113 HR 310 IH: No Budget, No Pay Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-01-18
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 310
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			January 18, 2013
			Mr. Cooper (for
			 himself, Mr. Barber,
			 Mr. Barrow,
			 Mr. Bishop of New York,
			 Mrs. Black,
			 Mrs. Blackburn,
			 Mr. Braley of Iowa,
			 Mr. Buchanan,
			 Mrs. Capps,
			 Mr. Carney,
			 Mr. Chabot,
			 Mr. Cicilline,
			 Mr. Coffman,
			 Mr. Conaway,
			 Mr. Costa,
			 Mr. Cuellar,
			 Mr. Dent, Mr. DesJarlais, Mr.
			 Duncan of South Carolina, Mr.
			 Fitzpatrick, Mr. Flores,
			 Mr. Gosar,
			 Mr. Himes,
			 Mr. Kind, Mr. Lance, Mr.
			 Langevin, Mr. Latham,
			 Mr. Lipinski,
			 Mr. Loebsack,
			 Mr. Matheson,
			 Mr. Michaud,
			 Mr. Mulvaney,
			 Mr. Neugebauer,
			 Mr. Petri,
			 Mr. Ribble,
			 Mr. Rigell,
			 Mr. Roe of Tennessee,
			 Mr. Rooney,
			 Mr. Schrader,
			 Mr. Schweikert,
			 Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania,
			 Mr. Womack,
			 Ms. Bera, Mr. Daines, Mr.
			 DeSantis, Mr. Rodney Davis of
			 Illinois, Mr. Rokita,
			 Mr. Hultgren, and
			 Mr. Johnson of Georgia) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House
			 Administration

		A BILL
		To provide that Members of Congress may not receive pay
		  after October 1 of any fiscal year in which Congress has not approved a
		  concurrent resolution on the budget and passed the regular appropriations
		  bills.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 No Budget, No Pay
			 Act.
		2.DefinitionIn this section, the term Member of
			 Congress—
			(1)has the meaning
			 given under section 2106 of title 5, United States Code; and
			(2)does not include
			 the Vice President.
			3.Timely approval
			 of concurrent resolution on the budget and the appropriations
			 billsIf both Houses of
			 Congress have not approved a concurrent resolution on the budget as described
			 under section 301 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of
			 1974 (2 U.S.C. 632) for a fiscal year before October 1 of that fiscal year and
			 have not passed all the regular appropriations bills for the next fiscal year
			 before October 1 of that fiscal year, the pay of each Member of Congress may
			 not be paid for each day following that October 1 until the date on which both
			 Houses of Congress approve a concurrent resolution on the budget for that
			 fiscal year and all the regular appropriations bills.
		4.No pay without
			 concurrent resolution on the budget and the appropriations bills
			(a)In
			 generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds may
			 be appropriated or otherwise be made available from the United States Treasury
			 for the pay of any Member of Congress during any period determined by the
			 Chairpersons of the Committee on the Budget and the Committee on Appropriations
			 of the Senate or the Chairpersons of the Committee on the Budget and the
			 Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives under section
			 5.
			(b)No retroactive
			 payA Member of Congress may not receive pay for any period
			 determined by the Chairpersons of the Committee on the Budget and the Committee
			 on Appropriations of the Senate or the Chairpersons of the Committee on the
			 Budget and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives
			 under section 5, at any time after the end of that period.
			5.Determinations
			(a)Senate
				(1)Request for
			 certificationsOn October 1 of each year, the Secretary of the
			 Senate shall submit a request to the Chairpersons of the Committee on the
			 Budget and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate for certification of
			 determinations made under paragraphs (2) (A) and (B).
				(2)DeterminationsThe Chairpersons of the Committee on the
			 Budget and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate shall—
					(A)on October 1 of
			 each year, make a determination of whether Congress is in compliance with
			 section 3 and whether Senators may not be paid under that section;
					(B)determine the
			 period of days following each October 1 that Senators may not be paid under
			 section 3; and
					(C)provide timely
			 certification of the determinations under subparagraphs (A) and (B) upon the
			 request of the Secretary of the Senate.
					(b)House of
			 Representatives
				(1)Request for
			 certificationsOn October 1 of each year, the Chief
			 Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives shall submit a request
			 to the Chairpersons of the Committee on the Budget and the Committee on
			 Appropriations of the House of Representatives for certification of
			 determinations made under paragraphs (2) (A) and (B).
				(2)DeterminationsThe Chairpersons of the Committee on the
			 Budget and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives
			 shall—
					(A)on October 1 of
			 each year, make a determination of whether Congress is in compliance with
			 section 3 and whether Members of the House of Representatives may not be paid
			 under that section;
					(B)determine the
			 period of days following each October 1 that Members of the House of
			 Representatives may not be paid under section 3; and
					(C)provide timely
			 certification of the determinations under subparagraphs (A) and (B) upon the
			 request of the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of
			 Representatives.
					6.Effective
			 dateThis section shall take
			 effect on February 1, 2015.


110 HR 1581 IH: Iraq Reconstruction Improvement Act of 2007
U.S. House of Representatives
2007-03-20
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.

I
110th CONGRESS 1st Session
H. R. 1581
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 20, 2007
Mr. Lantos introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL
To improve coordination, implementation, and oversight of United States economic reconstruction assistance for Iraq, and for other purposes.

1.Short title and table of contents
(a)Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Iraq Reconstruction Improvement Act of 2007.
(b)Table of contentsThe table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Purposes.
Sec. 3. Definition.
Title I—United States economic reconstruction assistance for Iraq
Sec. 101. Coordinator of United States Economic Reconstruction Assistance for Iraq.
Sec. 102. Efforts to promote capacity development in Iraq.
Sec. 103. Efforts to support anti-corruption activities in Iraq.
Sec. 104. Assistance to support reconstruction programs on the provincial and local levels in Iraq.
Sec. 105. Assistance to support private sector development and employment programs in Iraq.
Sec. 106. Assistance for refugees from Iraq and internally displaced persons in Iraq.
Sec. 107. Authorization for refugee admissions.
Title II—Oversight of United States reconstruction assistance for Iraq
Sec. 201. Extension of authority of the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction.
Sec. 202. Assistance to support the Offices of the Inspector General of the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development.
Sec. 203. Report to Congress.
Title III—Accountability and transparency in United States contracting for reconstruction in Iraq
Sec. 301. Prohibition on funding certain contracts.
Sec. 302. Report on audits and investigations of the Department of State and United States Agency for International Development.
Sec. 303. Assistance to improve the contracting capacity of the Department of State and United States Agency for International Development for Iraq.
Title IV—Building the United States stabilization and reconstruction capacity
Sec. 401. Civilian Active Response Corps.
Sec. 402. Civilian Reserve Readiness Corps.
Sec. 403. Stabilization and reconstruction strategy.
Sec. 404. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 405. Reports to Congress.
2.PurposesThe purposes of this Act are as follows:
(1)To promote the effectiveness and efficiency of United States economic reconstruction assistance for Iraq.
(2)To improve the capacity and capability of the Government of Iraq, on all levels, to respond to the needs of all segments of the population in all areas and communities and properly execute the Iraqi budget for reconstruction, job creation, and economic development in Iraq.
(3)To ensure that United States economic reconstruction assistance for Iraq is provided and implemented in a transparent and accountable fashion.
(4)To work with the Government of Iraq to ensure that United States and Iraqi economic reconstruction assistance programs are complementary and administered on a nonsectarian basis and that government services are delivered in an even-handed and nonsectarian manner.
(5)To enhance the long-term capacity of the Government of the United States to respond and participate in stabilization and reconstruction operations.
3.DefinitionAs used in this Act, the term appropriate congressional committees means—
(1)the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and
(2)the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
IUnited States economic reconstruction assistance for Iraq
101.Coordinator of United States Economic Reconstruction Assistance for Iraq
(a)EstablishmentNot later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President of the United States shall appoint a Coordinator of United States Economic Reconstruction Assistance for Iraq (hereinafter in this section referred to as the Coordinator). The Coordinator shall be appointed by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and shall report directly to the President.
(b)Staff and fundingIt is the sense of Congress that the Coordinator should be given adequate staff and funding to carry out the duties set forth in subsection (c).
(c)DutiesThe Coordinator shall—
(1)develop and implement an overall strategy for United States economic reconstruction assistance for Iraq;
(2)coordinate and ensure effective and efficient implementation, management, oversight, and accountability of United States economic reconstruction assistance policy and programs for Iraq among all departments and agencies of the Government of the United States that are implementing or otherwise supporting such programs, including the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Justice;
(3)resolve policy and program disputes among departments and agencies of the United States Government that are implementing assistance programs or otherwise supporting reconstruction in Iraq;
(4)seek to work with the Government of Iraq, on the national, provincial, and local levels, to prioritize and respond to the needs of the people of Iraq in all areas and communities;
(5)coordinate with the Government of Iraq in its budgeting and expenditures of Iraqi revenues to carry out economic reconstruction activities; and
(6)coordinate with other donors, international organizations, and international financial institutions that are providing economic reconstruction assistance for Iraq.
(d)Rank and statusThe Coordinator shall have the rank and status of ambassador.
102.Efforts to promote capacity development in Iraq
(a)Assistance To promote capacity development
(1)Assistance authorizedThe President of the United States shall provide assistance to increase the capacity and improve the sustainability of national, provincial, and local governmental institutions in Iraq.
(2)Activities supportedAssistance provided under paragraph (1) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be used to—
(A)provide technical assistance to all Iraqi government ministries, on the national, provincial, and local levels, to improve transparency, accountability, and ability to respond to the needs of the Iraqi people;
(B)promote the implementation of fiscal and personnel management systems, including tracking and expenditure systems for Iraqi revenues;
(C)provide training and technical assistance to the Iraqi Ministry of Finance to better account for the budgeting, expenditure, and execution of Iraqi revenues;
(D)assist in developing ministry-wide recruitment systems to build a cadre of qualified, trained, and experienced Iraqi staff at the field, project, and ministry level;
(E)create or improve existing databases and other human resource information systems;
(F)provide technical assistance to improve the capacity to fund the operations and maintenance of completed projects;
(G)develop effective inventory control systems for plant and project equipment;
(H)promote the establishment of mentoring programs by trained and experienced Iraqi government ministry officials, engineers, and other staff for less experienced and trained Iraqi government ministry staff;
(I)provide training to Iraqi government ministries, on the national, provincial, and local levels, to focus the delivery of basic services on a customer-oriented basis;
(J)improve training on the operations and maintenance of United States-funded and Iraqi-funded projects; and
(K)support the expansion of the Iraq Local Governance Program and National Capacity Development Program funded or carried out by the United States Agency for International Development.
(b)Director of Capacity Development in Iraq
(1)EstablishmentThe Coordinator of United States Economic Reconstruction Assistance for Iraq shall designate a Director of Capacity Development in Iraq (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the Director), who shall be an official of the Government of the United States with experience in post-conflict reconstruction and development assistance, particularly reconstruction and development assistance for Iraq.
(2)DutiesThe Director shall—
(A)develop an inter-agency United States Government detailed plan for capacity development in Iraq, in consultation with the Government of Iraq, that defines roles and responsibilities, establishes clearly-defined goals and objectives, including the identification of specific short-term and long-term initiatives, outcome-related performance measures, milestones for achieving stated objectives, and future funding requirements;
(B)establish and implement the process by which goals, objectives, and milestones can be measured with respect to capacity development;
(C)coordinate the activities of the United States government departments or agencies that are identified in the plan developed under subparagraph (A) to engage in capacity-development activities; and
(D)work with other bilateral and multilateral donors in executing effective and comprehensive capacity-development programs.
(c)Authorization of appropriationsTo carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated to the President such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
103.Efforts to support anti-corruption activities in Iraq
(a)Assistance To support anti-corruption activities
(1)Assistance authorizedThe President of the United States shall provide assistance to combat corruption, improve transparency and accountability, increase the participatory nature of governmental institutions and civil society organizations in all areas and communities, and promote other forms of good governance and management in all levels of government in Iraq.
(2)Activities supportedAssistance provided under paragraph (1) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be used to—
(A)support and provide training to the Iraqi Board of Supreme Audit, Central Criminal Court of Iraq, the Commission on Public Integrity or other similar entity created by the Iraqi legislature, Ministry Inspectors General, third-party monitoring of government procurement processes, and other anti-corruption agencies in Iraq;
(B)promote legal and judicial reforms that criminalize corruption in procurement and other areas facilitating Iraqi reconstruction and law enforcement reforms that encourage prosecutions of such corruption;
(C)provide technical assistance to develop a legal framework for commercial transactions that foster business practices that promote transparent, ethical, and competitive behavior in the economic sector, such as commercial codes that incorporate international standards and protection of core labor standards;
(D)provide training and technical assistance relating to drafting anti-corruption and competitive laws and administrative codes, and provide technical assistance to Iraqi governmental ministries, on the national, provincial, and local levels, implementing such laws and regulations;
(E)promote the development of regulations relating to financial disclosure for public officials, political parties, and candidates for public offices;
(F)support transparent budgeting processes, including increased assistance to the development of the Financial Management Information System and other mechanisms that promote respective budget preparation and sound cash-management processes; and
(G)promote civil society’s role in combating corruption, including increased support for the Iraq Civil Society Program and Civil Society Resource Centers.
(b)Establishment of comprehensive anti-corruption strategyThe Coordinator of United States Economic Reconstruction Assistance for Iraq shall establish a comprehensive anti-corruption strategy for Iraq among all departments and agencies of the Government of the United States carrying out anti-corruption programs for Iraq. The strategy established under this subsection shall include—
(1)interim and long-term objectives for each United States anti-corruption program;
(2)a baseline for each United States anti-corruption program to identify a starting point for measuring progress;
(3)the identification and prioritization of sectors that require enhanced anti-corruption efforts; and
(4)the identification of training solutions that cut across United States Government departments and agencies to avoid duplication and maximize resources.
(c)Coordination of anti-corruption effortsThe Coordinator of United States Economic Reconstruction Assistance for Iraq shall seek to coordinate with the Government of Iraq and regional and international partners carrying out anti-corruption programs for Iraq on all matters relating to anti-corruption programs for Iraq.
(d)Authorization of appropriationsTo carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated to the President such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
104.Assistance to support reconstruction programs on the provincial and local levels in Iraq
(a)Assistance authorizedThe President of the United States shall provide assistance to support reconstruction programs on the provincial and local levels in Iraq, including, in particular, programs that are identified by Iraqi provincial and local leaders and carried out by Iraqi-led nongovernmental organizations or private entities with training and experience in reconstruction activities.
(b)Activities supportedAssistance provided under subsection (a) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be used to—
(1)provide technical and program support to the Iraqi Provincial Reconstruction Development Councils; and
(2)support and increase funding for the Iraq Community Action Program and Community Stabilization Program funded or carried out by the United States Agency for International Development.
(c)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to the President—
(1)$50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 and 2009 to support and increase funding for the Community Action Program under subsection (b)(2) and
(2)such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2008 and 2009 to carry out the other provisions of this section.
105.Assistance to support private sector development and employment programs in Iraq
(a)Assistance authorizedThe President of the United States shall provide assistance to support private sector development and employment programs, including short-term job creation programs, for the people of Iraq. Assistance provided under this subsection shall be made available on an equitable basis in all regions of Iraq, as appropriate.
(b)Authorization of appropriationsTo carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated to the President such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
106.Assistance for refugees from Iraq and internally displaced persons in Iraq
(a)Assistance for Iraqi refugees
(1)Assistance authorizedThe Secretary of State shall provide assistance to support the humanitarian needs of refugees from Iraq who have been outside Iraq in a country in the Middle East region since no earlier than March 19, 2003.
(2)Activities supportedAssistance provided under paragraph (1) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be used to provide food, housing, clothing, health care, water and sanitation, education, vocational training, and registration, protection, and monitoring services for Iraqi refugees.
(3)Authorization of appropriationsTo carry out this subsection, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $45,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 and 2009. Amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under this paragraph are in addition to amounts otherwise available for such purposes.
(b)Waiver of limitation on United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance FundFunds appropriated or otherwise made available under the United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund authorized under section 2(c)(2) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 (22 U.S.C. 2601(c)(2)) for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 shall not be subject to the limitation contained in the second sentence of such section.
(c)Assistance for internally displaced persons in Iraq
(1)Assistance authorizedThe Secretary of State shall provide assistance to support the humanitarian needs of internally displaced persons in Iraq who have been outside their original place of residence since no earlier than March 19, 2003.
(2)Activities supportedAssistance provided under paragraph (1) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be used to provide food, housing, clothing, health care, water and sanitation, safe transportation, education, and vocational training for internally displaced persons in Iraq.
(3)Authorization of appropriationsTo carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $60,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 and 2009. Amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under this paragraph are in addition to amounts otherwise available for such purposes.
107.Authorization for refugee admissions
(a)In general
(1)Increase in numerical limitationsIn addition to the numerical limitations provided for under subsections (a) and (b) of section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157), the number of refugees who may be admitted during the remainder of fiscal year 2007 and during fiscal year 2008 under subsection (c) of such section shall be increased by not fewer than 20,000 for the purpose of admitting refugees from Iraq. Such refugees from Iraq shall be treated, for purposes of such section, as refugees of special concern under the refugee resettlement priority system.
(2)Restriction on eligibilityThe increase in the numerical limitation described in paragraph (1) shall apply only to refugees from Iraq who have become refugees since no earlier than March 19, 2003.
(b)Authorization of appropriationsTo carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2008—
(1)to the Department of Homeland Security, $10,000,000 for expedited refugee processing and temporary expansion of the Refugee Corps for such expedited processing; and
(2)to the Office of Refugee Resettlement in the Department of Health and Human Services, $30,000,000 for the resettlement of refugees from Iraq.
(c)Sense of Congress relating to the prioritization of security checksIt is the sense of Congress that the Attorney General should instruct the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to place greater priority on the security checks conducted on refugees from Iraq, without any reduction in the care, thoroughness, or extensive process given to such checks, in order that such checks can be prioritized to provide to the Department of Homeland Security more expeditious decisions regarding the admission of refugees who are subject to such checks.
(d)Refugees from Iraq definedFor purposes of this section, the term refugees from Iraq means a refugee described in subsection (a)(1) of section 106 or an internally displaced person described in subsection (c)(1) of such section.
IIOversight of United States reconstruction assistance for Iraq
201.Extension of authority of the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction Section 3001(o)(1)(B) of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense and for the Reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan, 2004 (Public Law 108–106; 117 Stat. 1238; 5 U.S.C. App., note to section 8G of Public Law 95–452), as amended by section 1054(b) of Public Law 109–364 and section 2 of Public Law 109–440, is amended by striking fiscal year 2006 and inserting any of the fiscal years 2006 through 2009.
202.Assistance to support the Offices of the Inspector General of the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development
(a)Assistance authorizedThe President of the United States shall provide assistance to improve the auditing, investigation, and oversight capacity and capability of the Offices of the Inspector General of the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development.
(b)Authorization of appropriationsTo carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated to the President such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
(c)Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction should assist the Offices of the Inspector General of the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development in improving their auditing, investigation, and oversight capacities and capabilities to ensure efficient and effective transition of responsibilities after the date on which the authority of the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction expires.
203.Report to Congress The President of the United States shall, on a quarterly basis, transmit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on matters relevant to this Act, including the following:
(1)Progress by Iraq in the economic and reconstruction sector, including information regarding—
(A)unemployment levels, and the change in such levels on a monthly basis;
(B)electricity, water, and oil production and distribution rates;
(C)hunger, malnutrition and poverty levels, the dependence of the population on government assistance to prevent the increase in such levels, and the ability of the Government of Iraq to prevent the increase in such levels;
(D)an assessment of the humanitarian situation, including ability of Iraqi civilians to travel freely throughout the country, the number of Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons, and the change in such numbers on a monthly basis;
(E)economic reforms by Government of Iraq that set the framework for long-term economic growth, including the level of private sector investment and laws enacted by the Government of Iraq to ensure labor rights in Iraq satisfy international labor standards;
(F)the amount of funds obligated and expended by the Government of Iraq to improve the employment situation in Iraq;
(G)the amount of funds obligated and expended by the Government of Iraq on reconstruction, by sector; and
(H)progress by the Government of Iraq in fulfilling its obligations under the International Compact with Iraq, including programs on good governance, human rights protection, and anti-corruption.
(2)Progress in obtaining support from other countries in the region and around the world including information regarding—
(A)the amount of new commitments and obligations for reconstruction assistance, by country; and
(B)the amount of new debt relief provided by countries other than the United States, by country.
(3)Status of United States reconstruction efforts in Iraq, including information regarding—
(A)a general description of existing programs in each sector, including the amounts obligated and expended during the last 60 days and the accomplishments in the last 60 days and the obligation of amounts and plans for programs for the next 60 days, and any changes in priorities between and within sectors between each reporting period;
(B)status of each provincial reconstruction team, including the staffing of each reconstruction team, including the ratio of civilian personnel to military personnel, the activities of each such team, the amounts expended by each such team, and the specific outcomes of each such team;
(C)a general description of existing programs in each sector and their relation to the International Compact with Iraq and other priorities and commitments identified by the Government of Iraq, on the national, provincial, and local levels; and
(D)the accomplishments and obstacles in coordinating United States reconstruction programs.
IIIAccountability and transparency in United States contracting for reconstruction in Iraq
301.Prohibition on funding certain contracts
(a)In generalExcept as provided in subsection (b), none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available for reconstruction assistance for Iraq under the Economic Support Fund authorized under chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2346 et seq.) may be obligated or expended in connection with a contract entered into, or task order issued, after the date of the enactment of this Act with a contractor that—
(1)assisted in the development of the request for proposal for the contract or task order; or
(2)during the previous 5 years—
(A)has been found by the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, the Department of State Inspector General, or the U.S. Agency for International Development Inspector General to have overcharged or improperly billed the Federal Government by a total of at least $10,000,000 through one or more overcharges;
(B)has been found by the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, the Department of State Inspector General, or the U.S. Agency for International Development Inspector General to have committed one or more fraudulent acts resulting in total costs or losses to the Federal Government of at least $10,000,000; or
(C)has been suspended or debarred for a period of at least one year under the Federal suspension and debarment regulations.
(b)National security waiverThe President of the United States may waive the restrictions under subsection (a) on a case-by-case basis if the President determines that such waiver is in the national security interest of the United States and transmits to the appropriate congressional committees a report describing the reasons for such determination.
302.Report on audits and investigations of the Department of State and United States Agency for International Development
(a)Report requiredNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that lists and describes audits and investigations conducted by the Offices of the Inspector General of the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development of cost plus fixed fee contracts, indefinite quantity contracts, task orders, and other contracts related to economic reconstruction activities in Iraq.
(b)ContentsThe Secretary of State shall identify in the report submitted under subsection (a)—
(1)any such cost plus fixed fee contract, indefinite quantity contract, task order, or other contract that the Inspector General of the Department of State or the Inspector General of the United States Agency for International Development determines involves costs that are unjustified, unsupported, or questionable, including any charges assessed on goods or services not provided in connection with such cost plus fixed fee contract, indefinite quantity contract, task order, or other contract;
(2)the amount of the unjustified, unsupported, or questionable costs and the percentage of the total value of the cost plus fixed fee contract, indefinite quantity contract, task order, or other contract that such costs represent;
(3)the company or companies implementing such cost plus fixed fee contract, indefinite quantity contract, task order, or other contract with the Department of State or United States Agency of International Development that was convicted of committing fraud or corruption; and
(4)the company or companies that were suspended or debarred from receiving contract in cases of fraud or corruption.
303.Assistance to improve the contracting capacity of the Department of State and United States Agency for International Development for Iraq
(a)Assistance authorizedThe President of the United States shall provide assistance to improve and increase the contracting capacity for the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development for reconstruction activities in Iraq.
(b)Authorization of appropriationsTo carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated to the President such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
IVBuilding the United States stabilization and reconstruction capacity
401.Civilian Active Response Corps
(a)EstablishmentThe Secretary of State, in consultation with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, shall establish a Civilian Active Response Corps (hereinafter in this section referred to as the Corps) to provide assistance in support of stabilization and reconstruction operations in foreign countries or regions that are in, are in transition from, or are likely to enter into, conflict or civil strife.
(b)CompositionThe Secretary and Administrator shall coordinate in the identification and training, and if necessary, in the recruitment and hiring, of necessary personnel with the skills necessary to contribute to stabilization and reconstruction operations for the Corps established in accordance with subsection (a). Such personnel shall be composed of employees of United States civilian agencies or non-Federal government employees.
(c)Use of CorpsThe members of the Corps shall be available if the President determines that it is in the national security interests of the United States to engage in stabilization and reconstruction operations in a country or region that is in, is in transition from, or is likely to enter into, conflict or civil strife.
(d)Training and education programs
(1)In generalThe Secretary, acting through the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization of the Department of State and the Administrator, is authorized to conduct and arrange for training and education of the Corps.
(2)EmphasisTraining and education shall emphasize acquisition of general skills needed to operate in a post-conflict environment and training specific to the job skill set for which the member has been identified to participate in the Corps.
(3)ContentsTraining and education may consist of—
(A)conducting inter-agency training, including training related to inter-agency decision-making, operational planning, and execution simulations, for mid-level government officials and managers to prepare such officials and managers to address stabilization and reconstruction operations;
(B)conducting advanced training related to stabilization and reconstruction operations for members of the Corps;
(C)conducting pre-deployment training related to stabilization and reconstruction operations for civilians and military-civil affairs personnel;
(D)conducting exercises related to stabilization and reconstruction operations for United States and international experts;
(E)developing a uniform set of operating procedures for stabilization and reconstruction operations; and
(F)conducting ongoing monitoring and evaluations and post-operation reviews of stabilization and reconstruction operations to establish lessons learned.
(e)FacilitiesTraining and education programs shall be coordinated with and utilize to the extent possible existing programs and facilities, such as the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center (commonly referred to as the Foreign Service Institute), the National Defense University, the Center for Stabilization and Reconstruction Studies at the Naval Postgraduate School, and the United States Institute for Peace.
(f)Employment authorityThe full-time personnel authorized to be employed in the Corps under subsection (b) shall be in addition to any other full-time personnel of the Department of State or the United States Agency for International Development authorized to be employed under any other provision of law.
402.Civilian Reserve Readiness Corps
(a)EstablishmentThe Secretary of State, in consultation with the heads of other relevant Executive departments and agencies, shall establish a Civilian Reserve Readiness Corps comprised of personnel who are trained and available as needed to perform services necessary to carry out the purpose of the Civilian Active Response Corps under section 401(c). The Civilian Reserve Readiness Corps shall constitute a reserve component of the Civilian Active Response Corps.
(b)Federal employeesThe Civilian Reserve Readiness Corps may include employees of the Department of State, including foreign national employees (as defined in section 103(6) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3903(6))), employees of the United States Agency for International Development, employees of any other Executive department or agency (as such term is defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Code), and employees from the legislative and judicial branches who—
(1)have the training and skills necessary to enable them to contribute to stabilization and reconstruction operations under section 401; and
(2)have volunteered for deployment to carry out such stabilization and reconstruction operations.
(c)Non-Federal employeesThe Secretary is authorized to employ retired employees, contractor personnel, nongovernmental organization personnel, and State and local government employees who—
(1)have the training and skills necessary to enable them to contribute to stabilization and reconstruction operations under this section; and
(2)have volunteered to carry out such stabilization and reconstruction operations.
(d)Use of Civilian ReserveThe Secretary may deploy members of the reserve component in support of stabilization and reconstruction operations in a foreign country or region if the President makes a determination that it is important to the security interests of the United States for the employees described in subsections (b) and (c) to assist in stabilizing and reconstructing a country or region that is at risk of, in, or is in transition from conflict or civil strife.
(e)Authority To hire retired employeesSection 824(g)(1) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4064(g)(1)) is amended—
(1)in subparagraph (A), by striking or at the end;
(2)in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or; and
(3)by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(C)to facilitate the assignment of persons to any country that is subject to a determination made pursuant to section 401(c) of the Iraq Reconstruction Improvement Act of 2007 or to any posts vacated by members of the Service assigned to such a country, if the annuitant is employed in a position for which there is exceptional difficulty recruiting or retaining a qualified employee..
403.Stabilization and reconstruction strategy
(a)In generalThe Secretary of State shall develop an inter-agency strategy to respond to stabilization and reconstruction operations.
(b)ContentsThe strategy shall include the following:
(1)identification of and efforts to improve the skills sets needed to respond to and support stabilization and reconstruction operations in foreign countries or regions that are in, are in transition from, or are likely to enter into, conflict or civil strife;
(2)identification of specific Federal departments and agencies that can adequately satisfy the skills sets referred in paragraph (1);
(3)efforts to increase training of Federal civilian personnel in stabilization and reconstruction operations;
(4)efforts to develop a database of proven and best practices based on previous stabilization and reconstruction operations; and
(5)a plan to coordinate the activities of Federal departments and agencies involved in stabilization and reconstruction operations.
404.Authorization of appropriationsTo carry out this title, there are authorized to be appropriated to the President $35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
405.Reports to Congress
(a)Strategy reportNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the strategy developed under section 403.
(b)ReportNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the status of efforts to establish the Civilian Active Response Corps. The report shall include recommendations—
(1)for any legislation necessary to implement Section 401; and
(2)concerning the regulation and structure of the Civilian Active Response Corps, including recommendations related to pay and employment security for, and benefit and retirement matters related to, members of the Corps.
(c)Additional reportNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the status of efforts to establish the Civilian Reserve Readiness Corps, including any legislation necessary to implement section 402.


110 HR 1184 IH: To increase community service by students at risk of

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-02-16
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.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1184
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 16, 2007
			Ms. Watson introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means, and in addition to the Committee on
			 Education and Labor, for
			 a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
			 consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
			 committee concerned

		A BILL
		To increase community service by students at risk of
		  education failure and thereby reduce youth and gang violence.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the At-Risk
			 Youth Protection Act of 2007.
		2.Grants to reduce
			 youth and gang violence
			(a)Grants to
			 SEAs
				(1)In
			 generalThe Secretary of Education may make grants to State
			 educational agencies for the purpose of making subgrants to alternative schools
			 or programs that agree to implement a community service requirement and thereby
			 reduce youth and gang violence.
				(2)ApplicationTo
			 seek a grant under this section, a State educational agency shall submit an
			 application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such
			 information as the Secretary may require.
				(b)Subgrants to
			 alternative schools or programs
				(1)In
			 generalA State educational agency receiving a grant under this
			 section shall use the grant to make subgrants to alternative schools or
			 programs that agree to require each secondary school student enrolled in the
			 school or program—
					(A)to perform not
			 less than 100 hours of community service each school year; and
					(B)to receive training
			 or counseling on conflict resolution as a prerequisite to performing such
			 community service.
					(2)ApplicationTo
			 seek a subgrant under this section, an alternative school or program shall
			 submit an application to the State educational agency at such time, in such
			 manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
				(c)DefinitionsIn
			 this section:
				(1)The term
			 alternative school or program means a public school or program
			 designed to address student needs that typically cannot be met in regular
			 schools because the student is at risk of education failure (as indicated by
			 poor grades, truancy, disruptive behavior, pregnancy, or similar factors
			 associated with temporary or permanent withdrawal from school).
				(2)The term community service
			 means a method of service learning—
					(A)under which the
			 student involved learns and develops through active participation in
			 thoughtfully organized and adult-supervised service that—
						(i)is
			 conducted in, and meets the needs of, a community;
						(ii)is
			 coordinated with the student’s alternative school or program, and with the
			 community; and
						(iii)helps foster
			 civic responsibility; and
						(B)that—
						(i)is
			 integrated into and enhances the academic curriculum of the student, or the
			 educational components of the community service program in which the student is
			 enrolled; and
						(ii)provides
			 structured time for the student to reflect on the service experience.
						(3)The term
			 institution of higher education has the meaning given to that term
			 in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
				(4)The term
			 secondary school has the meaning given to that term in section
			 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
			 7801).
				(5)The term
			 Secretary means the Secretary of Education.
				(6)The term State educational
			 agency has the meaning given to that term in section 9101 of the
			 Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
				3.Community service
			 deduction
			(a)In
			 generalPart VI of subchapter
			 B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to itemized
			 deductions for individuals and corporations) is amended by inserting after
			 section 181 the following new section:

					182.Community
				service deduction
						(a)Allowance of
				deductionIn the case of a business, there shall be allowed as a
				deduction an amount determined in accordance with subsection (b).
						(b)Amount of
				deductionIn the case of a business, the amount determined under
				this subsection, with respect to a taxable year, is the sum of—
							(1)$750 per 100 hours
				of community service completed by a qualified student through such business
				during such taxable year, plus
							(2)$2,000 per
				qualified employee employed through such business.
							(c)Dollar
				limitationIn the case of a
				business, the amount determined under subsection (b)(1), with respect to each
				qualified student completing hours of community service through such business,
				shall not exceed $1,500.
						(d)DefinitionsFor
				purposes of this section, with respect to a taxable year—
							(1)Qualified
				studentThe term
				qualified student means a student enrolled in an alternative
				school or program (as defined in section 2(c) of the At-Risk Youth Protection
				Act of 2007) who performs community service through a place of business located
				not more than 20 miles from the location of the student’s alternative school or
				program in order to comply with such school or program’s community service
				requirement.
							(2)Qualified
				employeeWith respect to a
				business, the term qualified employee means a graduate of an
				alternative school or program (as defined in section 2(c) of the At-Risk Youth
				Protection Act of 2007) who completes 1 year of employment through such
				business during such taxable year.
							(3)Community
				serviceThe term
				community service has the meaning given to such term in section
				2(c) of the At-Risk Youth Protection Act of 2007.
							(e)RegulationsThe Secretary shall prescribe such
				regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of
				this section and to ensure that the community service completed by a qualified
				student through a business that is allowed a deduction under subsection (a)
				meets the requirements described in section 2(c) of the At-Risk Youth
				Protection Act of
				2007.
						.
			(b)Clerical
			 amendmentThe table of
			 sections for part VI of subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by
			 inserting after the item relating to section 181 the following new item:

						Sec. 182. Community service
				deduction.

					.
			(c)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable
			 years beginning after December 31, 2007.


117 HR 3183 IH: Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-05-13
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3183IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 13, 2021Ms. Castor of Florida (for herself, Mr. Katko, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Vela, Mr. Castro of Texas, Mr. Keating, Mrs. Axne, Mr. Moulton, Ms. Barragán, Mr. Schiff, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. Courtney, Mr. Himes, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Mr. Grothman, Ms. Dean, Mr. Stauber, Mr. Mast, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Ms. Pingree, Ms. Porter, Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois, Mr. LaMalfa, Miss Rice of New York, Mr. Suozzi, Mr. Norman, Mr. Zeldin, Mr. Emmer, Mr. Morelle, Mrs. Radewagen, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Garbarino, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Westerman, Mr. Turner, and Ms. Clarke of New York) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and MeansA BILLTo amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the waiting periods for disability insurance benefits and Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act.2.Elimination of waiting period for individuals with metastatic breast cancer(a)In generalSection 223(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 423(a)) is amended—(1)in paragraph (1), in the matter following subparagraph (E), by inserting or metastatic breast cancer after amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; and(2)in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting or (iii) after clause (ii).(b)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to applications for disability insurance benefits filed after the date of the enactment of this Act.3.Waiver of 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage of individuals with metastatic breast cancer(a)In generalSection 226(h) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 426(h)) is amended by inserting or metastatic breast cancer after amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).(b)Effective DateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to benefits for months beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3632
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			December 12, 2011
			Mr. Kissell
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Transportation and
			 Infrastructure

		A BILL
		To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation
		  Administration to prescribe regulations requiring air carriers to provide
		  passengers with certain amenities and facilities, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Basic Airline Services to Improve
			 Customer Satisfaction Act.
		2.Regulations requiring
			 air carriers to provide certain amenities and facilities to
			 passengersNot later than 180
			 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the
			 Federal Aviation Administration shall prescribe regulations—
			(1)to require an air
			 carrier operating under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to
			 permit each passenger who has purchased a ticket for air transportation on the
			 air carrier to, without paying a charge in addition to the price of the
			 ticket—
				(A)check one bag that
			 is not considered overweight or oversized pursuant to the policy of the air
			 carrier in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
			 Act;
				(B)carry on to the
			 aircraft one personal item and one carry-on bag that are not considered
			 overweight or oversized pursuant to that policy; and
				(C)once the passenger
			 boards the aircraft, have access to—
					(i)a
			 seat;
					(ii)potable water;
			 and
					(iii)bathroom
			 facilities; and
					(2)to impose a civil
			 penalty on an air carrier that fails to comply with the regulations prescribed
			 under paragraph (1).


116 S2408 IS: Telehealth Across State Lines Act of 2019
U.S. Senate
2019-07-31
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		116th CONGRESS1st Session
		S. 2408
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			July 31, 2019
			Mrs. Blackburn (for herself and Mr. Cramer) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

		A BILL
		To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a national telehealth program, and for other
			 purposes.

		1.Short title
 This Act may be cited as the Telehealth Across State Lines Act of 2019.
 2.National telehealth programSubpart I of part D of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

				330N.National telehealth program
					(a)Uniform national best practices
 (1)In generalThe Secretary shall, in consultation with a range of stakeholders including the entities listed in paragraph (3), issue guidance on uniform best practices for the provision of telehealth across State lines.
 (2)ObjectiveThe objective of the best practices issued under paragraph (1) shall be to, not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this section, provide high-quality telehealth in rural areas across the United States.
 (3)ConsultationThe entities listed in this paragraph include— (A)technology experts;
 (B)data security experts; (C)primary care providers;
 (D)specialist providers; (E)mental health providers;
 (F)academic medical centers; (G)Federally qualified health centers, as defined in section 1861(aa) of the Social Security Act;
 (H)State, local, or tribal health departments; (I)critical access hospitals; and
 (J)any Federal agency with expertise in the provision of telecommunications or telehealth. (4)ReportsThe Secretary shall, not less than once every year beginning 1 year after the date of enactment of this section and ending on the date on which the guidance under paragraph (1) is issued, report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives on the progress of such guidance.
						(b)Grant program
 (1)In generalThe Secretary shall for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024 award grants to eligible entities described in paragraph (2) for the expansion of telehealth programs to rural areas.
 (2)Eligible entityTo be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, an entity shall— (A)demonstrate that it is operating, on the date on which the entity submits an application under subparagraph (B), an effective telehealth program (as determined in accordance with criteria established by the Secretary); and
 (B)submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require, including a plan to expand the telehealth program operated by the entity to rural areas.
 (3)StudyNot later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall— (A)complete a study on the grant program under this subsection, including the successes and challenges of the program, lessons the Secretary has learned with respect to the program, and best practices for telehealth programs; and
 (B)submit a report on such study to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.
 (4)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.
 (c)Definition of rural areaIn this section, the term rural area has the meaning given the term in section 330J(e). . 3.Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) model to incentivize the adoption of telehealth in order to increase access to care in rural areasSection 1115A(b)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395a(b)(2)(B)) is amended by adding at the end the following new clause:

 (xxviii)Providing incentives under title XVIII to encourage the adoption of telehealth in order to increase access to care in rural areas..


117 SRES 79 ATS: Notifying the House of Representatives of the election of the Secretary of the Senate.
U.S. Senate
2021-03-01
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

III117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. RES. 79IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 1, 2021Mr. Schumer submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed toRESOLUTIONNotifying the House of Representatives of the election of the Secretary of the Senate.That the House of Representatives be notified of the election of the Honorable Sonceria Ann Berry as Secretary of the Senate.


110 HRES 1499 EH: Designating the third week of October as
U.S. House of Representatives
2008-09-27
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.

IV
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1499
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

September 27, 2008

RESOLUTION
Designating the third week of October as National Estate Planning Awareness Week.

Whereas it is estimated that over 120,000,000 Americans do not have up-to-date estate plans to protect themselves or their families in the event of sickness, accidents, or untimely death;
Whereas a 2004 Roper poll commissioned by the American Institute for Certified Public Accountants found that two-thirds of Americans over age 65 believe they lack the knowledge necessary to adequately plan for retirement, and nearly one half of all Americans are unfamiliar with basic retirement tools, such as a 401(k) plan;
Whereas careful estate planning can greatly assist Americans in preserving assets built over a lifetime for the benefit of family, heirs, or charities;
Whereas estate planning involves many considerations, including safekeeping of important documents, documentation of assets, operation of law in the various States, preparation of legal instruments, insurance, availability of trust arrangements, charitable giving, inter vivos care of the benefactor, and other important factors;
Whereas estate planning encourages timely decisions about the method of holding title to certain assets, the designation of beneficiaries, and the possible transfer of assets during the life of the benefactor;
Whereas many Americans are unaware that lack of estate planning and “financial illiteracy” may cause their assets to be disposed of to unintended parties by default through the complex process of probate;
Whereas alternatives to disposition of assets after death, such as planned gift-giving, may accomplish a benefactor’s goal of providing for his or her family and favorite charities;
Whereas careful planning can prevent family members or other beneficiaries from being subjected to complex legal and administrative processes requiring significant expenditure of time, and greatly reduce confusion or even animosity among family members or other heirs upon the death of a loved one;
Whereas important considerations as to donation of organs and use of life support functions may be made through the estate planning process;
Whereas the implementation of an estate plan starts with sound education and planning, and then may require the proper drafting and execution of appropriate legal documents, including wills, trusts, and durable powers of attorney for health care;
Whereas the third week of October should be designated as National Estate Planning Awareness Week; and
Whereas the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils, representing over 28,000 estate planning professionals, together with the Universal Press Syndicate, the largest independent newspaper syndicate in the world, are prepared to provide such educational information to the public in a focused manner during National Estate Planning Awareness Week: Now, therefore be it

That the House of Representatives—
(1)encourages the distribution of estate planning information by professionals to all Americans; and
(2)supports the designation of a National Estate Planning Awareness Week.

Lorraine C. Miller,Clerk.


114 HCON 141 IH: Providing official recognition of the massacre of 11 African-American soldiers of the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion of the United States Army who had been captured in Wereth, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge on December 17, 1944.
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-07-06
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.

IV114th CONGRESS2d SessionH. CON. RES. 141IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 6, 2016Mr. McKinley (for himself and Mr. Rush) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed ServicesCONCURRENT RESOLUTIONProviding official recognition of the massacre of 11 African-American soldiers of the 333rd Field
			 Artillery Battalion of the United States Army who had been captured in
			 Wereth, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge on December 17, 1944.

 Whereas, during the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium in December 1944, the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion, an African-American unit, was among the units of the United States Army overrun in the initial German attack;
 Whereas eleven soldiers from different batteries of the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion escaped capture and tried to return to the American lines;
 Whereas the eleven soldiers were Curtis Adams of South Carolina, Mager Bradley of Mississippi, George Davis, Jr. of Alabama, Thomas Forte of Mississippi, Robert Green of Georgia, James Leatherwood of Mississippi, Nathaniel Moss of Texas, George Motten of Texas, William Pritchett of Alabama, James Stewart of West Virginia, and Due Turner of Arkansas;
 Whereas, despite the bitter cold and snow, the soldiers walked 10 miles to the town of Wereth, Belgium, where they received shelter at the farmhouse of Mathias Langer, a resident of Wereth;
 Whereas the eleven soldiers were captured by a German patrol composed of SS soldiers, who, after dark, marched the unarmed Americans to a nearby field and brutally massacred them;
 Whereas, in 1949, a subcommittee of the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate conducted an investigation in connection with massacres and other atrocities committed by German troops during the Battle of the Bulge;
 Whereas the report of the subcommittee identified 12 locations at which American Prisoners of War, Belgian civilians, or both were murdered during the Battle of the Bulge;
 Whereas the massacre of the 11 African-American soldiers of the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion in Wereth was omitted from the report, and the occurrence of this massacre remains unknown to the vast majority of Americans; and
 Whereas, in 2004, a permanent monument was dedicated in Wereth to the 11 African-American soldiers of the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion who lost their lives in Wereth during the Battle of the Bulge to defeat fascism and defend freedom: Now, therefore, be it

 That Congress— (1)officially recognizes the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the United States of the 11 African-American soldiers of the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion of the United States Army who were massacred in Wereth, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge on December 17, 1944; and
 (2)calls on the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate to correct the omission in the 1949 report of its subcommittee and appropriately recognize the sacrifice and massacre of the Wereth 11.


117 SRES 133 IS: Condemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment as related to COVID–19.
U.S. Senate
2021-03-24
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

III117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. RES. 133IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 24, 2021Ms. Hirono (for herself, Ms. Duckworth, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Booker, Mr. Brown, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Carper, Mr. Casey, Mr. Coons, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Markey, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Murphy, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Reed, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Schatz, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Smith, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Warner, Mr. Warnock, Ms. Warren, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Bennet, and Mrs. Gillibrand) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryRESOLUTIONCondemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment as related to COVID–19.Whereas there are 23,000,000 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States, constituting 7 percent of the population of the United States;Whereas over 2,000,000 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are working on the front lines of the COVID–19 pandemic as first responders and in health care, law enforcement, transportation, supermarkets, and other service industries;Whereas the use of anti-Asian terminology and rhetoric related to COVID–19, such as the Chinese Virus, Wuhan Virus, and Kung-flu have perpetuated anti-Asian stigma;Whereas the use of anti-Asian rhetoric has resulted in Asian Americans being harassed, assaulted, and scapegoated for the COVID–19 pandemic;Whereas, since January 2020, there has been a dramatic increase in reports of hate crimes and incidents against those of Asian descent in all 50 States and the District of Columbia;Whereas, according to a recent report, there were nearly 3,800 reported cases of anti-Asian discrimination related to COVID–19 between March 19, 2020, and February 28, 2021;Whereas, in incidents of anti-Asian violence occurring in March 2020—(1)a woman wearing a mask was kicked and punched at a New York City subway station; (2)2 children and 2 adults were stabbed at a wholesale grocery in Midland, Texas; (3)a couple was assaulted and robbed by a group of attackers in Philadelphia; and (4)a 16-year-old boy was sent to the hospital after being attacked by bullies in Los Angeles, California;Whereas since the start of the COVID–19 outbreak, anti-Asian discrimination and hate has continued;Whereas a disproportionate number of attacks, approximately 68 percent, have been directed at Asian-American women; Whereas since the start of 2021, there has been a surge in anti-Asian attacks targeting predominantly elderly Asian Americans;Whereas, on January 30, 2021, an 84-year-old Thai man, Vicha Ratanapakdee, died from injuries sustained from an unprovoked assault while on his routine morning walk in San Francisco, California;Whereas, in January 2021, a series of attacks occurred in Oakland’s Chinatown targeting Asian-American seniors, and victims included a 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman, who, in separate incidents, were violently shoved to the ground;Whereas, in February 2021, victims of anti-Asian violence included—(1)a 61-year-old Filipino man who was attacked and slashed across his face on a New York City subway; (2)a Filipino woman in her eighties who was punched in an unprovoked attack while riding a trolley in San Diego; and (3)a 52-year-old Asian woman who was attacked and forcefully shoved while waiting in line outside a bakery in Flushing, New York;Whereas, on March 16, 2021, 8 people, including 6 women of Asian descent, were shot to death at 3 Atlanta-area businesses and this violence has heightened the pain and fear in the Asian-American and Pacific-Islander communities; Whereas anti-Asian racism has also resulted in Asian-American businesses being targeted for vandalism;Whereas there are approximately 2,000,000 Asian-American-owned businesses that generate over $700,000,000,000 in annual revenue and employ millions of workers;Whereas more than 1,900,000 Asian-American and Pacific-Islander older adults, particularly those older adults who are recent immigrants or have limited English proficiency, may face even greater challenges in dealing with the COVID–19 pandemic, including discrimination, economic insecurity, and language isolation;Whereas the World Health Organization (referred to in this preamble as the WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (referred to in this preamble as the CDC) recognize that naming COVID–19 using geographic terms or linking it to a specific ethnicity perpetuates stigma;Whereas in 2015, the WHO issued guidance calling on media outlets, scientists, and national authorities to avoid naming infectious diseases for locations to avoid stigmatizing groups of people;Whereas, on February 27, 2020, the Secretary of Health and Human Services stated, Ethnicity is not what causes the novel coronavirus and that it is inappropriate and inaccurate to call COVID–19 the Chinese virus;Whereas, on February 28, 2020, the Chief Medical Officer of the CDC said that stigma is the enemy of public health;Whereas, on March 10, 2020, the Director of the CDC testified that use of the term Chinese coronavirus is wrong and inappropriate; Whereas the Secretary General of the United Nations called for international solidarity and an end to any ill-founded discrimination; andWhereas, on January 26, 2021, the President issued a Presidential Memorandum Condemning and Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States: Now, therefore, be itThat the Senate—(1)condemns and denounces all forms of anti-Asian sentiment, including those relating to COVID–19;(2)recognizes that the health and safety of all people of the United States, regardless of background, must be the utmost priority;(3)condemns all manifestations and expressions of racism, xenophobia, discrimination, anti-Asian sentiment, scapegoating, and ethnic or religious intolerance;(4)calls on Federal law enforcement officials, working with State and local agencies—(A)to expeditiously investigate and document all credible reports of hate crimes, harassment, bullying, and threats against the Asian-American and Pacific-Islander communities in the United States;(B)to expand collection of data and public reporting to document the rise in the incidence of hate crimes relating to COVID–19; and(C)to hold the perpetrators of those crimes, incidents, or threats accountable and bring such perpetrators to justice, including through investigation and prosecution;(5)calls on the Attorney General to work with State and local agencies and Asian-American and Pacific-Islander community-based organizations to prevent discrimination, and expand culturally competent and linguistically appropriate education campaigns on public reporting of hate crimes;(6)calls on the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the COVID–19 Health Equity Task Force and Asian-American and Pacific-Islander community-based organizations, to issue guidance describing best practices to mitigate racially discriminatory language in describing the COVID–19 pandemic; and(7)recommits the United States to serving as a model for the world in building a more inclusive, diverse, and tolerant society—(A)by prioritizing language access and inclusivity in communication practices; and(B)by combating misinformation and discrimination that puts Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders at risk.


116 HRES 179 IH: Recognizing the importance of vaccinations and immunizations in the United States.
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.

IV116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. RES. 179IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 5, 2019Mr. Schiff (for himself and Mr. Burgess) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceRESOLUTIONRecognizing the importance of vaccinations and immunizations in the United States.

 Whereas the contributions of Louis Pasteur and Edward Jenner to the discovery of the principles of vaccinology are among the most consequential health findings in human history;
 Whereas vaccines have made it possible to eradicate smallpox, saving approximately 5 million lives annually, and for the international community to be on the brink of eradicating polio and to have saved an estimated 18 million people from paralysis over the past three decades;
 Whereas vaccines have dramatically reduced the spread of crippling and potentially life-threatening diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, and rubella, and vaccines have prevented the spread of commonly infectious and potentially fatal diseases such as chickenpox, shingles, influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease, pneumococcal disease, rotavirus, and whooping cough (pertussis);
 Whereas the scientific and medical communities are in overwhelming consensus that vaccines are both effective and safe, and the dissemination of unfounded, and debunked, theories about the dangers of vaccinations pose a great risk to public health, and scientifically sound education and outreach campaigns about vaccination and immunization are fundamental for a well-informed public;
 Whereas an estimated 43,000 adults and 300 children die annually from vaccine-preventable diseases or their complications in the United States, and the health and livelihood of young children, seniors, individuals with immunodeficiency disorders, and those who cannot be vaccinated, are particularly compromised by communities with low vaccination rates;
 Whereas substantial research has shown that vaccination is a highly cost-effective form of preventive medicine, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that between 1994 and 2013, vaccinations saved nearly $295 billion in direct costs and $1.38 trillion in total societal costs in the United States;
 Whereas vaccines in the United States undergo extensive safety and efficacy testing before licensure by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are continually monitored for adverse events after health care providers administer them to patients;
 Whereas there are four post-marketing surveillance systems in the United States tracking adverse events after vaccination;
 Whereas it is estimated that vaccinations will prevent more than 21 million hospitalizations and 732,000 deaths among children born in the last 20 years, and that more than 100 million children worldwide are immunized each year and vaccines save an estimated 2.5 million children under age five annually;
 Whereas one in five children worldwide still lack access to common vaccines and, as a result, an estimated 1.5 million children die annually from complications of vaccine-preventable diseases such as diarrhea and pneumonia or suffer from permanently debilitating illnesses;
 Whereas strong investments in biomedical research to improve existing vaccines and develop many more life-saving vaccines are beneficial to all, both at home and abroad, and a robust immunization infrastructure is essential to the public health and well-being of the people of the United States by preventing and isolating outbreaks of infectious diseases at their source;
 Whereas encouraging high vaccination rates and promoting vaccine confidence in the United States protects our citizens from contracting vaccine-preventable diseases that are endemic in countries with low vaccination and immunization rates;
 Whereas the World Health Organization (WHO) recently identified vaccine hesitancy as a top health threat for 2019, and addressing the many factors that contribute to vaccine hesitancy is crucial in increasing vaccination rates and achieving herd immunity;
 Whereas routine and up-to-date vaccination is the most effective method available to prevent the transmission of potentially fatal infectious diseases; and
 Whereas the United States has been a leader in promoting vaccinations around the world through the United States Agency for International Development, the CDC, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, UNICEF, the WHO, and a host of other multilateral and non-governmental organizations: Now, therefore, be it

 That the House of Representatives— (1)commends the international community, global and domestic health organizations, the private sector, school and community leaders, and faith-based organizations for their tireless work and immense contributions to bolstering our global and domestic health through vaccination;
 (2)affirms vaccines and immunizations save lives and are essential to maintain the public health, and the economic and national security of the people of the United States;
 (3)recognizes that the lack of vaccination can create an environment in which a public health crisis could emerge, and that there is no credible evidence demonstrating that vaccines cause life-threatening or disabling diseases in healthy children or adults;
 (4)encourages a continued commitment to biomedical research to improve vaccines and to develop new vaccines against other infectious and fatal diseases; and
 (5)urges everyone, in consultation with their health care provider, to follow the scientific evidence and consensus of medical experts in favor of timely vaccinations to protect themselves, their children, their family, and their community.


109 HR 5795 IH: Unintended Pregnancy Reduction Act of 2006
U.S. House of Representatives
2006-07-13
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
109th CONGRESS 2d Session
H. R. 5795
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 13, 2006
Mrs. Lowey (for herself, Mr. Waxman, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Ryan of Ohio, Mr. Crowley, Ms. McCollum of Minnesota, Mrs. Maloney, Mr. Payne, Mr. George Miller of California, Mr. Owens, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Farr, Mr. Nadler, Ms. Slaughter, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Lantos, Mr. Brown of Ohio, Mr. Allen, Mr. Stark, Ms. Solis, and Mr. Conyers) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL
To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to expand access to contraceptive services for women and men under the Medicaid program, help low income women and couples prevent unintended pregnancies and reduce abortion, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Unintended Pregnancy Reduction Act of 2006.
2.FindingsCongress makes the following findings:
(1)Rates of unintended pregnancy in the United States increased by nearly 30 percent among low-income women between 1994 and 2002, and a low-income woman today is 4 times as likely to have an unintended pregnancy as her higher income counterpart.
(2)Abortion rates decreased among higher income women but increased among low income women between 1994 and 2002, and a low income woman is more than 4 times as likely to have an abortion as her higher income counterpart.
(3)Contraceptive use reduces a woman’s probability of having an abortion by 85 percent.
(4)Levels of contraceptive use among low-income women at risk of unintended pregnancy declined significantly between 1994 and 2002, from 92 percent to 86 percent.
(5)Publicly funded contraceptive services have been shown to prevent 1,300,000 unintended pregnancies each year, and in the absence of these services the United States abortion rate would likely be 40 percent higher than it is.
(6)By helping couples avoid unintended pregnancy, Medicaid-funded contraceptive services are highly cost-effective, and every public dollar spent on family planning saves $3 in the cost of pregnancy-related care alone.
(7)Federal law requires State Medicaid programs to cover pregnancy-related care for women with incomes up to 133 percent of poverty, and 17 States have expanded this coverage to women with incomes up to 200 percent of poverty.
(8)18 States have expanded Medicaid coverage for family planning services to the same level at which they provide Medicaid funded pregnancy-related care.
(9)Equalizing the eligibility levels for family planning and pregnancy-related care nationwide would maximize the cost-savings to both the Federal and State Governments.
(10)A woman should have equal access to contraceptive services to help prevent an unintended pregnancy and to pregnancy-related care if she does become pregnant.
3.Clarification of coverage of family planning services and suppliesSection 1937(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396u–7(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(5)Coverage of family planning services and suppliesNotwithstanding the previous provisions of this section, a State may not provide for medical assistance through enrollment of an individual with benchmark coverage or benchmark-equivalent coverage under this section unless that coverage includes family planning services and supplies as described in section 1905(a)(4)(C). .
4.Expansion of family planning services
(a)Coverage as Mandatory Categorically Needy Group
(1)In generalSection 1902(a)(10)(A)(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)) is amended—
(A)in subclause (VI), by striking or at the end;
(B)in subclause (VII), by adding or at the end; and
(C)by adding at the end the following new subclause:

(VIII)who are described in subsection (dd) (relating to individuals who meet the income standards for pregnant women); .
(2)Group describedSection 1902 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(dd)
(1)Individuals described in this subsection are individuals who—
(A)meet at least the income eligibility standards established under the State plan as of May 1, 2006, for pregnant women or such higher income eligibility standard for such women as the State may establish; and
(B)are not pregnant.
(2)At the option of a State, individuals described in this subsection may include individuals who are determined to meet the income eligibility standards referred to in paragraph (1)(A) under the terms and conditions applicable to making eligibility determinations for medical assistance under this title under a waiver to provide the benefits described in clause (XV) of the matter following subparagraph (G) of section 1902(a)(10) granted to the State under section 1115 as of May 1, 2006. .
(3)Limitation on benefitsSection 1902(a)(10) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)) is amended in the matter following subparagraph (G)—
(A)by striking and (XIV) and inserting (XIV); and
(B)by inserting , and (XV) the medical assistance made available to an individual described in subsection (dd) who is eligible for medical assistance only because of subparagraph (A)(10)(i)(VIII) shall be limited to family planning services and supplies described in 1905(a)(4)(C) and, at the State’s option, medical diagnosis or treatment services that are provided in conjunction with a family planning service in a family planning setting provided during the period in which such an individual is eligible; after cervical cancer.
(4)Conforming amendmentsSection 1905(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)) is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1)—
(A)in clause (xii), by striking or at the end;
(B)in clause (xii), by adding or at the end; and
(C)by inserting after clause (xiii) the following:

(xiv)individuals described in section 1902(dd), .
(b)Presumptive eligibility
(1)In generalTitle XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 1920B the following:

1920C.PRESUMPTIVE ELIGIBILITY FOR FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES
(a)State OptionA State plan approved under section 1902 may provide for making medical assistance available to an individual described in section 1902(dd) (relating to individuals who meet the income eligibility standard for pregnant women in the State) during a presumptive eligibility period. In the case of an individual described in section 1902(dd) who is eligible for medical assistance only because of subparagraph (A)(10)(i)(VIII), such medical assistance may be limited to family planning services and supplies described in 1905(a)(4)(C) and, at the State’s option, medical diagnosis or treatment services that are provided in conjunction with a family planning service in a family planning setting provided during the period in which such an individual is eligible.
(b)DefinitionsFor purposes of this section:
(1)Presumptive eligibility periodThe term presumptive eligibility period means, with respect to an individual described in subsection (a), the period that—
(A)begins with the date on which a qualified entity determines, on the basis of preliminary information, that the individual is described in section 1902(dd); and
(B)ends with (and includes) the earlier of—
(i)the day on which a determination is made with respect to the eligibility of such individual for services under the State plan; or
(ii)in the case of such an individual who does not file an application by the last day of the month following the month during which the entity makes the determination referred to in subparagraph (A), such last day.
(2)Qualified entity
(A)In generalSubject to subparagraph (B), the term qualified entity means any entity that—
(i)is eligible for payments under a State plan approved under this title; and
(ii)is determined by the State agency to be capable of making determinations of the type described in paragraph (1)(A).
(B)RegulationsThe Secretary may issue regulations further limiting those entities that may become qualified entities in order to prevent fraud and abuse and for other reasons.
(C)Rule of constructionNothing in this paragraph shall be construed as preventing a State from limiting the classes of entities that may become qualified entities, consistent with any limitations imposed under subparagraph (B).
(c)Administration
(1)In generalThe State agency shall provide qualified entities with—
(A)such forms as are necessary for an application to be made by an individual described in subsection (a) for medical assistance under the State plan; and
(B)information on how to assist such individuals in completing and filing such forms.
(2)Notification requirementsA qualified entity that determines under subsection (b)(1)(A) that an individual described in subsection (a) is presumptively eligible for medical assistance under a State plan shall—
(A)notify the State agency of the determination within 5 working days after the date on which determination is made; and
(B)inform such individual at the time the determination is made that an application for medical assistance is required to be made by not later than the last day of the month following the month during which the determination is made.
(3)Application for medical assistanceIn the case of an individual described in subsection (a) who is determined by a qualified entity to be presumptively eligible for medical assistance under a State plan, the individual shall apply for medical assistance by not later than the last day of the month following the month during which the determination is made.
(d)PaymentNotwithstanding any other provision of this title, medical assistance that—
(1)is furnished to an individual described in subsection (a)—
(A)during a presumptive eligibility period;
(B)by a entity that is eligible for payments under the State plan; and
(2)is included in the care and services covered by the State plan, shall be treated as medical assistance provided by such plan for purposes of clause (4) of the first sentence of section 1905(b). .
(2)Conforming amendments
(A)Section 1902(a)(47) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(47)) is amended by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: and provide for making medical assistance available to individuals described in subsection (a) of section 1920C during a presumptive eligibility period in accordance with such section..
(B)Section 1903(u)(1)(D)(v) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(u)(1)(D)(v)) is amended—
(i)by striking or for and inserting , for; and
(ii)by inserting before the period the following: , or for medical assistance provided to an individual described in subsection (a) of section 1920C during a presumptive eligibility period under such section.
5.Effective date
(a)In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this Act take effect on October 1, 2006.
(b)Extension of effective date for state law amendmentIn the case of a State plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this Act, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of enactment of this Act. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of the session is considered to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.