115 S1371 IS: Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2017
U.S. Senate
2017-06-15
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.

II115th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1371IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 15, 2017Mr. Brown (for himself, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Casey, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Reed, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Harris, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Warren, Ms. Stabenow, Mrs. Feinstein, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Whitehouse, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Carper, Mrs. McCaskill, Mr. Booker, Ms. Baldwin, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Franken, Mr. Warner, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Markey, Ms. Hirono, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Coons, Mr. Sanders, Ms. Hassan, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. King, Mr. Udall, Mr. Kaine, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Tester, Mr. Peters, Mr. Murphy, and Mr. Schatz) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to strengthen the earned income tax credit and the child
			 tax credit.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2017.
		2.Strengthening
			 the earned income tax credit
			(a)Increased
			 credit for individuals with no qualifying children
				(1)In
 generalThe table in subparagraph (A) of section 32(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—
 (A)by striking $4,220 in the second column and inserting $9,230; and
 (B)by striking $5,280 in the last column and inserting $10,900.
					(2)Inflation
 adjustmentsSubparagraph (B) of section 32(j)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—
 (A)in clause (i)—
 (i)by inserting (except as provided in clause (iii)) after (b)(2)(A); and
 (ii)by striking and at the end;
 (B)in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting , and; and (C)by adding at the end the following new clause:

 (iii)in the case of the $9,230 and $10,900 amounts in the table in subsection (b)(2)(A), by substituting calendar year 2016 for calendar year 1992 in subparagraph (B) of such section 1..
					(b)Credit increase
 and reduction in phaseout for individuals with no childrenThe table contained in section 32(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—
 (1)by striking 7.65 in the second column of the fourth row and inserting 15.3; and
 (2)by striking 7.65 in the third column of the fourth row and inserting 15.3.
				(c)Credit allowed
 for certain childless individuals over age 21Subclause (II) of section 32(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking age 25 and inserting age 21.
			(d)Effective
 datesThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2016.
			3.Strengthening the child tax credit
 (a)Increase in amount of credit for taxpayers with young childrenSubsection (a) of section 24 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:  (a)Allowance of creditThere shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to the sum of—
 (1)with respect to each qualifying child of the taxpayer who has not attained 6 years of age before the close of such taxable year and for which the taxpayer is allowed a deduction under section 151, an amount equal to $3,000, and
 (2)with respect to each qualifying child of the taxpayer who has attained 6 years of age before the close of such taxable year and for which the taxpayer is allowed a deduction under section 151, an amount equal to $1,000..
 (b)Increase in portion of credit refundable for taxpayers with young childrenClause (i) of section 24(d)(1)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:

 (i)(I)in the case of a taxpayer with a qualifying child who has not attained 6 years of age before the close of the taxable year, 45 percent of so much of the taxpayer's earned income (within the meaning of section 32) which is taken into account in computing taxable income for the taxable year, or
 (II)in the case of a taxpayer not described in subclause (I), 15 percent of so much of the taxpayer's earned income (within the meaning of section 32) which is taken into account in computing taxable income for the taxable year as exceeds $3,000, or.
 (c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2016. 4.Indexing the child tax credit for inflation (a)Inflation adjustmentsSection 24 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by section 3, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

					(h)Inflation
				adjustments
						(1)In
 generalIn the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2017, each of the dollar amounts in subsections (a) and (b)(2) shall each be increased by an amount equal to—
 (A)such dollar amount, multiplied by
 (B)the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting calendar year 2016 for calendar year 1992 in subparagraph (B) thereof.
 (2)RoundingAny increase determined under the preceding sentence shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $50..
			(b)Effective
 dateThe amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.
			5.Simplifying the
			 earned income tax credit
			(a)Modification of
			 abandoned spouse rule
				(1)In
 generalSection 32(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

						(G)Certain married
 individuals living apartFor purposes of this section, an individual who—
 (i)is married (within the meaning of section 7703(a)) and files a separate return for the taxable year,
 (ii)lives with a qualifying child of the individual for more than one-half of such taxable year, and
 (iii)(I)during the last 6 months of such taxable year, does not have the same principal place of abode as the individual's spouse, or
 (II)has a legally binding separation agreement with the individual’s spouse and is not a member of the same household with the individual’s spouse by the end of the taxable year,
								shall
				not be considered as
				married..
				(2)Conforming
			 amendments
 (A)The last sentence of section 32(c)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking section 7703 and inserting section 7703(a).
 (B)Section 32(d) of such Code is amended by striking In the case of an individual who is married (within the meaning of section 7703) and inserting In the case of an individual who is married (within the meaning of section 7703(a)) and is not described in subsection (c)(1)(G).
					(b)Elimination of
			 disqualified investment income test
				(1)In
 generalSection 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking subsection (i).
				(2)Conforming
			 amendments
 (A)Section 32(j)(1)(B)(i) of such Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by striking subsections (b)(2)(A) and (i)(1) and inserting subsection (b)(2)(A).
 (B)Section 32(j)(2) of such Code is amended to read as follows:

 (2)RoundingIf any dollar amount in subsection (b)(2)(A) (after being increased under subparagraph (B) thereof), after being increased under paragraph (1), is not a multiple of $10, such amount shall be rounded to the next nearest multiple of $10..
					(c)Simplification
			 of rules regarding presence of qualifying child
				(1)Taxpayer
			 eligible for credit for worker without qualifying child if qualifying
			 child
 claimed by another member of familySection 32(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

						(H)Taxpayer
				eligible for credit for worker without qualifying child if
			 qualifying child
				claimed by another member of family
							(i)General
 ruleExcept as provided in clause (ii), in the case of 2 or more eligible individuals who may claim for such taxable year the same individual as a qualifying child, if such individual is claimed as a qualifying child by such an eligible individual, then any other such eligible individual who does not make such a claim of such child or of any other qualifying child may be considered an eligible individual without a qualifying child for purposes of the credit allowed under this section for such taxable year.
							(ii)Exception if
 qualifying child claimed by parentIf an individual is claimed as a qualifying child for any taxable year by an eligible individual who is a parent of such child, then no other custodial parent of such child who does not make such a claim of such child may be considered an eligible individual without a qualifying child for purposes of the credit allowed under this section for such taxable year..
				(2)Taxpayer
			 eligible for credit for worker without qualifying child if qualifying
			 children
 do not have valid social security numberSubparagraph (F) of section 32(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:

						(F)Individuals who
 do not include tin, etc., of any qualifying childIn the case of any eligible individual who has one or more qualifying children, if no qualifying child of such individual is taken into account under subsection (b) by reason of paragraph (3)(D), for purposes of the credit allowed under this section, such individual may be considered an eligible individual without a qualifying child..
				(d)Effective
 datesThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2016.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 2011
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			October 28, 2009
			Mr. Barrasso introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To extend temporarily the suspension of duty on nylon
		  woolpacks used to package wool.

		1.Nylon woolpacks used to
			 package wool
			(a)In
			 generalHeading 9902.24.12 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of
			 the United States (relating to nylon woolpacks used to package wool) is amended
			 by striking the date in the effective column period and inserting
			 12/31/2011.
			(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by subsection (a) applies to goods
			 entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the 15th day
			 after the date of the enactment of this Act.


117 HR 1565 : National Senior Investor Initiative Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-04-22
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.

IIB117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1565IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESApril 22, 2021Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban AffairsAN ACTTo create an interdivisional taskforce at the Securities and Exchange Commission for senior investors.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the National Senior Investor Initiative Act of 2021 or the Senior Security Act of 2021.2.Senior Investor TaskforceSection 4 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78d) is amended by adding at the end the following:(k)Senior Investor Taskforce(1)EstablishmentThere is established within the Commission the Senior Investor Taskforce (in this subsection referred to as the Taskforce).(2)Director of the TaskforceThe head of the Taskforce shall be the Director, who shall—(A)report directly to the Chairman; and(B)be appointed by the Chairman, in consultation with the Commission, from among individuals—(i)currently employed by the Commission or from outside of the Commission; and(ii)having experience in advocating for the interests of senior investors.(3)StaffingThe Chairman shall ensure that—(A)the Taskforce is staffed sufficiently to carry out fully the requirements of this subsection; and(B)such staff shall include individuals from the Division of Enforcement, Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations, and Office of Investor Education and Advocacy.(4)No compensation for members of TaskforceAll members of the Taskforce appointed under paragraph (2) or (3) shall serve without compensation in addition to that received for their services as officers or employees of the United States.(5)Minimizing duplication of effortsIn organizing and staffing the Taskforce, the Chairman shall take such actions as may be necessary to minimize the duplication of efforts within the divisions and offices described under paragraph (3)(B) and any other divisions, offices, or taskforces of the Commission.(6)Functions of the TaskforceThe Taskforce shall—(A)identify challenges that senior investors encounter, including problems associated with financial exploitation and cognitive decline;(B)identify areas in which senior investors would benefit from changes in the regulations of the Commission or the rules of self-regulatory organizations;(C)coordinate, as appropriate, with other offices within the Commission, other taskforces that may be established within the Commission, self-regulatory organizations, and the Elder Justice Coordinating Council; and(D)consult, as appropriate, with State securities and law enforcement authorities, State insurance regulators, and other Federal agencies.(7)ReportThe Taskforce, in coordination, as appropriate, with the Office of the Investor Advocate and self-regulatory organizations, and in consultation, as appropriate, with State securities and law enforcement authorities, State insurance regulators, and Federal agencies, shall issue a report every 2 years to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the Special Committee on Aging of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives, the first of which shall not be issued until after the report described in section 3 of the National Senior Investor Initiative Act of 2021 has been issued and considered by the Taskforce, containing—(A)appropriate statistical information and full and substantive analysis;(B)a summary of recent trends and innovations that have impacted the investment landscape for senior investors;(C)a summary of regulatory initiatives that have concentrated on senior investors and industry practices related to senior investors;(D)key observations, best practices, and areas needing improvement, involving senior investors identified during examinations, enforcement actions, and investor education outreach;(E)a summary of the most serious issues encountered by senior investors, including issues involving financial products and services;(F)an analysis with regard to existing policies and procedures of brokers, dealers, investment advisers, and other market participants related to senior investors and senior investor-related topics and whether these policies and procedures need to be further developed or refined;(G)recommendations for such changes to the regulations, guidance, and orders of the Commission and self-regulatory organizations and such legislative actions as may be appropriate to resolve problems encountered by senior investors; and(H)any other information, as determined appropriate by the Director of the Taskforce.(8)Request for reportsThe Taskforce shall make any report issued under paragraph (7) available to a Member of Congress who requests such a report. (9)SunsetThe Taskforce shall terminate after the end of the 10-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this subsection.(10)Senior investor definedFor purposes of this subsection, the term senior investor means an investor over the age of 65.(11)Use of existing fundsThe Commission shall use existing funds to carry out this subsection. .3.GAO study(a)In generalNot later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress and the Senior Investor Taskforce the results of a study of financial exploitation of senior citizens.(b)ContentsThe study required under subsection (a) shall include information with respect to—(1)economic costs of the financial exploitation of senior citizens—(A)associated with losses by victims that were incurred as a result of the financial exploitation of senior citizens;(B)incurred by State and Federal agencies, law enforcement and investigatory agencies, public benefit programs, public health programs, and other public programs as a result of the financial exploitation of senior citizens;(C)incurred by the private sector as a result of the financial exploitation of senior citizens; and(D)any other relevant costs that—(i)result from the financial exploitation of senior citizens; and(ii)the Comptroller General determines are necessary and appropriate to include in order to provide Congress and the public with a full and accurate understanding of the economic costs resulting from the financial exploitation of senior citizens in the United States;(2)frequency of senior financial exploitation and correlated or contributing factors—(A)information about percentage of senior citizens financially exploited each year; and(B)information about factors contributing to increased risk of exploitation, including such factors as race, social isolation, income, net worth, religion, region, occupation, education, home-ownership, illness, and loss of spouse; and(3)policy responses and reporting of senior financial exploitation—(A)the degree to which financial exploitation of senior citizens unreported to authorities;(B)the reasons that financial exploitation may be unreported to authorities;(C)to the extent that suspected elder financial exploitation is currently being reported—(i)information regarding which Federal, State, and local agencies are receiving reports, including adult protective services, law enforcement, industry, regulators, and professional licensing boards;(ii)information regarding what information is being collected by such agencies; and(iii)information regarding the actions that are taken by such agencies upon receipt of the report and any limits on the agencies’ ability to prevent exploitation, such as jurisdictional limits, a lack of expertise, resource challenges, or limiting criteria with regard to the types of victims they are permitted to serve;(D)an analysis of gaps that may exist in empowering Federal, State, and local agencies to prevent senior exploitation or respond effectively to suspected senior financial exploitation; and(E)an analysis of the legal hurdles that prevent Federal, State, and local agencies from effectively partnering with each other and private professionals to effectively respond to senior financial exploitation.(c)Senior citizen definedFor purposes of this section, the term senior citizen means an individual over the age of 65.Passed the House of Representatives April 20, 2021.Cheryl L. Johnson,Clerk


115 S2175 IS: Beneficiary Respiratory Equipment Access and Transparency to Home Ventilator Care Act of 2017
U.S. Senate
2017-11-30
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		115th CONGRESS1st Session
		S. 2175
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			November 30, 2017
			Mr. Cassidy (for himself, Mr. Manchin, and Mr. Grassley) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance

		A BILL
		To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to preserve Medicare beneficiary
access to ventilators, and for other purposes.

		1.Short title
 This Act may be cited as the Beneficiary Respiratory Equipment Access and Transparency to Home Ventilator Care Act of 2017 or the BREATH Act of 2017.
 2.Promoting evidence-based care for certain ventilators and other items of durable medical equipmentSection 1834 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

				(v)Appropriate use criteria for certain ventilators
 (1)In generalNot later than January 1, 2018, subject to paragraph (2), and in consultation with medical experts and applicable stakeholders, the Secretary shall establish and implement policies and standards for determining the appropriate use of ventilators as described in subsection (a)(3)(A).
 (2)Delay in implementation of appropriate use criteria for use by certain individualsThe Secretary may, as the Secretary determines appropriate, delay until such date as the Secretary determines appropriate but not later than January 1, 2020, the establishment and implementation of appropriate use criteria as described in paragraph (1) (which may be the same appropriate use criteria established and implemented under such paragraph) for ventilators furnished to individuals diagnosed with neuromuscular or other thoracic restrictive diseases or cystic fibrosis..
		3.Reimbursement for home mechanical ventilators
 (a)In generalSection 1834(a)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(a)(3)) is amended— (1)in subparagraph (B)—
 (A)in clause (iii), by striking and at the end; (B)in clause (iv)—
 (i)by inserting , except as provided in clause (v), after subsequent year; and (ii)by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
 (C)by adding at the end the following new clause:  (v)for an item or device furnished on or after January 1, 2018, in the case of a ventilator described in subparagraph (A), the payment rate determined for the ventilator under subparagraph (D) for the year.; and
 (2)by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:  (D)2018 and subsequent years payment rates for ventilatorsFor purposes of subparagraph (B)(v), the payment rate determined under this subparagraph for a ventilator described in subparagraph (A) is the following:
 (i)2018For 2018, the payment amount specified in subparagraph (B) for an item or device furnished on or after July 1, 2017, and before January 1, 2018, increased by the covered item update for 2018.
 (ii)2019For 2019, the rate determined under clause (i) for 2018— (I)increased by the covered item update for 2019; and
 (II)if applicable, increased by the budget neutrality adjustment under subparagraph (E). (iii)2020 and subsequent yearsFor 2020 and subsequent years, the rate determined under this subparagraph for an item or device furnished on December 31 of the previous year, increased by the covered item update for the year.
							(E)Budget neutrality adjustment of payment rates for ventilators for 2019
 (i)In generalSubject to the succeeding clauses of this subparagraph, the Secretary shall implement the provisions of subparagraphs (B)(v) and (D) in a budget neutral manner and any budget neutrality adjustment under this subparagraph shall be limited to payments for a ventilator described in subparagraph (A) furnished during 2019.
 (ii)Computation of aggregate budget neutrality adjustmentThe aggregate budget neutrality adjustment under this subparagraph shall be an amount equal to the difference (if any) between—
 (I)aggregate payments under this part for ventilators described in subparagraph (A) furnished during 2017, as adjusted under subclause (I) of clause (iii); and
 (II)aggregate payments under this part for such ventilators furnished during 2018, as adjusted under subclause (II) of such clause.
 (iii)AdjustmentsFor purposes of clause (ii)— (I)payments described in subclause (I) of such clause shall be increased by the covered item update for 2018; and
 (II)payments described in subclause (II) of such clause shall be increased or decreased by the percentage change in the total number of individuals enrolled under this part (other than Medicare Advantage enrollees) from 2017 to 2018..


116 HR 6883 IH: Protecting Protein Production and Consumer Access Act of 2020
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-05-15
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. 6883IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 15, 2020Mrs. Hartzler (for herself, Mr. Rouzer, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Hagedorn, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Allen, Mr. Austin Scott of Georgia, Mr. Kelly of Mississippi, Mr. Yoho, Mr. Emmer, and Mr. Conaway) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo provide liability protection for meat processing facilities during the COVID–19 outbreak, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Protecting Protein Production and Consumer Access Act of 2020. 2.Protection from liability for meat processing facilities in certain civil actions relating to COVID–19(a)In generalExcept as provided in subsection (b), a meat processing facility shall not be liable under Federal or State law for any act or omission of the facility with respect to any harm arising from exposure to, or infection by, the virus that causes COVID–19 during a public health emergency with respect to COVID–19 declared pursuant to section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d). (b)ExceptionSubsection (a) does not apply if the harm was caused by an act or omission constituting willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed by the entity.(c)PreemptionThis section preempts the laws of a State or any political subdivision of a State to the extent that such laws are inconsistent with this section, unless such laws provide greater protection from liability.


110 HR 1452 IH: Voters’ Right to Know Act of 2007
U.S. House of Representatives
2007-03-09
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. 1452
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 9, 2007
Mrs. Maloney of New York (for herself and Mr. Petri) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration

A BILL
To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require the disclosure of certain information by persons conducting phone banks during campaigns for election for Federal office, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Voters’ Right to Know Act of 2007.
2.Disclosure of information by persons conducting phone banks during Federal election campaigns
(a)Application of advertising disclaimer rulesSection 318(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441d(a)) is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by inserting after section 304(f)(3)) the following: or any communication through a Federal election phone bank described in subsection (e),.
(b)Federal election phone bank describedSection 318 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 441d) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(e)Federal election phone banks
(1)Additional disclosure requirementsIn addition to any information required to be disclosed under this section or otherwise reported under this Act, each person who conducts a Federal election phone bank shall report to the Commission the following information:
(A)The total cost of conducting the phone bank.
(B)All sources of funds used to conduct the phone bank (other than any contribution for which information is otherwise required to be reported under this Act).
(C)The total number of households contacted.
(D)A copy of the questions asked or information provided to respondents.
(2)DefinitionExcept as provided in paragraph (3), in this section, a Federal election phone bank means a project under which an aggregate number of not fewer than 1,500 households are contacted by telephone during the 25-day period which ends on the date of an election for Federal office and—
(A)are asked to state a preference in the election or to state the likelihood of their support of any candidate;
(B)are asked to make a contribution or expenditure with respect to the election;
(C)are provided with information expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate for such office; or
(D)are provided with any information regarding a clearly identified candidate for such office.
(3)Exception for projects conducted by general mediaA Federal election phone bank does not include any project conducted through the facilities of any broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, or other periodical publication, unless such facilities are owned or controlled by any political party, political committee, or candidate..
3.Effective dateThe amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to elections occurring after January 2008.


		IV
		109th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 3516
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			June 15, 2006
			Mr. Bingaman (for himself,
			 Ms. Snowe, Mr.
			 Cochran, Ms. Cantwell,
			 Mr. Domenici, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr.
			 Jeffords, Ms. Collins,
			 Mrs. Murray, Mr. Harkin, Ms.
			 Landrieu, Mr. Obama,
			 Mr. Salazar, and
			 Mr. Sessions) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To amend title XVIII of the Social Security
		  Act to permanently extend the floor on the Medicare work geographic adjustment
		  under the fee schedule for physicians' services.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Rural Equity Payment Index Reform
			 Extension Act of 2006.
		2.Permanent extension of
			 floor on medicare work geographic adjustmentSection 1848(e)(1)(E) of the Social Security
			 Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–4(e)(1)(E)) is amended by striking and before
			 January 1, 2007,.


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 2510
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			December 18, 2007
			Ms. Landrieu (for
			 herself and Mr. Isakson) introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
			 and Pensions

		A BILL
		To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide revised
		  standards for quality assurance in screening and evaluation of gynecologic
		  cytology preparations, and for other purposes.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Cytology Proficiency Improvement
			 Act of 2007.
		2.Revised
			 standards for quality assurance in screening and evaluation of gynecologic
			 cytology preparations
			(a)In
			 generalSection
			 353(f)(4)(B)(iv) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 263a(f)(4)(B)(iv))
			 is amended to read as follows:

					(iv)requirements that each clinical
				laboratory—
						(I)ensure that all individuals involved in
				screening and interpreting cytological preparations at the laboratory
				participate annually in a continuing medical education program in gynecologic
				cytology that—
							(aa)is approved by the Accrediting Council for
				Continuing Medical Education or the American Academy of Continuing Medical
				Education; and
							(bb)provides each individual participating in
				the program with gynecologic cytological preparations (in the form of
				referenced glass slides or equivalent technologies) designed to improve the
				locator, recognition, and interpretive skills of the individual;
							(II)maintain a record of the cytology
				continuing medical education program results for each individual involved in
				screening and interpreting cytological preparations at the laboratory;
						(III)provide that the laboratory director shall
				take into account such results and other performance metrics in reviewing the
				performance of individuals involved in screening and interpreting cytological
				preparations at the laboratory and, when necessary, identify needs for remedial
				training or a corrective action plan to improve skills; and
						(IV)submit the continuing education program
				results for each individual and, if appropriate, plans for corrective action or
				remedial training in a timely manner to the laboratory’s accrediting
				organization for purposes of review and on-going monitoring by the accrediting
				organization, including reviews of the continuing medical education program
				results during on-site inspections of the
				laboratory.
						.
			(b)Effective date
			 and implementation; termination of current program of individual proficiency
			 testing
				(1)Effective date
			 and implementationExcept as
			 provided in paragraph (2), the amendment made by subsection (a) applies to
			 gynecologic cytology services provided on or after the first day of the
			 calendar year beginning 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and
			 the Secretary of Health and Human Services (hereafter in this subsection
			 referred to as the Secretary) shall issue final regulations
			 implementing such amendment not later than 270 days after such date of
			 enactment.
				(2)Termination of
			 current individual testing programThe Secretary shall terminate the
			 individual proficiency testing program established pursuant to section
			 353(f)(4)(B)(iv) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
			 263a(f)(4)(B)(iv)), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of
			 subsection (a), at the end of the calendar year which includes the date of
			 enactment of the amendment made by subsection (a).


113 SRES 197 IS: Recommending the posthumous award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Thomas M. Conway of Waterbury, Connecticut.
U.S. Senate
2013-07-17
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		III
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. RES. 197
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			July 17, 2013
			Mr. Murphy submitted the
			 following resolution; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Armed
			 Services

		RESOLUTION
		Recommending the posthumous award of the
		  Navy Cross to Lieutenant Thomas M. Conway of Waterbury,
		  Connecticut.

		Whereas, on July 16, 1945, the USS Indianapolis departed
			 San Francisco carrying the trigger and radioactive core for the atomic bomb
			 Little Boy, destined to be dropped on Hiroshima;
		Whereas upon completing its delivery mission to Tinian
			 Island on July 26, the USS Indianapolis proceeded to Okinawa in order to join a
			 larger naval fleet in preparation for an invasion of the Japanese
			 mainland;
		Whereas in the early hours of July 30, the USS
			 Indianapolis was critically damaged by 2 torpedoes from a Japanese
			 submarine;
		Whereas the USS Indianapolis sunk as a result of the
			 damage, killing some 300 of the 1,196 sailors aboard;
		Whereas most of the estimated 900 survivors relied only on
			 their kapok life jackets and belts and some did not even have that
			 equipment;
		Whereas Lieutenant (Chaplain) Thomas M. Conway and the
			 rest of the remaining crew were set adrift in the shark-infested waters with no
			 way of further notifying Navy command;
		Whereas with complete disregard for his own safety,
			 Lieutenant Conway swam back and forth among terrified crew members,
			 administered aid to them, dragged loners back to the growing mass of survivors,
			 organized prayer groups, and urged the increasingly dehydrated and delirious
			 men not to give up hope of rescue;
		Whereas Lieutenant Conway expired on the third day,
			 shortly before the remaining 321 sailors were rescued after being spotted by
			 Navy pilots;
		Whereas the sinking of the USS Indianapolis was the single
			 greatest loss of life at sea in the history of the Navy;
		Whereas the successful completion of the mission of the
			 USS Indianapolis was critical to ending World War II; and
		Whereas Lieutenant Conway risked his own life in order to
			 retrieve fellow sailors and went from lifeboat to lifeboat in shark-infested
			 waters to tend to the dying and dispirited, acting in a manner far above the
			 call of duty: Now, therefore, be it

		That the Senate—
			(1)honors Lieutenant
			 Conway for his heroics, which were above reproach, reflect great credit upon
			 himself, and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Navy;
			(2)recognizes that
			 the courageous and selfless actions of Lieutenant Conway saved the lives of
			 many of his fellow sailors;
			(3)concurs that the
			 actions of Lieutenant Conway are in the spirit and tradition of the Navy Cross;
			 and
			(4)recommends that
			 Lieutenant Conway posthumously be awarded the Navy Cross.


116 HR 1094 IH: World Language Advancement and Readiness Act of 2019
U.S. House of Representatives
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.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1094IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 7, 2019Mr. Price of North Carolina (for himself, Mr. Young, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Ruppersberger, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Cole, Ms. Johnson of Texas, Ms. Titus, Mr. Himes, Mr. Espaillat, Mr. DeFazio, Ms. Moore, Mr. Kind, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Langevin, and Ms. Lofgren) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
			 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo authorize the Secretary of Defense to make grants to support the study of world languages in
			 elementary schools and secondary schools.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the World Language Advancement and Readiness Act of 2019. 2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
 (1)The national security of the United States continues to depend on language readiness, in particular among the seventeen agencies of the Intelligence Community.
 (2)The levels of language proficiency required for national security necessitate long sequences of language training for personnel in the Intelligence Community and the Department of Defense.
 (3)The future national security and economic well-being of the United States will depend substantially on the ability of its citizens to communicate and compete by knowing the languages and cultures of other countries.
 (4)The Federal Government has an interest in ensuring that the employees of its departments and agencies with national security responsibilities are prepared to meet the challenges of this changing international environment.
 (5)The Federal Government also has an interest in taking actions to alleviate the problem of American students being inadequately prepared to meet the challenges posed by increasing global interaction among nations.
 (6)American elementary schools, secondary schools, colleges, and universities must place a new emphasis on improving the teaching of foreign languages, area studies, counterproliferation studies, and other international fields to help meet those challenges.
			3.World language advancement and readiness grants
 (a)Program authorityThe Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Education, shall carry out a program under which the Secretary of Defense makes grants, on a competitive basis, to State educational agencies and local educational agencies to pay the Federal share of the cost of innovative model programs providing for the establishment, improvement, or expansion of world language study for elementary school and secondary school students.
 (b)DurationEach grant under this Act shall be awarded for a period of 3 years. (c)Requirements for State and local educational agencies (1)Grants to State educational agenciesIn awarding a grant under subsection (a) to a State educational agency, the Secretary of Defense shall support programs that promote systemic approaches to improving world language learning in the State.
 (2)Grants to local educational agenciesIn awarding a grant under subsection (a) to a local educational agency, the Secretary of Defense shall support programs that—
 (A)show the promise of being continued beyond the grant period; (B)demonstrate approaches that can be disseminated to and duplicated in other local educational agencies; and
 (C)may include a professional development component. (d)Federal share (1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), the Federal share for each fiscal year shall be 50 percent.
 (2)ExceptionThe Secretary of Defense may determine the Federal share for any local educational agency that the Secretary determines does not have adequate resources to pay the non-Federal share.
				(e)Allocation of funds
 (1)Not less than 75 percent of the funds made available to carry out this Act for a fiscal year shall be used for the expansion of world language learning in elementary schools.
 (2)Not less than 75 percent of the funds made available to carry out this Act for a fiscal year shall be used to support instruction in world languages determined by the Secretary of Defense to be critical to the national security interests of the United States.
 (3)The Secretary of Defense may reserve not more than 5 percent of funds made available to carry out this Act for a fiscal year to evaluate the efficacy of programs that receive grants under subsection (a).
				(f)Applications
 (1)In generalTo be considered for a grant under subsection (a), a State educational agency or local educational agency shall submit an application to the Secretary of Defense at such time, in such manner, and containing such information and assurances as the Secretary may require.
 (2)Special considerationThe Secretary of Defense shall give special consideration to applications describing programs that— (A)include intensive summer world language programs for professional development of world language teachers;
 (B)link nonnative English speakers in the community with the schools in order to promote two-way language learning;
 (C)promote the sequential study of a world language for students, beginning in elementary schools; (D)make effective use of technology, such as computer-assisted instruction, language laboratories, or distance learning, to promote world language study;
 (E)promote innovative activities, such as dual language immersion, partial world language immersion, or content-based instruction; and
 (F)are carried out through a consortium comprised of the agency receiving the grant, an elementary school or secondary school, and an institution of higher education (as that term is defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)).
 4.DefinitionsIn this Act: (1)ESEA termsThe terms elementary school, local educational agency, secondary school, and State educational agency have the meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
 (2)World languageThe term world language means— (A)any natural language other than English, including—
 (i)languages determined by the Secretary of Defense to be critical to the national security interests of the United States;
 (ii)classical languages; (iii)American sign language; and
 (iv)Native American languages; and (B)any language described in subparagraph (A) that is taught in combination with English as part of a dual language or immersion learning program.


114 S2172 IS: Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Rates Act
U.S. Senate
2015-10-08
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.

II114th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2172IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESOctober 8, 2015Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Tester, and Mr. Whitehouse) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo amend the Public Health Service Act to provide protections for consumers against excessive,
			 unjustified, or unfairly discriminatory increases in premium rates.

		1.Short
 titleThis Act may be cited as the Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Rates Act.
		2.Protection of
			 consumers from excessive, unjustified, or unfairly discriminatory
			 rates
			(a)Protection from
 excessive, unjustified, or unfairly discriminatory ratesThe first section 2794 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg–94), as added by section 1003 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111–148), is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

					(e)Protection from
				excessive, unjustified, or unfairly discriminatory rates
						(1)Authority of
 StatesNothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a State from imposing requirements (including requirements relating to rate review standards and procedures and information reporting) on health insurance issuers with respect to rates that are in addition to the requirements of this section and are more protective of consumers than such requirements.
						(2)Consultation in
 rate review processIn carrying out this section, the Secretary shall consult with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and consumer groups.
						(3)Determination of
 who conducts reviews for each StateThe Secretary shall determine, after the date of enactment of this section and periodically thereafter, the following:
 (A)In which markets in each State the State insurance commissioner or relevant State regulator shall undertake the corrective actions under paragraph (4), based on the Secretary’s determination that the State regulator is adequately undertaking and utilizing such actions in that market.
 (B)In which markets in each State the Secretary shall undertake the corrective actions under paragraph (4), in cooperation with the relevant State insurance commissioner or State regulator, based on the Secretary’s determination that the State is not adequately undertaking and utilizing such actions in that market.
							(4)Corrective
				action for excessive, unjustified, or unfairly discriminatory
 ratesIn accordance with the process established under this section, the Secretary or the relevant State insurance commissioner or State regulator shall take corrective actions to ensure that any excessive, unjustified, or unfairly discriminatory rates are corrected prior to implementation, or as soon as possible thereafter, through mechanisms such as—
 (A)denying rates;
 (B)modifying rates; or (C)requiring rebates to consumers.
 (5)NoncomplianceFailure to comply with any corrective action taken by the Secretary under this subsection may result in the application of civil monetary penalties and, if the Secretary determines appropriate, make the plan involved ineligible for classification as a Qualified Health Plan..
			(b)Clarification of
 Regulatory AuthoritySuch section is further amended—
 (1)in subsection (a)—
 (A)in the heading, by striking premium and inserting rate;
 (B)in paragraph (1), by striking unreasonable increases in premiums and inserting potentially excessive, unjustified, or unfairly discriminatory rates, including premiums,; and
 (C)in paragraph (2)—
 (i)by striking an unreasonable premium increase and inserting a potentially excessive, unjustified, or unfairly discriminatory rate;
 (ii)by striking the increase and inserting the rate; and
 (iii)by striking such increases and inserting such rates; and
 (2)in subsection (b)—
 (A)by striking premium increases each place it appears and inserting rates; and
 (B)in paragraph (2)(B), by striking premium and inserting rate.
					(c)Conforming
 amendmentTitle XXVII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg et seq.) is amended—
 (1)in section 2723 (42 U.S.C. 300gg–22)— (A)in subsection (a)—
 (i)in paragraph (1), by inserting and section 2794 after this part; and
 (ii)in paragraph (2), by inserting or section 2794 after this part; and
 (B)in subsection (b)—
 (i)in paragraph (1), by inserting and section 2794 after this part; and
 (ii)in paragraph (2)—
 (I)in subparagraph (A), by inserting or section 2794 that is after this part; and
 (II)in subparagraph (C)(ii), by inserting or section 2794 after this part; and
 (2)in section 2761 (42 U.S.C. 300gg–61)—
 (A)in subsection (a)—
 (i)in paragraph (1), by inserting and section 2794 after this part; and
 (ii)in paragraph (2)—
 (I)by inserting or section 2794 after set forth in this part; and
 (II)by inserting and section 2794 after the requirements of this part; and
 (B)in subsection (b)—
 (i)by inserting and section 2794 after this part; and
 (ii)by inserting and section 2794 after part A.
						(d)Applicability to
 grandfathered plansSection 1251(a)(4)(A) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111–148), as added by section 2301 of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–152), is amended by adding at the end the following:

 (v)Section 2794 (relating to reasonableness of rates with respect to health insurance coverage)..
			(e)Authorization
 of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act, such sums as may be necessary.
			(f)Effective
 dateThe amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act and shall be implemented with respect to health plans beginning not later than January 1, 2017.