113 HR 2532 IH: Integrity Restoration Strategy Act of 2013
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-06-27
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.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2532
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 27, 2013
			Mr. Roskam introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To provide for the establishment of new procedures at the
		  Internal Revenue Service, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Integrity Restoration Strategy Act of
			 2013 or as the IRS Act of
			 2013.
		2.Determinations of
			 tax-exempt statusIf the
			 Internal Revenue Service receives an application for recognition of tax-exempt
			 status for any organization and the Internal Revenue Service responds to such
			 application with a request for additional information—
			(1)such request shall
			 include a due date for providing such additional information which shall be
			 expressed as a number of days (not less than 30 days) from the date on which
			 such request is sent,
			(2)if no response
			 from the applicant is received by the Internal Revenue Service by such due
			 date, the Internal Revenue Service shall conclude that the applicant has not
			 taken the steps necessary to file for tax-exempt status,
			(3)if a response from
			 the applicant is received by the Internal Revenue Service by such due date, the
			 Internal Revenue Service shall have the same number of days to provide a
			 written substantive response to the applicant’s response as the number of days
			 referred to in paragraph (1), and
			(4)if the Internal
			 Revenue Service fails to provide such written substantive response before the
			 deadline under paragraph (3), the applicant’s application for tax-exempt status
			 shall be deemed to have been approved unless the Internal Revenue Service
			 demonstrates to a court of competent jurisdiction that the organization does
			 not qualify for such status.
			3.Internal Revenue
			 Service required to implement recommendations relating to the use of
			 inappropriate criteria in the review of applications for tax-exempt
			 status
			(a)In
			 generalNot later than 1 year
			 after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of the Internal
			 Revenue Service shall complete implementation of all of the recommendations set
			 out in the report the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration titled
			 Inappropriate Criteria Were Used to Identify Tax-Exempt Applications for
			 Review.
			(b)Report to
			 CongressNot later than 90
			 days after the 1-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act
			 (or, if earlier, 90 days after the Commissioner completes the implementation of
			 the recommendations referred to in subsection (a)), the Treasury Inspector
			 General for Tax Administration shall submit a report to Congress which
			 includes—
				(1)the determination
			 of such Inspector General as to whether all of the recommendations referred to
			 in subsection (a) have been implemented,
				(2)a
			 detailed description of such implementation, and
				(3)any
			 recommendations of such Inspector General regarding further
			 implementation.
				4.Establishment of
			 new procedures, etc
			(a)In
			 generalThe Commissioner of
			 the Internal Revenue Service shall establish new procedures, accountability
			 measures, and supervisory positions to ensure that proper supervision and
			 oversight is provided to all departments of the Internal Revenue
			 Service.
			(b)Report to
			 CongressThe Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service shall
			 provide quarterly reports to Congress providing detailed descriptions
			 of—
				(1)the procedures,
			 measures, and positions described in subsection (a) which have been established
			 since May 13, 2013, and
				(2)the employment
			 status of employees found responsible for targeting conservative groups.


114 HR 1339 IH: To prohibit the use of official funds for airline accommodations for Members of Congress which are not coach-class accommodations or for long-term vehicle leases for Members of Congress, and for other purposes.
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-03-06
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.

		I
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1339
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 6, 2015
			Ms. Graham (for herself and Mr. Blum) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration

		A BILL
		To prohibit the use of official funds for airline accommodations for Members of Congress which are
			 not coach-class accommodations or for long-term vehicle leases for Members
			 of Congress, and for other purposes.

		1.Prohibiting use of funds for official travel expenses of Members of Congress for airline
			 accommodations other than coach-class
 (a)ProhibitionNo funds appropriated or otherwise made available during a fiscal year for the official travel expenses of a Member of Congress may be used for airline accommodations which are not coach-class accommodations.
 (b)Coach-Class Accommodations DefinedIn this section, the term coach-class accommodations means the basic class of accommodation by airlines that is normally the lowest fare offered regardless of airline terminology used, and (as referred to by airlines) may include tourist class or economy class, as well as single class when the airline offers only one class of accommodations to all travelers.
			2.Prohibiting use of funds for long-term vehicle leases by Members of Congress
 No funds appropriated or otherwise made available during a fiscal year for the operations of a House of Congress, including the official and representational expenses of a Member of Congress or the expenses of a committee or leadership office of a House of Congress, may be used for the long-term leasing of a vehicle.
 3.RegulationsThe Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives (with respect to Representatives in, and Delegates and the Resident Commissioner to, the Congress) and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate (with respect to Senators) shall each promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
 4.Member of Congress definedIn this Act, the term Member of Congress means a Senator or a Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress. 5.Effective dateThis Act shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2016 and each succeeding fiscal year.


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 111
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			January 25
			 (legislative day, January 5), 2011
			Mr. Ensign introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Rules and
			 Administration

		A BILL
		To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require new
		  voting systems to provide a voter-verified permanent record, to develop better
		  accessible voting machines for individuals with disabilities, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Voting Integrity and Verification Act
			 of 2011.
		2.Promoting
			 accuracy, integrity, and security through preservation of a voter-verified
			 permanent paper record
			(a)In
			 generalSection 301 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (42
			 U.S.C. 15481) is amended—
				(1)by redesignating
			 subsections (b), (c), and (d) as subsections (c), (d), and (e), respectively;
			 and
				(2)by inserting
			 after subsection (a) the following:

						(b)Additional
				requirements for voting systems purchased after 2012In addition
				to the requirements of subsection (a), each voting system purchased after
				December 31, 2012, and used in an election for Federal office shall meet the
				following requirements:
							(1)Individual
				permanent paper recordThe voting system shall produce an
				individual permanent paper record for each ballot that is cast.
							(2)Verification
								(A)In
				generalIn lieu of the requirements of subsection (a)(1), the
				voting system shall—
									(i)permit the voter
				to verify the accuracy of the voter's ballot (in a private and independent
				manner), by allowing the voter to review an individual paper version of the
				voter’s ballot before the voter’s ballot is cast and counted;
									(ii)provide the
				voter with the opportunity (in a private and independent manner) to change the
				ballot and correct any error discovered on the individual paper version of the
				voter’s ballot before the ballot is cast and counted (including the opportunity
				to correct the error through the issuance of a replacement ballot if the voter
				was otherwise unable to change the ballot or correct any error); and
									(iii)(I)preserve the individual
				paper version of the voter’s ballot, after the voter has certified that the
				same accurately reflects the voter’s intent, as the individual permanent paper
				record; and
										(II)preserve such individual permanent paper
				record in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (3)(B); and
										(iv)meet the
				requirement of subparagraphs (A)(iii) and (C) of subsection (a)(1).
									(B)Readability
				requirements for machine-marked or printed paper ballotsAll
				voter verified paper ballots marked or printed through the use of a marking or
				printing device shall be clearly readable by the naked eye and by a scanner or
				other device equipped for voters with disabilities so that a voter is able to
				verify the accuracy of such ballots via both visual and non-visual
				means.
								(3)Manual audit
				capacityIn lieu of the requirements of subsection
				(a)(2)(B):
								(A)In
				generalEach individual paper record produced under paragraph (1)
				shall be suitable for a manual audit equivalent or superior to that of a paper
				ballot voting system.
								(B)PreservationThe
				voting system shall preserve each individual permanent paper record—
									(i)within the
				polling place in the manner in which all other paper ballots are preserved
				within such polling place; or
									(ii)in the absence
				of such manner or method, in a manner which is consistent with the manner
				employed by the jurisdiction for preserving paper ballots in general.
									(C)Consistency
				with other recordsAll electronic records produced by any voting
				system shall be consistent with the individual permanent paper records produced
				by such voting system. In the event of any inconsistencies or irregularities
				between any electronic records and the individual permanent paper records, the
				individual permanent paper records shall be the true and correct record of the
				votes cast.
								(D)Use as official
				recordsThe individual permanent paper records shall be used as
				the official records for purposes of any recount or audit conducted with
				respect to any election for Federal office in which the voting system is
				used.
								(4)Accessibility
				for individuals with disabilitiesThe voting system shall—
								(A)meet the
				requirement of subsection (a)(3)(A) through the use of at least one voting
				system that is fully accessible for individuals with disabilities at each
				polling place; and
								(B)meet the requirements of subsection
				(a)(3)(A) and paragraph (2)(A) by using a system that—
									(i)allows the voter to privately and
				independently verify the content of the permanent paper ballot through the
				conversion of the human readable content of the vote selections into accessible
				form;
									(ii)ensures that the entire process of ballot
				verification and vote casting is equipped for individuals with disabilities;
				and
									(iii)does not preclude the supplementary use of
				Braille or tactile
				ballots.
									.
				3.Award program
			 for development of accessible voting systems
			(a)DefinitionsIn this section:
				(1)InstituteThe
			 term Institute means the National Institute of Standards and
			 Technology.
				(2)DirectorThe
			 term Director means the Director of the Institute.
				(3)Voting
			 systemThe term voting system has the meaning given
			 such term by section 301(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C.
			 15481(b)).
				(b)Establishment
			 of program
				(1)In
			 generalThe Director shall establish a program to competitively
			 award cash prizes to eligible persons that advance the research, development,
			 demonstration, and application of voting systems which are specifically
			 designed to enhance accessibility and provide independence for persons with
			 disabilities during the voting process.
				(2)Advertising and
			 solicitation of competitors
					(A)AdvertisingThe
			 Director shall widely advertise prize competitions to encourage broad
			 participation, including participation by individuals, universities, and large
			 and small businesses.
					(B)Announcement
			 through Federal register noticeThe Director shall announce each
			 prize competition by publishing a notice in the Federal Register. This notice
			 shall include the subject of the competition, the duration of the competition,
			 the eligibility requirements for participation in the competition, the process
			 for participants to register for the competition, the amount of the prize, and
			 the criteria for awarding the prize.
					(3)Administration
			 of competitionsThe Director shall enter into an agreement with a
			 private, nonprofit entity for the administration of the prize
			 competitions.
				(c)Prize
			 competitions
				(1)In
			 generalThe program established under paragraph (1) shall consist
			 of competitions for the development of technology designed for persons with the
			 following classifications of disabilities:
					(A)Hearing.
					(B)Visual.
					(C)Manual, tactile,
			 and mobility.
					(D)A combination of
			 the disabilities described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C).
					(2)Cash
			 prizes
					(A)In
			 generalPrizes shall be awarded by the judges appointed under
			 paragraph (4) based on the criteria under paragraph (3).
					(B)Authority to
			 not award prizeIf the judges determine that no registered
			 participants meets the objective performance criteria established pursuant to
			 paragraph (3), no prize shall be awarded.
					(C)Limitation on
			 amount and number of prizesNo more than 2 prizes may be awarded
			 for any competition and the amount of any prize shall not exceed
			 $1,000,000.
					(3)Criteria
					(A)In
			 generalThe Director shall develop criteria for awarding prizes
			 under this section such that prizes are based on the functionality and
			 usability of a prototype accessible voting machine.
					(B)RequirementsThe
			 criteria developed under subparagraph (A) shall—
						(i)take into account
			 the challenges voters with disabilities face during the voting process,
			 including—
							(I)the need of
			 voters with manual disabilities to be able to use prosthetics and personal
			 assistive devices during the voting process without electromagnetic
			 interference;
							(II)the challenges
			 facing voters with visual impairments and the best means to accommodate those
			 voters, including, the need for voters to manually adjust font size (to account
			 for persons with poor vision and tunnel vision), color content, and contrast
			 for electronic voting machines;
							(III)the need of
			 voters to use various voter system interfaces such as synchronized audio output
			 that allows the voter to adjust the rate of speech, the audiofrequency, and
			 volume of the audio interface and which provides that such setting shall reset
			 to a standard default for each voter;
							(IV)the need of
			 voters to simultaneously use a tactile interface that permits the voter to
			 rewind, repeat, pause, and skip any audio cues, presentations, and ballot
			 measures;
							(V)the need of
			 voters who rely on mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, to adjust the height of
			 a voting system and to be able to see any visual cues or prompts from a seated
			 position; and
							(VI)the need of
			 voters with cognitive disabilities including using visual and audio cues
			 simultaneously;
							(ii)require that any
			 prototype accessible voting machine entered into the prize competition allows
			 voters with disabilities to independently verify the accuracy of the ballot
			 cast on the voting system; and
						(iii)be designed
			 to—
							(I)stimulate
			 innovation in the development and design of accessible voting systems in a way
			 that Federal procurement standards cannot;
							(II)help overcome
			 traditional obstacles in the design of accessible voting systems;
							(III)educate,
			 inspire, and motivate the public to participate in the process of developing
			 and designing accessible voting systems; and
							(IV)enhance the
			 accessibility and independence of the voting process.
							(C)Consultation
			 with other entitiesIn establishing the criteria under
			 subparagraph (A), the Director shall consult—
						(i)with various
			 disability rights groups with special knowledge concerning the challenges
			 facing persons with disabilities in each of the classifications in
			 subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (1);
						(ii)with other
			 Federal agencies, including—
							(I)the Election
			 Assistance Commission; and
							(II)the National
			 Science and Technology Council; and
							(iii)with private
			 organizations, including professional societies and industry
			 associations.
						(4)Judges
					(A)In
			 generalFor each prize competition the Director shall appoint a
			 panel of qualified judges. Such panel shall include individuals from outside
			 the Institute and from the private sector.
					(B)DisqualificationA
			 judge may not—
						(i)have personal or
			 financial interests in, or be an employee, officer, director, or agent of, any
			 entity that is participating in the prize competition; or
						(ii)have a familial
			 or financial relationship with an individual who is participating in the prize
			 competition.
						(d)EligibilityA person is eligible to win a prize under
			 this section if—
				(1)(A)in the case of a
			 corporation, such person is incorporated and maintains a primary place of
			 business the United States; and
					(B)in the case of an individual or
			 partnership, such individual, or each such individual in the partnership, is a
			 citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent
			 residence in the United States;
					(2)such person is
			 not an employee or entity of the United States or an laboratory accredited
			 under section 231 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15371);
			 and
				(3)such person
			 registers for the competition by submitting an application containing such
			 information as the Director may require.
				(e)Trade
			 secretsThe Director shall,
			 to the extent possible, protect any trade secrets or proprietary information
			 related to any submission for a competition under this section.
			(f)TerminationNo
			 prizes shall be awarded under this section for competitions announced after
			 September 30, 2013.
			(g)Authorization
			 of appropriations
				(1)In
			 general
					(A)AwardsThere
			 are authorized to be appropriated to the Director $2,000,000 for each of the
			 fiscal years 2011, 2012, and 2013 for the purpose of awarding prizes in
			 competitions pursuant to this section.
					(B)AdministrationIn
			 addition to the amounts authorized in subparagraph (A), there are authorized to
			 be appropriated to the Director $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011, 2012,
			 and 2013 for the administrative costs of carrying out this section.
					(2)Carryover of
			 fundsFunds appropriated for prize awards under this section
			 shall remain available until expended, and may be transferred, reprogrammed, or
			 expended for other purposes only after the expiration of 10 fiscal years after
			 the fiscal year for which the funds were originally appropriated.


		II
		Calendar No. 126
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1498
		[Report No. 111–59]
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			July 22, 2009
			Mrs. Boxer, from the
			 Committee on Environment and Public
			 Works, reported the following original bill; which was read
			 twice and placed on the calendar

		A BILL
		To provide an extension of highway programs authorized
		  under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A
		  Legacy for Users.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Surface Transportation Extension Act
			 of 2009.
		2.Federal-aid
			 highways
			(a)In
			 generalExcept as provided in this Act, requirements,
			 authorities, conditions, eligibilities, limitations, and other provisions
			 authorized under titles I, V, and VI of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible,
			 Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (119 Stat. 1144), the
			 SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008 (122 Stat. 1572), and title 23,
			 United States Code, which would otherwise expire on or cease to apply after
			 September 30, 2009, are incorporated by reference and shall continue in effect
			 until March 31, 2011.
			(b)Authorization
			 of appropriationsExcept as provided in section 3, there are
			 authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the
			 Mass Transit Account)—
				(1)for fiscal year
			 2010, a sum equal to the total amount authorized to be appropriated for
			 programs, projects, and activities for fiscal year 2009 under titles I, V, and
			 VI of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A
			 Legacy for Users (119 Stat. 1144), and title 23, United States Code; and
				(2)for the period
			 beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on March 31, 2011, a sum equal to
			 1/2 of the total amount authorized for programs, projects,
			 and activities for fiscal year 2009 under titles I, V, and VI of the Safe,
			 Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
			 (119 Stat. 1144), and title 23, United States Code.
				(c)Use of
			 funds
				(1)Fiscal year
			 2010Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, funds
			 authorized to be appropriated under subsection (b)(1) for fiscal year 2010
			 shall be distributed, administered, limited, and made available for obligation
			 in the same manner and at the same level as funds authorized to be appropriated
			 for fiscal year 2009 to carry out programs, projects, activities,
			 eligibilities, and requirements under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible,
			 Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (119 Stat. 1144), the
			 SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008 (122 Stat. 1572), and title 23,
			 United States Code.
				(2)Fiscal year
			 2011Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, funds
			 authorized to be appropriated under subsection (b)(2) for the period beginning
			 on October 1, 2010, and ending on March 31, 2011, shall be distributed,
			 administered, limited, and made available for obligation in the same manner and
			 at the same level as 1/2 of the total amount of funds
			 authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2009 to carry out programs,
			 projects, activities, eligibilities, and requirements under the Safe,
			 Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
			 (119 Stat. 1144), the SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008 (122 Stat.
			 1572), and title 23, United States Code.
				(3)CalculationThe
			 amounts authorized to be appropriated under subsection (b) shall be calculated
			 without regard to any rescission or cancellation of funds or contract authority
			 for fiscal year 2009 under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
			 Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (119 Stat. 1144) or any other
			 law.
				(4)Contract
			 authority
					(A)In
			 generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), funds authorized
			 to be appropriated under this section shall be—
						(i)available for
			 obligation, and shall be administered, in the same manner as if such funds were
			 apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code; and
						(ii)subject to a
			 limitation on obligations for Federal-aid highways and highway safety
			 construction programs described in paragraph (5).
						(B)ExceptionsA
			 limitation on obligations described in subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not apply to
			 any obligation under—
						(i)section 125 of
			 title 23, United States Code; or
						(ii)section 105 of
			 title 23, United States Code—
							(I)for fiscal year
			 2010, only in an amount equal to $639,000,000; and
							(II)for the period
			 beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on March 31, 2011, only in an amount
			 equal to $319,500,000.
							(5)Limitation on
			 obligationsNotwithstanding any other provision of law—
					(A)for fiscal year
			 2010, funds authorized to be appropriated under subsection (b) or this
			 subsection shall be subject to the limitation on obligations for fiscal year
			 2009 under section 1102 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
			 Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (119 Stat. 1157); and
					(B)for the period
			 beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on March 31, 2011, funds authorized to
			 be appropriated under subsection (b) or this subsection shall be subject to a
			 limitation on obligations equal to 1/2 of the limitation
			 on obligations for fiscal year 2009 under section 1102 of the Safe,
			 Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
			 (119 Stat. 1157).
					(d)Extension and
			 flexibility for certain allocated programs
				(1)Fiscal year
			 2010Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for fiscal year
			 2010, the portion of the share of funds of a State under subsection (b)(1)
			 determined by the amount that the State received for fiscal year 2009 to carry
			 out sections 1301, 1302, 1307, 1702, and 1934 of the Safe, Accountable,
			 Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (119 Stat.
			 1198, 1204, 1217, 1256, and 1485), and section 144(f)(1) of title 23, United
			 States Code, shall be—
					(A)made available to
			 the State for programs apportioned under sections 104(b) and 144 of title 23,
			 United States Code, and in the same proportion for each such program
			 that—
						(i)the
			 amount apportioned to the State for that program for fiscal year 2009; bears
			 to
						(ii)the amount
			 apportioned to the State for fiscal year 2009 for all programs apportioned
			 under such sections of such Code; and
						(B)administered in
			 the same manner and with the same period of availability as such funding is
			 administered under such sections.
					(2)Fiscal year
			 2011Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for the period
			 beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on March 31, 2011, the portion of the
			 share of funds of a State under subsection (b)(2) determined by
			 1/2 of the amount that the State received for fiscal year
			 2009 to carry out sections 1301, 1302, 1307, 1702, and 1934 of the Safe,
			 Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
			 (119 Stat. 1198, 1204, 1217, 1256, and 1485) and section 144(f)(1) of title 23,
			 United States Code, shall be—
					(A)made available to
			 the State for programs apportioned under sections 104(b) and 144 of title 23,
			 United States Code, and in the same proportion for each such program
			 that—
						(i)the
			 amount apportioned to the State for that program for fiscal year 2009; bears
			 to
						(ii)the amount
			 apportioned to the State for fiscal year 2009 for all programs apportioned
			 under such sections of such Code; and
						(B)administered in
			 the same manner and with the same period of availability as such funding is
			 administered under such sections.
					(3)Additional
			 funds
					(A)In
			 generalNo additional funds shall be provided for any project or
			 activity under subsection (c), or paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection, that
			 the Secretary of Transportation determines was sufficiently funded before or
			 during fiscal year 2009 to achieve the authorized purpose of the project or
			 activity.
					(B)Reservation and
			 redistribution of fundsFunds made available in accordance with
			 paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (c) or paragraph (1) or (2) of this
			 subsection for a project or activity described in subparagraph (A) shall
			 be—
						(i)reserved by the
			 Secretary of Transportation; and
						(ii)redistributed to
			 each State in accordance with paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (c), or
			 paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection, as appropriate, for use in carrying
			 out other highway projects and activities extended by subsection (c) or this
			 subsection, in the proportion that—
							(I)the total amount
			 of funds made available for fiscal year 2009 for projects and activities
			 described in subparagraph (A) in the State; bears to
							(II)the total amount
			 of funds made available for fiscal year 2009 for those projects and activities
			 in all States.
							(e)Extension of
			 authorizations under title V of SAFETEA-LU
				(1)In
			 generalThe programs authorized under paragraphs (1) through (5)
			 of section 5101(a) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation
			 Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (119 Stat. 1779) shall be continued—
					(A)for fiscal year
			 2010, at the funding levels authorized for those programs for fiscal year 2009;
			 and
					(B)for the period
			 beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on March 31, 2011, at
			 1/2 the levels authorized for those programs for fiscal
			 year 2009.
					(2)Distribution of
			 fundsFunds for programs continued under paragraph (1) shall be
			 distributed to major program areas under those programs in the same proportions
			 as funds were allocated for those program areas for fiscal year 2009, except
			 that designations for specific activities shall not be required to be continued
			 for—
					(A)fiscal year 2010;
			 or
					(B)the period
			 beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on March 31, 2011.
					(3)Additional
			 funds
					(A)In
			 generalNo additional funds shall be provided for any project or
			 activity under this subsection that the Secretary of Transportation determines
			 was sufficiently funded before or during fiscal year 2009 to achieve the
			 authorized purpose of the project or activity.
					(B)DistributionFunds
			 that would have been made available under paragraph (1) for a project or
			 activity but for the prohibition under subparagraph (A) shall be distributed in
			 accordance with paragraph (2).
					(4)Limitation on
			 obligationsNotwithstanding any other provision of law—
					(A)for fiscal year
			 2010, funds authorized to be appropriated under this subsection shall be
			 subject to the limitation on obligations for fiscal year 2009 under section
			 5102 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A
			 Legacy for Users (119 Stat. 1780); and
					(B)for the period
			 beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on March 31, 2011, funds authorized to
			 be appropriated under this subsection shall be subject to a limitation on
			 obligations equal to 1/2 of the limitation on obligations
			 for fiscal year 2009 under section 5102 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible,
			 Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (119 Stat.
			 1780).
					3.Administrative
			 expenses
			(a)Authorization
			 of contract authorityNotwithstanding any other provision of this
			 Act or any other law, there are authorized to be appropriated from the Highway
			 Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account), from amounts provided under
			 section 2, for administrative expenses of the Federal-aid highway
			 program—
				(1)$422,425,000 for
			 fiscal year 2010; and
				(2)$217,023,500 for
			 the period beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on March 31, 2011.
				(b)Contract
			 authorityFunds authorized to be appropriated by this section
			 shall be—
				(1)available for
			 obligation, and shall be administered, in the same manner as if such funds were
			 apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code; and
				(2)subject to a
			 limitation on obligations for Federal-aid highways and highway safety
			 construction programs, except that such funds shall remain available until
			 expended.

		July 22, 2009
		Read twice and placed on the calendar


115 HRES 496 IH: Condemning and censuring President Donald Trump.
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-08-18
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.

IV115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. RES. 496IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESAugust 18, 2017Mr. Nadler (for himself, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. Jayapal, Mr. Crowley, Ms. Jackson Lee, Mrs. Napolitano, Ms. Velázquez, Mr. Foster, Ms. DeGette, Mr. Espaillat, Mr. Peters, Mr. Payne, Ms. Fudge, Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Lawson of Florida, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Meeks, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Walz, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Brownley of California, Mr. Engel, Mr. Loebsack, Ms. Schakowsky, Mrs. Dingell, Ms. Lee, Mr. Brown of Maryland, Mr. Cicilline, Mr. Huffman, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Raskin, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Al Green of Texas, Mr. Takano, Ms. Meng, Mr. Pocan, Ms. Maxine Waters of California, Mr. Gutiérrez, Mrs. Lawrence, Mr. Beyer, Ms. Shea-Porter, Mr. Ted Lieu of California, Ms. Bass, Mr. Smith of Washington, Mr. Clay, Mr. Schneider, Mr. Connolly, Mr. Jeffries, Ms. Pingree, Mrs. Torres, Mr. Evans, Mr. Sires, Mr. Quigley, Mr. McEachin, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Higgins of New York, Mr. Pascrell, Mr. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico, Mr. Langevin, Mr. Lipinski, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Sherman, Mrs. Lowey, Mr. DeSaulnier, Mr. Kihuen, Ms. Slaughter, Ms. Bonamici, Ms. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Mr. Lowenthal, Ms. Adams, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Mr. Gomez, and Mr. McGovern) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryRESOLUTIONCondemning and censuring President Donald Trump.

 Whereas, on August 11, 2017, in Charlottesville, Virginia, a gathering of White supremacists, including neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klan (KKK) members, and other White nationalist groups, marched through the streets with torches as part of a coordinated Unite the Right rally spewing racism, anti-Semitism, bigotry and hatred;
 Whereas, on August 12, 2017, in Charlottesville, Virginia, a car driven by James Alex Fields, Jr., rammed into a crowd of counter-protestors, killing Heather Heyer and injuring 20 others;
 Whereas President Donald Trump’s immediate public comments rebuked many sides for the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, and failed to specifically condemn the Unite the Right rally or cite the White supremacist, neo-Nazi gathering as responsible for actions of domestic terrorism;
 Whereas, on August 15, 2017, President Donald Trump held a press conference at Trump Tower where he reasserted that both sides were to blame for the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, and attempted to create a moral equivalency between White supremacist, KKK, neo-Nazi groups and those counter-protesting the Unite the Right rally;
 Whereas President Donald Trump has surrounded himself with, and cultivated the influence of, senior advisors and spokespeople who have long histories of promoting White nationalist, racist, and anti-Semitic principles and policies within the country;
 Whereas President Donald Trump has provided encouragement and little to no denunciation of White supremacist groups and individuals who promote their bigoted, nationalist ideology and policies; and
 Whereas President Donald Trump has failed to provide adequate condemnation and assure the American people of his resolve to opposing domestic terrorism: Now, therefore, be it

 That the House of Representatives— (1)does hereby censure and condemn President Donald Trump for his inadequate response to the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, on August 12, 2017, his failure to immediately and specifically name and condemn the White supremacist groups responsible for actions of domestic terrorism, for reasserting that both sides were to blame and excusing the violent behavior of participants in the Unite the Right rally, and for employing people with ties to White supremacist movements in the White House, such as Steve Bannon and Sebastian Gorka; and
 (2)does hereby urge President Donald Trump to fire any and all White House advisors who have urged him to cater to the White supremacist movement in the United States.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 6493
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			September 21, 2012
			Mr. Clarke of
			 Michigan introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		A BILL
		To create jobs by attracting global investment to
		  economically distressed urban areas, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Global Investments in America’s Cities
			 Act.
		2.Modification of
			 EB–5 visa programSection
			 203(b)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(5)) is
			 amended by adding at the end the following:

				(E)Set-aside for
				economically distressed urban areas
					(i)In
				generalNot less than 3,000
				of the visas made available under this paragraph in each fiscal year shall be
				reserved for qualified immigrants seeking to invest in a new commercial
				enterprise described in subparagraph (A) which will create employment in an
				economically distressed urban area and—
						(I)with respect to which such alien or a
				relative of that alien has invested or, is actively in the process of
				investing, in that new enterprise, capital in an amount not less than the
				amount specified in clause (ii);
						(II)with respect to which such alien has
				completed an investment agreement with a qualified venture capital operating
				company for an investment in that new enterprise of an amount not less than the
				amount specified in clause (ii); or
						(III)with respect to which such alien has
				completed an investment agreement with one or more angel investors for an
				investment in that new enterprise of an amount not less than the amount
				specified in clause (ii).
						(ii)Capital amount
				requiredThe amount of capital specified in this clause is
				$250,000. To account for inflation, the Secretary of Homeland Security may by
				rule adjust the amount of capital specified in this clause.
					(iii)DefinitionsIn
				this subparagraph:
						(I)Angel
				investorThe term angel
				investor means, with respect to a qualified immigrant, an individual
				who—
							(aa)is
				an accredited investor (as defined in section 230.501(a) of title 17, Code of
				Federal Regulations (as in effect on April 1, 2010));
							(bb)is
				a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for
				permanent residence; and
							(cc)has
				made at least 2 equity investments of not less than $50,000 in each of the 3
				years before the date of a petition by the qualified immigrant for
				classification under this paragraph.
							(II)Economically
				distressed urban areaThe
				term economically distressed urban area means, at the time a
				petition for classification under this paragraph is filed the following:
							(aa)A
				city that has an average unemployment rate of not less than 150 percent of the
				national average rate for the preceding year.
							(bb)Any
				principal city for a Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the Office of
				Management and Budget.
							(III)Qualified
				venture capital operating companyThe term qualified venture capital
				operating company means an entity that—
							(aa)is
				registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a–1 et seq.);
				or
							(bb)is
				an investment company, as defined in subsection (a)(1) of section 3 of such Act
				(15 U.S.C. 80a–3), that is exempt from registration under subsection (c)(1) or
				(c)(7) of such section, and is not registered.
							(IV)RelativeThe
				term relative means, with respect to a qualified immigrant—
							(aa)a
				spouse;
							(bb)a
				sibling;
							(cc)a
				child;
							(dd)a
				parent;
							(ee)an
				aunt or uncle;
							(ff)a
				first cousin; or
							(gg)a
				grandparent.
							.
		3.Expedited
			 processing for certain EB–5 investorsSection 286(u) of the Immigration and
			 Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(u)) is amended by adding at the end the
			 following: In the case of a petition filed under section 204(a)(1)(H)
			 for classification under section 203(b)(5)(E), the petitioner shall be
			 guaranteed of a decision on the petition in 60 days or less..
		4.Government
			 accountability office study
			(a)In
			 generalNot later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of
			 this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to
			 Congress on the EB–5 Visa Program authorized under section 203(b)(5) of the
			 Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(5)).
			(b)ContentsThe
			 report described in subsection (a) shall include information regarding—
				(1)the number of
			 immigrant entrepreneurs who have received a visa under such visa program,
			 listed by country of origin;
				(2)the localities in
			 which such immigrant entrepreneurs have initially settled;
				(3)whether such
			 immigrant entrepreneurs generally remain in the localities in which they
			 initially settle;
				(4)the types of
			 commercial enterprises that such immigrant entrepreneurs have established;
			 and
				(5)the types and
			 number of jobs created by such immigrant entrepreneurs.


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 807
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			April 13, 2011
			Mr. Enzi (for himself,
			 Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Isakson, and Mr.
			 Coburn) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
			 referred to the Committee on Health,
			 Education, Labor, and Pensions

		A BILL
		To authorize the Department of Labor's voluntary
		  protection program and to expand the program to include more small
		  businesses.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Voluntary Protection Program
			 Act.
		2.Voluntary
			 protection program
			(a)Cooperative
			 agreementsThe Secretary of Labor shall establish a program of
			 entering into cooperative agreements with employers to encourage the
			 establishment of comprehensive safety and health management systems that
			 include—
				(1)requirements for
			 systematic assessment of hazards;
				(2)comprehensive
			 hazard prevention, mitigation, and control programs;
				(3)active and
			 meaningful management and employee participation in the voluntary program
			 described in subsection (b); and
				(4)employee safety
			 and health training.
				(b)Voluntary
			 protection program
				(1)In
			 generalThe Secretary of Labor shall establish and carry out a
			 voluntary protection program (consistent with subsection (a)) to encourage
			 excellence and recognize the achievement of excellence in both the technical
			 and managerial protection of employees from occupational hazards.
				(2)Program
			 requirementsThe voluntary protection program shall include the
			 following:
					(A)ApplicationEmployers
			 who volunteer under the program shall be required to submit an application to
			 the Secretary of Labor demonstrating that the worksite with respect to which
			 the application is made meets such requirements as the Secretary of Labor may
			 require for participation in the program.
					(B)Onsite
			 evaluationsThere shall be onsite evaluations by representatives
			 of the Secretary of Labor to ensure a high level of protection of employees.
			 The onsite visits shall not result in enforcement of citations under the
			 Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.).
					(C)InformationEmployers
			 who are approved by the Secretary of Labor for participation in the program
			 shall assure the Secretary of Labor that information about the safety and
			 health program shall be made readily available to the Secretary of Labor to
			 share with employees.
					(D)ReevaluationsPeriodic
			 reevaluations by the Secretary of Labor of the employers shall be required for
			 continued participation in the program.
					(3)MonitoringTo
			 ensure proper controls and measurement of program performance for the voluntary
			 protection program under this section, the Secretary of Labor shall direct the
			 Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health to take the
			 following actions:
					(A)Develop a
			 documentation policy regarding information on follow-up actions taken by the
			 regional offices of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in
			 response to fatalities and serious injuries at worksites participating in the
			 voluntary protection program.
					(B)Establish
			 internal controls that ensure consistent compliance by the regional offices of
			 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration with the voluntary protection
			 program policies of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for
			 conducting onsite reviews and monitoring injury and illness rates, to ensure
			 that only qualified worksites participate in the program.
					(C)Establish a
			 system for monitoring the performance of the voluntary protection program by
			 developing specific performance goals and measures for the program.
					(4)ExemptionsA
			 site with respect to which a voluntary protection program has been approved
			 shall, during participation in the program, be exempt from inspections or
			 investigations and certain paperwork requirements to be determined by the
			 Secretary of Labor, except that this paragraph shall not apply to inspections
			 or investigations arising from employee complaints, fatalities, catastrophes,
			 or significant toxic releases.
				(5)No payments
			 requiredThe Secretary of Labor shall not require any form of
			 payment for an employer to qualify or participate in the voluntary protection
			 program.
				(c)TransitionThe
			 Secretary of Labor shall take such steps as may be necessary for the orderly
			 transition from the cooperative agreements and voluntary protection programs
			 carried out by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as of the day
			 before the date of enactment of this Act, to the cooperative agreements and
			 voluntary protection program authorized under this section. In making such
			 transition, the Secretary shall ensure that—
				(1)the voluntary
			 protection program authorized under this section is based upon and consistent
			 with the voluntary protection programs carried out on the day before the date
			 of enactment of this Act; and
				(2)each employer
			 that, as of the day before the date of enactment of this Act, had an active
			 cooperative agreement under the voluntary protection programs carried out by
			 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and was in good standing with
			 respect to the duties and responsibilities under such agreement, shall have the
			 option to continue participating in the voluntary protection program authorized
			 under this section.
				(d)Regulations and
			 implementationNot later than 2 years after the date of enactment
			 of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall issue final regulations for the
			 voluntary protection program authorized under this section and shall begin
			 implementation of the program.
			3.Expanded access
			 to voluntary protection program for small businessesThe Secretary of Labor shall establish and
			 implement, by regulation, a program to increase participation by small
			 businesses (as the term is defined by the Administrator of the Small Business
			 Administration) in the voluntary protection program established under section 2
			 through outreach and assistance initiatives and the development of program
			 requirements that address the needs of small businesses.
		4.Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere are
			 authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such sums as may be
			 necessary.


113 HR 5490 IH: Wall Street Accountability through Sustainable Funding Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2014-09-16
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5490
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			September 16, 2014
			Ms. DeLauro (for herself, Mr. Welch, and Mr. Courtney) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

		A BILL
		To require the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to impose fees and assessments to recover the
			 cost of appropriations to the Commission.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Wall Street Accountability through Sustainable Funding Act.
		2.Requirement that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission impose fees and assessments to recover
			 the cost of appropriations to the CommissionSection 12 of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 16) is amended by adding at the end the
			 following:

				(i)Recovery of costs of annual appropriations
					(1)Imposition of fees
						(A)In generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (C), the Commission shall, by order, impose a fee on each
			 agreement, contract, or transaction that is a contract of sale of a
			 commodity for future delivery, an option, or a swap, including an
			 agreement, contract, or transaction transacted through the use of a
			 foreign terminal, so that the total of the fees so imposed during each
			 fiscal year is sufficient to recover the costs to the Government of the
			 annual appropriation to the Commission by Congress for the fiscal year.
						(B)Foreign terminalIn subparagraph (A), the term foreign terminal means a technology, software, or device, which is located in the United States and used to execute
			 an agreement, contract, or transaction on a foreign board of trade, or
			 which is located outside of the United States and used to execute an
			 agreement, contract, or transaction within the United States on a domestic
			 board of trade.
						(C)ExemptionsThe Commission, by rule, may exempt any such agreement, contract, or transaction from any fee
			 imposed under this paragraph, if the Commission finds that the exemption
			 is consistent with—
							(i)the public interest;
							(ii)the equal treatment of contract markets, derivatives clearing organizations, and market
			 participants; and
							(iii)the operation of a nationwide market system.
							(D)LimitationThe fees imposed under this paragraph on all transactions of the same kind shall be determined in a
			 uniform manner.
						(E)Mid-year adjustment
							(i)In generalBy March 1 of each fiscal year, the Commission shall determine whether, based on the fees collected
			 under this subsection during the first 5 months of the fiscal year, the
			 total of the amounts collected and to be collected under this subsection
			 for the fiscal year is reasonably likely to be 10 percent (or more)
			 greater or less than the costs described in subparagraph (A) for the
			 fiscal year. If the Commission so determines, the Commission shall by
			 order, no later than March 1 of the fiscal year, adjust the fee rates
			 otherwise applicable under this paragraph for the fiscal year so that the
			 total of the amounts so collected and to be collected is reasonably likely
			 to equal to the costs so described.
							(ii)Effective dateSubject to paragraphs (2)(C) and (4), an adjusted rate prescribed under clause (i) of this
			 subparagraph in a fiscal year shall take effect on the later of—
								(I)the 1st day of the fiscal year to which the rate applies; or
								(II)60 days after the date on which a regular appropriation to the Commission for the fiscal year is
			 enacted.
								(F)PublicationThe Commission shall publish in the Federal Register notices of the fee rates applicable under this
			 paragraph for a fiscal year not later than 30 days after the date on which
			 a regular appropriation to the Commission for the fiscal year is enacted,
			 together with any estimates or projections on which the fee rates are
			 based.
						(G)Inapplicability of rulemaking requirementsIn exercising its authority under this paragraph, the Commission shall not be required to comply
			 with section 553 of title 5, United States Code.
						(H)No judicial reviewA fee rate prescribed under this paragraph and published in accordance with subparagraph (F) shall
			 not be subject to judicial review.
						(2)Payment and collection of fees
						(A)Cleared transactions; uncleared swaps reported to swap data repositories
							(i)Payment of fees
								(I)Cleared transactionsIn the case of a contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery, an option, or a swap that is
			 cleared by a derivatives clearing organization registered or exempt from
			 registration under this Act, each party to the agreement, contract, or
			 transaction shall pay the fee determined under paragraph (1) to the
			 derivatives clearing organization.
								(II)Uncleared swaps reported to swap data repositoriesIn the case of a swap that is not cleared by a derivatives clearing organization registered or
			 exempt from registration under this Act and that is accepted by a swap
			 data repository registered under section 21, each party to the swap shall
			 pay the transaction fee determined under paragraph (1) to the swap data
			 repository.
								(ii)Collection of feesThe Commission shall collect the fees paid in accordance with clause (i) in such manner and within
			 such time as the Commission deems appropriate, except that if the
			 Commission has not collected a fee paid in accordance with clause (i)
			 within 30 days after receipt by the derivatives clearing organization or
			 swap data repository, as the case may be, the organization or repository,
			 as the case may be, shall transmit the fee to the Commission.
							(B)Uncleared swaps reported to commissionIn the case of a swap that is not cleared by a derivatives clearing organization registered or
			 exempt from registration under this Act and that is reported to the
			 Commission pursuant to section 4r, each party to the swap shall pay the
			 fee determined under paragraph (1) to the Commission in a manner and
			 within such time as the Commission deems appropriate.
						(C)Subject to appropriationsExcept as provided in paragraph (4), a fee shall not be collected under this subsection for a
			 fiscal year, except to the extent provided in advance in appropriation
			 Acts.
						(3)Deposit of fees
						(A)Offsetting collectionsA fee collected under paragraph (2) for a fiscal year shall be deposited and credited as offsetting
			 collections to the account providing appropriations to the Commission.
						(B)General revenues prohibitedA fee collected under paragraph (2) for a fiscal year shall not be deposited and credited as
			 general revenue of the Treasury.
						(4)Lapse of appropriationIf on the first day of a fiscal year a regular appropriation to the Commission has not been
			 enacted, the Commission shall continue to collect (as offsetting
			 collections) the fees imposed under paragraph (1) at the rate in effect
			 during the preceding fiscal year, until 60 days after the date such a
			 regular appropriation is enacted.
					(j)Commodity Futures Trading Commission reserve fund
					(1)EstablishmentThere is established in the Treasury of the United States a separate fund, to be known as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Reserve Fund (referred to in this subsection as the Reserve Fund).
					(2)Imposition of feesThe Commission shall impose and collect an additional fee, as provided in subsection (i), except
			 that the total amount of the fees imposed and collected in each fiscal
			 year shall not exceed an amount equal to the amount (if any) by which
			 $50,000,000 exceeds the balance in the Reserve Fund as of the end of the
			 preceding fiscal year, and paragraphs (2)(C) and (4) of subsection (i)
			 shall not apply with respect to this subsection.
					(3)Deposits into reserve fund
						(A)In generalExcept as provided in this paragraph, all fees collected under this paragraph shall be deposited
			 into the Reserve Fund.
						(B)LimitationThe balance in the Reserve Fund shall not exceed $50,000,000.
						(4)Use of fundsThe Commission may obligate amounts in the Reserve Fund, not to exceed a total of $50,000,000 in
			 any 1 fiscal year, as the Commission determines is necessary to make
			 long-term investments in information technology for use by the Commission
			 and to cover unexpected expenses of the Commission (as determined by the
			 Commission). Not later than 10 days after the date on which the Commission
			 obligates amounts under this paragraph, the Commission shall notify the
			 Congress of the date, amount, and purpose of the obligation.
					(5)Availability of fundsAmounts in the Reserve Fund shall remain available until expended.
					(6)Rule of constructionAmounts in the Reserve Fund shall not be construed to be Government funds or appropriated monies
			 and shall not be subject to apportionment for the purpose of chapter 15 of
			 title 31, United States Code, or under any other authority..


114 S1246 IS: Protecting America’s Paper for Recycling Act
U.S. Senate
2015-05-07
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		114th CONGRESS1st Session
		S. 1246
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 7, 2015
			Ms. Stabenow (for herself and Mr. Boozman) 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 revise the definition of municipal solid waste for
			 purposes of the renewable electricity production credit.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Protecting America’s Paper for Recycling Act. 2.Revising definition of municipal solid waste under the renewable electricity production credit (a)In generalParagraph (6) of section 45(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking does not include and all that follows through the period and inserting the following:

 does not include— (A)paper which is commonly recycled and which has been segregated from other solid waste (as so defined), or
 (B)solid waste (as so defined) which is collected as part of a system which includes materials recovery and which commingles commonly recycled paper with other solid waste which is not commonly recycled at any point from the time of collection through materials recovery..
 (b)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.


I
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4659
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 23, 2004
Mr. Brown of South Carolina (for himself, Mr. Michaud, and Mr. Smith of New Jersey) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

A BILL
To amend chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code, to extend the period for which an individual may elect to continue employer-sponsored health care coverage under the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the USERRA Health Care Coverage Extension Act of 2004.
2.Two-year period of continuation of employer-sponsored health care coverage
(a)Improvement in period of coverageSubsection (a)(1)(A) of section 4317 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking 18-month period and inserting 24-month period.
(b)Effective dateThe amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to elections made under such section 4317 on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
3.Reinstatement of reporting requirementsSection 4332 of title 38, United States Code, is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking no later than February 1, 1996, and annually thereafter through 2000 and inserting no later than February 1, 2005, and annually thereafter.


116 HR 1683 IH: No Stolen Trademarks Honored in America Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-03-12
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. 1683IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 12, 2019Ms. Wasserman Schultz (for herself, Mr. Rutherford, Mr. Deutch, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mr. Gaetz, Mr. Hastings, Ms. Frankel, Mr. Waltz, Mr. Soto, and Ms. Shalala) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo modify the prohibition on recognition by United States courts of certain rights relating to
			 certain marks, trade names, or commercial names.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the No Stolen Trademarks Honored in America Act. 2.Modification of prohibitionSection 211 of the Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 (as contained in section 101(b) of division A of Public Law 105–277; 112 Stat. 2681–88) is amended—
 (1)in subsection (a)(2)— (A)by striking by a designated national; and
 (B)by inserting before the period that was used in connection with a business or assets that were confiscated unless the original owner of the mark, trade name, or commercial name, or the bonafide successor-in-interest has expressly consented;
 (2)in subsection (b), by striking by a designated national or its successor-in-interest; (3)by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e);
 (4)by inserting after subsection (c) the following:  (d)Subsections (a)(2) and (b) of this section shall apply only if the person or entity asserting the rights knew or had reason to know at the time when the person or entity acquired the rights asserted that the mark, trade name, or commercial name was the same as or substantially similar to a mark, trade name, or commercial name that was used in connection with a business or assets that were confiscated.; and
 (5)in subsection (e), as so redesignated, by striking In this section: and all that follows through (2) The term and inserting In this section, the term.


		III
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. RES. 442
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			March 4, 2010
			Mr. Durbin (for himself,
			 Mr. Cardin, Mr.
			 Wicker, Mr. Lugar, and
			 Mr. Byrd) submitted the following
			 resolution; which was considered and agreed to

		RESOLUTION
		Congratulating the people of the Republic
		  of Lithuania on the Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania, or
		  Act of March 11, and celebrating the rich history of
		  Lithuania.

		Whereas the name Lithuania first appeared
			 in European records in the year 1009, when it was mentioned in the German
			 manuscript Annals of Quedlinburg;
		Whereas the February 16, 1918, Act of Independence of
			 Lithuania led to the establishment of Lithuania as a sovereign and democratic
			 State;
		Whereas, under the German-Soviet Treaty of Friendship,
			 Cooperation and Demarcation, on June 15, 1940, Lithuania was forcibly
			 incorporated into the Soviet Union in violation of pre-existing peace
			 treaties;
		Whereas, during 50 years of Soviet occupation of the
			 Baltic States, Congress strongly, consistently, and on a bipartisan basis
			 refused to legally recognize the incorporation of Latvia, Estonia, and
			 Lithuania by the Soviet Union;
		Whereas, on March 11, 1990, the Republic of Lithuania was
			 restored and Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to declare
			 independence;
		Whereas, on September 2, 1991, the United States
			 Government formally recognized Lithuania as an independent and sovereign
			 nation;
		Whereas Lithuania has successfully developed into a free
			 and democratic country, with a free market economy and respect for the rule of
			 law;
		Whereas Lithuania is a full and responsible member of the
			 United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the
			 European Union, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization;
		Whereas Lithuania assumed Presidency of the Community of
			 Democracies in September 2009, and will hold this position until 2011;
		Whereas, in 2010, the United States Government and the
			 Government of Lithuania celebrated 88 years of continuous diplomatic
			 relations;
		Whereas the United States Government welcomes and
			 appreciates efforts by the Government of Lithuania to maintain international
			 peace and stability in Europe and around the world by contributing to
			 international civilian and military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia,
			 Kosovo, and Georgia; and
		Whereas Lithuania is a strong and loyal ally of the United
			 States, and the people of Lithuania share common values with the people of the
			 United States: Now, therefore, be it

		That the Senate hereby—
			(1)congratulates the
			 people of the Republic of Lithuania on the occasion of the Act of the
			 Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania;
			(2)commends the
			 Government of Lithuania for its success in implementing political and economic
			 reforms, for establishing political, religious, and economic freedom, and for
			 its commitment to human rights;
			(3)recognizes the
			 close and enduring relationship between the United States Government and the
			 Government of Lithuania; and
			(4)calls on the
			 President to continue to build on the close and mutually beneficial relations
			 the United States has enjoyed with Lithuania since the restoration of the full
			 independence of Lithuania.


116 HR 4835 IH: Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act of 2019
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-10-23
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.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4835IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESOctober 23, 2019Mrs. Hayes (for herself and Ms. Wild) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and LaborA BILLTo provide grants to improve trauma support services and mental health care for children and youth
			 in educational settings, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act of 2019. 2.Grants to improve trauma support services and mental health care for children and youth in educational settings (a)Grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements authorizedThe Secretary, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, is authorized to award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, State educational agencies, local educational agencies, Indian Tribes (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act) or their tribal educational agencies, a school operated by the Bureau of Indian Education, a Regional Corporation, or a Native Hawaiian educational organization, for the purpose of increasing student access to evidence-based trauma support services and mental health care by developing innovative initiatives, activities, or programs to link local school systems with local trauma-informed support and mental health systems, including those under the Indian Health Service.
 (b)DurationWith respect to a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement awarded or entered into under this section, the period during which payments under such grant, contract, or agreement are made to the recipient may not exceed 4 years.
 (c)Use of fundsAn entity that receives a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section shall use amounts made available through such grant, contract, or cooperative agreement for evidence-based activities, which shall include any of the following:
 (1)Collaborative efforts between school-based service systems and trauma-informed support and mental health service systems to provide, develop, or improve prevention, screening, referral, and treatment and support services to students, such as providing trauma screenings to identify students in need of specialized support.
 (2)To implement schoolwide positive behavioral interventions and supports, or other trauma-informed models of support.
 (3)To provide professional development to teachers, teacher assistants, school leaders, specialized instructional support personnel, and mental health professionals that—
 (A)fosters safe and stable learning environments that prevent and mitigate the effects of trauma, including through social and emotional learning;
 (B)improves school capacity to identify, refer, and provide services to students in need of trauma support or behavioral health services; or
 (C)reflects the best practices for trauma-informed identification, referral, and support developed by the Interagency Task Force on Trauma-Informed Care.
 (4)Services at a full-service community school that focuses on trauma-informed supports, which may include a full-time site coordinator, or other activities consistent with section 4625 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7275).
 (5)Engaging families and communities in efforts to increase awareness of child and youth trauma, which may include sharing best practices with law enforcement regarding trauma-informed care and working with mental health professionals to provide interventions, as well as longer term coordinated care within the community for children and youth who have experienced trauma and their families.
 (6)To provide technical assistance to school systems and mental health agencies. (7)To evaluate the effectiveness of the program carried out under this section in increasing student access to evidence-based trauma support services and mental health care.
 (8)To establish partnerships with or provide subgrants to Head Start agencies (including Early Head Start agencies), public and private preschool programs, child care programs (including home-based providers), or other entities described in subsection (a), to include such entities described in this paragraph in the evidence-based trauma initiatives, activities, support services, and mental health systems established under this section in order to provide, develop, or improve prevention, screening, referral, and treatment and support services to young children and their families.
 (d)ApplicationsTo be eligible to receive a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section, an entity described in subsection (a) shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require, which shall include the following:
 (1)A description of the innovative initiatives, activities, or programs to be funded under the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement, including how such program will increase access to evidence-based trauma support services and mental health care for students, and, as applicable, the families of such students.
 (2)A description of how the program will provide linguistically appropriate and culturally competent services.
 (3)A description of how the program will support students and the school in improving the school climate in order to support an environment conducive to learning.
 (4)An assurance that— (A)persons providing services under the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement are adequately trained to provide such services; and
 (B)teachers, school leaders, administrators, specialized instructional support personnel, representatives of local Indian Tribes or tribal organizations as appropriate, other school personnel, and parents or guardians of students participating in services under this section will be engaged and involved in the design and implementation of the services.
 (5)A description of how the applicant will support and integrate existing school-based services with the program in order to provide mental health services for students, as appropriate.
 (6)A description of the entities in the community with which the applicant will partner or to which the applicant will provide subgrants in accordance with subsection (c)(8).
				(e)Interagency agreements
 (1)Local interagency agreementsTo ensure the provision of the services described in subsection (c), a recipient of a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section, or their designee, shall establish a local interagency agreement among local educational agencies, agencies responsible for early childhood education programs, Head Start agencies (including Early Head Start agencies), juvenile justice authorities, mental health agencies, child welfare agencies, and other relevant agencies, authorities, or entities in the community that will be involved in the provision of such services.
 (2)ContentsIn ensuring the provision of the services described in subsection (c), the local interagency agreement shall specify with respect to each agency, authority, or entity that is a party to such agreement—
 (A)the financial responsibility for the services; (B)the conditions and terms of responsibility for the services, including quality, accountability, and coordination of the services; and
 (C)the conditions and terms of reimbursement among such agencies, authorities, or entities, including procedures for dispute resolution.
 (f)EvaluationThe Secretary shall reserve not more than 3 percent of the funds made available under subsection (l) for each fiscal year to—
 (1)conduct a rigorous, independent evaluation of the activities funded under this section; and (2)disseminate and promote the utilization of evidence-based practices regarding trauma support services and mental health care.
 (g)Distribution of awardsThe Secretary shall ensure that grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements awarded or entered into under this section are equitably distributed among the geographical regions of the United States and among tribal, urban, suburban, and rural populations.
 (h)Rule of constructionNothing in this section shall be construed— (1)to prohibit an entity involved with a program carried out under this section from reporting a crime that is committed by a student to appropriate authorities; or
 (2)to prevent Federal, State, and tribal law enforcement and judicial authorities from exercising their responsibilities with regard to the application of Federal, tribal, and State law to crimes committed by a student.
 (i)Supplement, not supplantAny services provided through programs carried out under this section shall supplement, and not supplant, existing mental health services, including any special education and related services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.).
 (j)Consultation with Indian tribesIn carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall, in a timely manner, meaningfully consult with Indian Tribes and their representatives to ensure notice of eligibility.
 (k)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)Elementary schoolThe term elementary school has the meaning given such term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
 (2)Evidence-basedThe term evidence-based has the meaning given such term in section 8101(21)(A)(i) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(21)(A)(i)).
 (3)Native hawaiian educational organizationThe term Native Hawaiian educational organization has the meaning given such term in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517).
 (4)Local educational agencyThe term local educational agency has the meaning given such term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
 (5)Regional corporationThe term Regional Corporation has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602).
 (6)SchoolThe term school means a public elementary school or public secondary school. (7)School leaderThe term school leader has the meaning given such term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
 (8)Secondary schoolThe term secondary school has the meaning given such term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
 (9)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Education. (10)Specialized instructional support personnelThe term specialized instructional support personnel has the meaning given such term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
 (11)State educational agencyThe term State educational agency has the meaning given such term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
 (l)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated, and there shall be appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to carry out this section, $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.


117 HR 4471 IH: Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-07-16
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.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4471IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 16, 2021Mr. Mast (for himself, Mr. Golden, Mr. C. Scott Franklin of Florida, Mr. Meijer, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Tony Gonzales of Texas, Mr. Panetta, Mr. Waltz, Mr. Baird, Mrs. Murphy of Florida, Ms. Salazar, Mr. Gallagher, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Budd, Mr. Bilirakis, and Mrs. Miller-Meeks) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit Members of Congress to use facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purposes of meeting with constituents, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2021.2.Use of facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs by Members of Congress(a)In generalUpon request of a Member of Congress and subject to regulations prescribed under subsection (b), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall permit the Member to use a facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purposes of meeting with constituents of the Member. The Secretary and the Administrator of General Services shall jointly identify available spaces in facilities of the Department for such purposes.(b)RegulationsNot later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall prescribe regulations regarding such use of a facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs by Members of Congress. Regulations prescribed under this subsection—(1)shall require that a space within a facility of the Department provided to a Member under subsection (a) is—(A)available during normal business hours;(B)located in an area that is visible and accessible to constituents of the Member; and(C)subject to a rate of rent (payable from the Member’s Representational Allowance or the Senator’s Official Personnel and Office Expense Account, as the case may be) that is similar to the rate charged by the Administrator of General Services for office space in the area of the facility;(2)may not prohibit a Member from advertising the use by the Member of a space within a facility of the Department under subsection (a);(3)shall comply with sections 7321 through 7326 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Hatch Act) and section 1.218(a)(14) of title 38, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulation), by prohibiting activities including—(A)campaigning in support of or opposition to any political office;(B)statements or actions that solicit, support, or oppose any change to Federal law or policy;(C)any activity that interferes with security or normal operation of the facility;(D)photographing or recording a veteran patient at such facility;(E)photographing or recording a patient, visitor to the facility, or employee of the Department without the consent of such individual; and(F)photography or recording for the purpose of political campaign materials;(4)may not permit a Member of Congress to use such a facility during the 60-day period preceding an election for Federal office in the jurisdiction in which such facility is located; and(5)may not unreasonably restrict use of a facility of the Department by a Member under subsection (a) if—(A)there is space in such facility not in regular use by personnel of the Department; and(B)use of such space shall not impede operations of the Department in such facility.


114 S1675 IS: Plum Island Conservation Act
U.S. Senate
2015-06-24
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.

II114th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1675IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 24, 2015Mr. Blumenthal (for himself, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Murphy, and Mrs. Gillibrand) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsA BILLTo amend certain appropriations Acts to repeal the requirement directing the Administrator of
			 General Services to sell Federal property and assets that support the
			 operations of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in Plum Island, New
			 York, to provide for a report on the potential transfer of Plum Island,
			 and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Plum Island Conservation Act. 2.Repeal of requirement to sell certain Federal property in Plum Island, New York (a)Repeal of requirement in Public Law 110–329Section 540 of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2009 (division D of Public Law 110–329; 122 Stat. 3688) is repealed.
			(b)Repeal of
 requirement in Public Law 112–74Section 538 of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2012 (6 U.S.C. 190 note; division D of Public Law 112–74) is repealed.
 3.Report on potential transfer of Plum IslandNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in conjunction with the Administrator of General Services, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes—
 (1)recommendations for the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over Plum Island from the Department of Homeland Security to the Federal agency that is most capable of conserving the undeveloped land, critical habitat, vulnerable and rare species, and historic, cultural, and other environmental resources of Plum Island; and
 (2)an analysis of any remediation responsibilities with respect to Plum Island, the costs associated with assuming administrative jurisdiction over Plum Island, the timing of the transfer, and the need for any legislative changes to execute the transfer.


I
One Hundred Eleventh Congress of the United States of America At the Second SessionBegun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the fifth day of January, two thousand and ten
H. R. 5502

AN ACT
To amend the effective date of the gift card provisions of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009.

1.Delay of effective dateTitle IV of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act, is amended by striking section 403 and inserting the following:

403.Effective date
(a)In GeneralExcept as provided under subsection (b) of this section, this title and the amendments made by this title shall become effective 15 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
(b)Exception
(1)In generalIn the case of a gift certificate, store gift card, or general-use prepaid card that was produced prior to April 1, 2010, the effective date of the disclosure requirements described in sections 915(b)(3) and (c)(2)(B) of the Electronic Funds Transfer Act shall be January 31, 2011, provided that an issuer of such a certificate or card shall—
(A)comply with paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 915(b) of such Act;
(B)consider any such certificate or card for which funds expire to have no expiration date with respect to the underlying funds;
(C)at a consumer’s request, replace such certificate or card that has funds remaining at no cost to the consumer; and
(D)comply with the disclosure requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(2)Disclosure requirementsThe disclosure requirements of this subsection are met by providing notice to consumers, via in-store signage, messages during customer service calls, Web sites, and general advertising, that—
(A)any such certificate or card for which funds expire shall be deemed to have no expiration date with respect to the underlying funds;
(B)consumers holding such certificate or card shall have a right to a free replacement certificate or card that includes the packaging and materials, typically associated with such a certificate or card; and
(C)any dormancy fee, inactivity fee, or service fee for such certificates or cards that might otherwise be charged shall not be charged if such fees do not comply with section 915 of the Electronic Funds Transfer Act.
(3)Period for disclosure requirementsThe notice requirements in paragraph (2) of this subsection shall continue until January 31, 2013. .
 Speaker of the House of Representatives.Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.


113 SRES 203 IS: Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding efforts by the United States to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a negotiated two-state solution.
U.S. Senate
2013-07-30
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		III
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. RES. 203
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			July 30, 2013
			Mrs. Feinstein (for
			 herself, Mr. Kaine, and
			 Mr. Heinrich) submitted the following
			 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign
			 Relations

		RESOLUTION
		Expressing the sense of the Senate
		  regarding efforts by the United States to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian
		  conflict through a negotiated two-state solution.

		Whereas the special relationship between the United States
			 and Israel is rooted in shared interests and shared values of democracy, human
			 rights, and the rule of law;
		Whereas the United States has worked for decades to
			 strengthen Israel’s security through assistance and cooperation on defense and
			 intelligence matters in order to enhance the safety of Americans and
			 Israelis;
		Whereas the United States remains unwavering in its
			 commitment to help Israel address the myriad challenges our ally faces,
			 including threats from anti-Israel terrorist organizations, regional
			 instability, horrifying violence in neighboring states, and the prospect of a
			 nuclear-armed Iran;
		Whereas, the United States continues to seek a permanent,
			 two-state solution to resolve the conflict between Israel and Palestine as a
			 fundamental component of our Nation’s commitment to the security of
			 Israel;
		Whereas, for 20 years, Presidents of the United States
			 from both political parties and Israeli Prime Ministers have supported a
			 two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict;
		Whereas ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is vital
			 to the interests of all parties and to peace and stability in the Middle
			 East;
		Whereas a peace agreement that establishes a Palestinian
			 state, coexisting side-by-side with Israel in peace and security, is necessary
			 to ensure that Israel remains a Jewish, democratic state;
		Whereas, recognizing the urgency of the situation,
			 Secretary John Kerry made 6 trips to the Middle East in his first 6 months as
			 Secretary of State in an effort to resume negotiations toward a two-state
			 solution;
		Whereas, on July 29, 2013, representatives of Israel and
			 Palestine engaged in face-to-face talks in order to move toward a resumption of
			 formal negotiations on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict’s final status issues:
			 Now, therefore, be it

		That it is the sense of the Senate
			 that—
			(1)a two-state
			 solution is the only outcome to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which
			 can—
				(A)ensure the State
			 of Israel’s survival as a secure, democratic homeland for the Jewish people;
			 and
				(B)fulfill the
			 legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for a state of their
			 own;
				(2)achievement of a
			 two-state solution that would enhance stability and security in the Middle East
			 is a fundamental United States security interest;
			(3)while only Israel
			 and Palestine can make the difficult choices necessary to end their conflict,
			 the United States remains indispensable to any viable effort to achieve that
			 goal;
			(4)Secretary of
			 State John Kerry is to be commended for his tireless efforts to urgently
			 advance a negotiated two-state solution; and
			(5)the Senate
			 pledges its support for a sustained United States diplomatic initiative to help
			 Israel and Palestine conclude an agreement to end their conflict.