116 S4928 IS: Educating for Democracy Act of 2020
U.S. Senate
2020-11-30
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.

II116th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 4928IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESNovember 30, 2020Mr. Coons (for himself and Mr. Cornyn) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo authorize the Secretary of Education to make grants to support educational programs in civics and history, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Educating for Democracy Act of 2020.2.PurposesThe purposes of this Act are—(1)to support local educational agencies, elementary schools, and secondary schools in selecting and making available to all students innovative, engaging curricula and programs in civics and history that prepare them to understand American Government and engage in American democratic practices as citizens and residents of the United States;(2)to provide resources to institutions of higher education for the purposes of offering effective professional development opportunities to enable and encourage teachers to deliver instruction that engages students in learning civics and history;(3)to provide resources to nonprofit organizations that have developed, or are developing, programs in civic education that incorporate practices that are proven to be effective in engaging students, and to assist in making such curricula and programs more widely available to schools and students, particularly in rural and inner-city urban areas that have traditionally been underserved by civic learning programs;(4)to provide resources to continue and expand research into practices, methods, and approaches that are effective in instructing elementary and secondary school students in civics and history; and(5)to encourage participation in the National Assessment of Educational Progress assessments in civics and history in grades 4, 8, and 12, using a methodology sufficient to provide accurate State-level data on student proficiency in civics and history disaggregated so as to have statistical significance for every State.3.General provisions(a)In generalFrom amounts made available under section 10 the Secretary of Education is authorized to carry out the civics education grant programs described in sections 4 through 7.(b)ApplicationTo be considered for a grant under this Act, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary of Education an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.(c)Grant durationEach grant under this Act shall be awarded for a period of not less than 3 years.(d)PriorityExcept as otherwise provided in this Act, the Secretary shall prioritize the award of grants to eligible entities that demonstrate the greatest potential to—(1)improve knowledge and engagement among students traditionally underserved by comprehensive civic education and American history programs, including rural and inner-city urban students, English learners, students who have not completed high school, and other such students;(2)close gaps in civic knowledge and achievement among students of different income levels, racial and ethnic groups, and native languages;(3)improve performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress assessments in civics and history among students in grades 4, 8, and 12;(4)integrate evidence-based practices for promoting student proficiency and engagement in civics; and(5)provide cost-effective, scalable delivery of programs and services.4.Grants to States(a)Program authorizedThe Secretary of Education is authorized to make grants to States, on a competitive basis, to support educational programs in civics and history in accordance with this section.(b)Grant amountThe amount of each grant to a State under this section shall be proportional to the amount received by all local educational agencies in the State under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) for the previous fiscal year relative to the total such amount received by all local educational agencies in every State that receives a grant under this section.(c)State reservationA State that receives a grant under this section may reserve not more than 5 percent of the amount of the grant for—(1)administrative costs of carrying out the State’s responsibilities under this section; and(2)monitoring and evaluating programs and activities supported with the grant.(d)Subgrants to local educational agenciesA State that receives a grant under this section shall use not less than 95 percent of the amount of the grant to make subgrants, on a competitive or formula basis, to local educational agencies within the State to assist such agencies in carrying out programs to improve the achievement of elementary and secondary school students in the fields of civics and history.(e)Supplement not supplantA State shall use a grant under this section only to supplement the level of Federal, State, and local public funds that would, in absence of such grant, be made available for the activities supported by the grant, and not to supplant such funds.(f)Contents of applicationAs part of the application required under section 3(b), a State shall include a plan describing how the State intends to use the grant under this section. Each State plan shall include, at a minimum, the following:(1)An explanation of how the State will use the grant to supplement, and not supplant, other public funds provided for educational programs in civics and history.(2)Plans to address civics and history achievement gaps among students of different income levels, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and native languages.(3)Plans to improve civics and history achievement among traditionally underserved students, including rural and urban students and English learners.(4)Plans for making subgrants to local educational agencies as required under subsection (d), including—(A)details of how the State intends to distribute funding to local educational agencies, whether by competition or through a formula-based system;(B)how the State’s approach to distributing funds to local educational agencies will take into account requirements of paragraphs (1) through (3);(C)criteria by which local educational agencies’ applications for funding will be evaluated, including how such applications will take into account the requirements of paragraphs (1) through (3);(D)how the State will ensure that local educational agencies will use grant funds to supplement, and not supplant, other public funding for educational programs in civics and history; and(E)how the State will evaluate and hold local educational agencies accountable for improved student knowledge and achievement in civics and history.(5)An assurance that the State will participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress assessments in civics and history in grades 4, 8, and 12.(6)In the case of a State applying to renew a grant previously received under this section, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the activities carried out using the previous grant, which shall be based on the results of the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress assessment in civics and history, to the extent the results of such assessment are available at the time of the State’s application.5.Grants to nonprofit organizations(a)Program authorizedThe Secretary of Education is authorized to make grants to qualified nonprofit organizations, on a competitive basis, to assist such organizations in developing or expanding access to evidence-based curricula, instructional models, and other educational programs to enhance student knowledge and achievement in civics and history in elementary schools and secondary schools.(b)Contents of applicationAs part of the application required under section 3(b), a qualified nonprofit organization shall include a proposal that demonstrates how the activities proposed to be carried out with the grant under this section will enhance student knowledge and achievement in civics and history in elementary schools and secondary schools.(c)Priority of awardsIn awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to qualified nonprofit organizations that propose to use the grant to develop or expand access to curricula, instructional models, and other educational programs that—(1)address the learning needs of traditionally underserved students, including rural and inner-city urban students and English learners; and(2)incorporate evidence-based practices to enhance student learning and engagement in civics and history.6.Grants to institutions of higher education(a)Program authorizedThe Secretary of Education is authorized to make grants to institutions of higher education, on a competitive basis, to assist such institutions in developing and implementing programs to train elementary and secondary school teachers in methods for instructing and engaging students in civics and history.(b)Contents of applicationAs part of the application required under section 3(b), an institution of higher education shall include a proposal demonstrating that the institution—(1)has the ability to train elementary and secondary school teachers to provide comprehensive civics education;(2)is familiar with research on practices that are proven to contribute to effective instruction in civics and history and will incorporate such research into the training provided to teachers using the grant; and(3)will use the grant to make training in civics education available to elementary and secondary school teachers in the State or geographic region served by the institution.(c)Priority of awardsIn awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to institutions of higher education that propose to use the grant to carry out training programs for teachers that—(1)address the specific needs of teachers working with traditionally underserved students, including rural and inner-city urban students and English learners; and(2)incorporate evidence-based practices for improving the ability of teachers to provide effective instruction in civics and history.7.Research grants(a)Program authorizedThe Secretary of Education is authorized to make grants, on a competitive basis, to qualified researchers to research and evaluate—(1)elementary and secondary school students’ knowledge of civics and history; and(2)effective instructional practices and educator professional development in the fields of civics and history.(b)Contents of applicationAs part of the application required under section 3(b), a qualified researcher shall include a description of the project to be funded with the grant under this section. The description of the project shall include a separate section that describes how the project may directly or indirectly affect civics education generally, which may include effects such as—(1)achieving the full participation of women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities in civics and history education;(2)increasing public civic literacy and civic engagement;(3)developing a diverse educator workforce; or(4)other such effects.(c)Priority of awardsIn awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to qualified researchers who propose to carry out activities that will benefit historically underserved communities, including rural and inner-city urban communities and communities of English learners.8.National Assessment of Educational ProgressSection 303(b) of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 9622(b)) is amended—(1)in paragraph (2)—(A)by redesignating subparagraphs (D) through (H) as subparagraphs (E) through (I) respectively;(B)by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:(D)conduct a national assessment, using a methodology sufficient to provide accurate, disaggregated, statistically significant State-level data on student proficiency for every State, on student academic achievement in public and private elementary schools and secondary schools at least once every 2 years, in grades 4, 8, and 12 in civics and history;; and(C)in subparagraph (E), as so redesignated, by striking history, geography, civics and inserting geography; and(2)in paragraph (3)(A)—(A)in clause (i), by striking (2)(E) and inserting (2)(F);(B)by redesignating clauses (iii) and (iv) as clauses (iv) and (v), respectively;(C)by inserting after clause (ii) the following:(iii)shall conduct biennial State academic assessments of student achievement in civics and history in grades 4, 8, and 12, as described in paragraph (2)(D); and(D)in clause (iv), as so redesignated, by striking (2)(D) and inserting (2)(E).9.DefinitionsIn this Act:(1)The term civics, when used with respect to an educational program, means a program that addresses the following:(A)Acquisition of civic knowledge, including an understanding of the history, heritage, civic life, and civic institutions of the United States.(B)Acquisition of civic skills, such as the ability to analyze text and determine the reliability of sources and an understanding of the ways in which civic institutions operate and how individuals may be involved in civic life.(C)Acquisition of civic dispositions, values such as appreciation for free speech, civil discourse, tolerance and inclusion, and understanding perspectives that differ from one’s own as well as a disposition to be civically engaged.(D)Development of civic behaviors, including civic habits and practices such as voting, serving on juries, engagement in deliberative discussions, volunteering, attending public meetings, and other activities related to civic life.(2)The term eligible entity means—(A)with respect to grant program under section 4, a State;(B)with respect to the grant program under section 5, a qualified nonprofit organization;(C)with respect to the grant program under section 6, an institution of higher education; and(D)with respect to the grant program under section 7, a qualified researcher.(3)The term evidence-based practices means practices proven to contribute to the effectiveness of educational programs in civics, including—(A)innovative and engaging classroom instruction in civics, Government, and history;(B)service learning and student civic projects linked to classroom learning;(C)learning through participation in models and simulations of democratic processes and experiential learning;(D)guided classroom discussion of current issues and events;(E)meaningful participation in school governance; and(F)instruction in media literacy.(4)The term institution of higher education has the meaning given that term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).(5)The term National Assessment of Educational Progress means the National Assessment of Educational Progress carried out under section 303(b) of the National Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization Act (20 U.S.C. 9622(b)).(6)The term qualified nonprofit organization means an organization that—(A)is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and which is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code; and(B)has experience developing curricula, instructional models, and other educational programs for students in elementary schools and secondary schools.(7)The term qualified researcher means—(A)a nonprofit organization that has ability and capacity to carry out scientifically valid research; or(B)an individual affiliated with such an organization.(8)The terms English learner, elementary school, local educational agency, secondary school, and State have the meanings given those terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).10.Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2021 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years—(1)$600,000,000 to carry out section 4;(2)$200,000,000 to carry out section 5;(3)$150,000,000 to carry out section 6; and(4)$50,000,000 to carry out section 7.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3410
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 30, 2009
			Ms. Bean (for
			 herself, Mr. Oberstar,
			 Mrs. Biggert,
			 Mr. Roskam,
			 Ms. Berkley,
			 Mr. Bilbray,
			 Mr. Braley of Iowa,
			 Ms. DeGette,
			 Ms. Wasserman Schultz,
			 Mr. Foster,
			 Ms. Harman,
			 Mr. Kind, Mr. Manzullo, Mr.
			 Thompson of California, Mr.
			 Shimkus, Mr. Holden,
			 Mr. Visclosky, and
			 Mrs. Halvorson) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
			 Infrastructure

		A BILL
		To require Surface Transportation Board consideration of
		  the impacts of certain railroad transactions on local communities, and for
		  other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Taking Responsible Action for
			 Community Safety Act.
		2.Effect of mergers
			 on local communities and rail passenger transportationSection 11324 of title 49, United States
			 Code, is amended—
			(1)in subsection
			 (a)—
				(A)by striking the
			 last sentence and inserting The Board shall hold public hearings on the
			 proposed transaction, including public hearings in the affected communities,
			 unless the Board determines that public hearings are not necessary in the
			 public interest.;
				(2)in subsection
			 (b)—
				(A)by striking
			 which involves the merger or control of at least two Class I
			 railroads, and inserting with respect to a transaction that
			 involves at least one Class I railroad,;
				(B)by inserting the effect on the
			 public interest, including after the Board shall
			 consider;
				(C)in paragraph (2),
			 by striking on the public interest;
				(D)by striking
			 and at the end of paragraph (4);
				(E)by striking the
			 period at the end of paragraph (5) and inserting a semicolon; and
				(F)by adding at the
			 end the following new paragraphs:

						(6)the safety and
				environmental effects of the proposed transaction, including the effects on
				local communities, such as public safety, grade crossing safety, hazardous
				materials transportation safety, emergency response time, noise, and
				socioeconomic impacts; and
						(7)the effect of the
				proposed transaction on intercity rail passenger transportation and commuter
				rail passenger transportation, as defined by section 24102 of this
				title.
						;
				(3)by redesignating
			 subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f) as subsections (d), (e), (f), and (g) and
			 inserting a new subsection (c) as follows:

					(c)The Board shall approve and authorize a
				transaction under this section when it finds the transaction is consistent with
				the public interest. The Board shall not approve a transaction described in
				subsection (b) if it finds that the transaction’s impacts on safety and on all
				affected communities, as defined under subsection (b), outweigh the
				transportation benefits of the transaction. The Board may impose conditions
				governing a transaction under this section, including conditions to mitigate
				the effects of the transaction on local
				communities.
					;
			(4)in subsection (d),
			 as redesignated, by striking The Board shall approve and all
			 that follows through the transaction, including and inserting
			 The conditions the Board may impose under this section include;
			 and
			(5)in subsection (e),
			 as redesignated, by striking the merger or control of at least two Class
			 I railroads, as defined by the Board and inserting a transaction
			 described in subsection (b).
			3.Effective
			 dateThe amendments made in
			 this Act shall be applied to all transactions that have not been approved by
			 the Board as of August 1, 2008.


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

			December 8, 2006
			Ms. Snowe introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To make determinations by the United States Trade
		  Representative under title III of the Trade Act of 1974 reviewable by the Court
		  of International Trade and to ensure that the United States Trade
		  Representative considers petitions to enforce United States trade rights, and
		  for other purposes.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Trade Complaint and Litigation
			 Accountability Improvement Measures Act or the
			 Trade CLAIM
			 Act.
		2.Review of
			 determinations of the United States Trade Representative by the Court of
			 International TradeSection
			 1581 of title 28, United States Code, is amended—
			(a)in subsection
			 (i)—
				(1)in the matter
			 preceding paragraph (1), by striking subsections (a)–(h) and
			 inserting subsections (a)–(h) and (k); and
				(2)in paragraph (4),
			 by striking subsections (a)–(h) and inserting subsections
			 (a)–(h) and (k); and
				(b)by adding at the end the following:

					(k)The Court of
				International Trade shall have exclusive jurisdiction of any civil action
				commenced by a petitioner requesting that the United States Trade
				Representative take action under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
				U.S.C. 2411) to review de novo any determination or action of the United States
				Trade Representative under section 301(a), 302(a)(2), 304(a)(1),
				305(a)(2)(A)(ii), 306(b), or 307(a)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C.
				2411(a), 2412(a)(2), 2414(a)(1), 2415(a)(2)(A)(ii), 2416(b), or
				2417(a)(1)).
					.
			3.Consideration by
			 the United States Trade Representative of petitions to enforce United States
			 trade rights
			(a)Actions by
			 United States Trade RepresentativeSection 301 of the Trade Act
			 of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2411) is amended—
				(1)in subsection
			 (a)—
					(A)in paragraph (1)
			 in the flush text at the end, by striking , subject to the specific
			 direction, if any, of the President regarding any such action,;
			 and
					(B)in paragraph
			 (2)—
						(i)in
			 the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking in any case in
			 which and inserting if;
						(ii)in
			 subparagraph (A)(ii)(II), by striking ; or and inserting a
			 semicolon; and
						(iii)by striking
			 subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:

								(B)the foreign
				country has—
									(i)agreed to
				imminently eliminate the act, policy, or practice, or
									(ii)agreed to a
				solution to imminently relieve the burden or restriction on United States
				commerce resulting from the act, policy, or practice;
									(C)the Trade
				Representative finds that it is impossible for the foreign country to achieve
				the results described in subparagraph (B), but the foreign country agrees to
				provide to the United States compensatory trade benefits that are equivalent in
				value to the burden or restriction on United States commerce resulting from the
				acts, policy, or practice;
								(D)in extraordinary
				cases, the Trade Representative finds that the taking of action under this
				subsection would have an adverse impact on the United States economy
				substantially out of proportion to the benefits of such action, taking into
				account the impact of not taking such action on the credibility of the
				provisions of this chapter; or
								(E)the Trade
				Representative finds that the taking of action under this subsection would
				cause serious harm to the national security of the United
				States.
								;
				and
						(2)in subsection
			 (c)(1)(D)—
					(A)by amending
			 clauses (i) and (ii) to read as follows:

							(i)imminently
				eliminate the act, policy, or practice that is the subject of the action to be
				taken under subsection (a) or (b),
							(ii)imminently
				relieve the burden or restriction on United States commerce resulting from the
				act, policy, or practice,
							;
				and
					(B)by amending
			 subclause (I) of clause (iii) to read as follows:

							(I)are equivalent in
				value to the burden or restriction on United States commerce resulting from the
				act, policy, or practice,
				and
							.
					(b)Initiation of
			 investigationsSection 302 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C.
			 2412) is amended—
				(1)in subsection
			 (a)(2), by striking the period and inserting based on whether the
			 petitioner has alleged facts that, if assumed to be true, would meet the
			 criteria set forth in section 301(a)(1).; and
				(2)in subsection
			 (c), by striking (a) or.
				(c)ConsultationsSection
			 303 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2413) is amended—
				(1)in subsection
			 (a)(2), by striking mutually acceptable resolution and inserting
			 resolution acceptable to the Trade Representative, the foreign country,
			 and the petitioner (if any); and
				(2)in subsection
			 (b)(1)(A), by striking after consulting with and inserting
			 with the consent of.
				(d)Implementation
			 of actionsSection 305(a)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C.
			 2415(a)(1)) is amended by striking , subject to the specific direction,
			 if any, of the President regarding any such action,.
			(e)Monitoring of
			 foreign complianceSection 306(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
			 U.S.C. 2416(b)) is amended—
				(1)in paragraph (1),
			 by striking the Trade Representative considers and inserting
			 the Trade Representative or the petitioner (if any) considers;
			 and
				(2)in paragraph
			 (2)(A), by striking the Trade Representative considers and
			 inserting the Trade Representative or the petitioner (if any)
			 considers.
				(f)Modification
			 and termination of actionSection 307(a)(1) of the Trade Act of
			 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2417(a)(1)) is amended by striking , subject to the
			 specific direction, if any, of the President with respect to such
			 action,.


117 S2542 IS: American Grown Act
U.S. Senate
2021-07-29
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2542IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJuly 29, 2021Mr. Sullivan (for himself, Mr. King, Mrs. Feinstein, and Ms. Murkowski) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsA BILLTo require that certain agencies only procure cut flowers and cut greens grown in the United States, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the American Grown Act.2.Limitation on procurement(a)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Covered agencyThe term covered agency means—(A)the Executive Office of the President;(B)the Department of Defense; and(C)the Department of State.(2)Covered entityThe term covered entity means—(A)a foreign government; and(B)an agent of a foreign principal (as defined section 1 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended (22 U.S.C 611)). (3)Cut flowerThe term cut flower means a flower removed from a living plant for decorative use.(4)Cut greenThe term cut green means a green, foliage, or branch removed from a living plant for decorative use.(5)Qualifying areaThe term qualifying area means—(A)a State;(B)the District of Columbia;(C)a territory or possession of the United States; or(D)an area subject to the jurisdiction of a federally recognized Indian Tribe. (b)Requirement(1)In generalFunds appropriated or otherwise available to a covered agency may only be used for the procurement of a cut flower or cut green if the cut flower or cut green is grown in a qualifying area.(2)ApplicabilityThis subsection shall apply to a procurement made or contracted for—(A)in the United States; and(B)on or after the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.(c)Gifts for display(1)In generalA covered agency may only accept a gift of a cut flower or cut green that is not grown in a qualifying area from a covered entity for the purpose of displaying the cut flower or cut green if—(A)the origin of the cut flower or cut green is clearly displayed at the time of delivery; and(B)at the time of delivery, the covered agency procures an additional cut flower or cut green that is grown in a qualifying area to display during the period of display of the gift.(2)RequirementA covered agency that accepts a gift of a cut flower or cut green from a covered entity under paragraph (1) shall clearly display the origin of the cut flower or cut green during the period of display of the cut flower or cut green.


116 S4658 IS: Women’s Public Health and Safety Act
U.S. Senate
2020-09-23
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.

II116th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 4658IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESSeptember 23, 2020Mr. Lankford (for himself, Mr. Braun, Mr. Cramer, Mrs. Loeffler, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Risch, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Moran, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Scott of Florida, Mr. Hawley, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Thune, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Rounds) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to allow for greater State flexibility with respect to excluding providers who are involved in abortions.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Women’s Public Health and Safety Act.2.Increasing State flexibility in determining participation of providers who perform, or participate in the performance of, abortionsSection 1902 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a) is amended—(1)in subsection (a)(23), by striking subsection (g) and inserting subsections (g) and (tt),; and(2)by adding at the end the following new subsection:(tt)Rules with respect to determination of participation of providers who perform, or participate in the performance of, abortions(1)In generalSubject to paragraph (2), for purposes of this title, a State, at its option, may establish criteria with respect to the participation under the State plan (or a waiver of such plan) of an institution, an agency, an entity, or a person who performs, or participates in the performance of, abortions.(2)ExceptionParagraph (1) shall not apply to an abortion—(A)if the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest; or(B)in the case where a woman suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness that would, as certified by a physician, place the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself.(3)DefinitionsFor purposes of this subsection, the terms institution, agency, or entity mean the entire legal institution, agency, or entity, or any part thereof, including any institution, agency, or entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such institution, agency, or entity..


117 S655 IS: Ending Natural Gas Companies' Seizure of Land for Export Profits Act
U.S. Senate
2021-03-10
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 655IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 10, 2021Mr. Merkley (for himself and Mr. Wyden) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationA BILLTo amend the Natural Gas Act to provide that the United States district courts shall not have jurisdiction to condemn property in which a State holds any interest, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Ending Natural Gas Companies' Seizure of Land for Export Profits Act.2.Jurisdiction of United States district courts over certain eminent domain proceedingsSection 7(h) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717f(h)) is amended—(1)in the second sentence—(A)by striking situated: Provided, That the and inserting the following: “situated.(3)Jurisdiction of United States district courts(A)In generalThe; and(B)by striking The practice and inserting the following:(2)Practice and procedureThe practice;(2)in the first sentence, by striking (h) When any holder and inserting the following:(h)Eminent domain(1)In generalWhen any holder; and(3)by adding at the end the following:(B)State propertyThe United States district courts shall not have jurisdiction to condemn property in which a State owns any interest..3.Prohibition on the use of eminent domain for exportsSection 7(h) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717f(h)) (as amended by section 2) is amended by adding at the end the following:(4)Limitation on use of eminent domain for exportsA holder of a certificate of public convenience and necessity may not exercise the right of eminent domain under this subsection if the project covered by the certificate is a project to be constructed substantially for the purpose of transporting natural gas to an LNG terminal or to other pipelines for export from the United States to a foreign country..


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5395
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			May 7, 2012
			Mr. Graves of
			 Missouri introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To extend the temporary suspension of duty on
		  E-5-(4-Chlorobenzylidene)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-
		  1-ylmethyl)cyclopentanol.

		1.E-5-(4-Chlorobenzylidene)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-
			 1-ylmethyl)cyclopentanol
			(a)In
			 generalHeading 9902.03.99 of
			 the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (relating to
			 E-5-(4-Chlorobenzylidene)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-
			 1-ylmethyl)cyclopentanol) is amended by striking the date in the effective
			 period column and inserting 12/31/2015.
			(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by subsection (a) applies to goods
			 entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the 15th day
			 after the date of the enactment of this Act.


IV
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. CON. RES. 497
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 23, 2004
Mr. Price of North Carolina submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Supporting the designation, during spring 2005, of National Horticultural Therapy Week in order to improve the quality of life for all and increase opportunities for each individual to positively connect with the natural world.

Whereas horticultural therapy is the time-proven practice of using the therapeutic benefits of working in a peaceful garden environment and raising plants to improve the quality of life and to speed rehabilitation;
Whereas horticultural therapy is practiced through vocational, therapeutic, and social programs, and successfully enables and empowers individuals to achieve their maximum independence in settings such as hospitals, correctional facilities, public schools, senior centers, and community gardens;
Whereas horticultural therapy gained prominence in the United States in rehabilitating wounded World War II veterans through the assistance of volunteers and trained professionals, and continues today in veterans’ hospitals across the country;
Whereas horticultural therapy brings dignity and enhanced skills by allowing individuals to grow and function to the best of their abilities, and helps individuals such as those recovering from illness or injury, the elderly, socially disadvantaged individuals, and individuals with disabilities;
Whereas awareness and growth of the profession of horticultural therapy is being realized through increased education opportunities, beginning with the first Master of Science degree in horticultural therapy, awarded by Michigan State University in 1955, and continuing across the country in universities, colleges, community colleges, and through horticultural therapy certificate programs;
Whereas the American Horticultural Therapy Association provides opportunities for horticultural therapy professionals to share research, professional standards, and best practices, as well as for the public to obtain information and resources;
Whereas horticultural therapy was practiced by Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence;
Whereas horticultural therapy is beneficial for people of all ages and all walks of life, providing benefits directly through formal programs with trained horticultural therapy professionals, and providing benefits indirectly through encouraging the designation of National Forest System lands and the creation of public gardens and community gardens, and through encouraging the enjoyment of even the smallest backyard garden; and
Whereas the designation of a National Horticultural Therapy Week would assist in increasing awareness of horticultural therapy and related matters: Now, therefore, be it

That the Congress—
(1)supports the designation, during spring 2005, of National Horticultural Therapy Week in order to improve the quality of life for all and increase opportunities for each individual to positively connect with the natural world; and
(2)urges Federal and State governmental entities and the people of the United States to observe such Week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.


113 HR 2623 IH: To amend title 40, United States Code, to require public notice of excess real property, and for other purposes.
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-07-08
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2623
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 8, 2013
			Ms. Norton introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Oversight and Government
			 Reform

		A BILL
		To amend title 40, United States Code, to require public
		  notice of excess real property, and for other purposes.

		1.Public notice of excess real
			 property
			(a)In
			 generalSection 524 of title
			 40, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

					(c)Public notice of
				excess real property
						(1)In
				generalAs soon as practicable after receiving a report of excess
				real property under subsection (a)(3), the Administrator shall provide public
				notice of the property through publication in the Federal Register.
						(2)WaiversThe
				Administrator may waive the requirement of paragraph (1) if the Administrator
				determines that the waiver is necessary for reasons of national
				security.
						.
			(b)ApplicabilityThe
			 amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to excess real property reported
			 by an executive agency to the Administrator of General Services after the date
			 of enactment of this Act.


110 HR 1848 IH: To amend title 5, United States Code, to exempt certain

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-03-29
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1848
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 29, 2007
			Mr. Van Hollen
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Oversight and Government
			 Reform, and in addition to the Committee on
			 House Administration, for
			 a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
			 consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
			 committee concerned

		A BILL
		To amend title 5, United States Code, to exempt certain
		  individuals under the Civil Service Retirement System from the requirement to
		  pay interest on the repayment of amounts received as refunds of retirement
		  contributions as a condition of receiving credit under such System for the
		  service covered by the refund.

		1.Short TitleThis Act may be cited as the CSRS
			 Retirement Repayment Technical Correction Act of 2007.
		2.Exemption of
			 Certain Individuals From Requirement to Pay Interest on Repayment of Retirement
			 Contribution Refunds Under CSRS
			(a)In
			 GeneralSection 8334(d)(1) of title 5, United States Code, is
			 amended by striking with interest and inserting the following:
			 with interest, except that an employee or Member who received a refund
			 during the period beginning on October 1, 1990, and ending on February 28,
			 1991, may deposit the amount received without interest.
			(b)Effective
			 DateThe amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect as if
			 included in the enactment of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990
			 (Public Law 101–508).


116 HJ 65 IH: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States giving Congress power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-06-13
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.

IA116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. J. RES. 65IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 13, 2019Mr. Womack (for himself, Mr. Banks, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Fortenberry, Mr. Johnson of Louisiana, Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania, Mr. Latta, Mrs. Lesko, Mr. Mooney of West Virginia, Mr. Newhouse, Mr. Olson, Mr. Palazzo, Mr. David P. Roe of Tennessee, and Mr. Rouzer) submitted the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryJOINT RESOLUTIONProposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States giving Congress power to prohibit
			 the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.

 That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification:

				 —
 The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.
					.


114 SRES 365 ATS: Designating February 2016 as “American Heart Month” and February 5, 2016, as “National Wear Red Day”.
U.S. Senate
2016-02-08
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

III114th CONGRESS2d SessionS. RES. 365IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 8, 2016Ms. Hirono (for herself, Ms. Baldwin, Mrs. Feinstein, Ms. Heitkamp, Ms. Warren, Ms. Klobuchar, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. Capito, Ms. Ayotte, Ms. Cantwell, Mrs. Boxer, Mrs. Fischer, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Stabenow, Ms. Collins, Mr. Durbin, and Ms. Mikulski) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsFebruary 29, 2016Committee discharged; considered and agreed toRESOLUTIONDesignating February 2016 as American Heart Month and February 5, 2016, as National Wear Red Day.

 Whereas heart disease affects men, women, and children of every age and race in the United States; Whereas, between 2003 and 2013, the death rate from heart disease fell nearly 40 percent, but heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States, taking the lives of approximately 370,000 individuals in the United States and accounting for 1 in 7 deaths nationwide;
 Whereas congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect in the United States, as well as the leading killer of infants with birth defects;
 Whereas, every year, an estimated 750,000 individuals in the United States have a heart attack, of which an estimated 116,000 individuals die;
 Whereas cardiovascular disease and stroke account for $316,000,000,000 in health care expenditures and lost productivity annually;
 Whereas cardiovascular disease and stroke will account for $1,393,000,000,000 in health care expenditures and lost productivity annually by 2030;
 Whereas individuals in the United States have made great progress in reducing the death rate for coronary heart disease, but this progress has been more modest with respect to the death rate for coronary heart disease for women and minorities;
 Whereas many people do not recognize that heart disease is the number 1 killer of women in the United States, taking the lives of 287,220 women in 2012;
 Whereas nearly 2/3 of women who unexpectedly die of heart disease have no previous symptoms of disease;
 Whereas nearly 1/2 of all African-American adults have some form of cardiovascular disease, including 48 percent of African-American women and 46 percent of African-American men;
 Whereas many minority women, including African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American, and Native-American women and women from indigenous populations, have a greater prevalence of risk factors or are at a higher risk of death from heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases, but such women are less likely to know of the risk;
 Whereas, between 1965 and 2016, treatment of cardiovascular disease for women has largely been based on medical research on men;
 Whereas, due to the differences in heart disease between males and females, more research and data on the effects of heart disease treatments for women is vital;
 Whereas extensive clinical and statistical studies have identified major and contributing factors that increase the risk of heart disease, including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, smoking tobacco products, exposure to tobacco smoke, physical inactivity, obesity, and diabetes mellitus;
 Whereas an individual can greatly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease through lifestyle modification coupled with medical treatment when necessary;
 Whereas greater awareness and early detection of risk factors of heart disease can improve and save the lives of thousands of individuals in the United States each year;
 Whereas under the Joint Resolution entitled Joint Resolution to provide for the designation of the month of February in each year as American Heart Month, approved December 30, 1963 (36 U.S.C. 101), Congress requested that the President issue an annual proclamation designating February as American Heart Month;
 Whereas the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, and many other organizations celebrate National Wear Red Day during February by going red to increase awareness about heart disease as the leading killer of women; and
 Whereas, every year since 1964, the President has issued a proclamation designating the month of February as American Heart Month: Now, therefore, be it

 That the Senate— (1)supports the goals and ideals of American Heart Month and National Wear Red Day;
 (2)recognizes and reaffirms the commitment in the United States to fighting heart disease and stroke by—
 (A)promoting awareness about the causes, risks, and prevention of heart disease and stroke; (B)supporting research on heart disease and stroke; and
 (C)expanding access to medical treatment; (3)commends the efforts of States, territories and possessions of the United States, localities, nonprofit organizations, businesses and other entities, and the people of the United States who support American Heart Month and National Wear Red Day; and
 (4)encourages every individual in the United States to learn about the risk of the individual for heart disease.


114 SRES 197 ATS: Recognizing the need to improve physical access to many federally funded facilities for all people of the United States, particularly people with disabilities.
U.S. Senate

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

		III
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. RES. 197
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			June 9, 2015
			Mr. Blumenthal (for himself, Ms. Ayotte, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Schatz) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

		RESOLUTION
		Recognizing the need to improve physical access to many federally funded facilities for all people
			 of the United States, particularly people with disabilities.

 Whereas, in 2012, nearly 20 percent of the civilian population in the United States reported having a disability;
 Whereas, in 2012, 16 percent of veterans, amounting to more than 3,500,000 people, received service-related disability benefits;
 Whereas, in 2011, the percentage of working-age people in the United States who reported having a work limitation due to a disability was 7 percent, which is a 20-year high;
 Whereas the Act entitled An Act to insure that certain buildings financed with Federal funds are so designed and constructed as to be accessible to the physically handicapped, approved August 12, 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) (referred to in this preamble as the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968), was enacted to ensure that certain federally funded facilities are designed and constructed to be accessible to people with disabilities and requires that physically handicapped people have ready access to, and use of, post offices and other Federal facilities;
 Whereas automatic doors, though not mandated by either the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), provide a greater degree of self-sufficiency and dignity for people with disabilities and the elderly, who may have limited strength to open a manually operated door;
 Whereas a report commissioned by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (referred to in this preamble as the Access Board), an independent Federal agency created to ensure access to federally funded facilities for people with disabilities, recommends that all new buildings for use by the public should have at least one automated door at an accessible entrance, except for small buildings where adding such doors may be a financial hardship for the owners of the buildings;
 Whereas States and municipalities have begun to recognize the importance of automatic doors in improving accessibility;
 Whereas the laws of the State of Connecticut require automatic doors in certain shopping malls and retail businesses, the laws of the State of Delaware require automatic doors or calling devices for newly constructed places of accommodation, and the laws of the District of Columbia have a similar requirement;
 Whereas the Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service, published by the General Services Administration, requires automation of at least one exterior door for all newly constructed or renovated facilities managed by the General Services Administration, including post offices;
 Whereas from 2006 to 2011, 71 percent of the complaints received by the Access Board regarding the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 concerned a post office or other facility of the United States Postal Service;
 Whereas the United States Postal Service employs approximately 522,000 people, making it the second-largest civilian employer in the United States;
 Whereas approximately 3,200,000 people visit 1 of the 31,857 post offices in the United States each day; and
 Whereas the United States was founded on principles of equality and freedom, and these principles require that all people, including people with disabilities, are able to engage as equal members of society: Now, therefore, be it

 That the Senate— (1)recognizes the immense hardships that people with disabilities in the United States must overcome every day;
 (2)reaffirms its support of the Act entitled An Act to insure that certain buildings financed with Federal funds are so designed and constructed as to be accessible to the physically handicapped, approved August 12, 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.), commonly known as the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), and encourages full compliance with such Acts;
 (3)recommends that the United States Postal Service and Federal agencies install power-assisted doors at post offices and other federally funded facilities, respectively, to ensure equal access for all people of the United States; and
 (4)pledges to continue to work to identify and remove the barriers that prevent all people of the United States from having equal access to the services provided by the Federal Government.


IV
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1161
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

May 27, 2010

RESOLUTION
Honoring the Centennial Celebration of Women at Marquette University, the first Catholic university in the world to offer co-education as part of its regular undergraduate program.

Whereas Marquette University was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1881 as a Catholic, Jesuit educational institution;
Whereas Marquette University was created to educate first-generation and low-income students under the premise that all people should be able to pursue higher education;
Whereas Marquette University was the first Catholic university in the world to admit women to be educated alongside men in its regular undergraduate programs in 1909;
Whereas because of the courageous vision of its then-president, the Rev. James McCabe, S.J. Marquette University pioneered the inclusion of women;
Whereas today, 53 percent of Marquette University students, 7 of the 33 members of the board of trustees, and 12 of the 27 members of the university leadership council are women;
Whereas Marquette University is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the admission of women during the 2009–2010 academic year through an alumnae memory project, guest speakers and lectures, commemorative publications, and faculty, staff, student, and alumni events;
Whereas Marquette University continued to expand access to education in 1969 by creation of the Educational Opportunity Program, which enables low-income and first-generation students to enter and succeed in higher education;
Whereas Marquette University is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Educational Opportunity Program, which now serves more than 500 high school and college students annually through 4 Federally funded TRIO programs;
Whereas the Educational Opportunity Program continues Marquette University’s tradition of serving as a model of success for more than 1,200 colleges and universities with Federally funded TRIO programs;
Whereas Marquette University’s continued focus on its 4 core values of excellence, faith, leadership, and service challenges students to integrate knowledge, faith, and real-life choices in ways that will shape their lives and those of others in order to better society;
Whereas Marquette University recognizes and cherishes the dignity of each individual regardless of age, culture, faith, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, language, disability, or social class; and
Whereas Marquette University continues to adhere to its tenet of asking who has yet to gain access to higher education and who needs support in succeeding once through the door: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives honors the Centennial Celebration of Women at Marquette University and commends the largest independent institution in Wisconsin for continuing to fulfill its Catholic, Jesuit mission of offering premier higher educational opportunities to all students who have a desire to learn.

Lorraine C. Miller,Clerk.


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 2042
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			September 12, 2007
			Ms. Stabenow (for
			 herself, Mr. Isakson,
			 Mr. Warner, and Mr. Whitehouse) introduced the following bill; which
			 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
			 Pensions

		A BILL
		To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services
		  to conduct activities to rapidly advance treatments for spinal muscular
		  atrophy, neuromuscular disease, and other pediatric diseases, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 SMA Treatment Acceleration
			 Act.
		2.FindingsThe Congress makes the following
			 findings:
			(1)Spinal muscular
			 atrophy (SMA) is the number one genetic killer of children under the age of
			 2.
			(2)SMA is an
			 inherited and often fatal disease that destroys the nerves controlling
			 voluntary muscle movement, which affects crawling, walking, head and neck
			 control, and even swallowing.
			(3)It is estimated
			 that SMA occurs in nearly 1 of every 6,000 births and is therefore similar in
			 incidence and severity to other well-known genetic diseases such as cystic
			 fibrosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, both of which may also benefit from
			 additional focus and progress on SMA.
			(4)SMA is caused by
			 the mutation of a single gene. This is extremely advantageous for genetic
			 screening and therapeutic development. The gene mutation that causes SMA is
			 carried by one in every 40 people, or approximately 7,500,000 Americans. Each
			 child of 2 carriers of the mutant gene has a 1 in 4 chance of developing
			 SMA.
			(5)The discovery of
			 the gene responsible for the disease, SMN1, as well as a disease modifying
			 back-up SMN2 gene has opened the door to new SMA treatments.
			 Modulating genes exist not only for SMA but also for other genetic disorders,
			 including Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s disease.
			 The modulation of these genes might be expected to impact these disorders.
			 Success with SMN2 induction for SMA will serve as an important proof of
			 principle and impetus for ongoing research in these other conditions.
			(6)Based on the
			 advanced genetic understanding of SMA, the disease was selected by the National
			 Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders
			 and Stroke (NINDS) as the prototype for the National Institutes of Health’s
			 accelerated drug discovery effort.
			(7)In
			 2003, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
			 established the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Project: A Collaborative Program to
			 Accelerate Therapeutics Development for SMA. The SMA Project’s unique
			 collaborative process between private, public, and non-profit partners provides
			 a model translational research program that can be replicated to accelerate the
			 development of safe and effective treatments for a wide variety of
			 disorders.
			(8)National
			 non-profit organizations dedicated to finding a treatment and cure for SMA
			 continue to provide substantial private funding and are collaborating with
			 private biotechnology companies, large pharmaceutical companies, and clinical
			 investigators to identify new drug compounds and facilitate the rapid
			 translation of promising new therapies to individuals with SMA. The
			 aforementioned investment by national non-profit organizations towards finding
			 a treatment and cure for SMA is approximately equal, on an annual basis, to the
			 resources committed by the Federal Government.
			(9)A
			 Food and Drug Administration-approved SMA animal model exists that closely
			 mimics the human disease. A number of therapeutics have been identified which
			 are effective in animal models of spinal muscular atrophy.
			(10)There is an
			 urgent need to provide Federal support enabling investigators to mount national
			 clinical trials to demonstrate that these treatments are safe and effective for
			 SMA patients.
			(11)The establishment
			 and support of a national clinical trials network and a data coordinating
			 center will promote rigorous patient evaluation using common protocols and
			 allow investigators to study large numbers of patients to provide answers more
			 rapidly than individual sites acting alone.
			(12)There is a
			 demonstrated need for greater interagency coordination on SMA research and
			 involvement by additional government partners to support the ongoing work of
			 NINDS on the SMA Project as well the work of private SMA voluntary
			 organizations, including most notably the need for active engagement by the
			 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), along with
			 support from the National Center for Research Resources, the Centers for
			 Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the
			 Health Resources and Services Administration
			(13)Educating the
			 public and health care community throughout the country about this devastating
			 disease is of paramount importance and is in every respect in the public
			 interest and to the benefit of all communities. Furthermore, greater awareness
			 of SMA may lead to the identification of pre-symptomatic SMA-afflicted
			 children, which has significant benefits relative to clinical trials and the
			 search for a treatment and cure.
			3.Clinical Trials
			 Network for spinal muscular atrophy
			(a)Clinical trials
			 networkThe Director of NIH, in coordination with the Directors
			 of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the National
			 Institute of Child Health and Human Development, shall provide for the
			 upgrading and unification of existing SMA clinical trial sites to establish a
			 national clinical trials network for SMA. The Director of NIH shall ensure that
			 such network—
				(1)conducts
			 coordinated, multisite, clinical trials of pharmacological approaches to the
			 treatment of SMA; and
				(2)rapidly and
			 efficiently disseminates scientific findings to the field.
				(b)Data
			 coordinating centerThe Director of NIH, in coordination with the
			 Directors of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and
			 the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, shall establish a
			 data coordinating center with respect to SMA to—
				(1)provide expert
			 assistance in the design, conduct, data analysis, and data management of
			 collaborative clinical and descriptive research projects;
				(2)provide
			 appropriate and capable leadership and expertise in biostatistics,
			 developmental study design, data management, data analysis, and project
			 management, including staff and site training and quality assurance
			 procedures;
				(3)provide research
			 support activities in designing data collection modules, operational and
			 procedure manuals, quality control systems, and a communications system for
			 clinical site principal investigators, research coordinators, and other network
			 staff;
				(4)organize and
			 conduct multi-site monitoring activities; and
				(5)provide regular reports to the National
			 Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the National Institute of
			 Child Health and Human Development on enrollment and the allocation of
			 resources.
				(c)Pre-clinical
			 activitiesThe Director of NIH, in coordination with the
			 Directors of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and
			 the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, shall expand and
			 intensify programs of such Institutes with respect to pre-clinical translation
			 research and medicinal chemistry related to SMA.
			4.National Patient
			 Registry
			(a)In
			 generalThe Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting
			 through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall
			 enhance and provide ongoing support to the existing SMA patient registry to
			 provide for expanded research on the epidemiology of SMA.
			(b)Longitudinal
			 dataIn carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure
			 the collection and analysis of longitudinal data related to individuals of all
			 ages with SMA, including infants, young children, adolescents, and adults of
			 all ages.
			5.NIH Coordinating
			 Committee on SMA
			(a)Coordinating
			 committee
				(1)In
			 generalThe Secretary shall establish the Spinal Muscular Atrophy
			 Coordinating Committee to coordinate activities across the National Institutes
			 of Health and with other Federal health programs and activities relating to
			 SMA.
				(2)CompositionThe
			 Coordinating Committee shall consist of not more than 15 members to be
			 appointed by the Secretary, of which—
					(A)2/3 of such
			 members shall represent governmental agencies, including—
						(i)the
			 Directors (or their designees) of the National Institute of Neurological
			 Disorders and Stroke, the National Institute of Child Health and Human
			 Development, other national research institutes involved in research with
			 respect to SMA, and the National Center for Research Resources;
						(ii)representatives
			 of all other Federal departments, agencies, and advisory committees whose
			 programs involve health functions or responsibilities relevant to SMA,
			 including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources
			 and Services Administration, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Advisory
			 Committee on Heritable Disorders and Genetic Diseases in Newborns and Children;
			 and
						(iii)representatives
			 of other governmental agencies that serve children with SMA, such as the
			 Department of Education; and
						(B)1/3 of such
			 members shall be public members, including a broad cross section of persons
			 affected with SMA, including parents or legal guardians, affected individuals,
			 researchers, and clinicians.
					(3)TermMembers
			 of the Coordinating Committee appointed under paragraph (2)(B) shall be
			 appointed for a term of 3 years, and may serve for an unlimited number of terms
			 if reappointed.
				(4)Chair
					(A)In
			 generalWith respect to SMA, the Chair of the Coordinating
			 Committee shall serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary, the Assistant
			 Secretary for Health, and the Director of NIH, and shall provide advice to the
			 Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Commissioner of
			 Food and Drugs, and to the heads of other relevant agencies.
					(B)AppointmentThe
			 Secretary shall appoint the Chair of the Coordinating Committee from among
			 individuals nominated by the Coordinating Committee. The Chair shall be
			 appointed for a term not to exceed 2 years and may be reappointed for not more
			 than 1 additional term.
					(5)Administrative
			 support; terms of service; other provisionsThe following shall
			 apply with respect to the Coordinating Committee:
					(A)The Secretary shall
			 provide the Coordinating Committee with necessary and appropriate
			 administrative support.
					(B)The Coordinating
			 Committee shall meet as determined appropriate by the Secretary, in
			 consultation with the Chair of the Coordinating Committee, but not less than
			 twice each year.
					(b)Study on
			 barriers to drug development
				(1)StudyThe
			 Coordinating Committee shall conduct a study to identify current and potential
			 future barriers to the development of drugs for treating SMA and other similar
			 genetic disorders. Such study shall—
					(A)identify barriers
			 related to the activities of government, industry, and academic
			 medicine;
					(B)include
			 substantial input from scientists, patient advocacy groups, and other
			 organizations with direct involvement in SMA research and drug development;
			 and
					(C)consider obstacles
			 to drug development at all points along the research continuum from preclinical
			 research to new drug approval.
					(2)Report to
			 congressNot later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of
			 this Act, the Coordinating Committee shall submit to the Congress a report on
			 the results of the study described in paragraph (1) together with such
			 recommendations for legislation or administrative action as the Coordinating
			 Committee determines appropriate.
				6.NIH
			 Trans-Institute Collaboration on SMA Research
			(a)In
			 generalTo ensure the success
			 of the SMA Project that was initiated and has been led by National Institute of
			 Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the Director of NIH shall establish a
			 trans-National Institutes of Health cooperative research initiative on
			 SMA.
			(b)DutiesThe
			 cooperative research initiative established under subsection (a) shall consist
			 of the following activities:
				(1)The Director of the National Institute of
			 Neurological Disorders and Stroke shall report to the Director of NIH on the
			 ongoing needs of the SMA Project and required next steps to ensure the
			 continued success of the Project.
				(2)Based on the needs
			 of the SMA Project identified in the report required by paragraph (1), the
			 Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development shall
			 provide direct and ongoing support of SMA research and drug development.
				(3)The Director of
			 NIH shall identify and promote opportunities for greater collaboration and
			 involvement in SMA research and drug development by other national research
			 institutes.
				7.Drug development
			 promotionNot later than 6
			 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in direct
			 consultation with the Commissioner of Food and Drugs and the Coordinating
			 Committee, shall submit specific recommendations to Congress to improve and
			 expand on the incentives provided pursuant to the Orphan Drug Act (Public Law
			 97–414) and related statutes to directly and in-directly promote SMA drug
			 development, such as through the creation of unique incentives for treatments
			 of rare pediatric diseases.
		8.Education and
			 awareness on SMA for health care professionals
			(a)In
			 generalThe Secretary shall establish and implement a program to
			 provide information and education on SMA to health professionals and the
			 general public, including information and education on advances in the
			 diagnosis and treatment of SMA and training and continuing education through
			 programs for scientists, physicians, medical students, and other health
			 professionals who provide care for patients with SMA.
			(b)StipendsThe
			 Secretary may award stipends to health professionals who are enrolled in
			 training programs under this section.
			9.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)The term
			 Director of NIH means the Director of the National Institutes of
			 Health.
			(2)The term Coordinating
			 Committee means the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Coordinating
			 Committee.
			(3)The term
			 Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
			(4)The term SMA means spinal
			 muscular atrophy.
			10.Authorization
			 of appropriationsThere is
			 authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary in each fiscal year
			 to carry out this Act.


116 HR 6860 IH: Aid and Attendance Support Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-05-14
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 6860IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 14, 2020Mr. Allred introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the amount of certain payments during the emergency period resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Aid and Attendance Support Act. 2.Increase of amount of certain Department of Veterans Affairs payments during emergency period resulting from COVID-19 pandemic(a)In generalDuring the covered period, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall apply each of the following provisions of title 38, United States Code, by substituting for each of the dollar amounts in such provision the amount equal to 125 percent of the dollar amount that was in effect under such provision on the date of the enactment of this Act:(1)Subsections (l), (m), (r), and (t) of section 1114.(2)Paragraph (1)(E) of section 1115.(3)Subsection (c) of section 1311.(4)Subsection (g) of section 1315.(5)Paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (d) of section 1521.(6)Paragraphs (2) and (4) of subsection (f) of section 1521.(b)Treatment of amountsAny amount payable to an individual under subsection (a) in excess of the amount otherwise in effect shall be in addition to any other benefit or any other amount payable to that individual under any provision of law referred to in subsection (a) or any other provision of law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.(c)Covered periodIn this section, the covered period is the period that begins on the date of the enactment of this Act and ends 60 days after the last day of the emergency period (as defined in section 1135(g)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b–5(g)(1))) resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.


116 S4327 IS: Taiwan Fellowship Act
U.S. Senate
2020-07-27
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.

II116th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 4327IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJuly 27, 2020Mr. Rubio (for Mr. Markey for himself and Mr. Rubio)) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign RelationsA BILLTo establish the Taiwan Fellowship Program, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Taiwan Fellowship Act.2.Findings; purposes(a)FindingsCongress finds the following:(1)The Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96–8; 22 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.) affirmed United States policy to preserve and promote extensive, close, and friendly commercial, cultural, and other relations between the people of the United States and the people on Taiwan, as well as the people on the China mainland and all other peoples of the Western Pacific area.(2)Consistent with the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–409), the United States has grown its strategic partnership with Taiwan’s vibrant democracy of 23,000,000 people.(3)Despite a concerted campaign by the People’s Republic of China to isolate Taiwan from its diplomatic partners and from international organizations, including the World Health Organization, Taiwan has emerged as a global leader in the coronavirus global pandemic response, including by donating more than 2,000,000 surgical masks and other medical equipment to the United States.(4)The creation of a United States fellowship program with Taiwan would support a key priority of expanding people-to-people exchanges, which was outlined in the President’s 2017 National Security Strategy.(b)PurposesThe purposes of this Act are—(1)to further strengthen the United States-Taiwan strategic partnership and broaden understanding of the Indo-Pacific region by temporarily assigning officials of any branch of the United States Government to Taiwan for intensive study in Mandarin and placement as Fellows with Taiwan authorities or a Taiwanese civic institution;(2)to provide for eligible United States personnel to learn Mandarin Chinese and expand their understanding of the political economy of Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region;(3)to better position the United States to advance its economic, security, and human rights interests in the Indo-Pacific region; and(4)to encourage further expansion of other people-to-people exchanges, including by expanding the Fulbright Scholars Program, the International Visitors Leadership Program, and other exchange programs that permit the people of Taiwan to work and study in the United States. 3.DefinitionsIn this Act:(1)Agency headThe term agency head means—(A)in the case of the executive branch of United States Government or an agency of the legislative branch other than the Senate or the House of Representatives, the head of the respective agency;(B)in the case of the judicial branch of United States Government, the chief judge of the respective court;(C)in the case of the Senate, the President pro tempore, in consultation with the majority leader and the minority leader of the Senate; and(D)in the case of the House of Representatives, the Speaker of the House, in consultation with the majority leader and the minority leader of the House of Representatives.(2)Agency of the united states governmentThe term agency of the United States Government includes any agency of the legislative branch and any court of the judicial branch as well as any agency of the executive branch.(3)Appropriate congressional committeesThe term appropriate congressional committees means—(A)the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; (B)the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;(C)the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and(D)the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.(4)DetaileeThe term detailee means an employee of an agency of the United States Government on loan to the American Institute in Taiwan without a change of position from the agency at which he or she is employed. (5)Implementing partnerThe term implementing partner means any United States organization described in 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that—(A)performs logistical, administrative, and other functions, as determined by the Department of State and the American Institute of Taiwan in support of the Taiwan Fellowship Program; and(B)enters into a cooperative agreement with the American Institute in Taiwan to administer the Taiwan Fellowship Program.4.Establishment of Taiwan Fellowship Program(a)EstablishmentThe Secretary of State shall establish the Taiwan Fellowship Program to provide 2-year fellowship opportunities in Taiwan for eligible United States citizens. The Department of State, in consultation with the American Institute in Taiwan and the implementing partner, may modify the program name.(b)Grants(1)In generalThe American Institute in Taiwan should use amounts appropriated pursuant to section 7(a) to provide annual or multi-year grants to an appropriate implementing partner.(2)FellowshipsThe Department of State, in consultation with the American Institute in Taiwan and, as appropriate, the implementing partner, should annually award not fewer than 10 2-year fellowships (based on available funding) to eligible United States citizens. (c)International agreement; implementing partnerNot later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the American Institute in Taiwan, in consultation with the Department of State, should—(1)begin negotiations with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, or with another appropriate entity, for the purpose of entering into an agreement to facilitate the placement of fellows in an agency of the Taiwan authorities during the second year of their fellowships; and(2)begin the process of selecting an implementing partner, which—(A)shall agree to meet all of the legal requirements required to operate in Taiwan; and (B)shall be composed of staff who demonstrate significant experience managing exchange programs in the Indo-Pacific region.(d)Curriculum(1)First yearDuring the first year of each fellowship under this section, each fellow should study—(A)the Mandarin Chinese language;(B)the people, history, and political climate on Taiwan; and(C)the issues affecting the relationship between the United States and the Indo-Pacific region.(2)Second yearDuring the second year of each fellowship under this section, each fellow, subject to the approval of the Department of State, the American Institute in Taiwan, and the implementing partner, and in accordance with the purposes of this Act, shall work in— (A)a parliamentary office, ministry, or other agency of Taiwan authorities; or(B)an organization outside of Taiwan authorities, whose interests are associated with the interests of the fellow and the agency of the United States Government from which the fellow had been employed.(e)Pilot programNotwithstanding any requirement under this section, during fiscal years 2021 and 2022, the Secretary of State may select fewer than 10 fellows for placement in a parliamentary office, ministry, or other agency of Taiwan authorities for a period shorter than 1 year. 5.Program requirements(a)Eligibility requirementsA United States citizen is eligible for a fellowship under section 4 if he or she—(1)is an employee of the United States Government;(2)has at least 2 years of experience in any branch of the United States Government;(3)has a demonstrated professional or educational background in the relationship between the United States and countries in the Indo-Pacific region;(4)has demonstrated his or her commitment to further service in the United States Government; and (5)meets any other qualifications established by the Department of State, the American Institute in Taiwan and, as appropriate, its implementing partner.(b)Responsibilities of fellowsEach recipient of a fellowship under this Act shall agree, as a condition of such fellowship—(1)to maintain satisfactory progress in language training and appropriate behavior in Taiwan, as determined by the Department of State, the American Institute in Taiwan and, as appropriate, its implementing partner;(2)to refrain from engaging in any intelligence or intelligence-related activity on behalf of the United States Government; and(3)to continue Federal Government employment for a period of not less than 4 years after the conclusion of the fellowship.(c)Responsibilities of implementing partner(1)Selection of fellowsThe implementing partner, in close coordination with the Department of State and the American Institute in Taiwan, shall—(A) make efforts to recruit fellowship candidates who reflect the diversity of the United States; and(B)select fellows for the Taiwan Fellowship Program based solely on merit, with appropriate supervision from the Department of State and the American Institute in Taiwan. (2)First yearThe implementing partner should provide each fellow in the first year of his or her fellowship with—(A)intensive Mandarin Chinese language training; and(B)courses in the political economy of Taiwan, China, and the broader Indo-Pacific.(3)Waiver of required trainingThe Department of State, in coordination with the American Institute in Taiwan and, as appropriate, the implementing partner, may waive any of the training required under paragraph (1) to the extent that a fellow has Mandarin language skills, knowledge of the topic described in paragraph (2)(B), or for other reasons approved by the Department of State and the American Institute in Taiwan. If any of the training requirement is waived for a fellow, the first year of his or her fellowship may be shortened to the extent appropriate.(4)Office; staffingThe implementing partner, in consultation with the Department of State and the American Institute in Taiwan, shall maintain an office and at least 1 full-time staff member in Taiwan—(A)to liaise with the American Institute in Taiwan and Taiwan authorities; and (B)to serve as the primary in-country point of contact for the recipients of fellowships under this Act and their dependents. (5)Other functionsThe implementing partner shall perform other functions in association in support of the Taiwan Fellowship Program, including logistical and administrative functions, as prescribed by the Department of State and the American Institute in Taiwan. (d)Noncompliance(1)In generalAny fellow who fails to comply with the requirements under this section shall reimburse the American Institute in Taiwan for—(A)the Federal funds expended for the fellow’s participation in the fellowship, as set forth in paragraphs (2) and (3); and(B)interest accrued on such funds (calculated at the prevailing rate).(2)Full reimbursementAny fellow who violates paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b) shall reimburse the American Institute in Taiwan in an amount equal to the sum of—(A)all of the Federal funds expended for the fellow’s participation in the fellowship; and(B)interest on the amount specified in subparagraph (A), which shall be calculated at the prevailing rate.(3)Pro rata reimbursementAny fellow who violates subsection (b)(3) shall reimburse the American Institute in Taiwan in an amount equal to the difference between—(A)the amount specified in paragraph (2); and(B)the product of—(i)the amount the fellow received in compensation during the final year of the fellowship, including the value of any allowances and benefits received by the fellow; multiplied by(ii)the percentage of the period specified in subsection (b)(3) during which the fellow did not remain employed by the Federal Government.(e)Annual reportNot later than 90 days after the selection of the first class of fellows under this Act, and annually thereafter, the Department of State shall offer to brief the appropriate congressional committees regarding the following issues:(1)An assessment of the performance of the implementing partner in fulfilling the purposes of this Act.(2)The names and sponsoring agencies of the fellows selected by the implementing partner and the extent to which such fellows represent the diversity of the United States.(3)The names of the parliamentary offices, ministries, other agencies of the Taiwan authorities, and nongovernmental institutions to which each fellow was assigned during the second year of the fellowship.(4)Any recommendations, as appropriate, to improve the implementation of the Taiwan Fellows Program, including added flexibilities in the administration of the program.(5)An assessment of the Taiwan Fellows Program’s value upon the relationship between the United States and Taiwan or the United States and Asian countries.(f)Annual financial audit(1)In generalThe financial records of any implementing partner shall be audited annually in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by independent certified public accountants or independent licensed public accountants who are certified or licensed by a regulatory authority of a State or another political subdivision of the United States. (2)LocationEach audit under paragraph (1) shall be conducted at the place or places where the financial records of the implementing partner are normally kept. (3)Access to documentsThe implementing partner shall make available to the accountants conducting an audit under paragraph (1)—(A)all books, financial records, files, other papers, things, and property belonging to, or in use by, the implementing partner that are necessary to facilitate the audit; and(B)full facilities for verifying transactions with the balances or securities held by depositories, fiscal agents, and custodians.(4)Report(A)In generalNot later than 6 months after the end of each fiscal year, the implementing partner shall provide a report of the audit conducted for such fiscal year under paragraph (1) to the Department of State and the American Institute in Taiwan. (B)ContentsEach audit report shall—(i)set forth the scope of the audit;(ii)include such statements, along with the auditor’s opinion of those statements, as may be necessary to present fairly the implementing partner’s assets and liabilities, surplus or deficit, with reasonable detail;(iii)include a statement of the implementing partner’s income and expenses during the year; and(iv)include a schedule of—(I)all contracts and grants requiring payments greater than $5,000; and (II)any payments of compensation, salaries, or fees at a rate greater than $5,000 per year. (C)CopiesEach audit report shall be produced in sufficient copies for distribution to the public.6.Taiwan fellows on detail from government service(a)In general(1)Detail authorizedWith the approval of the Secretary of State, an agency head may detail, for a period of not more than 2 years, an employee of the agency of the United States Government who has been awarded a fellowship under this Act, to the American Institute in Taiwan for the purpose of assignment to Taiwan authorities or an organization described in section 4(d)(2)(B). (2)AgreementEach detailee shall enter into a written agreement with the Federal Government before receiving a fellowship, in which the fellow shall agree—(A)to continue in the service of the sponsoring agency at the end of the fellowship for a period of at least 2 years unless the detailee is involuntarily separated from the service of such agency or participates in a pilot program authorized under section 4(e); and(B)to pay to the American Institute in Taiwan any additional expenses incurred by the Federal Government in connection with the fellowship if the detailee voluntarily separates from service with the sponsoring agency before the end of the period for which the detailee has agreed to continue in the service of such agency.(3)ExceptionThe payment agreed to under paragraph (2)(B) may not be required of a detailee who leaves the service of the sponsoring agency to enter into the service of another agency of the United States Government unless the head of the sponsoring agency notifies the detailee before the effective date of entry into the service of the other agency that payment will be required under this subsection.(b)Status as Government employeeA detailee—(1)is deemed, for the purpose of preserving allowances, privileges, rights, seniority, and other benefits, to be an employee of the sponsoring agency;(2)is entitled to pay, allowances, and benefits from funds available to such agency, which is deemed to comply with section 5536 of title 5, United States Code; and(3)may be assigned to a position with an entity described in section 4(d)(2)(A) if acceptance of such position does not involve—(A)the taking of an oath of allegiance to another government; or (B)the acceptance of compensation or other benefits from any foreign government by such detailee. (c)Responsibilities of sponsoring agency(1)In generalThe Federal agency from which a detailee is detailed should provide the fellow allowances and benefits that are consistent with Department of State Standardized Regulations or other applicable rules and regulations, including—(A)a living quarters allowance to cover the cost of housing in Taiwan;(B)a cost of living allowance to cover any possible higher costs of living in Taiwan;(C)a temporary quarters subsistence allowance for up to 7 days if the fellow is unable to find housing immediately upon arriving in Taiwan;(D)an education allowance to assist parents in providing the fellow’s minor children with educational services ordinarily provided without charge by public schools in the United States;(E)moving expenses to transport personal belongings of the fellow and his or her family in their move to Taiwan, which is comparable to the allowance given for American Institute in Taiwan employees assigned to Taiwan; and(F)an economy-class airline ticket to and from Taiwan for each fellow and the fellow’s immediate family.(2)Modification of benefitsThe American Institute in Taiwan and its implementing partner, with the approval of the Department of State, may modify the benefits set forth in paragraph (1) if such modification is warranted by fiscal circumstances. (d)No financial liabilityThe American Institute in Taiwan, the implementing partner, and any Taiwan authorities or nongovernmental entities in Taiwan at which a fellow is detailed during the second year of the fellowship may not be held responsible for the pay, allowances, or any other benefit normally provided to the detailee.(e)ReimbursementFellows may be detailed under subsection (a)(1) without reimbursement to the United States by the American Institute in Taiwan.(f)Allowances and benefitsDetailees may be paid by the American Institute in Taiwan for the allowances and benefits listed in subsection (c).7.Funding(a)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to the American Institute in Taiwan—(1)for fiscal year 2021, $500,000 to launch the Taiwan Fellowship Program through the issuance of a competitive grant to an appropriate implementing partner; and(2)for fiscal year 2021, and each succeeding fiscal year, $3,200,000, of which—(A)$2,300,000 shall be used for a grant to the appropriate implementing partner; and(B)$100,000 shall be used for management expenses of the American Institute in Taiwan related to the management of the Taiwan Fellowship Program.(b)Private sourcesThe implementing partner selected to implement the Taiwan Fellowship Program may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of services or property in carrying out such program, subject to the review and approval of the American Institute in Taiwan.


117 HR 4750 IH: Performing Artist Tax Parity Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-07-28
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4750IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 28, 2021Ms. Chu (for herself and Mr. Buchanan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and MeansA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the adjusted gross income limitation for above-the-line deduction of expenses of performing artist employees, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Performing Artist Tax Parity Act of 2021.2.Above-the-line deduction of expenses of performing artists(a)In generalSection 62(a)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—(1)by striking performing artists.—The deductions and inserting the following:performing artists.—(i)In generalThe deductions; and(2)by adding at the end the following new clauses:(ii)PhaseoutThe amount of expenses taken into account under clause (i) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by 10 percentage points for each $2,000 ($4,000 in the case of a joint return), or fraction thereof, by which the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income (determined without regard to this subparagraph) for the taxable year exceeds $100,000 (200 percent of such amount in the case of a joint return).(iii)Cost-of-living adjustmentIn the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2021, the $100,000 amount under clause (ii) shall be increased by an amount equal to—(I)such dollar amount, multiplied by(II)the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting calendar year 2020 for calendar year 2016 in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.If any amount after adjustment under the preceding sentence is not a multiple of $1,000, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $1,000..(b)Clarification regarding commission paid to performing artist’s manager or agentSection 62(a)(2)(B)(i) of such Code, as amended by subsection (a), is amended by inserting before the period at the end the following: , including any commission paid to the performing artist’s manager or agent.(c)Conforming amendments(1)Section 62(a)(2)(B)(i) of such Code, as amended by the preceding provisions of this Act, is amended by striking by him and inserting by the performing artist.(2)Section 62(b)(a) of such Code is amended by inserting and at the end of subparagraph (A), by striking , and at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting a period, and by striking subparagraph (C).(d)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2020.