117 HRES 671 IH: Impeaching Joseph R. Biden, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-09-22
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. RES. 671IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 21, 2021Mr. Gibbs (for himself, Mr. Biggs, Mr. Babin, and Mr. Weber of Texas) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryRESOLUTIONImpeaching Joseph R. Biden, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.That Joseph R. Biden, President of the United States, is impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors, and that the following articles of impeachment be exhibited to the United States Senate:Articles of impeachment exhibited by the House of Representatives of the United States of America in the name of itself and of the people of the United States of America, against Joseph R. Biden, President of the United States of America, in maintenance and support of its impeachment against him for high crimes and misdemeanors.Article IIn his conduct of the office of President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden violated his constitutional oath to faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, in that:President Biden failed to secure the southern border by halting construction of a barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border, leaving Border Patrol agents to fend for themselves in the effort to secure our borders.President Biden attempted to end the Migrant Protection Protocol policies that required migrants seeking asylum to wait outside of the United States.President Biden abrogated the responsibilities of Federal border enforcement to private shelters, religious organizations, and local officials with respect to testing incoming migrants for COVID–19. President Biden willfully released thousands of migrants who entered the United States illegally without a date to appear in court for immigration. President Biden knowingly released migrants having tested positive for COVID–19 from Border Patrol custody and into the United States, and knowingly transported COVID–19 positive migrants throughout the United States. Wherefore President Biden, by such conduct, thus warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States.Article IIIn his conduct of the office of President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden violated his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, in that:President Biden has violated the constitutional duties of the office of President of the United States by not faithfully executing the law.President Biden has extended the moratorium on evictions despite publicly acknowledging it would not pass constitutional muster.President Biden has violated the separation of powers by extending the moratorium despite the clear warning from the U.S. Supreme Court. President Biden has violated the separation of powers by extending the moratorium with no legislative directive from the U.S. Congress. Wherefore President Biden, by such conduct, thus warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States.Article IIIIn his conduct of the office of President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden violated his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, in that:President Biden has failed to act responsibly as Commander in Chief with regard to the withdrawal of United States forces from Afghanistan. President Biden has abandoned thousands of Americans with the removal of military personnel before American civilians were evacuated, willfully putting their lives at risk. President Biden has aided and abetted the enemy by failing to secure or destroy American-donated military equipment as Taliban forces overtook territory in Afghanistan, leaving billions of dollars’ worth of military hardware in the hands of enemy soldiers. President Biden has executed a withdrawal policy that leaves Afghanistan in the hands of a terror-supporting regime and weakens America’s ability to prosecute the Global War on Terror. Wherefore President Biden, by such conduct, thus warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5418
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			May 26, 2010
			Mr. McMahon
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Transportation and
			 Infrastructure

		A BILL
		To provide emergency operating funds for public
		  transportation.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Public Transportation Preservation Act
			 of 2010.
		2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
			(1)The American
			 Public Transportation Association estimates that since January 1, 2009, 84
			 percent of transit systems have raised fares, cut service or are considering
			 one of those actions.
			(2)Many low-income
			 workers, older Americans, and people with disabilities depend on transit
			 service to get to jobs and health care. Reduced service and higher fares can
			 have a devastating effect on their quality of life.
			(3)Millions of
			 Americans use transit every day. Reduced transit service makes it harder for
			 workers to access jobs and puts more cars on the road, worsening already bad
			 traffic congestion in many metropolitan areas.
			3.Emergency
			 operating funds for public transportation
			(a)General
			 authorityThe Secretary of Transportation may make grants to
			 States and designated recipients that receive funding under chapter 53, United
			 States Code, for the operating costs of equipment and facilities for use in
			 public transportation.
			(b)Apportionment of
			 fundsOf the funds made available under this section—
				(1)80 percent shall
			 be apportioned in accordance with section 5336 of title 49, United States
			 Code;
				(2)10 percent shall
			 be apportioned in accordance with section 5340 of title 49, United States Code;
			 and
				(3)10 percent shall
			 be apportioned to other than urbanized areas in accordance with section 5311 of
			 title 49, United States Code.
				(c)Use of
			 funds
				(1)In
			 generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), the amounts
			 apportioned to a State or urbanized area pursuant to subsection (b) shall be
			 used—
					(A)for operating
			 expenses necessary to—
						(i)restore a
			 reduction in public transportation service and related workforce reductions;
			 or
						(ii)rescind all or a
			 portion of a fare increase;
						if such
			 reduction or increase was due to decreased State or local funding or farebox
			 revenue, that occurred on or after January 1, 2009; and(B)to prevent
			 reductions or increases described in subparagraph (A) through September 30,
			 2011.
					(2)Exception
					(A)In
			 generalIf a recipient submits a certification to the Secretary
			 that the recipient has not had a major reduction in public transportation
			 service, as described in section 5307(d)(1)(I) of title 49, United States Code,
			 or a fare increase as a result of decreased State or local operating funding,
			 and will be able to avoid such reductions or increases through September 30,
			 2011, without the funds made available by this section, a recipient may use the
			 funds to replace, rehabilitate, or repair existing transit capital assets used
			 in public transportation as defined under section 5302(a)(10) of title 49,
			 United States Code.
					(B)Use of remaining
			 fundsA recipient may use any remaining funds made available by
			 this section to replace, rehabilitate, or repair existing transit capital
			 assets used in public transportation as defined under section 5302(a)(10) of
			 title 49, United States Code if that recipient has—
						(i)restored a major
			 reduction in public transportation service or rescinded a fare increase;
			 and
						(ii)is
			 able to avoid reductions or increases described in paragraph (1)(B).
						(d)RequirementsApplicable
			 requirements of chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, shall apply to
			 funding provided under this section. Section 1101(b) of Public Law 109–59 (119
			 Stat. 1156) shall apply to funding provided under this section.
			(e)Government share
			 of costsA grant under this section shall be, at the option of
			 the recipient, up to 100 percent of the net cost of the project.
			(f)Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry
			 out this section $2,000,000,000 to remain available for obligation through
			 September 30, 2011.
			(g)Funds
			 availabilityFunds apportioned under this section and obligated
			 on or before September 30, 2011, shall be expended on or before July 1,
			 2012.
			(h)OversightThree-quarters
			 of 1 percent of the funds available under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection
			 (b), and one-half of 1 percent of the funds available under paragraph (3) of
			 subsection (b), shall be provided for administrative expenses and program
			 management oversight, and such funds shall be available through September 30,
			 2013.


116 HR 6740 IH: To designate the area between the intersections of International Drive, Northwest and Van Ness Street, Northwest and International Drive, Northwest and International Place, Northwest in Washington, District of Columbia, as “Li Wenliang Plaza”, and for other purposes.
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-05-08
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.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 6740IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 8, 2020Ms. Cheney (for herself, Mr. Gonzalez of Ohio, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Crenshaw, Mr. Waltz, Mr. Reschenthaler, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Steube, Mr. Banks, Mr. Gallagher, Mr. Yoho, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Arrington, Mr. Barr, Mr. Roy, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mr. Balderson, Mr. Burgess, and Mrs. Wagner) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and ReformA BILLTo designate the area between the intersections of International Drive, Northwest and Van Ness Street, Northwest and International Drive, Northwest and International Place, Northwest in Washington, District of Columbia, as Li Wenliang Plaza, and for other purposes.1.Designation of Li Wenliang Plaza(a)Designation of plaza(1)In generalThe area between the intersections of International Drive, Northwest and Van Ness Street, Northwest and International Drive, Northwest and International Place, Northwest in Washington, District of Columbia, shall be known and designated as Li Wenliang Plaza.(2)ReferencesAny reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the area referred to in paragraph (1) shall be deemed to be a reference to Li Wenliang Plaza.(b)Designation of address(1)DesignationThe address of 3505 International Place, Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia, shall be redesignated as 1 Li Wenliang Plaza.(2)ReferencesAny reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the address referred to in paragraph (1) shall be deemed to be a reference to 1 Li Wenliang Plaza.(c)SignsThe Administrator of General Services shall construct street signs that shall—(1)contain the phrase Li Wenliang Plaza;(2)be similar in design to the signs used by Washington, District of Columbia, to designate the location of Metro stations; and(3)be placed on—(A)the parcel of Federal property that is closest to 1 Li Wenliang Plaza (as redesignated by subsection (b)); and(B)the street corners of International Drive, Northwest and Van Ness Street, Northwest and International Drive, Northwest and International Place, Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia.


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1522
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			September 7, 2011
			Mr. Blumenthal (for
			 himself, Mr. Schumer,
			 Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Begich, Mr.
			 Manchin, Mr. Brown of Ohio,
			 and Mr. Franken) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Rules and
			 Administration

		A BILL
		To establish a joint select committee of Congress to
		  report findings and propose legislation to restore the Nation’s workforce to
		  full employment over the period of fiscal years 2012 and 2013, and to provide
		  for expedited consideration of such legislation by both the House of
		  Representatives and the Senate.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Joint Select Committee on Job Creation
			 Act of 2011.
		2.Establishment of
			 joint select committee
			(a)DefinitionsIn
			 this Act:
				(1)Joint
			 committeeThe term joint committee means the Joint
			 Select Committee on Job Creation established under subsection (b)(1).
				(2)Joint committee
			 billThe term joint committee bill means a bill
			 consisting of the proposed legislative language of the joint committee
			 recommended under subsection (b)(3)(B) and introduced under section
			 3(a).
				(b)Establishment of
			 Joint Select Committee
				(1)EstablishmentThere
			 is established a joint select committee of Congress to be known as the
			 Joint Select Committee on Job Creation.
				(2)GoalThe
			 goal of the joint committee shall be to restore the Nation’s workforce to full
			 employment, as defined by the Secretary of Labor not later than 14 days after
			 the date of the enactment of this Act, over the period of fiscal years 2012 and
			 2013.
				(3)Duties
					(A)In
			 general
						(i)Improving the
			 short-term and long-term employment levelsThe joint committee
			 shall provide recommendations and legislative language that will significantly
			 improve the short-term and long-term employment levels in the United
			 States.
						(ii)Recommendations
			 of committeesNot later than October 14, 2011, each committee of
			 the House of Representatives and the Senate may transmit to the joint committee
			 its recommendations for changes in law to increase employment levels consistent
			 with the goal described in paragraph (2) for the joint committee’s
			 consideration.
						(B)Report,
			 recommendations, and legislative language
						(i)In
			 generalNot later than November 23, 2011, the joint committee
			 shall vote on—
							(I)a
			 report that contains a detailed statement of the findings, conclusions, and
			 recommendations of the joint committee and the estimate of the Joint Economic
			 Committee required by paragraph (5)(D)(ii); and
							(II)proposed
			 legislative language to carry out such recommendations as described in
			 subclause (I), which shall include a statement of the job creation achieved by
			 the legislation over the period of fiscal years 2012 and 2013.
							Any change to
			 the Rules of the House of Representatives or the Standing Rules of the Senate
			 included in the report or legislative language shall be considered to be merely
			 advisory.(ii)Approval of
			 report and legislative languageThe report of the joint committee
			 and the proposed legislative language described in clause (i) shall require the
			 approval of a majority of the members of the joint committee.
						(iii)Additional
			 viewsA member of the joint committee who gives notice of an
			 intention to file supplemental, minority, or additional views at the time of
			 final joint committee vote on the approval of the report and legislative
			 language under clause (ii) shall be entitled to 3 calendar days in which to
			 file such views in writing with the staff director of the joint committee. Such
			 views shall then be included in the joint committee report and printed in the
			 same volume, or part thereof, and their inclusion shall be noted on the cover
			 of the report. In the absence of timely notice, the joint committee report may
			 be printed and transmitted immediately without such views.
						(iv)Transmission of
			 report and legislative languageIf the report and legislative
			 language are approved by the joint committee pursuant to clause (ii), then not
			 later than December 2, 2011, the joint committee shall submit the joint
			 committee report and legislative language described in clause (i) to the
			 President, the Vice President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and
			 the majority and minority leaders of each House of Congress.
						(v)Report and
			 legislative language to be made publicUpon the approval or
			 disapproval of the joint committee report and legislative language pursuant to
			 clause (ii), the joint committee shall promptly make the full report and
			 legislative language, and a record of the vote, available to the public.
						(4)Membership
					(A)In
			 generalThe joint committee shall be composed of 12 members
			 appointed pursuant to subparagraph (B).
					(B)AppointmentMembers
			 of the joint committee shall be appointed as follows:
						(i)The
			 majority leader of the Senate shall appoint three members from among Members of
			 the Senate.
						(ii)The
			 minority leader of the Senate shall appoint three members from among Members of
			 the Senate.
						(iii)The Speaker of
			 the House of Representatives shall appoint three members from among Members of
			 the House of Representatives.
						(iv)The
			 minority leader of the House of Representatives shall appoint three members
			 from among Members of the House of Representatives.
						(C)Co-chairs
						(i)In
			 generalThere shall be two Co-Chairs of the joint committee. The
			 majority leader of the Senate shall appoint one Co-Chair from among the members
			 of the joint committee. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall
			 appoint the second Co-Chair from among the members of the joint committee. The
			 Co-Chairs shall be appointed not later than 14 calendar days after the date of
			 enactment of this Act.
						(ii)Staff
			 directorThe Co-Chairs, acting jointly, shall hire the staff
			 director of the joint committee.
						(D)DateMembers
			 of the joint committee shall be appointed not later than 14 calendar days after
			 the date of enactment of this Act.
					(E)Period of
			 appointmentMembers shall be appointed for the life of the joint
			 committee. Any vacancy in the joint committee shall not affect its powers, but
			 shall be filled not later than 14 calendar days after the date on which the
			 vacancy occurs, in the same manner as the original designation was made. If a
			 member of the joint committee ceases to be a Member of the House of
			 Representatives or the Senate, as the case may be, the member is no longer a
			 member of the joint committee and a vacancy shall exist.
					(5)Administration
					(A)In
			 generalTo enable the joint committee to exercise its powers,
			 functions, and duties, there are authorized to be disbursed by the Senate the
			 actual and necessary expenses of the joint committee approved by the Co-Chairs,
			 subject to the rules and regulations of the Senate.
					(B)ExpensesIn
			 carrying out its functions, the joint committee is authorized to incur expenses
			 in the same manner and under the same conditions as the Joint Economic
			 Committee is authorized by section 11 of Public Law 79–304 (15 U.S.C. 1024
			 (d)).
					(C)QuorumSeven
			 members of the joint committee shall constitute a quorum for purposes of
			 voting, meeting, and holding hearings.
					(D)Voting
						(i)Proxy
			 votingNo proxy voting shall be allowed on behalf of the members
			 of the joint committee.
						(ii)Job creation
			 estimatesThe Joint Economic Committee, authorized in 4(C)(iii)
			 shall provide estimates of the legislation (as described in paragraph (3)(B)).
			 The joint committee may not vote on any version of the report, recommendations,
			 or legislative language unless such estimates are available for consideration
			 by all members of the joint committee at least 48 hours prior to the vote as
			 certified by the Co-Chairs.
						(E)Meetings
						(i)Initial
			 meetingNot later than 45 calendar days after the date of
			 enactment of this Act, the joint committee shall hold its first meeting.
						(ii)AgendaThe
			 Co-Chairs of the joint committee shall provide an agenda to the joint committee
			 members not less than 48 hours in advance of any meeting.
						(F)Hearings
						(i)In
			 generalThe joint committee may, for the purpose of carrying out
			 this section, hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, require
			 attendance of witnesses and production of books, papers, and documents, take
			 such testimony, receive such evidence, and administer such oaths as the joint
			 committee considers advisable.
						(ii)Hearing
			 procedures and responsibilities of co-chairs
							(I)AnnouncementThe
			 Co-Chairs of the joint committee shall make a public announcement of the date,
			 place, time, and subject matter of any hearing to be conducted, not less than 7
			 days in advance of such hearing, unless the Co-Chairs determine that there is
			 good cause to begin such hearing at an earlier date.
							(II)Written
			 statementA witness appearing before the joint committee shall
			 file a written statement of proposed testimony at least 2 calendar days before
			 the appearance of the witness, unless the requirement is waived by the
			 Co-Chairs, following their determination that there is good cause for failure
			 to comply with such requirement.
							(G)Technical
			 assistanceUpon written request of the Co-Chairs, a Federal
			 agency shall provide technical assistance to the joint committee in order for
			 the joint committee to carry out its duties.
					(c)Staff of Joint
			 Committee
				(1)In
			 generalThe Co-Chairs of the joint committee may jointly appoint
			 and fix the compensation of staff as they deem necessary, within the guidelines
			 for employees of the Senate and following all applicable rules and employment
			 requirements of the Senate.
				(2)Ethical
			 standardsMembers on the joint committee who serve in the House
			 of Representatives shall be governed by the ethics rules and requirements of
			 the House. Members of the Senate who serve on the joint committee and staff of
			 the joint committee shall comply with the ethics rules of the Senate.
				(d)TerminationThe
			 joint committee shall terminate on January 31, 2012.
			3.Expedited
			 consideration of joint committee recommendations
			(a)Introduction
				(1)If
			 approvedIf approved by the majority required by section
			 2(b)(3)(B)(ii), the proposed legislative language submitted pursuant to section
			 2(b)(3)(B)(iv) shall be introduced in the Senate (by request) on the next day
			 on which the Senate is in session by the majority leader of the Senate or by a
			 Member of the Senate designated by the majority leader of the Senate and shall
			 be introduced in the House of Representatives (by request) on the next
			 legislative day by the majority leader of the House or by a Member of the House
			 designated by the majority leader of the House.
				(2)If not
			 approvedIf no legislative
			 language is approved by the vote required by section 2(b)(3)(B)(i), then any
			 legislative language that was brought to a vote under such section shall be
			 introduced in the Senate (by request) on the next day on which the Senate is in
			 session by the majority leader of the Senate or by a Member of the Senate
			 designated by the majority leader of the Senate and shall be introduced in the
			 House of Representatives (by request) on the next legislative day by the
			 majority leader of the House or by a Member of the House designated by the
			 majority leader of the House.
				(b)Consideration in
			 the House of Representatives
				(1)Referral and
			 reportingAny committee of the House of Representatives to which
			 the joint committee bill is referred shall report it to the House without
			 amendment not later than December 9, 2011. If a committee fails to report the
			 joint committee bill within that period, it shall be in order to move that the
			 House discharge the committee from further consideration of the bill. Such a
			 motion shall not be in order after the last committee authorized to consider
			 the bill reports it to the House or after the House has disposed of a motion to
			 discharge the bill. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the
			 motion to its adoption without intervening motion except 20 minutes of debate
			 equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent. If such a
			 motion is adopted, the House shall proceed immediately to consider the joint
			 committee bill in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3). A motion to
			 reconsider the vote by which the motion is disposed of shall not be in
			 order.
				(2)Proceeding to
			 considerationAfter the last committee authorized to consider a
			 joint committee bill reports it to the House or has been discharged (other than
			 by motion) from its consideration, it shall be in order to move to proceed to
			 consider the joint committee bill in the House. Such a motion shall not be in
			 order after the House has disposed of a motion to proceed with respect to the
			 joint committee bill. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on
			 the motion to its adoption without intervening motion. A motion to reconsider
			 the vote by which the motion is disposed of shall not be in order.
				(3)ConsiderationThe
			 joint committee bill shall be considered as read. All points of order against
			 the joint committee bill and against its consideration are waived. The previous
			 question shall be considered as ordered on the joint committee bill to its
			 passage without intervening motion except 2 hours of debate equally divided and
			 controlled by the proponent and an opponent and one motion to limit debate on
			 the joint committee bill. A motion to reconsider the vote on passage of the
			 joint committee bill shall not be in order.
				(4)Vote on
			 passageThe vote on passage of the joint committee bill shall
			 occur not later than December 23, 2011.
				(c)Expedited
			 Procedure in the Senate
				(1)Committee
			 considerationA joint committee bill introduced in the Senate
			 under subsection (a) shall be jointly referred to the committee or committees
			 of jurisdiction, which committees shall report the bill without any revision
			 and with a favorable recommendation, an unfavorable recommendation, or without
			 recommendation, not later than December 9, 2011. If any committee fails to
			 report the bill within that period, that committee shall be automatically
			 discharged from consideration of the bill, and the bill shall be placed on the
			 appropriate calendar.
				(2)Motion to
			 proceedNotwithstanding Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the
			 Senate, it is in order, not later than 2 days of session after the date on
			 which a joint committee bill is reported or discharged from all committees to
			 which it was referred, for the majority leader of the Senate or the majority
			 leader’s designee to move to proceed to the consideration of the joint
			 committee bill. It shall also be in order for any Member of the Senate to move
			 to proceed to the consideration of the joint committee bill at any time after
			 the conclusion of such 2-day period. A motion to proceed is in order even
			 though a previous motion to the same effect has been disagreed to. All points
			 of order against the motion to proceed to the joint committee bill are waived.
			 The motion to proceed is not debatable. The motion is not subject to a motion
			 to postpone. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to
			 or disagreed to shall not be in order. If a motion to proceed to the
			 consideration of the joint committee bill is agreed to, the joint committee
			 bill shall remain the unfinished business until disposed of.
				(3)ConsiderationAll
			 points of order against the joint committee bill and against consideration of
			 the joint committee bill are waived. Consideration of the joint committee bill
			 and of all debatable motions and appeals in connection therewith shall not
			 exceed a total of 30 hours which shall be divided equally between the majority
			 and minority leaders or their designees. A motion further to limit debate on
			 the joint committee bill is in order, shall require an affirmative vote of
			 three-fifths of the Members duly chosen and sworn, and is not debatable. Any
			 debatable motion or appeal is debatable for not to exceed 1 hour, to be divided
			 equally between those favoring and those opposing the motion or appeal. All
			 time used for consideration of the joint committee bill, including time used
			 for quorum calls and voting, shall be counted against the total 30 hours of
			 consideration.
				(4)No
			 amendmentsAn amendment to the joint committee bill, or a motion
			 to postpone, or a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business, or
			 a motion to recommit the joint committee bill, is not in order.
				(5)Vote on
			 passageIf the Senate has voted to proceed to the joint committee
			 bill, the vote on passage of the joint committee bill shall occur immediately
			 following the conclusion of the debate on a joint committee bill, and a single
			 quorum call at the conclusion of the debate if requested. The vote on passage
			 of the joint committee bill shall occur not later than December 23,
			 2011.
				(6)Rulings of the
			 chair on procedureAppeals from the decisions of the Chair
			 relating to the application of the rules of the Senate, as the case may be, to
			 the procedure relating to a joint committee bill shall be decided without
			 debate.
				(d)AmendmentThe
			 joint committee bill shall not be subject to amendment in either the House of
			 Representatives or the Senate.
			(e)Consideration by
			 the Other House
				(1)In
			 generalIf, before passing the joint committee bill, one House
			 receives from the other a joint committee bill—
					(A)the joint
			 committee bill of the other House shall not be referred to a committee;
			 and
					(B)the procedure in
			 the receiving House shall be the same as if no joint committee bill had been
			 received from the other House until the vote on passage, when the joint
			 committee bill received from the other House shall supplant the joint committee
			 bill of the receiving House.
					(2)Revenue
			 measureThis subsection shall not apply to the House of
			 Representatives if the joint committee bill received from the Senate is a
			 revenue measure.
				(f)Rules To
			 Coordinate Action With Other House
				(1)Treatment of
			 joint committee bill of other houseIf the Senate fails to
			 introduce or consider a joint committee bill under this section, the joint
			 committee bill of the House shall be entitled to expedited floor procedures
			 under this section.
				(2)Treatment of
			 companion measures in the senateIf following passage of the
			 joint committee bill in the Senate, the Senate then receives the joint
			 committee bill from the House of Representatives, the House-passed joint
			 committee bill shall not be debatable. The vote on passage of the joint
			 committee bill in the Senate shall be considered to be the vote on passage of
			 the joint committee bill received from the House of Representatives.
				(3)VetoesIf
			 the President vetoes the joint committee bill, debate on a veto message in the
			 Senate under this section shall be 1 hour equally divided between the majority
			 and minority leaders or their designees.
				(g)Loss of
			 PrivilegeThe provisions of this section shall cease to apply to
			 the joint committee bill if the joint committee bill does not pass both Houses
			 not later than December 23, 2011.
			4.FundingFunding for the joint committee shall be
			 derived in equal portions from—
			(1)the applicable
			 accounts of the House of Representatives; and
			(2)the contingent
			 fund of the Senate from the appropriations account Miscellaneous
			 Items, subject to the rules and regulations of the Senate.
			5.RulemakingThe provisions of this Act are enacted by
			 Congress—
			(1)as an exercise of
			 the rulemaking power of the House of Representatives and the Senate,
			 respectively, and as such they shall be considered as part of the rules of each
			 House, respectively, or of that House to which they specifically apply, and
			 such rules shall supersede other rules only to the extent that they are
			 inconsistent therewith; and
			(2)with full
			 recognition of the constitutional right of either House to change such rules
			 (so far as relating to such House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the
			 same extent as in the case of any other rule of such House.


 HR 3735 ENR: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 200 Town Run Lane in Winston Salem, North Carolina, as the “Maya Angelou Memorial Post Office”.
U.S. House of Representatives

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
One Hundred Fourteenth Congress of the United States of America At the Second SessionBegun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the fourth day of January, two thousand and sixteen
H. R. 3735

AN ACT
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 200 Town Run Lane in Winston Salem, North Carolina, as the Maya Angelou Memorial Post Office.

1.Maya Angelou Memorial Post Office
(a)DesignationThe facility of the United States Postal Service located at 200 Town Run Lane in Winston Salem, North Carolina, shall be known and designated as the Maya Angelou Memorial Post Office.  (b)ReferencesAny reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the Maya Angelou Memorial Post Office.
 Speaker of the House of Representatives.Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.


113 HR 889 IH: Global Free Internet Act of 2013
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-02-28
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.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 889
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 28, 2013
			Ms. Lofgren (for
			 herself, Ms. Eshoo,
			 Ms. Matsui, and
			 Mr. Honda) introduced the following
			 bill; which was referred to the Committee
			 on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on
			 Foreign Affairs,
			 the Judiciary, and
			 Energy and Commerce, for
			 a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
			 consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
			 committee concerned

		A BILL
		To combat trade barriers that threaten the maintenance of
		  an open Internet, that mandate unique technology standards as a condition of
		  market access and related measures, and to promote online free expression and
		  the free flow of information.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Global Free Internet Act of
			 2013.
		2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
			(1)A
			 single, open, global Internet is a vital tool for facilitating the free and
			 secure flow of information and products without regard to distances or national
			 boundaries.
			(2)The goal of a
			 single, open, global Internet is best supported by policies that—
				(A)encourage
			 utilization on a global basis of technology standards set by international
			 standards-setting organizations, including industry-led and other voluntary
			 bodies, and selected by the market;
				(B)respect the security of information,
			 privacy, and speech of Internet users;
				(C)promote investment
			 in Internet-related innovation;
				(D)refrain from
			 compelling Internet service providers and other intermediaries to restrict the
			 free flow of information on the Internet; and
				(E)allow trade in
			 Internet-related goods, services, information, and content.
				(3)Certain
			 governments and international bodies are adopting or considering policies
			 contrary to the goal of a free, open Internet, including—
				(A)mandating unique
			 technology standards favoring domestic producers as a condition of market
			 access or pursuing related policies regarding standard-setting that are
			 discriminatory and subvert the open, global nature of the Internet;
				(B)sponsoring or
			 tolerating the use of Internet-related tools to gain unauthorized access to
			 public-sector and private-sector networks in the United States to disrupt their
			 operation;
				(C)blocking,
			 filtering, or otherwise restricting Internet communications in a manner that
			 discriminates against Internet-based services and content originating in other
			 countries;
				(D)monitoring
			 Internet use and communications in a manner that restricts individual privacy
			 and freedom; and
				(E)imposing market
			 access requirements or liabilities that discriminate against or otherwise
			 impede Internet-related goods, services and content from other
			 countries.
				(4)Such actions
			 threaten the interests of the United States by—
				(A)facilitating
			 attempts by foreign governments to restrict or disrupt the free flow of
			 information on the Internet;
				(B)promoting
			 national Internets in conflict with the underlying rationale and
			 architecture of the Internet as originally envisioned and constructed, thereby
			 compromising the Internet’s full functionality and promise;
				(C)harming United
			 States workers and businesses, undermining a strong United States industrial
			 base, and putting foreign competitors at an advantage; and
				(D)putting at risk
			 the utility of the Internet as a tool of open communication, assembly, and
			 commerce, and the individuals who seek to use it for such purposes.
				3.Task force on the
			 Global Internet
			(a)Establishment
				(1)In
			 generalThere is established within the executive branch a Task
			 Force on the Global Internet (in this Act referred to as the Task
			 Force), hosted by the Department of Commerce.
				(2)ChairpersonThe
			 President shall select from among the members of the Task Force under
			 subsection (b)(1) to serve as Chairperson.
				(b)CompositionThe
			 Task Force shall consist of the following:
				(1)Four United States
			 persons with substantial expertise in Internet policy who are not employees or
			 officers of Federal, State, local, or tribal governments and who—
					(A)are nominated by the public through a
			 process managed by the Department of Commerce that solicits public
			 recommendations through the Internet and are appointed by the President, acting
			 through the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology;
			 and
					(B)shall serve on the
			 Task Force for renewable terms not to exceed 3 years.
					(2)The leader of the majority party in the
			 Senate and the leader of the minority party in the Senate shall each appoint
			 one United States person with substantial expertise in Internet policy to serve
			 on the Task Force for renewable terms not to exceed 3 years.
				(3)The Speaker of the House of Representatives
			 and the leader of the minority party in the House of Representatives shall each
			 appoint one United States person with substantial expertise in Internet policy
			 to serve on the Task Force for renewable terms not to exceed 3 years.
				(4)The United States Trade Representative, the
			 Secretary of Homeland Security, the Assistant Secretary for Communications and
			 Information of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration,
			 the Chair of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, the head of the
			 Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, and the heads of other
			 Federal departments and agencies as determined to be appropriate by the
			 President, acting through their respective designees.
				(c)Staff of Federal
			 agenciesUpon request of the
			 Task Force, the head of any Federal department or agency or other Federal
			 official described in subsection (b)(4) may detail, with or without
			 reimbursement, any of the personnel or services of the relevant Federal
			 department or agency to the Task Force to assist it in carrying out its
			 functions.
			(d)FunctionsIn
			 addition to such other responsibilities the President may assign, the Task
			 Force shall—
				(1)develop and
			 implement strategies in response to foreign and domestic government policies
			 that—
					(A)unjustifiably or
			 unreasonably burden or restrict international trade in Internet-related goods,
			 services, and content;
					(B)mandate or
			 otherwise preference Internet-related technology standards and related
			 measures;
					(C)impede the free
			 flow of information on the Internet; or
					(D)otherwise threaten
			 the open, global nature of the Internet, the interests of Internet users and
			 the United States in Internet-related international trade and discourse;
					(2)consult and share
			 timely information with civil society groups with expertise in Internet
			 policy;
				(3)coordinate the
			 activity of all Federal departments and agencies as necessary to implement the
			 strategies developed in accordance with paragraph (1);
				(4)prepare a report
			 and action plan in accordance with section 4;
				(5)hold public
			 hearings and solicit public comment through the Federal Register and the
			 website for the Task Force as appropriate; and
				(6)appoint a Task
			 Force member, responsible for serving as a point of contact for correspondence
			 and inquiries related to the activities of the Task Force.
				4.Report and action
			 plan to the President and Congress
			(a)In
			 generalNot later than 15 months after the date of the enactment
			 of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Task Force shall transmit to the
			 President and the appropriate congressional committees a report and action plan
			 that—
				(1)identifies acts,
			 policies, or practices of the United States, foreign governments, or
			 international bodies, and related measures that—
					(A)deny fair and
			 equitable market access to or otherwise unjustifiably or unreasonably burden or
			 restrict discourse or trade in Internet-related goods, services, and
			 content;
					(B)mandate, give
			 preference to, or promote Internet-related technology standards that diverge
			 from widely adopted international standards, or otherwise lead to the adoption
			 of discriminatory or trade-restrictive technology standards or conformity
			 assessment procedures; or
					(C)otherwise threaten
			 the interests of the United States in the technical operation, security, and
			 free flow of global Internet communications;
					(2)estimates the
			 trade-distorting impact or extent of suppression of free expression of measures
			 identified under paragraph (1) on United States commerce, the interests of
			 Internet users, and the functioning of the Internet;
				(3)designates which
			 measures identified under paragraph (1) are priority concerns;
				(4)sets forth a
			 strategy and actions to be taken by Federal departments and agencies in
			 response to measures identified under paragraph (1); and
				(5)provides
			 information with respect to any action taken (or the reasons if no action is
			 taken) in response to any such measures identified in prior years’ reports,
			 including such actions as are required under section 5.
				(b)Form of
			 reportsThe reports and action plans required under subsection
			 (a) may contain a classified annex if the Task Force determines that such is
			 appropriate.
			(c)Coordination and
			 noticeIn preparing each annual report and action plan required
			 under subsection (a), the Task Force shall—
				(1)seek public
			 participation by—
					(A)publishing a
			 notice in the Federal Register that includes instructions on how the public may
			 submit comments on the report and plan;
					(B)holding at least
			 one public hearing; and
					(C)establishing a
			 website for the Task Force that publishes timely information regarding the Task
			 Force’s activities and provides an opportunity for the public to submit
			 comments to the Task Force;
					(2)consult and
			 coordinate with all relevant executive branch departments and agencies;
				(3)consult and share
			 timely information with civil society groups with expertise in Internet policy;
			 and
				(4)take into account
			 information from such sources as may be available to the United States Trade
			 Representative and such information as may be submitted to the Trade
			 Representative by interested persons, including information contained in
			 reports submitted under section 181(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C.
			 2241(b)) and petitions submitted under section 302 of such Act (19 U.S.C.
			 2412).
				(d)PublicationThe
			 Task Force shall publish in the Federal Register the report and action plan
			 transmitted to Congress under subsection (a), but shall omit information
			 transmitted to Congress under subsection (b).
			(e)DefinitionIn
			 this section, the term appropriate congressional committees
			 means—
				(1)the Committee on Ways and Means, the
			 Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
			 House of Representatives; and
				(2)the Committee on
			 Finance, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Commerce,
			 Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
				5.Section 301
			 investigation and potential sanctionsNot later than 30 days after the
			 transmission of each annual report and action plan required under section 4,
			 the United States Trade Representative shall, in accordance with the
			 requirements of sections 301 through 304 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C.
			 2411 through 2414), initiate an investigation, make any determinations
			 required, and take any actions specified under such sections with respect to
			 any acts, policies, or practices of a foreign government or international body
			 that are identified in each such annual report and action plan as priority
			 concerns, including restrictions on sale in the United States of products
			 developed and manufactured in countries implementing such acts, policies, or
			 practices.
		6.Review and
			 investigation by Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice
			(a)Review and
			 investigationThe Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney
			 General shall—
				(1)review each act,
			 policy, or practice described in paragraph (1) of section 4(a) that is
			 contained in a report or an action plan transmitted under such section to
			 Congress; and
				(2)investigate
			 whether such act, policy, or practice (or any related action by a
			 nongovernmental entity) violates the antitrust laws of the United
			 States.
				(b)DefinitionFor
			 purposes of this section, the term antitrust laws has the meaning
			 given it in subsection (a) of the first section of the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C.
			 12(a)), except that such term includes section 5 of the Federal Trade
			 Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45) to the extent such section 5 applies to unfair
			 methods of competition.
			7.Report to
			 President and Congress on international trade agreements
			(a)ReportNot
			 later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Task Force
			 shall submit to the President and the appropriate congressional committees a
			 report that—
				(1)assesses the
			 sufficiency of existing multilateral and bilateral trade agreements in—
					(A)promoting
			 international trade in Internet-related goods, services, and content;
					(B)encouraging the
			 utilization on a global basis of technology standards set by international
			 standard-setting organizations;
					(C)protecting the
			 security and functioning of the Internet;
					(D)facilitating the
			 free flow of information on the Internet; and
					(E)protecting the
			 interests of Internet users; and
					(2)recommends, as
			 appropriate, modifications of existing agreements or the negotiation of new
			 agreements to advance the objectives identified in paragraph (1).
				(b)Sense of
			 congressIt is the sense of Congress that the negotiating
			 objectives of the United States for future bilateral and multilateral trade
			 agreements should include the goals specified in subsection (a)(1).
			(c)Form of
			 reportsThe report required under subsection (a) may contain a
			 classified annex if the Task Force determines that such is appropriate.
			(d)Coordination and
			 noticeIn preparing each report required under subsection (a),
			 the Task Force shall—
				(1)seek public
			 participation by—
					(A)publishing a
			 notice in the Federal Register that includes instructions on how the public may
			 submit comments on the report and plan;
					(B)holding at least
			 one public hearing; and
					(C)establishing a
			 website for the Task Force that publishes timely information regarding the Task
			 Force’s activities and provides an opportunity for the public to submit
			 comments to the Task Force;
					(2)consult and
			 coordinate with all relevant Federal departments and agencies;
				(3)consult and share
			 timely information with civil society groups with expertise in Internet policy;
			 and
				(4)take into account
			 information from such sources as may be available to the United States Trade
			 Representative and such information as may be submitted to the Trade
			 Representative by interested persons, including information contained in
			 reports submitted under section 181(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C.
			 2241(b)) and petitions submitted under section 302 of such Act (19 U.S.C.
			 2412).
				(e)PublicationThe
			 Task Force shall publish in the Federal Register the report transmitted to
			 Congress under subsection (a), but shall omit information transmitted to
			 Congress under subsection (c).
			(f)DefinitionIn
			 this section, the term appropriate congressional committees
			 means—
				(1)the Committee on Ways and Means, the
			 Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the
			 House of Representatives; and
				(2)the Committee on Finance, the Committee on
			 the Judiciary, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
			 the Senate.
				8.Standards-related
			 trainingThe Task Force shall
			 coordinate with intergovernmental, national government, and private sector
			 entities, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the
			 Patent and Trademark Office, the Trade and Development Agency, the United
			 States Telecommunications Training Institute, the United States Agency for
			 International Development, the Federal Trade Commission, and any other
			 appropriate entities, for the purpose of organizing training of foreign and
			 domestic government officials and national standard-setting and conformity
			 assessment bodies with respect to best practices, including coordination with
			 nongovernmental international and domestic standards bodies, in accordance with
			 the annual report and action plan required under section 4.
		9.Outside
			 consultationThe Task Force
			 shall establish a regularized process to receive and respond to timely input
			 from businesses, organizations, experts, and other interested parties regarding
			 the fulfillment of its functions.


117 HR 318 IH: Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-01-13
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
117th CONGRESS1st Session
H. R. 318
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 13, 2021
Mr. Schweikert (for himself, Mr. Rush, and Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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 XVIII to provide coverage and payment for certain tests and assistive telehealth consultations during the COVID–19 emergency period, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth Act of 2021. 2.Coverage and payment for certain tests and assistive telehealth consultations during the COVID–19 emergency period (a)Coverage and payment rule (1)In generalSection 1834(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)) is amended by adding at the end of the following new paragraph:

(9)Coverage and payment for certain tests and assistive telehealth consultations during COVID–19 emergency period
(A)In generalDuring the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B), the Secretary shall pay for a test described in subparagraph (C) that is ordered and an assistive telehealth consultation that is furnished via a telecommunications system by a physician or practitioner to an eligible telehealth individual enrolled under this part notwithstanding that the individual physician or practitioner ordering the test did not furnish the test or that the individual physician or practitioner providing the assistive telehealth consultation is not at the same location as the beneficiary. (B)Payment amountDuring the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B), the Secretary shall pay to a physician or practitioner located at a distant site that—
(i)orders a test described in subparagraph (C) to an eligible telehealth individual an amount equal to the amount that such physician or practitioner would have been paid for a diagnostic laboratory test under section 1833(h); and (ii)furnishes an assistive telehealth consultation to an eligible telehealth individual an amount equal to the amount that a physician or practitioner would have been paid for such telehealth service under paragraph (2).
(C)Tests describedFor purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (B), a test described in this subparagraph is a medical device (as defined in section 201(h) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act) or is a test approved under an emergency use authorization under section 564 of such Act and is either— (i)a diagnostic laboratory test for the diagnosis of influenza or a similar respiratory condition that is required to obtain a final diagnosis of COVID–19 for an individual when such test is ordered by a physician or practitioner in conjunction with a COVID–19 diagnostic laboratory test for purposes of discounting a diagnosis of influenza or a related diagnosis for such individual; or
(ii)a serology test for COVID–19. (D)Other matters relating to documentation and claims reviewThe requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 410.32(d) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of the enactment of this paragraph), relating to documentation and claims review, respectively, shall apply to a test described in subparagraph (C) and an assistive telehealth consultation.
(E)Demographic dataTo be eligible for reimbursement under this paragraph, each claim for reimbursement shall include, with respect to such an eligible telehealth individual, the following demographic data: (i)Age.
(ii)Race and ethnicity. (iii)Gender.
(iv)An affirmative or negative statement of the existence of any chronic condition. (v)Any other information the Secretary determines appropriate.
(F)Assistive telehealth consultationIn this paragraph, the term assistive telehealth consultation means a telehealth service (as defined in paragraph (4)(F)) that is— (i)an evaluation and management service;
(ii)an assessment of any evidence of systems which would make a diagnostic laboratory test necessary to be furnished in the home of an eligible telehealth individual; (iii)the ordering of a diagnostic laboratory test;
(iv)an assessment of an individual succeeding the delivery of a diagnostic laboratory test; (v)any assistance in the collection of a sample necessary for a diagnostic laboratory test and securing the sample for shipping;
(vi)the referral of an eligible telehealth individual to a physician or practitioner for in-person treatment; or (vii)the review of a diagnostic laboratory test by a physician or practitioner..
(2)Report
(A)In generalDuring the period beginning 20 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on the last day of the emergency period, each physician and practitioner, who furnishes a test or an assistive telehealth consultation during such period, shall, on a monthly basis during such period, submit to the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the appropriate State health agency demographic data specified under section 1834(m)(9)(E) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(9)(E)) with respect to individuals to whom such test or consultation was so furnished (in accordance with the HIPAA privacy regulation). (B)DefinitionsIn this paragraph:
(i)Assistive telehealth consultationThe term assistive telehealth consultation has the meaning given such term in section 1834(m)(9)(E) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(9)(F)). (ii)Emergency periodThe term emergency period has the meaning as such term is described in section 1135(g)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b–5(g)(1)(B)).
(iii)HIPAA privacy regulationThe term HIPAA privacy regulation has the meaning given such term in section 1180(b)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d–9(b)(3)). (iv)TestThe term test has the meaning as such term is described in section 1834(m)(9)(C) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(9)(C)).
.(b)No payment for certain in-Person test after telehealth test during the COVID–19 emergency period
(1)In generalSection 1833(h) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(h)) is amended— (A)in paragraph (1)(A), by striking Subject to section 1834(d)(1) and inserting Subject to section 1834(a)(1) and paragraph (10); and
(B)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:  (10)During the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B), the Secretary may not make payment for a test described in section 1834(m)(9)(C) that is furnished in-person by a physician or practitioner to an individual if a physician or practitioner has previously ordered such a test via a telecommunications system pursuant to section 1834(m)(9)(A), unless the physician or practitioner determines such a test is medically necessary and appropriate (as determined by the Secretary)..
(2)ReportNot later than 1 year after the termination of the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b–5(g)(1)(B)), the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services shall review claims for payment for tests described in section 1834(m)(9)(C) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(9)(C)) furnished during such emergency period and submit to Congress a report on any instances of waste, fraud, or abuse identified through such review. (c)Conforming amendmentsSection 1834(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(4)(C)(ii)(X)), as amended by subsection (a), is further amended—
(1)in paragraph (1), by striking Subject to paragraph (8) and inserting Subject to paragraphs (8) and (9); (2)in paragraph (2), by striking Subject to paragraph (8) and inserting Subject to paragraphs (8) and (9); and
(3)in paragraph (4)(C)(ii)(X), by striking telehealth services described in paragraph (7) and inserting telehealth services described in paragraph (7) or (9).


110 HR 2723 IH: Children's Health Care Quality Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2007-06-14
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.

I
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2723
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 14, 2007
Ms. DeGette (for herself and Mrs. Bono) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL
To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to establish programs to improve the quality, performance, and delivery of pediatric care.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Children's Health Care Quality Act.
2.FindingsCongress makes the following findings:
(1)Children have unique health care needs and experiences, which are often not comparable to adult health care needs and experience, and they require specialized medical expertise.
(2)The delivery of health care is increasingly being transformed by the use of quality and performance measures by consumers, insurers, and providers.
(3)A majority of public and private sector investments in the development of quality and performance measures have focused on the experience of adults, particularly the elderly.
(4)As a result, the supply of approved and demonstrated quality measures for children’s health care, especially pediatric inpatient care, is limited.
(5)Growing numbers of insurers, as well as the Medicaid program and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), are using publicly available measures, which means they have only limited options for measures of pediatric care.
(6)A 2006 national survey found that most State Medicaid programs and SCHIP use largely primary care measures for children, which have been developed and selected as part of the measures States use to fulfill requirements for evaluating health plan performance, not provider performance, under the Medicaid program.
(7)The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), through its administration of the Medicaid program and SCHIP, is the nation’s largest payer of health care for children, covering 1 in every 3 children and more than half of all infants in the Nation. However, CMS lacks explicit authority and has not committed resources to invest in the development of quality and performance measures for children commensurate to the magnitude of pediatric care the agency pays for.
(8)Most States do not have a large enough population of children upon which to develop appropriate measures, particularly for the treatment of serious and complex conditions that only small numbers of children in any one state may experience.
(9)Quality and performance measures should be evidence-based, approved for use through a recognized national consensus development process, and appropriate for public reporting, such as evidence-based hospital measures endorsed by the National Quality Forum and recommended for public reporting by the Hospital Quality Alliance on the Hospital Compare tool on the website of the Department of Health and Human Services.
(10)The Federal Government should have both the legal authority and financial resources to invest in the private sector’s development and demonstration of measures of quality and performance of health care for children, including pediatric inpatient care. The Federal Government should utilize such authority and resources to increase the availability of measures for children for use by public and private health coverage programs.
IAdvancing new quality and performance measures for children’s health care
101.Pediatric quality and performance measures programTitle XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) is amended—
(1)by redesignating section 1939 as section 1941; and
(2)by inserting after section 1938 the following:

1939.Pediatric quality and performance measures program
(a)EstablishmentThe Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and in consultation with the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, shall establish a program to encourage and support the development of new and emerging quality and performance measures for providers of pediatric care through the activities described in subsection (c). In establishing the program, gaps in existing evidence-based measures and priority areas for advancement shall be identified.
(b)PurposeThe purpose of the program is to ensure that—
(1)evidence-based pediatric quality and performance measures are developed; and
(2)such measures are available for States, other purchasers of pediatric health care services, health care providers, and consumers to use.
(c)Program activities
(1)Identifying quality and performance measures for providers of pediatric services and opportunities for new measuresNot later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall identify quality and performance measures for providers of pediatric services and opportunities for the development of new measures, taking into consideration existing evidence-based measures. In conducting this review, the Secretary shall convene and consult with representatives of—
(A)States;
(B)pediatric hospitals, pediatricians, and other pediatric health professionals;
(C)national organizations representing—
(i)consumers of children’s health care; and
(ii)purchasers of children’s health care;
(D)experts in pediatric quality and performance measurement; and
(E)a voluntary consensus standards setting organization and other organizations involved in the advancement of consensus on evidence-based measures of health care.
(2)Developing, validating, and testing new measuresThe Secretary shall award grants or contracts to eligible entities (as defined in subsection (d)(1)) for the development, validation, and testing of new and emerging quality and performance measures for providers of pediatric services. Such measures shall—
(A)provide consumers and purchasers (including States and beneficiaries under the program under this title and title XXI) with information about provider performance and quality; and
(B)assist health care providers in improving the quality of the items and services they provide and their performance with respect to the provision of such items and services.
(3)Achieving consensus on evidence-based measuresThe Secretary shall award grants or contracts to eligible consensus entities (as defined in subsection (d)(2)) for the development of consensus on evidence-based measures for pediatric care that have broad acceptability in the health care industry.
(d)Eligible entities
(1)Development, validation, and testingFor purposes of paragraph (2) of subsection (c), the term eligible entity means—
(A)organizations with demonstrated expertise and capacity in the development and evaluation of pediatric quality and performance measures;
(B)an organization or association of health care providers with demonstrated experience in working with accrediting organizations in developing pediatric quality and performance measures; and
(C)a collaboration of national pediatric organizations working to improve pediatric quality and performance measures.
(2)Achievement of consensusFor purposes of paragraph (3) of such subsection, the term eligible consensus entity means an organization, including a voluntary consensus standards setting organization, involved in the advancement of consensus on evidence-based measures of health care.
(e)Ongoing authority To update and adjust pediatric measuresThe Secretary may update and adjust measures developed and advanced under the program under this section in accordance with—
(1)any changes that a voluntary consensus standards setting organization determines should be made with respect to such measures; or
(2)new evidence indicating the need for changes with respect to such measures.
(f)Addition of pediatric consumer assessment measures to CAHPS Hospital Survey conducted by AHRQThe Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality shall ensure that consumer assessment measures for hospital services for children are added to the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Hospital survey conducted by such Agency.
(g)AppropriationThere are authorized to be appropriated and there are appropriated, for the purpose of carrying out this section, $10,000,000, for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012, to remain available until expended..
IIState transformation grants for pediatric care
201.Grants to states for demonstration projects transforming delivery of pediatric careTitle XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), as amended by section 101, is amended by inserting after section 1939 the following:

1940.Grants to state for demonstration projects transforming delivery of pediatric care
(a)EstablishmentThe Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, shall establish demonstration projects, including demonstration projects in each of the 4 categories described in subsection (d), to award grants to States to improve the delivery of health care services provided to children under this title and title XXI.
(b)DurationThe demonstration projects shall be conducted for a period of 4 years.
(c)EligibilityA State shall not be eligible to receive a grant under this section unless the State has demonstrated experience or commitment to the concept of transformation in the delivery of pediatric care.
(d)Categories of projectsThe following categories of projects are described in this subsection:
(1)Health information technology systemsProjects for developing health information technology systems, including technology acquisition, electronic health record development, data standards development, and software development, for pediatric hospital and physician services and other community-based services; implementing model systems; and evaluating their impact on the quality, safety, and costs of care.
(2)Disease managementProjects for providing provider-based care disease management for children with chronic conditions (including physical, developmental, behavioral, and psychological conditions), demonstrating the effectiveness of provider-based management models in promoting better care, reducing adverse health outcomes, and preventing avoidable hospitalizations.
(3)Evidence-based quality improvementsProjects for implementing evidence-based approaches to improving efficiency, safety, and effectiveness in the delivery of hospital care for children across hospital services, evaluating the translation of successful models of such evidence-based approaches to other institutions, and the impact of such changes on the quality, safety, and costs of care.
(4)Quality and performance measures for providers of children’s health care servicesProjects to pilot test evidence-based pediatric quality and performance measures for inpatient hospital services, physician services, or services of other health professionals, determining the reliability, feasibility, and validity of such measures, and evaluating their potential impact on improving the quality and delivery of children’s health care. To the extent feasible, such measures shall have been approved by consensus standards setting organizations.
(e)Uniform metricsThe Secretary shall establish uniform metrics (adjusted, as appropriate, for patient acuity), collect data, and conduct evaluations with respect to each demonstration project category described in subsection (d). In establishing such metrics, collecting such data, and conducting such evaluations, the Secretary shall consult with—
(1)experts in each such demonstration project category;
(2)participating States;
(3)national pediatric provider organizations;
(4)health care consumers; and
(5)such other entities or individuals with relevant expertise as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(f)Evaluation and reportThe Secretary shall evaluate the demonstration projects conducted under this section and submit a report to Congress not later than 3 months before the completion of each demonstration project that includes the findings of the evaluation and recommendations with respect to—
(1)expansion of the demonstration project to additional States and sites; and
(2)the broader implementation of approaches identified as being successful in advancing quality and performance in the delivery of medical assistance provided to children under this title and title XXI.
(g)WaiverThe Secretary may waive the requirements of this title and title XXI to the extent necessary to carry out the demonstration projects under this section.
(h)Amounts paid to a StateAmounts paid to a State under this section—
(1)shall be in addition to Federal payments made to the State under section 1903(a);
(2)shall not be used for the State share of any expenditures claimed for payment under such section; and
(3)shall be used only for expenditures of the State for participating in the demonstration projects, or for expenditures of providers in participating in the demonstration projects, including—
(A)administrative costs of States and participating providers (such as costs associated with the design and evaluation of, and data collection under, the demonstration projects); and
(B)such other expenditures that are not otherwise eligible for reimbursement under this title or title XXI as the Secretary may determine appropriate.
(i)AppropriationThere are authorized to be appropriated and there are appropriated, for the purpose of carrying out this section, to remain available until expended $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012..
202.Report by the comptroller general on design and implementation of a demonstration project evaluating existing quality and performance measures for children’s inpatient hospital services
(a)In generalNot later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States (in this section referred to as the Comptroller General) shall submit a report to Congress containing recommendations for the design and implementation of a demonstration project to evaluate the suitability of existing quality and performance measures for children’s inpatient hospital services for public reporting, differentiating quality, identifying best practices, and providing a basis for payment rewards.
(b)Development of recommendationsIn developing the recommendations submitted under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall accomplish the following:
(1)Consider which agency within the Department of Health and Human Services should have primary responsibility and oversight for such a demonstration project.
(2)Determine a sufficient number of participating hospitals and volume of children’s cases, given existing measures that might be chosen for evaluation under such a demonstration project.
(3)Determine the number of States and variety of geographic locations that may be required to conduct such a demonstration project.
(4)Describe alternatives for administering and directing funding for such a demonstration project, taking into consideration the potential involvement of multiple States, State plans under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), and State child health plans under title XXI of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq.). Such description shall be included in the recommendations submitted under subsection (a).
(5)Determine requirements for consistency in measures, metrics, and risk adjustment for such a demonstration project, across hospitals and across State lines.
(6)Consider the infrastructure requirements involved in public reporting of quality and performance measures for children’s inpatient hospital services at the national and State levels, including the requirements involved with respect to maintaining such measures and data.
(7)Estimate the cost of undertaking such a demonstration project.
(c)Suggestion of existing measures for evaluation under the demonstration project
(1)In generalThe report submitted under subsection (a) shall include suggestions for existing measures to be evaluated under the demonstration project recommended in such report, including, to the extent feasible, measures with respect to—
(A)high volume pediatric inpatient conditions;
(B)high cost pediatric inpatient services;
(C)pediatric conditions with predicted high morbidities; and
(D)pediatric cases at high risk of patient safety failures.
(2)Suggested measuresThe measures suggested under paragraph (1) shall be measures representing process, structure, patient outcomes, or patient and family experience—
(A)that are evidence-based;
(B)that are feasible to collect and report;
(C)that include a mechanism for risk adjustment when necessary; and
(D)for which there is a consensus within the pediatric hospital community or a consensus determined by a voluntary consensus standards setting organization involved in the advancement of evidence-based measures of health care.
(3)ConsultationIn determining the existing measures suggested under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall consult with representatives of the following:
(A)National associations of pediatric hospitals and pediatric health professionals.
(B)Experts in pediatric quality and performance measurement.
(C)Voluntary consensus standards setting organizations and other organizations involved in the advancement of consensus on evidence-based measures.
(D)The Department of Health and Human Services, States, and other purchasers of health care items and services.


113 HR 997 IH: English Language Unity Act of 2013
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-03-06
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 997
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 6, 2013
			Mr. King of Iowa (for
			 himself, Mr. Westmoreland,
			 Mr. Gingrey of Georgia,
			 Mr. Palazzo,
			 Mr. Nunnelee,
			 Mr. Coble,
			 Mr. Hall, Mr. Simpson, Mr.
			 Jones, Mr. Franks of
			 Arizona, Mr. Buchanan,
			 Mr. Miller of Florida,
			 Mr. Wolf, Mr. Rohrabacher, Mr.
			 Stivers, Mr. Broun of
			 Georgia, Mr. Turner,
			 Mr. Rogers of Kentucky,
			 Mr. McClintock,
			 Mr. Gibbs,
			 Ms. Foxx, Mr. Latta, Mr.
			 Barletta, Mr. Boustany,
			 Mr. Salmon,
			 Mr. Kingston,
			 Mr. McCaul,
			 Mr. McIntyre,
			 Mr. Graves of Missouri,
			 Mr. Rahall,
			 Mr. Luetkemeyer,
			 Mr. Duncan of Tennessee,
			 Mr. Shuster,
			 Mr. Tiberi,
			 Mr. Jordan, and
			 Mr. Gohmert) introduced the following
			 bill; which was referred to the Committee
			 on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the
			 Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be
			 subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
			 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
			 concerned

		A BILL
		To declare English as the official language of the United
		  States, to establish a uniform English language rule for naturalization, and to
		  avoid misconstructions of the English language texts of the laws of the United
		  States, pursuant to Congress’ powers to provide for the general welfare of the
		  United States and to establish a uniform rule of naturalization under article
		  I, section 8, of the Constitution.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 English Language Unity Act of
			 2013.
		2.FindingsThe Congress finds and declares the
			 following:
			(1)The United States
			 is comprised of individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic
			 backgrounds, and continues to benefit from this rich diversity.
			(2)Throughout the
			 history of the United States, the common thread binding individuals of
			 differing backgrounds has been the English language.
			(3)Among the powers
			 reserved to the States respectively is the power to establish the English
			 language as the official language of the respective States, and otherwise to
			 promote the English language within the respective States, subject to the
			 prohibitions enumerated in the Constitution of the United States and in laws of
			 the respective States.
			3.English as
			 official language of the United States
			(a)In
			 generalTitle 4, United States Code, is amended by adding at the
			 end the following new chapter:

					6Official
				language
						161.Official
				language of the United StatesThe official language of the United States
				is English.
						162.Preserving and
				enhancing the role of the official languageRepresentatives of the Federal Government
				shall have an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of
				English as the official language of the Federal Government. Such obligation
				shall include encouraging greater opportunities for individuals to learn the
				English language.
						163.Official
				functions of Government to be conducted in English
							(a)Official
				functionsThe official functions of the Government of the United
				States shall be conducted in English.
							(b)ScopeFor
				the purposes of this section, the term United States means the
				several States and the District of Columbia, and the term official
				refers to any function that (i) binds the Government, (ii) is required by law,
				or (iii) is otherwise subject to scrutiny by either the press or the
				public.
							(c)Practical
				effectThis section shall apply to all laws, public proceedings,
				regulations, publications, orders, actions, programs, and policies, but does
				not apply to—
								(1)teaching of
				languages;
								(2)requirements under
				the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act;
								(3)actions,
				documents, or policies necessary for national security, international
				relations, trade, tourism, or commerce;
								(4)actions or
				documents that protect the public health and safety;
								(5)actions or
				documents that facilitate the activities of the Bureau of the Census in
				compiling any census of population;
								(6)actions that
				protect the rights of victims of crimes or criminal defendants; or
								(7)using terms of art
				or phrases from languages other than English.
								164.Uniform English
				language rule for naturalization
							(a)Uniform language
				testing standardAll citizens should be able to read and
				understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of
				Independence, the Constitution, and the laws of the United States made in
				pursuance of the Constitution.
							(b)CeremoniesAll
				naturalization ceremonies shall be conducted in English.
							165.Rules of
				constructionNothing in this
				chapter shall be construed—
							(1)to prohibit a
				Member of Congress or any officer or agent of the Federal Government, while
				performing official functions, from communicating unofficially through any
				medium with another person in a language other than English (as long as
				official functions are performed in English);
							(2)to limit the
				preservation or use of Native Alaskan or Native American languages (as defined
				in the Native American Languages Act);
							(3)to disparage any
				language or to discourage any person from learning or using a language;
				or
							(4)to be inconsistent
				with the Constitution of the United States.
							166.StandingA person injured by a violation of this
				chapter may in a civil action (including an action under chapter 151 of title
				28) obtain appropriate
				relief.
						.
			(b)Clerical
			 amendmentThe table of chapters at the beginning of title 4,
			 United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter
			 5 the following new item:

						Chapter 6. Official
				Language

					.
			4.General rules of
			 construction for English language texts of the Laws of the United
			 States
			(a)In
			 generalChapter 1 of title 1, United States Code, is amended by
			 adding at the end the following new section:

					9.General rules of
				construction for laws of the United States
						(a)English language
				requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector,
				shall be presumptively consistent with the Laws of the United States.
						(b)Any ambiguity in
				the English language text of the Laws of the United States shall be resolved,
				in accordance with the last two articles of the Bill of Rights, not to deny or
				disparage rights retained by the people, and to reserve powers to the States
				respectively, or to the
				people.
						.
			(b)Clerical
			 amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of chapter 1 of
			 title 1, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 8 the
			 following new item:

						9. General Rules of Construction for Laws
				of the United
				States.

					.
			5.Implementing
			 regulationsThe Secretary of
			 Homeland Security shall, within 180 days after the date of enactment of this
			 Act, issue for public notice and comment a proposed rule for uniform testing
			 English language ability of candidates for naturalization, based upon the
			 principles that—
			(1)all citizens
			 should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of
			 the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the laws of the United
			 States which are made in pursuance thereof; and
			(2)any exceptions to
			 this standard should be limited to extraordinary circumstances, such as
			 asylum.
			6.Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by
			 sections 3 and 4 shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date
			 of the enactment of this Act.