democratic civil society
(a)In generalThe Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, shall— (1)work with the United Nations Support Mission in Libya to bolster Libyan efforts to prepare for national elections;
(2)work to help the people of Libya and a future Libyan government unify Libyan financial and governing institutions to deliver tangible results that improve the lives of the Libyan people; (3)work to ensure transparent, credible, and inclusive future referenda and elections in Libya, including through supporting electoral security and domestic and international election observation and by providing related training and technical assistance to institutions with election-related responsibilities; and
(4)work with nongovernmental organizations— (A)to strengthen democratic governance and institutions to ensure that future elected governments are able to deliver improvements to the Libyan people, support decentralization, and give the public a stronger voice in their government;
(B)to increase public and stakeholder confidence in Libya’s electoral system; (C)to defend internationally recognized human rights for the people of Libya, including support for efforts to document crimes against humanity and violations of human rights;
(D)to combat corruption and improve the transparency and accountability of government institutions; and (E)to support the efforts of state and independent media outlets to broadcast, distribute, and share accurate and reliable news and information with the people of Libya.
(b)Strategy requirement
(1)In generalNot later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy to carry out the activities described in subsection (a). The strategy shall be updated, including with benchmarks of progress made to date, and resubmitted to the appropriate congressional committees not later than 15 days after the scheduling of credible presidential and parliamentary elections in Libya.  (2)Appropriate congressional committees definedIn this subsection, the term appropriate congressional committees means—
(A)the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (B)the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(c)Authorization of appropriations
(1)In generalThere is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of State $23,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 to carry out subsection (a). (2)Notification requirementsAny expenditure of amounts made available to carry out subsection (a) shall be subject to the notification requirements applicable to—
(A)expenditures from the Economic Support Fund under section 531(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2346(c)); and (B)expenditures from the Development Assistance Fund under section 653(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2413(a)).
303.Engaging international financial institutions to advance Libyan economic recovery and improve public sector financial management
(a)In generalThe Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, shall instruct the United States Executive Director at each international financial institution to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States to support a Libyan-led process to develop a framework for the economic recovery of Libya and improved public sector financial management, complementary to United Nations-led peace efforts and in support of the future establishment of democratic institutions and the rule of law in Libya. (b)Additional elementsThe framework described in subsection (a) shall include the following policy proposals:
(1)To reunify the leadership and operations of Libya’s key economic ministries and institutions. (2)To improve the efficiency and reach of Libyan government programs that support poverty alleviation and a social safety net.
(3)To assist in reconciling the public accounts of national financial institutions and letters of credit issued by private Libyan financial institutions. (4)To restore the production and efficient management of Libya’s oil industry, including rebuilding any damaged energy infrastructure.
(5)To promote the development of private sector enterprise. (6)To improve the transparency and accountability of public sector employment and wage distribution.
(7)To strengthen supervision of and reform of Libyan financial institutions to minimize corruption and ensure resources equitably serve the people of Libya. (8)To eliminate exploitation of price controls and market distorting subsidies in the Libyan economy.
(c)ConsultationIn supporting the framework described in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the United States Executive Director at each international financial institution to encourage the institution to consult with relevant stakeholders in the financial, governance, and energy sectors. (d)Definition of international financial institutionIn this section, the term international financial institution means the International Monetary Fund, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Development Association, International Finance Corporation, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, African Development Bank, African Development Fund, Asian Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Bank for Economic Cooperation and Development in the Middle East and North Africa, and Inter-American Investment Corporation.
(e)TerminationThe requirements of this section shall cease to be effective on December 31, 2026. 304.Recovering assets stolen from the Libyan people (a)Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Attorney General should advance a coordinated international effort—
(1)to carry out special financial investigations to identify and track assets taken from the people and institutions of Libya through theft, corruption, money laundering, or other illicit means; and (2)to work with foreign governments—
(A)to share financial investigations intelligence, as appropriate; (B)to oversee the assets identified pursuant to paragraph (1); and
(C)to provide technical assistance to help governments establish the necessary legal framework to carry out asset forfeitures. (b)Additional elementsThe coordinated international effort described in subsection (a) should include input from—
(1)the Office of Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes of the Department of the Treasury; (2)the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the Department of the Treasury; and
(3)the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the Department of Justice.


113 S1103 IS: LNG Excise Tax Equalization Act of 2013
U.S. Senate
2013-06-06
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1103
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			June 6, 2013
			Mr. Bennet (for himself
			 and Mr. Burr) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for
		  the equalization of the excise tax on liquefied natural gas and per energy
		  equivalent of diesel.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 LNG Excise Tax Equalization Act of
			 2013.
		2.FindingsThe Congress finds the following:
			(1)Liquefied natural gas has an energy content
			 of 74,700 Btu per gallon (lower heating value).
			(2)Diesel has an
			 energy content of 128,700 Btu per gallon (lower heating value).
			(3)A
			 gallon of liquefied natural gas only produces 58.04 percent of the energy
			 produced from a gallon of diesel; however, the Federal excise taxes on
			 liquefied natural gas and diesel are both 24.3 cents per gallon.
			(4)The Federal excise
			 tax on compressed natural gas is 18.3 cents per energy equivalent of a gallon
			 of gasoline.
			3.Equalization of
			 excise tax on liquefied natural gas and per energy equivalent of
			 diesel
			(a)In
			 generalSubparagraph (B) of section 4041(a)(2) of the Internal
			 Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking the period at the end of clause
			 (ii) and inserting , and, and by inserting after clause (ii) the
			 following new clause:

					(iii)in the case of
				liquefied natural gas, 24.3 cents per energy equivalent of a gallon of
				diesel.
					.
			(b)Energy
			 equivalent of a gallon of diesel and administrative
			 provisionParagraph (2) of section 4041(a) of such Code is
			 amended by adding at the end the following:

					(C)Energy
				equivalent of a gallon of dieselFor purposes of this paragraph,
				the term energy equivalent of a gallon of diesel means, with
				respect to a liquefied natural gas fuel, the amount of such fuel having a Btu
				content of 128,700 (lower heating value).
					(D)Administrative
				provisionsFor purposes of applying this title with respect to
				the taxes imposed by this subsection, references to any liquid subject to tax
				under this subsection shall be treated as including references to liquefied
				natural gas subject to tax under this
				paragraph.
					.
			(c)Conforming
			 amendmentsSection 4041(a)(2)(B)(ii) of such Code is
			 amended—
				(1)by striking
			 liquefied natural gas,, and
				(2)by striking
			 peat), and and inserting peat) and.
				(d)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to any sale
			 or use of liquefied natural gas after 14 days after the date of the enactment
			 of this Act.


113 HRES 509 IH: Expressing support for designation of August 23 as “Black Ribbon Day” to recognize the victims of Soviet Communist and Nazi regimes.
U.S. House of Representatives
2014-03-06
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.

		IV
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. RES. 509
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 6, 2014
			Mr. Shimkus submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

		RESOLUTION
		Expressing support for designation of August 23 as Black Ribbon Day to recognize the victims of Soviet Communist and Nazi regimes.

		Whereas, on August 13, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill
			 issued a joint declation of certain common principles in the national policies of their respective countries on which they
			 based their hopes for a better future for the world and the right of all peoples to choose the form of government under which they will live and self
			 government restored to those who have been forcibly deprived of them and that the people of countries may live in freedom;
		Whereas the United States Government has actively advocated for and continues to support the
			 principles by the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and
			 the United Nations General Assembly resolution 260 (III) of December 9,
			 1948;
		Whereas Captive Nations Week, signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1959, raised
			 public awareness of the oppression of nations under the control of
			 Communist and other nondemocratic governments;
		Whereas the European Parliament resolution on European conscience and totalitarianism of April 2,
			 2009, and the Black Ribbon Day resolution adopted by the Parliament of Canada of November 30, 2009, establish a day of
			 remembrance for victims of Communist and Nazi regimes to remember and
			 commemorate their victims;
		Whereas the extreme forms of totalitarian rule practiced by the Soviet Communist and Nazi regimes
			 led to premeditated and vast crimes committed against millions of human
			 beings and their basic and inalienable rights on a scale unseen before in
			 history;
		Whereas fleeing the Nazi and Soviet Communist crimes, hundreds of thousands of people sought and
			 found refuge in the United States;
		Whereas August 23 would be an appropriate date to designate as Black Ribbon Day to remember and never forget the terror millions of citizens in Central and Eastern Europe
			 experienced for more than 40 years by ruthless military, economic, and
			 political repression of the people through arbitrary executions, mass
			 arrests, deportations, the suppression of free speech, confiscation of
			 private property, and the destruction of cultural and moral identity and
			 civil society, all of which deprived the vast majority of the peoples of
			 Central and Eastern Europe of their basic human rights and dignity,
			 separating them from the democratic world by means of the Iron Curtain and
			 the Berlin Wall; and
		Whereas the memories of Europe’s tragic past cannot be forgotten in order to honor the victims,
			 condemn the perpetrators, and lay the foundation for reconciliation based
			 on truth and remembrance: Now, therefore, be it

		That the House of Representatives supports the designation of Black Ribbon Day to recognize the victims of Soviet Communist and Nazi regimes.


116 S162 IS: Fair Compensation for Low-Wage Contractor Employees Act of 2019
U.S. Senate
2019-01-16
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		116th CONGRESS1st Session
		S. 162
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			January 16, 2019
			Ms. Smith (for herself, Mr. Brown, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Warner, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Markey, Ms. Klobuchar, Ms. Warren, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Jones, Ms. Harris, Mr. Udall, Mr. Heinrich, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. King, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Tester, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Blumenthal) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

		A BILL
		To provide back pay to low-wage contractor employees, and for other purposes.

		1.Short title
 This Act may be cited as the Fair Compensation for Low-Wage Contractor Employees Act of 2019.
 2.AppropriationThere is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, such sums as may be necessary for each Federal agency subject to the lapse in appropriations that began on or about December 22, 2018, for adjustments in the price of contracts of such agency under section 3.
		3.Back compensation for low-wage employees of Government contractors in connection with the lapse in
			 appropriations
 (a)In generalEach Federal agency subject to the lapse in appropriations that began on or about December 22, 2018, shall adjust the price of any contract of such agency for which the contractor was ordered to suspend, delay, or interrupt all or part of the work of such contract, or stop all or any part of the work called for in such contract, as a result of the lapse in appropriations to compensate the contractor for reasonable costs incurred—
 (1)to provide compensation, at an employee’s standard rate of compensation, to any employee who was furloughed or laid off, or who was not working, who experienced a reduction of hours, or who experienced a reduction in compensation, as a result of the lapse in appropriations (for the period of the lapse); or
 (2)to restore paid leave taken by any employee during the lapse in appropriations, if the contractor required employees to use paid leave as a result of the lapse in appropriations.
 (b)Limitation on amount of weekly compensation covered by adjustmentThe maximum amount of weekly compensation of an employee for which an adjustment may be made under subsection (a) may not exceed the lesser of—
 (1)the employee's actual weekly compensation; or (2)$965.
 (c)Timing of adjustmentsThe adjustments required by subsection (a) shall be made as soon as practicable after the end of the lapse in appropriations described in that subsection.
 (d)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)The term compensation has the meaning given that term in section 6701 of title 41, United States Code.
 (2)The term employee means the following: (A)A service employee as that term is defined in section 6701(3) of title 41, United States Code, except that the term also includes service employees described in subparagraph (C) of that section notwithstanding that subparagraph.
 (B)A laborer or mechanic covered by section 3142 of title 40, United States Code.


115 HR 5637 IH: Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act of 2018
U.S. House of Representatives
2018-04-26
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.

I115th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 5637IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 26, 2018Mr. Latta (for himself, Mr. Renacci, Mr. Chabot, Mr. Turner, Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Johnson of Ohio, Mr. Davidson, Mr. Jordan, Mr. Roe of Tennessee, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Jones, Mr. DesJarlais, Mr. Mooney of West Virginia, Mr. Duncan of South Carolina, Mr. Wenstrup, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Webster of Florida, Mr. Westerman, Mr. Harper, Mr. Norman, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. Flores, Mr. Banks of Indiana, Mr. Pittenger, Mr. Conaway, Mr. Olson, Mr. Jody B. Hice of Georgia, and Mrs. Hartzler) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the unlawful disposal of fetal remains, and for
			 other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act of 2018. 2.Prohibiting unlawful disposal of fetal remains (a)Prohibiting unlawful disposal of fetal remainsPart I of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

					125Unlawful Disposal of Fetal Remains
						2741.Unlawful disposal of fetal remains
 (a)In generalWhoever recklessly disposes of or abandons fetal remains in a landfill or in any of the navigable waters of the United States shall be imprisoned not more than 3 years or fined under this title, or both.
 (b)Rule of constructionNothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the prosecution of any woman for the disposal of the remains of her unborn child.
 (c)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)Fetal remainsThe term fetal remains means any part of a human fetus that is deceased by reason of an abortion, but does not include any such part that has been cremated.
 (2)LandfillThe term landfill means a sanitary landfill, as such term is defined in section 1004(26) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act.
 (3)Navigable watersThe term navigable waters has the meaning given such term in section 502(7) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.. (b)Clerical amendmentThe table of chapters for such part is amended by inserting, after the item pertaining to chapter 123, the following:

						125.Unlawful disposal of fetal remains2741.


109 HR 4848 IH: Alien Child Protection and Deferred Enforced Departure Family Unity Act of 2006
U.S. House of Representatives
2006-03-02
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.

I
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4848
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 2, 2006
Mr. Owens introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL
To provide for permanent resident status for any alien orphan physically present in the United States who is less than 12 years of age and to provide for deferred enforced departure status for any alien physically present in the United States who is the natural and legal parent of a child born in the United States who is less than 18 years of age.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Alien Child Protection and Deferred Enforced Departure Family Unity Act of 2006.
2.Permanent resident status for any alien orphan who is physically present in the United States and is less than 12 years of age
(a)Adjustment of status
(1)In generalNotwithstanding section 245(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the status of any alien described in subsection (b) shall be adjusted by the Attorney General to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, if the alien—
(A)applies for such adjustment; and
(B)is otherwise eligible to receive an immigrant visa and is otherwise admissible to the United States for permanent residence, except in determining such admissibility the grounds for inadmissibility specified in paragraphs (4), (6)(A), (7)(A), and (9) of section 212(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act shall not apply.
(2)Relationship of application to certain ordersAn alien present in the United States who has been ordered excluded, deported, removed, or ordered to depart voluntarily from the United States under any provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act may, notwithstanding such order, apply for adjustment of status under paragraph (1). Such an alien may not be required, as a condition on submitting or granting such application, to file a motion to reopen, reconsider, or vacate such order. If the Attorney General grants the application, the Attorney General shall cancel the order. If the Attorney General renders a final administrative decision to deny the application, the order shall be effective and enforceable to the same extent as if the application had not been made.
(b)Aliens eligible for adjustment of statusThe benefits provided by subsection (a) shall apply to any alien who—
(1)at the time of application has not attained the age of 12 years;
(2)is physically present in the United States; and
(3)has no living legally-recognized parent.
(c)Stay of removal
(1)In generalThe Attorney General shall provide by regulation for an alien subject to a final order of deportation or removal or exclusion to seek a stay of such order based on the filing of an application under subsection (a).
(2)During certain proceedingsNotwithstanding any provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Attorney General shall not order any alien to be removed from the United States, if the alien is in exclusion, deportation, or removal proceedings under any provision of such Act and raises as a defense to such an order the eligibility of the alien to apply for adjustment of status under subsection (a), except where the Attorney General has rendered a final administrative determination to deny the application.
(d)Availability of administrative reviewThe Attorney General shall provide to applicants for adjustment of status under subsection (a) the same right to, and procedures for, administrative review as are provided to—
(1)applicants for adjustment of status under section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act; or
(2)aliens subject to removal proceedings under section 240 of such Act.
(e)No offset in number of visas availableWhen an alien is granted the status of having been lawfully admitted for permanent residence pursuant to this section, the Secretary of State shall not be required to reduce the number of immigrant visas authorized to be issued under any provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
(f)Application of Immigration and Nationality Act provisionsExcept as otherwise specifically provided in this Act, the definitions contained in the Immigration and Nationality Act shall apply in the administration of this section. Nothing contained in this Act shall be held to repeal, amend, alter, modify, effect, or restrict the powers, duties, functions, or authority of the Attorney General in the administration and enforcement of such Act or any other law relating to immigration, nationality, or naturalization. The fact that an alien may be eligible to be granted the status of having been lawfully admitted for permanent residence under this section shall not preclude the alien from seeking such status under any other provision of law for which the alien may be eligible.
3.Deferred enforced departure for any alien natural and legal parent of a child born in the United States who is less than 18 years of age
(a)Deferred enforced departure
(1)In generalNotwithstanding the Immigration and Nationality Act, the removal or enforced departure any alien described in subsection (b) shall be deferred by the Attorney General during any period in which the alien is the natural and legal parent of a child born in the United States who has not attained the age of 18 years, if the alien applies for such deferral.
(2)Relationship of application to certain ordersAn alien present in the United States who has been ordered excluded, deported, removed, or ordered to depart voluntarily from the United States under any provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act may, notwithstanding such order, apply for deferral of enforced departure under paragraph (1). Such an alien may not be required, as a condition on submitting or granting such application, to file a motion to reopen, reconsider, or vacate such order. If the Attorney General grants the application, the Attorney General shall cancel the order. If the Attorney General renders a final administrative decision to deny the application, the order shall be effective and enforceable to the same extent as if the application had not been made.
(b)Aliens eligible for deferred enforced departureThe benefits provided by subsection (a) shall apply to any alien who—
(1)is physically present in the United States; and
(2)is the natural and legal parent of a child born in the United States who has not attained the age of 18 years.
(c)Stay of removal
(1)In generalThe Attorney General shall provide by regulation for an alien subject to a final order of deportation or removal or exclusion to seek a stay of such order based on the filing of an application under subsection (a).
(2)During certain proceedingsNotwithstanding any provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Attorney General shall not order any alien to be removed from the United States, if the alien is in exclusion, deportation, or removal proceedings under any provision of such Act and raises as a defense to such an order the eligibility of the alien to apply for adjustment of status under subsection (a), except where the Attorney General has rendered a final administrative determination to deny the application.
(d)Availability of administrative reviewThe Attorney General shall provide to applicants for deferred enforced departure under subsection (a) the same right to, and procedures for, administrative review as are provided to aliens subject to removal proceedings under section 240 of such Act.
(e)Work authorization
(1)During application processThe Attorney General may authorize an alien who has applied for deferred enforced departure under subsection (a) to engage in employment in the United States during the pendency of such application and may provide the alien with an employment authorized endorsement or other appropriate document signifying authorization of employment, except that if such application is pending for a period exceeding 180 days, and has not been denied, the Attorney General shall authorize such employment.
(2)During deferred enforced departure periodThe Attorney General shall authorize an alien who is granted deferred enforced departure under subsection (a) to engage in employment in the United States during any period in which deferred enforced departure applies.
(f)Application of Immigration and Nationality Act provisionsExcept as otherwise specifically provided in this Act, the definitions contained in the Immigration and Nationality Act shall apply in the administration of this section. Nothing contained in this Act shall be held to repeal, amend, alter, modify, effect, or restrict the powers, duties, functions, or authority of the Attorney General in the administration and enforcement of such Act or any other law relating to immigration, nationality, or naturalization. The fact that an alien may be eligible to be granted deferred enforced departure status under this section shall not preclude the alien from seeking immigration status under any other provision of law for which the alien may be eligible.


115 SRES 256 ATS: Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of Latinos in the United States and the immense contributions of Latinos to the United States.
U.S. Senate

text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		III
		115th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. RES. 256
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			September 14, 2017
			Mr. Schumer (for Mr. Menendez (for himself, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Franken, Mr. Reed, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Heller, Mr. Nelson, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Warner, Mr. Udall, and Mr. Rubio)) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

		RESOLUTION
		Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of Latinos in the
			 United States and the immense contributions of Latinos to the United
			 States.

 Whereas from September 15, 2017, through October 15, 2017, the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month;
 Whereas the Bureau of the Census estimates the Hispanic population living in the continental United States at over 57,000,000, plus an additional 3,500,000 living in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, making Hispanic Americans almost 18 percent of the total population of the United States and the largest racial or ethnic minority group in the United States;
 Whereas, in 2016, there were close to 1,000,000 or more Latino residents in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and in each of the States of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington;
 Whereas, between July 1, 2015, and July 1, 2016, Latinos grew the United States population by approximately 1,131,766 individuals, accounting for 1/2 of the total population growth during that period;
 Whereas, by 2060, the Latino population in the United States is projected to grow to 119,000,000, and the Latino population will comprise more than 28.6 percent of the total United States population;
 Whereas the Latino population in the United States is currently the third largest worldwide, exceeding the size of the population in every Latin American and Caribbean country except Mexico and Brazil;
 Whereas, in 2016, there were more than 18,345,742 Latino children under the age of 18 in the United States, which represents approximately 1/3 of the total Latino population in the United States;
 Whereas more than 1 in 4 public school students in the United States are Latino, and the ratio of Latino students is expected to rise to nearly 30 percent by 2027;
 Whereas 19 percent of all college students between the ages of 18 and 24 are Latino, making Latinos the largest racial or ethnic minority group on college campuses in the United States, including 2-year community colleges and 4-year colleges and universities;
 Whereas a record 12,700,000 Latinos voted in the 2016 Presidential election, representing a record 9.2 percent of the electorate in the United States;
 Whereas the number of eligible Latino voters is expected to rise to 40,000,000 by 2030, accounting for 40 percent of the growth in the eligible electorate in the United States by 2032;
 Whereas each year approximately 800,000 Latino citizens turn 18 years old and become eligible to vote, a number that could grow to 1,000,000 by 2030, adding a potential 18 million new Latino voters by 2032;
 Whereas, in 2016, the annual purchasing power of Hispanic Americans was an estimated $1,400,000,000,000, which is an amount greater than the economy of all except 17 countries in the world;
 Whereas there are more than 4,700,000 Hispanic-owned firms in the United States, supporting millions of employees nationwide and contributing more than $600,000,000,000 in revenue to the economy of the United States;
 Whereas Hispanic-owned businesses represent the fastest-growing segment of small businesses in the United States, with Latino-owned businesses growing at more than 15 times the national rate;
 Whereas, as of August 2017, more than 27,000,000 Latino workers represented 17 percent of the total civilian labor force of the United States, and the rate of Latino labor force participation is expected to grow to 28 percent by 2024, accounting for approximately 48 percent of the total labor force increase in the United States by that year;
 Whereas, with 65.8 percent labor force participation, Latinos have the highest labor force participation rate of any racial or ethnic group, as compared to 62.9 percent labor force participation overall;
 Whereas, as of 2016, there were 312,228 Latino elementary and middle school teachers, 92,344 Latino chief executives of businesses, 63,448 Latino lawyers, 62,599 Latino physicians and surgeons, and 11,109 Latino psychologists, who contribute to the United States through their professions;
 Whereas Hispanic Americans serve in all branches of the Armed Forces and have fought bravely in every war in the history of the United States;
 Whereas, as of July 31, 2016, more than 164,000 Hispanic active duty service members served with distinction in the Armed Forces;
 Whereas, as of August 31, 2016, more than 284,000 Latinos have served in post-September 11, 2001, overseas contingency operations, including more than 8,500 Latinos serving as of September 2017 in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan;
 Whereas, as of September 2015, at least 675 United States military fatalities in Iraq and Afghanistan were Hispanic;
 Whereas an estimated 200,000 Hispanics were mobilized for World War I, and approximately 500,000 Hispanics served in World War II;
 Whereas more than 80,000 Hispanics served in the Vietnam War, representing 5.5 percent of individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States in the conflict, even though Hispanics comprised only 4.5 percent of the population of the United States during the Vietnam War;
 Whereas approximately 148,000 Hispanic soldiers served in the Korean War, including the 65th Infantry Regiment of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, known as the Borinqueneers, the only active duty, segregated Latino military unit in United States history;
 Whereas, as of 2015, there were more than 1,200,200 living Hispanic veterans of the Armed Forces, including 136,000 Latinas;
 Whereas 61 Hispanic Americans have received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force bestowed on an individual serving in the Armed Forces;
 Whereas Hispanic Americans are dedicated public servants, holding posts at the highest levels of the Government of the United States, including 1 seat on the Supreme Court of the United States, 4 seats in the Senate, 34 seats in the House of Representatives, and 1 seat in the Cabinet; and
 Whereas Hispanic Americans harbor a deep commitment to family and community, an enduring work ethic, and a perseverance to succeed and contribute to society: Now, therefore, be it

 That the Senate— (1)recognizes the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15, 2017, through October 15, 2017;
 (2)esteems the integral role of Latinos and the manifold heritage of Latinos in the economy, culture, and identity of the United States; and
 (3)urges the people of the United States to observe Hispanic Heritage Month with appropriate programs and activities that celebrate the contributions of Latinos to the United States.


116 HR 1542 IH: Combating Illicit Fentanyl Act of 2019
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-03-05
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1542IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 5, 2019Mr. Smith of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. Suozzi, Mr. Fleischmann, Mr. Green of Tennessee, Mr. Chabot, Mr. Lipinski, Miss González-Colón of Puerto Rico, and Mr. Ratcliffe) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
			 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo require a report that identifies each person in the People’s Republic of China and Chinese
			 Government official involved in the production of fentanyl and its
			 trafficking into the United States, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Combating Illicit Fentanyl Act of 2019. 2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
 (1)America’s overdose epidemic is spreading geographically, is increasing across all demographic groups and the sharp increase in drug overdose deaths in the United States between 2015 to 2016 was fueled by a surge in illicit fentanyl, a highly potent drug about 80 to 100 times as strong as morphine by weight and is 30 to 40 times stronger than heroin by weight, as well as fentanyl-related compound analogue overdoses.
 (2)Fentanyl began to appear on United States streets in the early 2000s, in recent years it has become a major international drug control issue as overdose deaths from its abuse continue to rise, with a spike beginning in 2013. Foreign-sourced fentanyl killed more Americans in 2016 than all other illicit drugs, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and tramadol accounted for more than 29,000 United States drug overdose deaths in 2017, according to provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Illicit fentanyl is not a diverged pharmaceutical product, is illicitly manufactured, and is clandestinely distributed and integrated into the illicit drug supply, usually sold as heroin in powder form, or as counterfeit opioid or benzodiazepine pills.
 (3)In Ocean County, New Jersey, based on data from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, in 2014, 10 percent of all overdose deaths had fentanyl in their systems, and by 2018 that number had risen to 80 percent.
 (4)The Drug Enforcement Administration reports that of the illicit fentanyl class substances and hundreds of other designer drugs it has identified, the vast majority … are manufactured in China. In 2018, a year-long congressional probe found that illicit fentanyl could easily be bought online from Chinese labs and mailed to the United States due to gaps in oversight in the United States Postal Service, and despite increased cooperation between United States and Chinese counter-narcotics agencies, illicit fentanyl is still shipped to the United States.
 (5)According to written testimony submitted to Congress by the RAND Corporation, regulatory capacity in China is inadequate to effectively police its expansive pharmaceutical and chemical industries, and according to the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission, corrupt practices among local officials limit the effectiveness of regulations and allows criminal actors to facilitate the fentanyl trade.
 (6)In June 2018, $1,700,000 worth of Chinese fentanyl was detected by counternarcotics agents in a Philadelphia port during a routine inspection, China has publicly gone to great lengths to shirk responsibility for illicit fentanyl emanating out of the country, and in June 2018, Chinese official Liu Yuejin blamed the crisis on the American people, saying When fewer and fewer Americans use fentanyl, there would be no market for it, ignoring the Chinese supply of the illicit substance, and China fails to effectively regulate precursor chemicals, including fentanyl precursors.
 (7)According to Dr. Daniel Ciccarone’s street-based research, fentanyl lacks a lingo or slang, indicating that this is more of a supply than a demand issue and its intentional use is far outweighed by non-intentional use. On September 6, 2018, at a hearing before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations, expert private witnesses from diverse professional and academic backgrounds all concurred that China can do more to stem the flow of fentanyl.
 (8)According to the United Nations General Assembly, the drug trade poses a threat to development, peace and security and human rights, and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (the Palermo Convention), a multilateral treaty against transnational organized crime including in the realm of narcotics signed and ratified by China which entered into force in 2003, obligates States Parties to ensure effective action by its authorities in the prevention, detection and punishment of the corruption of public officials.
 (9)Combating illicit fentanyl is a top priority of the Trump Administration and the President has called it outrageous that fentanyl comes from China. The Trump Administration has both highlighted China’s role in the crisis and targeted Chinese manufacturers and traffickers, and at an August 16, 2018, cabinet meeting, President Trump directed then Attorney General Sessions to step up efforts to stem inflows of fentanyl from China.
 (10)Statewide in New York, the number of fentanyl related deaths increased by nearly 160 percent from 2015 to 2016. In April 2018, in Suffolk County, New York, Federal agents seized more than 90 lbs of fentanyl and heroin with $10,000,000 street value, the largest opioid bust in Suffolk County history to date.
 (11)At the 2018 G20 summit in Buenos Aires, China had agreed to tighten fentanyl controls. However, there has not yet been demonstratable and sustained evidence of commitment.
			3.Report
 (a)In generalNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury shall jointly submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that identifies each person in the People’s Republic of China and Chinese Government official involved in the production of fentanyl and its trafficking into the United States.
 (b)FormThe report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.
 (c)Appropriate congressional committees definedIn this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means— (1)the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; and
 (2)the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.
 4.Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that— (1)the President should impose financial sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) against each person and government official identified in the report required by section 3;
 (2)the President should impose sanctions under section 1263(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (22 U.S.C. 2656 note) against each person and government official identified in the report required by section 3 that meet the criteria under paragraph (3) or (4) of section 1263(a) of such Act;
 (3)the President should impose financial sanctions pursuant to section 805 of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (21 U.S.C. 1904) against each person and government official identified in the report required by section 3; and
 (4)the President should exclude each person and government official identified in the report required by section 3 as ineligible for visas or admission to the United States pursuant to section 212(a)(2)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(2)(C)).


116 HR 5492 IH: To repeal the Military Selective Service Act, and thereby terminate the registration requirements of such Act and eliminate civilian local boards, civilian appeal boards, and similar local agencies of the Selective Service System.
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-12-19
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. 5492IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDecember 19, 2019Mr. DeFazio (for himself and Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed ServicesA BILLTo repeal the Military Selective Service Act, and thereby terminate the registration requirements
			 of such Act and eliminate civilian local boards, civilian appeal boards,
			 and similar local agencies of the Selective Service System.

		1.Repeal of Military Selective Service Act
 (a)RepealThe Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.) is repealed. (b)Transfers in connection with repealNotwithstanding the proviso in section 10(a)(4) of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 3809(a)(4)), the Office of Selective Service Records shall not be reestablished upon the repeal of the Act. Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the assets, contracts, property, and records held by the Selective Service System, and the unexpended balances of any appropriations available to the Selective Service System, shall be transferred to the Administrator of General Services upon the repeal of the Act. The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall assist officers and employees of the Selective Service System to transfer to other positions in the executive branch.
			(c)Effect on existing sanctions
 (1)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person may not be denied a right, privilege, benefit, or employment position under Federal law on the grounds that the person failed to present himself for and submit to registration under section 3 of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 3802), before the repeal of that Act by subsection (a).
 (2)A State, political subdivision of a State, or political authority of two or more States may not enact or enforce a law, regulation, or other provision having the force and effect of law to penalize or deny any privilege or benefit to a person who failed to present himself for and submit to registration under section 3 of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 3802), before the repeal of that Act by subsection (a). In this section, State means a State, the District of Columbia, and a territory or possession of the United States.
 (3)Failing to present oneself for and submit to registration under section 3 of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 3802), before the repeal of that Act by subsection (a), shall not be reason for any entity of the U.S. Government to determine that a person lacks good moral character or is unsuited for any privilege or benefit.
 (d)Conscientious objectorsNothing contained in this Act shall be construed to undermine or diminish the rights of conscientious objectors under laws and regulations of the United States.


117 HR 3430 IH: Washington Bureaucrat Accountability Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-05-20
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3430IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 20, 2021Mr. Nehls (for himself, Mr. Gohmert, Mr. Weber of Texas, and Mr. Babin) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Oversight and 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 rescind unused earmarks provided for the Department of Transportation and deposit such funds into the Treasury for purposes of deficit reduction, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Washington Bureaucrat Accountability Act.2.Unused earmarks(a)DefinitionsIn this section—(1)the term agency has the meaning given the term Executive agency under section 105 of title 5, United States Code;(2)the term earmark means—(A)a congressionally directed spending item, as defined in rule XLIV of the Standing Rules of the Senate; and(B)a congressional earmark, as defined in rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives; and(3)the term unused DOT earmark means an earmark of funds provided for the Department of Transportation as to which any funds remain available for obligation at the end of the 9th fiscal year following the fiscal year during which the earmark was made available.(b)Rescission of unused DOT earmarks(1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), effective on October 1 of the 10th fiscal year after funds under an unused DOT earmark are made available, all unobligated amounts made available under the unused DOT earmark are rescinded and deposited into the Treasury for purposes of deficit reduction.(2)ExceptionThe Secretary of Transportation may delay the rescission of amounts made available under an unused DOT earmark for 1 year if the Secretary determines that an additional obligation of the earmark is likely to occur during the 10th fiscal year after funds under the unused DOT earmark are made available.(c)Agency-Wide identification and report(1)Agency identificationEach agency shall identify and submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget an annual report regarding every project of the agency for which—(A)amounts are made available under an earmark; and(B)as of the end of a fiscal year, unobligated balances remain available.(2)Annual reportThe Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall submit to Congress and publically post on the website of the Office of Management and Budget an annual report that includes—(A)a listing and accounting for earmarks for which unobligated balances remain available, summarized by agency, which shall include, for each earmark—(i)the amount of funds made available under the original earmark;(ii)the amount of the unobligated balances that remain available;(iii)the fiscal year through which the funds are made available, if applicable; and(iv)recommendations and justifications for whether the earmark should be rescinded or retained in the next fiscal year;(B)the number of rescissions resulting from this section and the annual savings resulting from this section for the previous fiscal year; and(C)a listing and accounting for earmarks provided for the Department of Transportation scheduled to be rescinded under subsection (b) at the end of the fiscal year during which the report is submitted.


115 HRES 1097 IH: Supporting responsible middle class tax cuts.
U.S. House of Representatives
2018-09-27
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.

IV115th CONGRESS2d SessionH. RES. 1097IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 27, 2018Ms. Rosen (for herself, Mr. Polis, and Ms. Shea-Porter) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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 concernedRESOLUTIONSupporting responsible middle class tax cuts.

 Whereas income inequality has increased significantly over the past 40 years; Whereas real wages for the middle class have remained mostly stagnant over the past 50 years;
 Whereas the Bureau of Labor Statistics calculated the August 2018 unemployment rate to be 3.9 percent, but year-over-year average wage growth is still less than prerecession levels;
 Whereas the middle class in the past has been mostly excluded from sharing in the fruits of the most recent economic recovery;
 Whereas Public Law 115–97 reduced the Federal income tax rate on corporations from 35 percent to 21 percent;
 Whereas Public Law 115–97 gave massive tax cuts to billionaires and giant corporations at the expense of middle class families;
 Whereas Public Law 115–97 made tax cuts for corporations permanent and made individual-side cuts temporary;
 Whereas Public Law 115–97 increases the Federal deficit by more than one trillion dollars; Whereas Congressional Republicans have suggested paying for tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy by cutting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid;
 Whereas responsible middle class tax cuts will invest in the very individuals who have made economic recovery possible; and
 Whereas the American people deserve real bipartisan tax reform and a simpler, fairer tax code aimed at supporting the middle class: Now therefore, be it

 That the House of Representatives— (1)supports responsible middle class tax cuts, including making permanent any existing middle class tax cuts that are set to expire;
 (2)supports closing special interest loopholes, rather than providing more tax cuts for corporations and the ultrawealthy;
 (3)opposes repealing any existing middle class tax cuts; and (4)opposes paying for any tax cuts with cuts to Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid.


113 HR 5247 IH: To amend the Tariff Act of 1930 to eliminate the consumptive demand exception to prohibition on importation of goods made with convict labor, forced labor, or indentured labor, and for other purposes.
U.S. House of Representatives
2014-07-29
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5247
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 29, 2014
			Mr. Kind introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

		A BILL
		To amend the Tariff Act of 1930 to eliminate the consumptive demand exception to prohibition on
			 importation of goods made with convict labor, forced labor, or indentured
			 labor, and for other purposes.

		1.Elimination of consumptive demand exception to prohibition on importation of goods made with
			 convict labor, forced labor, or indentured labor; report
			(a)Elimination of consumptive demand exception
				(1)In generalSection 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1307) is amended by striking The provisions of this section and all that follows through of the United States..
				(2)Effective dateThe amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on the date that is 15 days after the date of
			 the enactment of this Act.
				(b)Report requiredNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the
			 Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall submit to the
			 Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of
			 the House of Representatives a report on compliance with section 307 of
			 the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1307) that includes the following:
				(1)The number of instances in which merchandise was denied entry pursuant to that section during the
			 1-year period preceding the submission of the report.
				(2)A description of the merchandise denied entry pursuant to that section.
				(3)Such other information as the Commissioner considers appropriate with respect to monitoring and
			 enforcing compliance with that section.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 6579
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			October 26, 2012
			Mr. Bonner 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 deny any
		  deduction for compensatory payments made to any person or governmental entity
		  on account of the April 20, 2010, explosion on and sinking of the mobile
		  offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon.

		1.Denial of deduction for
			 compensatory payments on account of the April 20, 2010, Deepwater Horizon
			 incident
			(a)In
			 generalSection 162 of the
			 Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to trade or business expenses) is
			 amended by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i) and by inserting
			 after subsection (g) the following new subsection:

					(h)Compensatory
				payments on account of the April 20, 2010, deepwater horizon
				incidentNo deduction shall
				be allowed under subsection (a) for compensatory payments made to any person or
				governmental entity on account of the April 20, 2010, explosion on and sinking
				of the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater
				Horizon.
					.
			(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to payments
			 made after April, 20, 2010, in taxable years ending after such date.


116 HR 709 IH: Common Sense Maritime and Consumer Services Protection Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-01-22
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. 709IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 22, 2019Mr. Posey (for himself and Mr. Garamendi) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureA BILLTo amend title 46, United States Code, to provide statutory authority for the Office of Consumer
			 Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services of the Federal Maritime
			 Commission, to increase public awareness and understanding of ocean
			 shipping services agreements and such Office, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Common Sense Maritime and Consumer Services Protection Act. 2.Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services of the Federal Maritime Commission; increasing public awareness and understanding (a)RequirementChapter 403 of title 46, United States Code is amended by adding at the end the following:

					40108.Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services of the Federal Maritime Commission
 (a)Authorization of OfficeThere shall be in the Federal Maritime Commission an Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services (in this section referred to as the Office).
 (b)Function of OfficeTo promote better public understanding, the Office shall seek to— (1)raise public awareness about ocean shipping agreements between carriers, use of ocean transportation intermediaries, and other shipping services; and
 (2)assist consumers in confidentially resolving disputes and other related matters deemed valuable to the consumer by the Commission..
 (b)Clerical amendmentThe analysis at the beginning of such chapter is further amended by adding at the end the following:

						40108. Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services of the Federal Maritime
			 Commission..


		III
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. RES. 284
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			September 26, 2011
			Mr. Kohl (for himself,
			 Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Enzi, Mr.
			 Blumenthal, Ms. Collins, and
			 Mr. Sanders) submitted the following
			 resolution; which was considered and agreed to

		RESOLUTION
		Designating September 23, 2011, as
		  National Falls Prevention Awareness Day to raise awareness and
		  encourage the prevention of falls among older adults.

		Whereas older adults, 65 years of age and older, are the
			 fastest-growing segment of the population in the United States, and the number
			 of older adults in the United States will increase from 35,000,000 in 2000 to
			 72,100,000 in 2030;
		Whereas 1 out of 3 older adults in the United States falls
			 each year;
		Whereas falls are the leading cause of injury, death, and
			 hospital admissions for traumatic injuries among older adults;
		Whereas, in 2009, approximately 2,200,000 older adults
			 were treated in hospital emergency departments for fall-related injuries, and
			 more than 582,000 were subsequently hospitalized;
		Whereas, in 2007, more than 18,400 older adults died from
			 injuries related to unintentional falls;
		Whereas the total cost of fall-related injuries for older
			 adults is $80,900,000,000, including more than $19,000,000,000 in direct
			 medical costs;
		Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
			 estimate that if the rate of increase in falls is not slowed, the annual cost
			 under the Medicare program will reach $32,400,000,000 by 2020; and
		Whereas evidence-based programs show promise in reducing
			 falls and facilitating cost-effective interventions, such as comprehensive
			 clinical assessments, exercise programs to improve balance and health,
			 management of medications, correction of vision, and reduction of home hazards:
			 Now, therefore, be it

		That the Senate—
			(1)designates
			 September 23, 2011, as National Falls Prevention Awareness
			 Day;
			(2)commends the
			 Falls Free Coalition and the falls prevention coalitions in 43 States and the
			 District of Columbia for their efforts to work together to increase education
			 and awareness about the prevention of falls among older adults;
			(3)encourages
			 businesses, individuals, Federal, State, and local governments, the public
			 health community, and health care providers to work together to promote the
			 awareness of falls in an effort to reduce the incidence of falls among older
			 adults in the United States;
			(4)urges the Centers
			 for Disease Control and Prevention to continue developing and evaluating
			 strategies to prevent falls among older adults that will translate into
			 effective fall prevention interventions, including community-based
			 programs;
			(5)encourages State
			 health departments, which provide significant leadership in reducing injuries
			 and injury-related health care costs by collaborating with colleagues and a
			 variety of organizations and individuals, to reduce falls among older adults;
			 and
			(6)recognizes
			 proven, cost-effective falls prevention programs and policies and encourages
			 experts in the field to share their best practices so that their success can be
			 replicated by others.


109 HR 6137 IH: Tax Snooping Prevention Act of 2006
U.S. House of Representatives
2006-09-21
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
109th CONGRESS 2d Session
H. R. 6137
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 21, 2006
Mr. Reynolds (for himself, Mr. Ramstad, Mr. Weller, Mr. Foley, and Mr. Chocola) 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 double the damages, fines, and penalties for the unauthorized inspection or disclosure of returns and return information, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Tax Snooping Prevention Act of 2006.
2.Doubling of civil damages for unauthorized inspection or disclosure of returns and return informationSubparagraph (A) of section 7431(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking $1,000 and inserting $2,000.
3.Doubling of criminal penalties for unauthorized inspection of returns and return informationParagraph (1) of section 7213A(b) of such Code is amended by striking $1,000, or imprisonment of not more than 1 year, or both, and inserting $2,000, or imprisonment of not more than 2 years, or both,.
4.Doubling of criminal fine for unauthorized disclosure of returns or return informationSubsection (a) of section 7213 of such Code is amended by striking $5,000 each place it appears and inserting $10,000.
5.Mandatory termination for IRS employees for unauthorized inspection of returns or return informationParagraph (3) of section 1203(b) of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 (Public Law 105–206; 112 Stat. 720) is amended—
(1)by striking or at the end of subparagraph (A),
(2)by adding or at the end of subparagraph (B), and
(3)by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new subparagraph:

(C)the Internal Revenue Service policy on unauthorized inspection of returns or return information; .