116 S1368 IS: Lumbee Recognition Act
U.S. Senate
2019-05-08
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.

II
116th CONGRESS1st Session
S. 1368
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 8, 2019
Mr. Burr introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs

A BILL
To provide for the recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Lumbee Recognition Act. 2.Federal recognitionThe Act of June 7, 1956 (70 Stat. 254, chapter 375), is amended—
(1)by striking section 2; (2)in the first sentence of the first section, by striking That the Indians and inserting the following:

3.Designation of Lumbee IndiansThe Indians; (3)in the preamble—
(A)by inserting before the first undesignated clause the following:  1.FindingsCongress finds that—;
(B)by designating the undesignated clauses as paragraphs (1) through (4), respectively, and indenting appropriately; (C)by striking Whereas each place it appears;
(D)by striking and after the semicolon at the end of each of paragraphs (1) and (2) (as so designated); and (E)in paragraph (4) (as so designated), by striking : Now, therefore, and inserting a period;
(4)by moving the enacting clause so as to appear before section 1 (as so designated); (5)by striking the last sentence of section 3 (as designated by paragraph (2));
(6)by inserting before section 3 (as designated by paragraph (2)) the following:  2.DefinitionsIn this Act:
(1)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior. (2)TribeThe term Tribe means the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina or the Lumbee Indians of North Carolina.; and
(7)by adding at the end the following:  4.Federal recognition (a)In generalFederal recognition is extended to the Tribe (as designated as petitioner number 65 by the Office of Federal Acknowledgment).
(b)Applicability of lawsAll laws and regulations of the United States of general application to Indians and Indian tribes shall apply to the Tribe and its members. (c)Petition for acknowledgmentNotwithstanding section 3, any group of Indians in Robeson and adjoining counties, North Carolina, whose members are not enrolled in the Tribe (as determined under section 5(d)) may petition under part 83 of title 25 of the Code of Federal Regulations for acknowledgment of tribal existence.
5.Eligibility for Federal services
(a)In generalThe Tribe and its members shall be eligible for all services and benefits provided by the Federal Government to federally recognized Indian tribes. (b)Service areaFor the purpose of the delivery of Federal services and benefits described in subsection (a), those members of the Tribe residing in Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke, and Scotland counties in North Carolina shall be deemed to be residing on or near an Indian reservation.
(c)Determination of needsOn verification by the Secretary of a tribal roll under subsection (d), the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall— (1)develop, in consultation with the Tribe, a determination of needs to provide the services for which members of the Tribe are eligible; and
(2)after the tribal roll is verified, each submit to Congress a written statement of those needs. (d)Tribal roll (1)In generalFor purpose of the delivery of Federal services and benefits described in subsection (a), the tribal roll in effect on the date of enactment of this section shall, subject to verification by the Secretary, define the service population of the Tribe.
(2)Verification limitation and deadlineThe verification by the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall— (A)be limited to confirming compliance with the membership criteria set out in the constitution of the Tribe adopted on November 16, 2001; and
(B)be completed not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section. 6.Authorization to take land into trust (a)In generalThe Secretary may take into trust for the benefit of the Tribe land of the Tribe.
(b)Treatment of certain landAn application to take into trust land located within Robeson County, North Carolina, under this section shall be treated by the Secretary as an on reservation trust acquisition under part 151 of title 25, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation). (c)Gaming activitiesLand taken into trust under this section shall be eligible, or considered to have been taken into trust, for class II gaming or class III gaming (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. 2703)).
7.Jurisdiction of State of North Carolina
(a)In generalWith respect to land located within the State of North Carolina that is owned by, or held in trust by the United States for the benefit of, the Tribe, or any dependent Indian community of the Tribe, the State of North Carolina shall exercise jurisdiction over— (1)all criminal offenses that are committed; and
(2)all civil actions that arise. (b)Transfer of jurisdiction (1)In generalSubject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may accept on behalf of the United States, after consulting with the Attorney General of the United States, any transfer by the State of North Carolina to the United States of any portion of the jurisdiction of the State of North Carolina described in subsection (a) pursuant to an agreement between the Tribe and the State of North Carolina.
(2)RestrictionA transfer of jurisdiction described in paragraph (1) may not take effect until 2 years after the effective date of the agreement described in that paragraph. (c)EffectNothing in this section affects the application of section 109 of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1919).
8.Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act..


		II
		Calendar No. 244
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1931
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			November 30, 2011
			Mr. Heller introduced
			 the following bill; which was read the first time

			December 1, 2011
			Read the second time and placed on the
			 calendar

		A BILL
		To provide civilian payroll tax relief, to reduce the
		  Federal budget deficit, and for other purposes.

		1.Short
			 title; table of contents
			(a)Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited
			 as the Temporary Tax Holiday and
			 Government Reduction Act.
			(b)Table of
			 contentsThe table of contents of this Act is as follows:

					Sec. 1. Short title; table of
				contents.
					TITLE I—Payroll tax relief
					Sec. 101. Extension of payroll tax holiday.
					TITLE II—Deficit reduction
					Subtitle A—Reform of Federal benefits for
				millionaires
					Sec. 201. Ending unemployment and supplemental nutrition
				assistance program benefits for millionaires.
					Sec. 202. Increase in the Medicare part B and D premiums for
				higher-income Medicare beneficiaries.
					Subtitle B—Federal employee provisions
					Sec. 211. Reduction in the number of Federal
				employees.
					Sec. 212. Extension of pay freeze for Federal
				employees.
					Sec. 213. Reduction of revised discretionary spending limits to
				achieve savings from Federal employee provisions.
					Subtitle C—Buffett Rule Act of 2011
					Sec. 221. Short title.
					Sec. 222. Donation to pay down national debt.

			IPayroll tax
			 relief
			101.Extension of
			 payroll tax holidaySection
			 601(c) of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job
			 Creation Act of 2010 (26 U.S.C. 1401 note) is amended by striking year
			 2011 and inserting years 2011 and 2012.
			IIDeficit
			 reduction
			AReform of Federal
			 benefits for millionaires
				201.Ending
			 unemployment and supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits for
			 millionaires
					(a)Ending
			 unemployment benefits for millionaires
						(1)In
			 generalSubtitle E of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
			 amended by adding at the end the following new chapter:

								56Excess
				unemployment compensation

										Sec. 5895. Excess
				  unemployment compensation.

									5895.Excess
				unemployment compensation
										(a)Imposition of
				taxThere is hereby imposed a tax equal to 100 percent of the
				excess unemployment compensation received by a taxpayer in any taxable
				year.
										(b)Excess
				unemployment compensationFor purposes of this section, the term
				excess unemployment compensation means, with respect to any State,
				the amount which bears the same ratio (not to exceed 1) to the amount of
				unemployment compensation received by the taxpayer from such State in the
				taxable year as—
											(1)the excess
				of—
												(A)the taxpayer's
				adjusted gross income for such taxable year, over
												(B)$750,000
				($1,500,000 in the case of a joint return), bears to
												(2)$250,000
				($500,000 in the case of a joint return).
											(c)Additional
				definitionsFor purposes of this section—
											(1)Adjusted gross
				incomeThe term adjusted gross income has the
				meaning given such term by section 62.
											(2)Unemployment
				compensationThe term unemployment compensation has
				the meaning given such term by section 85(b).
											(d)Administrative
				provisionsFor purposes of the deficiency procedures of subtitle
				F, any tax imposed by this section shall be treated as a tax imposed by
				subtitle A.
										(e)Transfer of tax
				receiptsWith respect to excess unemployment compensation
				received by any taxpayer from a State, there is hereby appropriated to the
				unemployment fund (as defined in section 3306(f)) of such State, an amount
				equal to the amount of the tax imposed under subsection (a) on such excess
				unemployment compensation received in the
				Treasury.
										.
						(2)Tax not
			 deductibleSection 275(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
			 amended by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new paragraph:

								(7)Tax imposed by
				section
				5895.
								.
						(3)Clerical
			 amendmentThe table of chapters for subtitle E of the Internal
			 Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new
			 item:

									Chapter 56—Excess unemployment
				compensation

								.
						(4)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by this subsection shall apply to
			 unemployment compensation received in taxable years beginning after December
			 31, 2011.
						(b)Ending
			 supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits for millionaires
						(1)In
			 generalSection 6 of the Food
			 and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015) is amended by adding at the end the
			 following:

								(r)Disqualification
				for receipt of assets of at least $1,000,000Any household in
				which a member receives income or assets with a fair market value of at least
				$1,000,000 shall, immediately on the receipt of the assets, become ineligible
				for further participation in the program until the date on which the household
				meets the income eligibility and allowable financial resources standards under
				section
				5.
								.
						(2)Conforming
			 amendmentsSection 5(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
			 U.S.C. 2014(a)) is amended in the second sentence by striking sections
			 6(b), 6(d)(2), and 6(g) and inserting subsections (b), (d)(2),
			 (g), and (r) of section 6.
						202.Increase in the
			 Medicare part B and D premiums for higher-income Medicare
			 beneficiaries
					(a)Increase
						(1)In
			 generalSection 1839(i)(3) of
			 the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395r(i)(3)) is amended—
							(A)in subparagraph
			 (A)(i), by inserting and year after
			 individual;
							(B)in the table
			 specified in subparagraph (C)(i)—
								(i)in the fourth
			 row, by inserting but not more than $750,000 after
			 $200,000; and
								(ii)by adding at the
			 end the following 2 new rows:

												More than $750,000 but not more
					 than $1,000,00095
					 percent

												More than $1,000,000100 percent

								(2)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by paragraph (1) shall apply to 2013 and
			 subsequent years.
						(b)Extension of
			 freeze on inflation adjustmentsSection 1839(i)(6) of the Social Security
			 Act (42 U.S.C. 1395r(i)(6)) is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph
			 (A), by striking December 31, 2019 and inserting December
			 31, 2022.
					BFederal employee
			 provisions
				211.Reduction in
			 the number of Federal employees
					(a)DefinitionsIn
			 this section—
						(1)the term
			 agency means an executive agency as defined under section 105 of
			 title 5, United States Code; and
						(2)the term
			 employee has the meaning given that term under section 2105 of
			 title 5, United States Code.
						(b)Determination of
			 number of employeesNot later
			 than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the
			 Office of Management and Budget and the Director of the Office of Personnel
			 Management shall determine the number of full-time employees employed in each
			 agency. The head of each agency shall cooperate with the Director of the Office
			 of Management and Budget and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management
			 in making the determinations.
					(c)Replacement hire
			 rate
						(1)In
			 generalDuring the period described under paragraph (2), the head
			 of each agency may hire no more than 1 employee in that agency for every 3
			 full-time employees who leave employment in that agency.
						(2)Period of
			 replacement hire rateParagraph (1) shall apply to each agency
			 during the period beginning 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act and
			 ending on the date on which the Director of the Office of Management and Budget
			 and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management make a determination
			 that the number of full-time employees employed in that agency is 10 percent
			 less than the number of full-time employees employed in that agency determined
			 under subsection (b).
						(d)Waivers
						(1)In
			 generalThis section may be waived upon a written determination
			 by the President that—
							(A)the existence of a
			 state of war or other national security concern so requires; or
							(B)the existence of
			 an extraordinary emergency threatening life, health, public safety, property,
			 or the environment so requires.
							(2)Submission to
			 CongressThe President shall submit to Congress any written
			 determination under paragraph (1).
						212.Extension of
			 pay freeze for Federal employees
					(a)In
			 generalSection 147 of the
			 Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (Public Law 111–242; 5 U.S.C. 5303 note) is
			 amended—
						(1)in subsection
			 (b)(1), by striking December 31, 2012 and inserting
			 December 31, 2015; and
						(2)in subsection (c), by striking
			 December 31, 2012 and inserting December 31,
			 2015.
						(b)Clarification
			 that freeze applies to legislative branch
						(1)Members of
			 CongressNotwithstanding any other provision of law, no
			 adjustment shall be made under section 601(a) of the Legislative Reorganization
			 Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 31) (relating to cost of living adjustments for Members
			 of Congress) during the period beginning on the first day of the first pay
			 period beginning on or after February 1, 2013 and ending on December 31,
			 2015.
						(2)Legislative
			 branch employees
							(A)DefinitionIn this paragraph, the term
			 legislative branch employee means—
								(i)an employee whose pay is disbursed by the
			 Secretary of the Senate or the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of
			 Representatives; and
								(ii)an
			 employee of any agency established in the legislative branch.
								(B)FreezeNotwithstanding
			 any other provision of law, no cost of living adjustment required by statute
			 with respect to a legislative branch employee which (but for this subparagraph)
			 would otherwise take effect during the period beginning on the date of
			 enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2015 shall be made.
							213.Reduction of
			 revised discretionary spending limits to achieve savings from Federal employee
			 provisionsSection 251A(2) of
			 the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C.
			 901a(2)) is amended to read as follows:

						(2)Revised
				discretionary spending limitsThe discretionary spending limits for
				fiscal years 2013 through 2021 under section 251(c) shall be replaced with the
				following:
							(A)For fiscal year 2013—
								(i)for the revised
				security category, $542,000,000,000 in budget authority; and
								(ii)for the revised
				nonsecurity category, $493,000,000,000 in budget authority.
								(B)For fiscal year
				2014—
								(i)for the revised
				security category, $548,000,000,000 in budget authority; and
								(ii)for the revised
				nonsecurity category, $497,000,000,000 in budget authority.
								(C)For fiscal year
				2015—
								(i)for the revised
				security category, $556,000,000,000 in budget authority; and
								(ii)for the revised
				nonsecurity category, $503,000,000,000 in budget authority.
								(D)For fiscal year
				2016—
								(i)for the revised
				security category, $567,000,000,000 in budget authority; and
								(ii)for the revised
				nonsecurity category, $512,000,000,000 in budget authority.
								(E)For fiscal year
				2017—
								(i)for the revised
				security category, $579,000,000,000 in budget authority; and
								(ii)for the revised
				nonsecurity category, $522,000,000,000 in budget authority.
								(F)For fiscal year
				2018—
								(i)for the revised
				security category, $592,000,000,000 in budget authority; and
								(ii)for the revised
				nonsecurity category, $534,000,000,000 in budget authority.
								(G)For fiscal year
				2019—
								(i)for the revised
				security category, $605,000,000,000 in budget authority; and
								(ii)for the revised
				nonsecurity category, $546,000,000,000 in budget authority.
								(H)For fiscal year
				2020—
								(i)for the revised
				security category, $618,000,000,000 in budget authority; and
								(ii)for the revised
				nonsecurity category, $557,000,000,000 in budget authority.
								(I)For fiscal year
				2021—
								(i)for the revised
				security category, $632,000,000,000 in budget authority; and
								(ii)for the revised
				nonsecurity category, $568,000,000,000 in budget
				authority.
								.
				CBuffett Rule Act
			 of 2011
				221.Short
			 titleThis title may be cited
			 as the Buffett Rule Act of
			 2011.
				222.Donation to pay down
			 national debt
					(a)In
			 generalSubchapter A of chapter 61 of the Internal Revenue Code
			 of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new part:

							IXDonations to pay
				down national debt

									Sec. 6097. Donation to pay down national debt.

								6097.Donation to
				pay down national debt
									(a)General
				ruleEvery taxpayer who makes
				a return of the tax imposed by subtitle A for any taxable year may donate an
				amount (not less than $1), in addition to any payment of tax for such taxable
				year, which shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury.
									(b)Manner and time
				of designationAny donation under subsection (a) for any taxable
				year—
										(1)shall be made at the time of filing the
				return of the tax imposed by subtitle A for such taxable year and in such
				manner as the Secretary may by regulation prescribe, except that—
											(A)the designation
				for such donation shall be either on the first page of the return or on the
				page bearing the taxpayer’s signature, and
											(B)the designation
				shall be by a box added to the return, and the text beside the box shall
				provide:

																By checking here, I signify that in addition to my tax
						  liability, I would like to donate the included payment to be used exclusively
						  for the purpose of paying down the national debt.

													,

											and(2)shall be
				accompanied by a payment of the amount so designated.
										(c)Treatment of
				amounts donatedFor purposes of this title, the amount donated by
				any taxpayer under subsection (a) shall be treated as a contribution made by
				such taxpayer to the United States on the last date prescribed for filing the
				return of tax imposed by subtitle A (determined without regard to extensions)
				or, if later, the date the return is filed.
									(d)Transfers to
				account To reduce public debtThe Secretary shall, from time to
				time, transfer to the special account established by section 3113(d) of title
				31, United States Code, amounts equal to the amounts donated under this
				section.
									.
					(b)Clerical
			 amendmentThe table of parts for subchapter A of such chapter is
			 amended by adding at the end the following new item:

								Part IX. Donations To Pay Down National
				Debt

							.
					(c)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to returns
			 for taxable years ending after December 31, 2011.

		December 1, 2011
		Read the second time and placed on the
		  calendar


113 HR 2724 IH: Mayflower Oil Spill Tax Relief Act of 2013
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-07-18
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2724
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 18, 2013
			Mr. Griffin of
			 Arkansas (for himself, Mr.
			 Womack, Mr. Crawford, and
			 Mr. Cotton) introduced the following
			 bill; which was referred to the Committee
			 on Ways and Means

		A BILL
		To exclude from gross income compensation provided for
		  victims of the March 29, 2013, pipeline oil spill in Mayflower,
		  Arkansas.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Mayflower Oil Spill Tax Relief Act of
			 2013.
		2.Mayflower,
			 Arkansas oil spill compensation excluded from gross incomeFor purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of
			 1986—
			(1)the March 29,
			 2013, pipeline rupture and oil spill in Mayflower, Arkansas, shall be treated
			 as a qualified disaster under section 139(c) of such Code, and
			(2)any compensation
			 provided to or for the benefit of a victim of such disaster shall be treated as
			 a qualified disaster relief payment under section 139(b) of such Code.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2282
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			May 6, 2009
			Mr. King of New York
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		A BILL
		To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to
		  reauthorize the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program.

		1.SCAAP
			 reauthorizedSection 241(i) of
			 the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1231(i)) is amended—
			(1)by amending
			 paragraph (4)(A) to read as follows:

					(4)(A)In carrying out
				paragraph (1), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall give priority
				to—
							(i)Federal incarceration of
				undocumented criminal aliens who have committed aggravated felonies; and
							(ii)compensating States, and political
				subdivisions of States—
								(I)located on a border of the United States
				with Canada or Mexico; or
								(II)having one of the fifth largest
				populations of aliens who are not authorized to be present in the United
				States.
								;
				and
			(2)by amending
			 paragraph (5) to read as follows:

					(5)There are
				authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010
				through 2014 to carry out this
				subsection.
					.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 6506
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			December 8, 2010
			Mr. King of New York
			 (for himself, Mr. Rogers of Alabama,
			 and Mr. Latham) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

		A BILL
		To amend section 798 of title 18, United States Code, to
		  provide penalties for disclosure of classified information related to certain
		  intelligence activities of the United States, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short titlesThis Act may be cited as the
			 Securing Human Intelligence and
			 Enforcing Lawful Dissemination Act or the
			 SHIELD
			 Act.
		2.Penalties for
			 disclosure of classified information related to intelligence
			 activities
			(a)In
			 generalSubsection (a)
			 section 798 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
				(1)in the matter
			 preceding paragraph (1), by inserting or transnational threat
			 after foreign government;
				(2)in paragraph (3),
			 by striking or at the end;
				(3)by redesignating
			 paragraph (4) as paragraph (6); and
				(4)by inserting after
			 paragraph (3) the following:

						(4)concerning the
				human intelligence activities of the United States or any foreign
				government;
						(5)concerning the
				identity of a classified source or informant of an element of the intelligence
				community of the United States;
				or
						.
				(b)DefinitionsSubsection
			 (b) section 798 of title 18, United States Code, is amended to read as
			 follows:

					(b)DefinitionsIn
				subsection (a):
						(1)Cipher, code,
				cryptographic systemThe terms cipher,
				code, and cryptographic system include in their
				meanings, in addition to their usual meanings, any method of secret writing and
				any mechanical or electrical device or method used for the purpose of
				disguising or concealing the contents, significance, or meanings of
				communications.
						(2)Classified
				informationThe term classified information means
				information which, at the time of a violation of this section, is, for reasons
				of national security, specifically designated by a United States Government
				Agency for limited or restricted dissemination or distribution.
						(3)Communication
				intelligenceThe term communication intelligence
				means all procedures and methods used in the interception of communications and
				the obtaining of information from such communications by other than the
				intended recipients.
						(4)Foreign
				governmentThe term foreign government includes in
				its meaning any person or persons acting or purporting to act for or on behalf
				of any faction, party, department, agency, bureau, or military force of or
				within a foreign country, or for or on behalf of any government or any person
				or persons purporting to act as a government within a foreign country, whether
				or not such government is recognized by the United States.
						(5)Human
				intelligenceThe term human intelligence means all
				procedures and methods employed in the collection of intelligence through human
				sources.
						(6)InformantThe
				term informant has the meaning given that term in section 606 of
				the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 426).
						(7)Transnational
				threatThe term transnational threat means—
							(A)any transnational
				activity (including international terrorism, narcotics trafficking, the
				proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the delivery systems for such
				weapons, and organized crime) that threatens the national security of the
				United States; or
							(B)any individual or
				group that engages in an activity referred to in subparagraph (A).
							(8)Unauthorized
				personThe term unauthorized person means any person
				who, or agency which, is not authorized to receive information of the
				categories set forth in subsection (a), by the President, or by the head of a
				department or agency of the United States Government which is expressly
				designated by the President to engage in communication intelligence or human
				intelligence activities for the United
				States.
						.


116 S412 IS: Remote, Emergency, Medical, Online Training, Telehealth, and EMT Act
U.S. Senate
2019-02-07
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		116th CONGRESS1st Session
		S. 412
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			February 7, 2019
			Mr. Heinrich (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Udall, and Ms. Harris) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

		A BILL
		To provide a pay incentive for border patrol agents to complete emergency medical technician and
			 paramedic training, to ensure that language interpretation services are
			 available at
			 all U.S. Border Patrol stations, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titlesThis Act may be cited as the Remote, Emergency, Medical, Online Training, Telehealth, and EMT Act or the REMOTE Act. 2.Medical training for border patrol agents (a)Defined termIn this section, the term children means individuals who have not attained 18 years of age.
			(b)Medical training
 (1)In generalSection 411 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 211) is amended— (A)in subsection (c)(17), by striking subsection (l) and inserting subsections (l) and (m);
 (B)by redesignating subsections (m), (n), (o), (p), (q), and (r) as subsections (n), (o), (p), (q), (r), and (s), respectively; and
 (C)by inserting after subsection (l) the following:  (m)Medical training for border patrol agents (1)In general (A)AvailabilityBeginning not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall make available, at no cost to U.S. Border Patrol agents selected for such training, emergency medical technician (referred to in this subsection as EMT) and paramedic training in each U.S. Border Patrol sector along the southern land border of the United States. Such training shall include pediatric medical training, which shall utilize nationally recognized pediatric training curricula that includes emergency pediatric care.
 (B)Use of official duty timeA U.S. Border Patrol agent shall be credited with work time for any EMT or paramedic training provided to such agent pursuant to subparagraph (A) in order to achieve or maintain an EMT or paramedic certification.
 (C)Lodging and per diemLodging and per diem shall be made available to border patrol agents attending training described in subparagraph (B) if such training is not available at a location within commuting distance of the agent’s residence or worksite.
 (D)Service commitmentAny U.S. Border Patrol agent who completes a paramedic certification preparation program pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall—
 (i)complete 3 years of service as a U.S. Border Patrol agent following the completion of such training; or
 (ii)reimburse U.S. Customs and Border Protection in an amount equal to the product of— (I)the cost of providing such training to such agent; multiplied by
 (II)the percentage of the service required under clause (i) that the agent failed to complete. (2)Increase in rate of pay for border patrol medical certification (A)EMT certificationA U.S. Border Patrol agent who has completed EMT training pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) and has a current, State-issued or State-recognized certification as an EMT shall receive, in addition to the pay to which the agent is otherwise entitled under this section, an amount equal to 5 percent of such pay.
 (B)Paramedic certificationA U.S. Border Patrol agent who has completed paramedic training pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) and has a current, State-issued or State-recognized certification as a paramedic shall receive, in addition to the pay to which the agent is otherwise entitled under this section (except for subparagraph (A)), an amount equal to 10 percent of such pay.
 (C)Existing certificationsA U.S. Border Patrol agent who did not participate in the training made available pursuant to paragraph (1)(A), but, as of the date of the enactment of the REMOTE Act, has a current State-issued or State-recognized EMT or paramedic certification, shall receive, in addition to the pay to which the agent is otherwise entitled under this section (except for subparagraph (A) or (B)), an amount equal to—
 (i)5 percent of such pay for an EMT certification; and (ii)10 percent of such pay for a paramedic certification.
 (3)Availability of medically trained border patrol agentsNot later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of the REMOTE Act, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall— (A)ensure that—
 (i)U.S. Border Patrol agents with current EMT or paramedic certifications are stationed at each U.S. Border Patrol sector and remote station along the southern border to the greatest extent possible;
 (ii)10 percent of all U.S. Border Patrol agents have EMT certifications and comprise not fewer than 10 percent of all border patrol agents assigned to each U.S. Border Patrol sector; and
 (iii)1 percent of all U.S. Border Patrol agents have paramedic certifications and comprise not fewer than 1 percent of all U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to each U.S. Border Patrol sector; and
 (B)in determining the assigned posts of U.S. Border Patrol agents who have received training under paragraph (1)(A), give priority to remote stations and forward operating bases.
									(4)Medical supplies
 (A)Minimum listThe Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall provide minimum medical supplies to each U.S. Border Patrol agent with an EMT or paramedic certification and to each U.S. Border Patrol sector, including all remote stations and forward operating bases and for use while on patrol. Such supplies shall include—
 (i)supplies designed for children; (ii)first aid kits; and
 (iii)oral hydration, such as water. (B)ConsultationIn developing the minimum list of medical supplies required under subparagraph (A), the Commissioner shall consult national organizations with expertise in emergency medical care, including emergency medical care of children.
 (5)Motor vehiclesThe Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall make available appropriate motor vehicles to U.S. Border Patrol agents with current EMT or paramedic certifications to enable them to provide necessary emergency medical assistance..
 (2)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out section 5550(g) of title 5, United States Code, as added by paragraph (1).
				(c)Identifying and treating individuals experiencing medical distress
				(1)Online training
 (A)In generalBeginning on the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall require all border patrol agents and officers, including agents and officers with EMT or paramedic certification, to complete an online training program that meets nationally recognized standards for the medical care of children that will enable U.S. Border Patrol agents and officers—
 (i)to identify common signs of medical distress in children; and (ii)to ensure the timely transport of sick or injured children to an appropriate medical provider.
 (B)ContractIn developing or selecting an online training program under subparagraph (A), the Commissioner may enter into a contract with a national professional medical association of pediatric medical providers.
 (2)Voice access to medical professionalsThe Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall ensure that all remote U.S. Border Patrol stations, forward operating bases, and remote ports of entry on the southern border have 24-hour voice access to a medical command physician whose board certification includes the ability to perform this role or a mid-level health care provider with pediatric training for consultations regarding the medical needs of individuals, including children, taken into custody near the United States border. Access under this paragraph may be accomplished through mobile phones, satellite mobile radios, or other means prescribed by the Commissioner.
 3.Language interpretation servicesThe Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall ensure that language interpretation services, either in person or remotely through electronic technology, are continuously available at all remote U.S. Border Patrol stations, forward operating bases, and remote ports of entry on the southern border for any language that is commonly spoken by migrants seeking to enter the United States through the southern border.


116 HR 811 IH: Transparency in Student Lending Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-01-28
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.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 811IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 28, 2019Mr. Curtis (for himself, Mr. Posey, and Mr. Budd) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and LaborA BILLTo amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the disclosure of the annual percentage rates
			 applicable to Federal student loans.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Transparency in Student Lending Act. 2.Required disclosuresSection 455(p) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(p)) is amended—
 (1)by striking Each institution and inserting the following:  (1)In generalEach institution; and
 (2)by adding at the end the following:  (2)Disclosure of APR prior to disbursementIn addition to the disclosures required under paragraph (1), each institution and contractor described in such paragraph shall disclose to a borrower before disbursement of a loan made under this part, in writing and in a form the borrower may keep, the annual percentage rate applicable to the loan, taking into account—
 (A)the amount of the loan; (B)the stated interest rate of the loan;
 (C)the standard term for a loan of the same type; (D)any fees or additional costs associated with the loan; and
 (E)any capitalization of interest on the loan..


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 2057
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			September 17, 2007
			Mr. Akaka introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Homeland Security and
			 Governmental Affairs

		A BILL
		To reauthorize the Merit Systems Protection Board and the
		  Office of Special Counsel, to modify the procedures of the Merit Systems
		  Protection Board and the Office of Special Counsel, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short title; table of
			 contents
			(a)Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited
			 as the Federal Merit System
			 Reauthorization Act of 2007.
			(b)Table of
			 contentsThe table of contents is as follows:

					Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
					Sec. 2. Authorization of appropriations.
					Sec. 3. Allegations of wrongdoing against Special Counsel or
				Deputy Special Counsel.
					Sec. 4. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation
				prohibited.
					Sec. 5. Procedures of the Merit Systems Protection
				Board.
					Sec. 6. Procedures of the Office of Special
				Counsel.
					Sec. 7. Reporting requirements.

			2.Authorization of
			 appropriations
			(a)Merit Systems
			 Protection BoardSection 8(a)(1) of the Whistleblower Protection
			 Act of 1989 (5 U.S.C. 5509 note) is amended by striking 2003, 2004,
			 2005, 2006, and 2007 and inserting 2008, 2009, and
			 2010.
			(b)Office of Special
			 CounselSection 8(a)(2) of the Whistleblower Protection Act of
			 1989 (5 U.S.C. 5509 note) is amended by striking 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006,
			 and 2007 and inserting 2008, 2009, and 2010.
			(c)Effective
			 dateThis section shall take effect as of October 1, 2007.
			3.Allegations of
			 wrongdoing against Special Counsel or Deputy Special Counsel
			(a)DefinitionsIn
			 this section—
				(1)the term
			 Special Counsel refers to the Special Counsel appointed under
			 section 1211(b) of title 5, United States Code;
				(2)the term
			 Integrity Committee refers to the Integrity Committee described in
			 Executive Order 12993 (relating to administrative allegations against
			 inspectors general) or its successor in function (as identified by the
			 President); and
				(3)the terms
			 wrongdoing and Inspector General have the same
			 respective meanings as under the Executive order cited in paragraph (2).
				(b)Authority of
			 Integrity Committee
				(1)In
			 generalAn allegation of wrongdoing against the Special Counsel
			 (or the Deputy Special Counsel) may be received, reviewed, and referred for
			 investigation by the Integrity Committee to the same extent and in the same
			 manner as in the case of an allegation against an Inspector General (or a
			 member of the staff of an Office of Inspector General), subject to the
			 requirement that the Special Counsel recuse himself or herself from the
			 consideration of any allegation brought under this subsection.
				(2)Coordination
			 with existing provisions of lawThis section does not eliminate
			 access to the Merit Systems Protection Board for review under section 7701 of
			 title 5, United States Code. To the extent that an allegation brought under
			 this subsection involves section 2302(b)(8) of such title, a failure to obtain
			 corrective action within 120 days after the date on which that allegation is
			 received by the Integrity Committee shall, for purposes of section 1221 of such
			 title, be considered to satisfy section 1214(a)(3)(B) of such title.
				(c)RegulationsThe
			 Integrity Committee may prescribe any rules or regulations necessary to carry
			 out this section, subject to such consultation or other requirements as might
			 otherwise apply.
			4.Discrimination on
			 the basis of sexual orientation prohibited
			(a)RepudiationIn
			 order to dispel any public confusion, Congress repudiates any assertion that
			 Federal employees are not protected from discrimination on the basis of sexual
			 orientation.
			(b)AffirmationIt
			 is the sense of Congress that, in the absence of the amendment made by
			 subsection (c), discrimination against Federal employees and applicants for
			 Federal employment on the basis of sexual orientation is prohibited by section
			 2302(b)(10) of title 5, United States Code.
			(c)Discrimination
			 based on sexual orientation prohibitedSection 2302(b)(1) of
			 title 5, United States Code, is amended—
				(1)in subparagraph
			 (D), by striking or at the end;
				(2)in subparagraph
			 (E), by inserting or at the end; and
				(3)by
			 adding at the end the following:

						(F)on the basis of
				sexual
				orientation;
						.
				5.Procedures of the
			 Merit Systems Protection Board
			(a)Proof of
			 exhaustion for individual right of actionSection 1221(a) of
			 title 5, United States Code, is amended—
				(1)by striking
			 (a) and inserting (a)(1); and
				(2)by adding at the
			 end the following:

						(2)For purposes of paragraph (1), an
				employee, former employee, or applicant for employment may demonstrate
				compliance with section 1214(a)(3)(B) by—
							(A)submitting a copy of the complaint or
				other pleading pursuant to which such employee, former employee, or applicant
				sought corrective action from the Special Counsel with respect to the personnel
				action involved; and
							(B)certifying that the Special Counsel
				did not provide notice of intent to seek such corrective action to such
				employee, former employee, or applicant within the 120-day period described in
				such section
				1214(a)(3)(B).
							.
				(b)Individual
			 requests for staysSection 1221(c) of title 5, United States
			 Code, is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

					(2)Any stay requested under paragraph
				(1) shall be granted within 10 calendar days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and
				legal holidays) after the date the request is made, if the Board determines
				that the employee, former employee, or applicant has demonstrated that
				protected activity described under section 2302(b)(8) was a contributing factor
				to the personnel action involved. If the stay request is denied, the employee,
				former employee, or applicant may submit an interlocutory appeal for expedited
				review by the
				Board.
					.
			(c)Joining
			 subsequent and related claims with pending litigation
				(1)In
			 generalSection 1221 of title 5, United States Code, is
			 amended—
					(A)by redesignating
			 subsections (h), (i), and (j) as subsections (i), (j), and (k), respectively;
			 and
					(B)inserting after
			 subsection (g) the following:

							(h)During a pending
				proceeding, subsequent personnel actions may be joined if the employee, former
				employee, or applicant for employment demonstrates that retaliation for
				protected activity at issue in the pending proceeding was a contributing factor
				to subsequent alleged prohibited personnel
				practices.
							.
					(2)Conforming
			 amendmentSection 1222 of title 5, United States Code, is amended
			 by striking section 1221(i) and inserting section
			 1221(j).
				(d)Procedural due
			 processSection 1204(b)(1) of title 5, United States Code, is
			 amended by inserting in accordance with regulations consistent with the
			 Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, so far as practicable before the
			 period.
			(e)Attorney
			 feesSection 7701(g)(1) of title 5, United States Code, is
			 amended by striking if the employee or applicant is the prevailing party
			 and and inserting if the claim or claims raised by the employee
			 or applicant were not frivolous, unreasonable, or groundless; the case was a
			 substantial or significant factor in the agency's action providing some relief
			 or benefit to the employee or applicant; and.
			6.Procedures of the
			 Office of Special Counsel
			(a)Investigations
			 of alleged prohibited personnel practicesSection 1212(e) of
			 title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking may prescribe such
			 regulations as may be necessary to perform the functions and inserting
			 shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out
			 subsection (a)(2) and may prescribe any regulations necessary to carry out any
			 of the other functions.
			(b)Mandatory
			 communications with complainants
				(1)Contact
			 informationSection 1214(a)(1)(B) of title 5, United States Code,
			 is amended by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following:

						(ii)shall include the name and contact
				information of a person at the Office of Special Counsel who—
							(I)shall be responsible for
				interviewing the complainant and making recommendations to the Special Counsel
				regarding the allegations of the complainant; and
							(II)shall be available to respond to
				reasonable questions from the complainant regarding the investigation or review
				conducted by the Special Counsel, the relevant facts ascertained by the Special
				Counsel, and the law applicable to the allegations of the
				complainant.
							.
				(2)Statement after
			 termination of investigationSection 1214(a)(2)(A)(iv) of title
			 5, United States Code, is amended by striking a response and
			 inserting specific responses.
				(c)Qualifications
			 of Special CounselThe third sentence of section 1211(b) of title
			 5, United States Code, is amended by striking position. and
			 inserting position and has professional experience that demonstrates an
			 understanding of and a commitment to protecting the merit based civil
			 service..
			(d)Alternative
			 dispute resolution program of the Office of Special CounselSection 1212 of title 5, United States
			 Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

					(h)The Office of Special Counsel shall by
				regulation provide for one or more alternative methods for settling matters
				subject to the jurisdiction of the Office which shall be applicable at the
				election of an employee, former employee, or applicant for employment or at the
				direction of the Special Counsel with the consent of the employee, former
				employee, or applicant concerned. In order to carry out this subsection, the
				Special Counsel shall provide for appropriate offices in the District of
				Columbia and other appropriate
				locations.
					.
			(e)Substantial
			 likelihood determinationsSection 1213 of title 5, United States
			 Code, is amended—
				(1)in subsection (b),
			 by striking 15 days and inserting 45 days;
			 and
				(2)in
			 subsection (c)(1), by inserting , after consulting with the person who
			 made the disclosure on how to characterize the issues, after
			 appropriate agency head.
				(f)Determination of
			 statutory requirements metSection 1213(e) of title 5, United
			 States Code, is amended—
				(1)in
			 paragraph (3), by striking subsection (e)(1) and inserting
			 paragraph (1);
				(2)by redesignating
			 paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and
				(3)by inserting after
			 paragraph (2) the following:

						(3)Upon receipt of any report of the
				head of an agency required under subsection (c), if the Special Counsel is
				unable to make a determination under paragraph (2)(A) or (B), the Special
				Counsel shall require the agency head to submit any additional information
				necessary for the Special Counsel to make such determinations before any
				information is transmitted under paragraph
				(4).
						.
				(g)Public and
			 internet access for agency investigationsSection 1219 of title
			 5, United States Code, is amended by striking subsections (a) and (b) and
			 inserting the following:

					(a)The Special Counsel
				shall maintain and make available to the public (including on the website of
				the Office of Special Counsel)—
						(1)a list of
				noncriminal matters referred to heads of agencies under subsection (c) of
				section 1213, together with—
							(A)reports from heads
				of agencies under subsection (c)(1)(B) of such section relating to such
				matters;
							(B)comments submitted under subsection (e)(1)
				of such section relating to such matters, if the person making the disclosure
				consents; and
							(C)comments or
				recommendations by the Special Counsel under subsection (e)(4) of such section
				relating to such matters;
							(2)a list of matters
				referred to heads of agencies under section 1215(c)(2);
						(3)a list of matters
				referred to heads of agencies under subsection (e) of section 1214, together
				with certifications from heads of agencies under such subsection; and
						(4)reports from heads
				of agencies under section 1213(g)(1).
						(b)The Special
				Counsel shall take steps to ensure that any list or report made available to
				the public or placed on the website of the Office of Special Counsel under this
				section does not contain any information the disclosure of which is prohibited
				by law or by Executive order requiring that information be kept secret in the
				interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign
				affairs.
					.
			7.Reporting
			 requirements
			(a)Merit Systems
			 Protection BoardEach annual report submitted by the Merit
			 Systems Protection Board under section 1206 of title 5, United States Code,
			 shall, with respect to the period covered by such report, include—
				(1)the number of cases
			 and alleged violations of section 2302 of such title 5 filed with the Board for
			 each agency, itemized for each prohibited personnel practice;
				(2)the number of
			 cases and alleged violations of section 2302 of such title 5 that the Board
			 determines for each agency, itemized for each prohibited personnel practice and
			 compared to the total number of cases and allegations filed with the Board for
			 each, both with respect to the initial decisions by administrative judges and
			 final Board decisions;
				(3)the number of
			 cases and allegations in which corrective action was provided, compared to the
			 total number of cases and allegations filed with the Board for each, itemized
			 separately for settlements and final Board decisions; and
				(4)with respect to
			 paragraphs (8) and (9) of section 2302 (b) of such title 5, the number of cases
			 in which the Board has ruled in favor of the employee on the merits of the
			 claim compared to the total number of cases and allegations filed with the
			 Board for each, where findings of fact and conclusions of law were issued on
			 whether those provisions were violated, independent from cases disposed by
			 procedural determinations, including a separate itemization of both initial
			 decisions by administrative judges and final Board decisions for each
			 category.
				(b)Office of Special
			 CounselEach annual report submitted under section 1218 of title
			 5, United States Code, by the Special Counsel or an employee designated by the
			 Special Counsel shall, with respect to the period covered by such report,
			 include—
				(1)the number of cases
			 and allegations for each prohibited personnel practice, delineated by type of
			 prohibited personnel practice;
				(2)for each type of
			 prohibited personnel practice, the number of cases and allegations as to which
			 the Office of Special Counsel found reasonable grounds to believe section 2302
			 of such title 5 had been violated;
				(3)for each type of
			 prohibited personnel practice, the number of cases and allegations as to which
			 the Office of Special Counsel referred the complaint for full field
			 investigation;
				(4)for each
			 prohibited personnel practice, the number of cases and allegations as to which
			 the Office of Special Counsel recommended corrective action;
				(5)for each
			 prohibited personnel practice, the number of cases and allegations as to which
			 the Office of Special Counsel conducted a mediation or other form of
			 alternative dispute resolution, with statistics and illustrative examples
			 describing the results with particularity;
				(6)the number of
			 instances in which the Office of Special Counsel referred disclosures submitted
			 under section 1213 of such title 5 to an agency head, without any finding under
			 subsection (c) or (g) of such section;
				(7)a
			 statistical tabulation of results for each customer satisfaction survey
			 question, both with respect to allegations of prohibited personnel practice
			 submitted under section 1214 of such title 5 and disclosures submitted under
			 section 1213 of such title; and
				(8)for each provision
			 under section 1216(a) (1) through (5) and (c) of such title 5, the number of
			 cases and allegations, the number of field investigations opened, the number of
			 instances in which corrective action was sought, and the number of instances in
			 which corrective action was obtained.
				(c)Annual
			 surveySection 13(a) of the Act entitled An Act to
			 reauthorize the Office of Special Counsel, and for other purposes,
			 approved October 29, 1994 (5 U.S.C. 1212 note; Public Law 103–424) is amended
			 in the first sentence by inserting , including individuals who disclose
			 information to the Office of Special Counsel under section 1213 before
			 the period.


110 HRES 1432 EH: Supporting the goals and ideals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month by promoting national awareness of adoption and the children in foster care awaiting families, celebrating children and families involved in adoption, recognizing current programs and efforts designed to promote adoption, and encouraging people in the United States to seek improved safety, permanency, and well-being for all children.
U.S. House of Representatives
2008-09-18
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1432
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

September 18, 2008

RESOLUTION
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month by promoting national awareness of adoption and the children in foster care awaiting families, celebrating children and families involved in adoption, recognizing current programs and efforts designed to promote adoption, and encouraging people in the United States to seek improved safety, permanency, and well-being for all children.

Whereas there are nearly 500,000 children in the foster care system in the United States, approximately 130,000 of whom are waiting for families to adopt them;
Whereas nearly 54 percent of the children in foster care are age 10 or younger;
Whereas the average length of time a child spends in foster care is more than 2 years;
Whereas, for many foster children, the wait for a permanent, adoptive, “forever” family in which they are loved, nurtured, comforted, and protected seems endless;
Whereas the number of youth who age out of the foster care system by reaching adulthood without being placed in a permanent home has increased by more than 58 percent since 1998, as nearly 27,000 foster youth aged out of foster care during 2007;
Whereas every day loving and nurturing families are strengthened and expanded when committed and dedicated individuals make an important difference in the life of a child through adoption;
Whereas, while 3 in 10 people in the United States have considered adoption, a majority of them have misconceptions about the process of adopting children from foster care and the children who are eligible for adoption;
Whereas 71 percent of those who have considered adoption consider adopting children from foster care above other forms of adoption;
Whereas 45 percent of people in the United States believe that children enter the foster care system because of juvenile delinquency, when in reality the vast majority of children in the foster care system were victims of neglect, abandonment, or abuse;
Whereas 46 percent of people in the United States believe that foster care adoption is expensive, when in reality there is no substantial cost for adopting from foster care, and financial support in the form of an adoption assistance subsidy is available to adoptive families of eligible children adopted from foster care and continues after the adoption is finalized until the child is 18, so that income will not be a barrier to becoming a parent to a foster child who needs to belong to a family;
Whereas significant tax credits are available to families who adopt children with special needs;
Whereas the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, in a partnership with the Ad Council, supports a national recruitment campaign for adoptive parents;
Whereas the Collaboration to AdoptUsKids features a photolisting Website for waiting foster children and prospective adoptive families at www.adoptuskids.org, and in Spanish at www.adopte1.org;
Whereas National Adoption Day is a collective national effort to find permanent, loving families for children in the foster care system;
Whereas, since the first National Adoption Day in 2000, 20,000 children have joined forever families during National Adoption Day;
Whereas in 2006, adoptions were finalized for over 3,300 children through more than 250 National Adoption Day events in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico;
Whereas National Adoption Month celebrates the gift of adoption, recognizing the adoptive and foster families who share their hearts and homes with children in need, and raises awareness of the need for families for the many waiting children, particularly older children and teens, children of color, members of sibling groups, and children with physical and emotional challenges; and
Whereas November 2008 is National Adoption Month, and November 15, 2008, is National Adoption Day, and activities and information about both are available at www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/nam/activities.cfm: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives—
(1)supports the goals and ideals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month;
(2)recognizes that every child in foster care deserves a permanent and loving family;
(3)recognizes the significant commitment of taxpayers to support adoption, including the $1,900,000,000 provided to support adoption through the Title IV–E Adoption Assistance program, as well as the assistance provided through the Title IV–E Foster Care program to 130,000 children waiting for adoptive families, among other important programs; and
(4)encourages the citizens of the United States to consider adoption of children in foster care who are waiting for a permanent, loving family.

Lorraine C. Miller,Clerk.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2172
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 29, 2009
			Mr. Larsen of
			 Washington (for himself, Mr.
			 Dicks, Mr. McMahon,
			 Mr. Young of Alaska,
			 Mr. Sires,
			 Mr. Inslee,
			 Mr. Kagen,
			 Mr. Pascrell,
			 Mr. Delahunt,
			 Mr. Israel,
			 Mr. Butterfield,
			 Mr. Jones,
			 Mr. Courtney,
			 Mr. Taylor,
			 Ms. Pingree of Maine,
			 Mr. Smith of Washington,
			 Mr. McIntyre,
			 Mr. Reichert, and
			 Mr. McDermott) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
			 Infrastructure

		A BILL
		To promote secure ferry transportation and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 United States Ferry Systems Investment
			 Act of 2009.
		2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
			(1)Ferries are a
			 vital part of the United States transportation system, carrying more than
			 100,000,000 passengers annually in at least 38 States.
			(2)In many congested
			 metropolitan areas, ferries are one of the few remaining options for
			 significant transportation capacity expansion.
			(3)Ferries are the
			 sole or primary transportation connection for many island and isolated
			 communities.
			(4)Ferries provide a
			 critical emergency evacuation alternative for both large cities and remote
			 locations.
			(5)Ferries can be
			 part of an interim solution when transportation infrastructure fails, for
			 example after the terrorist attacks in New York on September 11, 2001,
			 disrupted train service and after part of the San Francisco Bay Bridge
			 collapsed in the Loma Prieta earthquake, ferries were used to provide interim
			 transportation.
			(6)Ferries offer a
			 relatively energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and low-stress mode of
			 travel.
			(7)Almost all of the
			 largest and important ferry services are publicly owned or provide
			 transportation at public terminals, are integrated with other transportation
			 modes, and are operated in a manner to serve the public interest.
			(8)According to the
			 Secretary of Transportation, almost 25 percent of United States ferries are 40
			 years or older and 5 percent of United States ferries are 60 years or
			 older.
			(9)Federal investment
			 in the United States ferry system is necessary because—
				(A)of the unique and
			 important role ferries play in the United States transportation system;
				(B)of the large and
			 growing need for new and replacement ferry vessels and terminals; and
				(C)ferries do not fit
			 neatly into other Federal mode-specific transportation programs.
				(10)The distribution
			 of Federal ferry funds by formula is appropriate because that method of
			 distribution would dedicate funding to the largest and most important public
			 ferry systems.
			(11)The distribution
			 of Federal ferry funds by discretionary awards is also appropriate because that
			 method of distribution would help initiate and expand ferry services throughout
			 the United States.
			3.Secretary
			 definedIn this Act, the term
			 Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation.
		4.Construction of
			 ferry boats and ferry terminal facilitiesSection 147 of title 23, United States Code,
			 is amended by striking subsections (c), (d), and (e) and inserting the
			 following:

				(c)Distribution of
				fundsThe funds made available to carry out this section in each
				fiscal year shall be allocated to those ferry systems and public entities
				responsible for developing ferries as follows:
					(1)Fifty percent of
				such funds shall be allocated at the discretion of the Secretary.
					(2)Fifty percent of
				such funds shall be allocated in accordance with the formula set out in
				subsection (d).
					(d)FormulaThe
				funds referred to in subsection (c)(2) shall be distributed as follows:
					(1)Fifty percent
				shall be based on the total annual number of passengers carried by a ferry
				system.
					(2)Twenty-five
				percent shall be based on the total annual number of vehicles carried by a
				ferry system.
					(3)Twenty-five
				percent shall be based on the total route miles serviced by a ferry
				system.
					(e)Funding
					(1)In
				generalThere shall be available to the Secretary from the
				Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) $200,000,000 for each
				of the fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 to carry out this
				section.
					(2)Period of
				availabilityNotwithstanding section 118(b), funds made available
				to carry out this section shall remain available until
				expended.
					.
		5.Eligibility of
			 ferries for the clean fuels grant programSection 5308 of title 49, United States
			 Code, is amended—
			(1)in paragraph (2)
			 of subsection (a)—
				(A)in clause (i), by
			 striking the semicolon and inserting a comma and or ferries;;
			 and
				(B)in clause (iii),
			 by striking the semicolon and inserting or ferries;; and
				(2)in subsection
			 (c)—
				(A)in the heading, by
			 striking the period and inserting and ferries.; and
				(B)by striking the
			 period at the end and inserting or ferries..
				6.Ferry Joint
			 Program Office
			(a)Establishment
			 and purpose
				(1)EstablishmentThe
			 Secretary shall establish within the Department of Transportation a Ferry Joint
			 Program Office (in this section, referred to as the Office) for
			 the purposes described in paragraph (2).
				(2)PurposesThe
			 purposes of the Office shall be—
					(A)to coordinate
			 Federal programs affecting ferry and ferry facility construction, maintenance,
			 operations, and security; and
					(B)to promote
			 transportation by ferry as a component of the United States transportation
			 system.
					(b)FunctionsThe
			 head of the Office shall carry out the following functions:
				(1)Coordinating
			 programs related to ferry transportation carried out by the Department of
			 Transportation, including programs carried out by the Federal Highway
			 Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the Maritime
			 Administration, and the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, and
			 such programs carried out by the Department of Homeland Security and other
			 Federal and State agencies, as appropriate.
				(2)Ensuring resource
			 accountability for programs carried out by the Secretary related to ferry
			 transportation.
				(3)Providing
			 strategic leadership for research, development, testing, and deployment of
			 technologies related to ferry transportation.
				(4)Promoting ferry
			 transportation as a means to reduce social, economic, and environmental costs
			 associated with traffic congestion.
				(5)Developing energy
			 efficient operating models to reduce carbon emissions associated with ferry
			 transportation.
				7.National ferry
			 databaseSubsection (e) of
			 section 1801 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation
			 Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (Public Law 109–59; 23 U.S.C. 129 note) is
			 amended—
			(1)in paragraph (2),
			 by inserting , including any Federal, State, or local government funding
			 sources, after sources; and
			(2)in paragraph
			 (4)—
				(A)in subparagraph
			 (B), by striking and at the end;
				(B)by redesignating
			 subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D);
				(C)by inserting after
			 subparagraph (B), the following:

						(C)ensure that the
				database is consistent with the national transit database maintained by the
				Federal Transit Administration
						;
				and
				(D)in subparagraph
			 (D), as redesignated by subparagraph (B), by striking 2009 and
			 inserting 2015.
				8.National Ferry
			 Transportation Institute
			(a)EstablishmentNot
			 later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
			 award a grant to a college to establish a National Ferry Transportation
			 Institute (in this section, referred to as an Institute) at the
			 college.
			(b)AdministrationThe
			 Secretary shall award and administer the grant under subsection (a) in
			 cooperation with the heads of appropriate entities of the Department of
			 Transportation and of the appropriate State transportation department, public
			 ferry transportation authorities, private ferry operators, ferry builders,
			 ferry transportation employees, and other colleges, universities, and research
			 institutes.
			(c)FunctionsThe
			 Institute—
				(1)shall—
					(A)conduct research
			 and recommend development activities on methods of improving ferry
			 transportation programs in the United States, including methods of reducing
			 wake, providing alternative propulsion, integrating use of clean, renewable
			 fuels, and testing advanced materials for use in ferry construction;
					(B)develop and
			 conduct training programs for ferry transportation system employees, United
			 States Government employees, and other individuals, as appropriate, on
			 developments, techniques, and procedures pertaining to the construction and
			 operation of ferries;
					(C)encourage and
			 assist collaborative efforts by public and private entities to preserve,
			 improve, and expand the use of ferries as a mode of transportation;
					(D)preserve, utilize,
			 and display historical information about the use of ferry transportation in the
			 United States and in foreign countries; and
					(E)develop models and
			 recommendations to enhance security on ferries and in and around ferry
			 facilities; and
					(2)may provide funds
			 from a grant under subsection (a) to a contractor or other entity to assist the
			 Institute in carrying out the functions described in subparagraphs (A) through
			 (E) of paragraph (1).
				(d)Selection
			 criteriaThe Secretary shall award the grant under subsection (a)
			 on the basis of the following criteria:
				(1)The extent to
			 which the needs of the State in which the applicant is located are
			 representative of the importance of public and private ferries to the region’s
			 transportation system, including both regional travel and long-range travel and
			 service to isolated communities.
				(2)The historical
			 importance of ferry transportation to the region in which the applicant is
			 located.
				(3)The history and
			 diversity of such region in the maritime community, including ferry
			 construction and repair and other shipbuilding activities.
				(4)The anticipated
			 growth of ferry transportation and the building of ferries in such
			 region.
				(5)The availability
			 of public-private collaboration in such region.
				(6)The demonstrated
			 research and extension resources available to the applicant to successfully
			 carry out the functions described in subsection (c).
				(e)Requirement for
			 non-Federal fundingA college may not be awarded the grant under
			 subsection (a) unless the college is able to provide 25 percent of the costs
			 associated with establishing, operating, and maintaining the Institute and the
			 research and development activities carried out by the Institute from
			 non-Federal sources.
			(f)ReportNot
			 later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually
			 thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on activities
			 carried out under this section, including a description of the activities
			 carried out by the Institute.
			(g)Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to the
			 Secretary $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and
			 2015 to carry out this section.


110 HR 7325 IH: Economic Recovery Through Responsible

U.S. House of Representatives
2008-12-10
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.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 7325
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			December 10, 2008
			Mr. Dreier introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow all
		  individuals, whether or not first-time homebuyers, a refundable income tax
		  credit for the purchase of a residence during 2009 or 2010.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Economic Recovery Through Responsible
			 Homeownership Act of 2008.
		2.Refundable credit
			 for residences purchased during 2009 or 2010
			(a)In
			 generalSubpart C of part IV
			 of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to
			 refundable credits) is amended by inserting after section 36 the following new
			 section:

					36A.General
				homebuyer credit for residences purchased during 2009 or 2010
						(a)Allowance of
				creditIn the case of an
				individual who makes an eligible purchase during the taxable year, there shall
				be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this subtitle for such
				taxable year an amount equal to so much of the purchase price as does not
				exceed $5,000 ($10,000 in the case of an eligible purchase where the down
				payment is at least 15 percent of the purchase price).
						(b)DefinitionsFor
				purposes of this section—
							(1)Eligible
				purchaseThe term eligible purchase means the
				purchase of a residence for the taxpayer if—
								(A)such residence is
				located in the United States,
								(B)the construction
				of such residence began before 2010,
								(C)there is a down
				payment of at least 10 percent of the purchase price, and
								(D)such purchase is
				made by the taxpayer during 2009 or 2010.
								(2)Other
				definitionsThe terms purchase and purchase
				price have the respective meanings given such terms by section
				26(c).
							(c)ExceptionsNo credit shall be allowed under subsection
				(a) to any taxpayer for any taxable year with respect to the purchase of a
				residence if—
							(1)credit under
				section 26 (relating to first-time homebuyer credit) or 1400C (relating to
				first-time homebuyer in the District of Columbia) is allowed to the taxpayer
				(or the taxpayer's spouse) for such taxable year or any prior taxable
				year,
							(2)the residence is
				financed by the proceeds of a qualified mortgage issue the interest on which is
				exempt from tax under section 103,
							(3)the taxpayer is a
				nonresident alien, or
							(4)the taxpayer
				disposes of such residence (or such residence ceases to be a residence of the
				taxpayer (or, if married, the taxpayer’s spouse)) before the close of such
				taxable year.
							(d)Other rules To
				apply
							(1)Related
				personsRules similar to the
				rules of section 26(c)(5) shall apply for purposes of this section.
							(2)Married
				individuals filing separate returns, etcRules similar to the
				rules of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 26(b)(1) shall apply for purposes
				of this section.
							(3)ReportingRules
				similar to the rules of section 26(e) shall apply for purposes of this
				section.
							(e)Recapture of
				creditRules similar to the rules of section 26(f) shall apply
				for purposes of this section, except that—
							(1)paragraph (1)
				thereof shall be applied by substituting 331/3
				percent for 62/3 percent,
				and
							(2)paragraph (7)
				thereof shall be applied by substituting 3 years for 15
				years.
							.
			(b)Conforming
			 amendments
				(1)Section 26(b)(2) of such Code is
			 amended—
					(A)in subparagraph
			 (W)—
						(i)by
			 striking homebuyer credit and inserting first-time
			 homebuyer credit, and
						(ii)by
			 striking and,
						(B)by striking the
			 period at the end of subparagraph (X) and inserting , and,
			 and
					(C)by inserting after
			 subparagraph (X) the following new subparagraph:

							(Y)section 36A(e) (relating to recapture of
				general homebuyer
				credit)
							.
					(2)Section 6211(b)(4)(A) of such Code is
			 amended by inserting 36A, after 36,.
				(3)Section 1324(b)(2)
			 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting 36A,
			 after 36,.
				(4)The table of
			 sections for subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is
			 amended by inserting after the item relating to section 36 the following new
			 item:

						Sec. 36A. General homebuyer credit
				for residences purchased during 2009 or 2010..

				(c)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to
			 residences purchased after December 31, 2008, in taxable years ending after
			 such date.


115 SRES 408 IS: Commemorating the 59th anniversary of Tibet's 1959 uprising as “Tibetan Rights Day”, and expressing support for the human rights and religious freedom of the Tibetan people and the Tibetan Buddhist faith community.
U.S. Senate

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

		III
		115th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. RES. 408
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			February 15, 2018
			Mr. Leahy (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein, and Mr. Cruz) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

		RESOLUTION
		Commemorating the 59th anniversary of Tibet's 1959 uprising as “Tibetan Rights Day”, and expressing
			 support for the human rights and religious freedom of the Tibetan people
			 and the Tibetan Buddhist faith community.

 Whereas March 10, 2018, marks the 59th anniversary of the 1959 uprising in Tibet, during which the people of Lhasa, fearing for the life of the Dalai Lama, surrounded his residence, organized a guard, and called for the withdrawal of Chinese forces from Tibet and the restoration of Tibet’s freedom;
 Whereas Chinese statistics estimate 87,000 Tibetans were killed, arrested, or deported to labor camps during the suppression of the 1959 uprising, which also forced the Dalai Lama and tens of thousands of other Tibetans to flee into exile;
 Whereas March 10, 2018, also marks the 10th anniversary of a series of protests in Lhasa, which spread across Tibet, and which were suppressed by Chinese forces;
 Whereas, according to the Department of State, the Government of the People's Republic of China is engaged in the severe repression of Tibet’s unique religious, cultural, and linguistic heritage, and is engaged in gross violations of human rights in Tibet, including extrajudicial detentions, disappearances, and torture;
 Whereas, in the ten years since the 2008 protests, at least 152 Tibetans in Tibet are known to have self-immolated, with statements or records left by these self-immolators calling for freedom for Tibet and the return of the Dalai Lama;
 Whereas, in 1991, Congress resolved its sense that Tibet is an occupied country under the established principles of international law whose true representatives are the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile as recognized by the Tibetan people;
 Whereas, in 1961, with the support of the United States, the United Nations General Assembly recognized the Tibetan people’s fundamental human rights and freedoms, including the right to self-determination;
 Whereas, on October 18, 2007, Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama, finding that he is recognized around the world as a leading figure of moral and religious authority, and is the unrivaled spiritual and cultural leader of the Tibetan people;
 Whereas Buddhists in Tibet, the United States, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Mongolia, Russia, and other countries where followers of Tibetan Buddhism reside look to the Dalai Lama for religious leadership and spiritual guidance;
 Whereas, in its 2017 annual report, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom noted that [t]he Chinese government claims the power to select the next Dalai Lama with the help of a law that grants the government authority over reincarnations, which purports to require all Tibetan Buddhist leaders to obtain the approval of the Government of the People's Republic of China in order to reincarnate;
 Whereas the Government of the People's Republic of China has interfered in the identification and installation of reincarnated leaders of Tibetan Buddhism, as part of its efforts to maintain control over Tibet, including in 1995 arbitrarily detaining the recently identified 11th Panchen Lama, then a six-year-old boy, and purporting to install China’s own candidate as Panchen Lama;
 Whereas, in 2011, the 14th Dalai Lama declared that the responsibility for identifying a future 15th Dalai Lama will rest with officials of the Dalai Lama’s private office and that apart from the reincarnation recognized through such legitimate methods, no recognition or acceptance should be given to a candidate chosen for political ends by anyone, including those in the People’s Republic of China;
 Whereas, in 1981, the United Nations General Assembly passed the Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, which provides that freedom of religion shall include the freedom to train, appoint, elect or designate by succession appropriate leaders called for by the requirements and standards of any religion or belief; and
 Whereas Congress has long held that the right to freedom of religion undergirds the very origin and existence of the United States, and that freedom of religious belief and practice is a universal human right and fundamental freedom: Now, therefore, be it

 That the Senate— (1)recognizes March 10, 2018, as Tibetan Rights Day;
 (2)affirms its recognition of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama for his outstanding contributions to peace, nonviolence, human rights, and religious understanding;
 (3)affirms its support for the Tibetan people’s fundamental human rights and freedoms, including their right to self-determination and the protection of their distinct religious, cultural, linguistic, and national identity;
 (4)expresses its sense that the identification and installation of Tibetan Buddhist religious leaders, including a future 15th Dalai Lama, is a matter that should be determined solely within the Tibetan Buddhist faith community, in accordance with the inalienable right to religious freedom;
 (5)expresses its sense that any attempt by the Government of the People's Republic of China to identify or install its own candidate as a Tibetan Buddhist religious leader, including a future 15th Dalai Lama, is invalid interference in the right to religious freedom of Tibetan Buddhists around the world, including in Tibet as well as the United States and elsewhere; and
 (6)calls on the Secretary of State to fully implement the provisions of the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002 (subtitle B of title VI of Public Law 107–228; 22 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), in cooperation with like-minded states where appropriate, including that—
 (A)representatives of the United States Government in exchanges with officials of the Government of the People's Republic of China should call for and otherwise promote the cessation of all interference by the Government of the People's Republic of China or the Chinese Communist Party in the religious affairs of the Tibetan people;
 (B)the United States Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China should meet with the 11th Panchen Lama, who was arbitrarily detained on May 17, 1995, and otherwise ascertain information concerning his whereabouts and well-being; and
 (C)the Secretary of State should make best efforts to establish an office in Lhasa, Tibet, to monitor political, economic, and cultural developments in Tibet.