110 HR 1234 IH: To end the United States occupation of Iraq

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-02-28
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
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1234
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 28, 2007
			Mr. Kucinich
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Armed
			 Services, and in addition to the Committee on
			 Foreign Affairs, 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 end the United States occupation of Iraq
		  immediately.

		1.FindingsCongress finds the following:
			(1)The insurgency in Iraq has been fueled by
			 the United States occupation and the prospect of a long-term presence as
			 indicated by the building of permanent United States military bases.
			(2)A United States declaration of an intention
			 to withdraw United States troops and close military bases will help dampen the
			 insurgency which has been inspired to resist colonization and fight aggressors
			 and those who have supported United States policy.
			(3)A United States declaration of an intention
			 to withdraw United States troops and close military bases will provide an
			 opening in which parties within Iraq and in the region can set the stage for
			 negotiations toward a peaceful settlement in Iraq.
			(4)The cost of withdrawing United States
			 troops from Iraq could be as low as $10 billion according to the Congressional
			 Budget Office.
			(5)A United States shift in policy away from
			 unilateralism and toward cooperation will provide new opportunities for
			 exploring common concerns about the situation in Iraq.
			(6)The United Nations is best equipped to
			 build a political consensus in Iraq through the crafting of a political
			 agreement.
			(7)The end of the occupation of Iraq creates a
			 political environment that enables the world community to assist the United
			 States in an orderly transition.
			(8)The United Nations is the only
			 international organization with the ability to mobilize and the legitimacy to
			 authorize peacekeeping troops.
			(9)The United Nations can implement the basis
			 of an agreement that will end the occupation of Iraq and begin the transition
			 to international peacekeepers.
			(10)The United Nations can field an
			 international security and peacekeeping mission, but such a mission cannot take
			 shape unless there is a peace to keep, and that will be dependent upon a
			 political process which reaches agreement between all the Iraqi parties.
			(11)Reconstruction activities must be
			 reorganized and closely monitored in Iraq by the Iraqi Government, with the
			 assistance of the international community.
			(12)Any attempt to sell Iraqi oil assets during
			 the United States occupation will be a significant stumbling block to peaceful
			 resolution.
			(13)There must be fairness in the distribution
			 of oil resources in Iraq.
			(14)A reconciliation process that brings people
			 together is the only way to overcome their fears and reconcile their
			 differences.
			(15)It is essential to create a minimum of
			 understanding and mutual confidence between the Shiites, Sunnis, and
			 Kurds.
			(16)The process of reconciliation must begin
			 with a national conference, organized with the assistance of the United Nations
			 and with the participation of parties that can create, participate in, and
			 affect the process of reconciliation, defined as an airing of all grievances
			 and the creation of pathways toward open, transparent talks producing truth and
			 resolution of grievances.
			(17)The only sure path toward reconciliation is
			 through the political process.
			(18)All factions and all insurgents not
			 associated with al-Qaeda must be brought together in a relentless process which
			 involves Saudis, Turks, Syrians, and Iranians.
			(19)Achieving peace requires a process of
			 international truth and reconciliation between the people of the United States
			 and the people of Iraq.
			(20)A reparations program to assist Iraqis is
			 essential to enable reconciliation.
			2.Statement of
			 policyIt is the policy of the
			 United States that—
			(1)the United States
			 should end the occupation of Iraq immediately, simultaneously with the
			 introduction of a United Nations-led international peacekeeping force pursuant
			 to an agreement with nations within the region and which incorporates the terms
			 and conditions specified in section 1;
			(2)the Department of
			 Defense should use readily available existing funds to bring all United States
			 troops and necessary equipment home while a political settlement is being
			 negotiated and preparations are made for a transition to an international
			 security and peacekeeping force;
			(3)the Department of
			 Defense should order a simultaneous return of all United States contractors and
			 subcontractors and turn over all contracting work to the Iraqi
			 Government;
			(4)the United Nations
			 should be encouraged to prepare an international security and peacekeeping
			 force to be deployed to Iraq, replacing United States troops who then return
			 home;
			(5)the United States
			 should provide funding for a United Nations peacekeeping mission, in which 50
			 percent of the peacekeeping troops should come from nations with large Muslim
			 populations;
			(6)the international
			 security force, under United Nations direction, should remain in place until
			 the Iraqi Government is capable of handling its own security;
			(7)the Iraqi
			 Government, with assistance from the United Nations, should immediately restart
			 the failed reconstruction program in Iraq and rebuild roads, bridges, schools,
			 hospitals, and other public facilities, houses, and factories with jobs and job
			 training going to local Iraqis;
			(8)the Iraqi
			 Government, in an act of political sovereignty, should set aside initiatives to
			 privatize Iraqi oil interests or other national assets and abandon all efforts,
			 whether at the behest of the United States or otherwise, to change Iraqi
			 national law to facilitate privatization;
			(9)the Iraq
			 Government, in an act of political sovereignty, should set forth a plan to
			 stabilize Iraq’s cost for food and energy, on par to what the prices were
			 before the United States invasion and occupation;
			(10)the Iraqi
			 Government, in an act of political sovereignty, should strive for economic
			 sovereignty for Iraq by working with the world community to restore Iraq’s
			 fiscal integrity without structural readjustment measures of the International
			 Monetary Funds or the World Bank;
			(11)the United States
			 should initiate a reparations program for the loss of Iraqi lives, physical and
			 emotional injuries, and damage to property, which should include an effort to
			 rescue the tens of thousands of Iraqi orphans from lives of destitution;
			 and
			(12)the United States
			 should refrain from any covert operations in Iraq and any attempts to
			 destabilize the Iraqi Government.
			3.Disengagement of
			 United States Armed Forces from Iraq
			(a)Withdrawal of
			 Armed ForcesNot later than the end of the 3-month period
			 beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, all United States Armed
			 Forces serving in Iraq shall be completely withdrawn from Iraq and returned to
			 the United States or redeployed outside of the Middle East.
			(b)Prohibition on
			 Use of Funds To Continue Deployment of Armed Forces in Iraq
				(1)ProhibitionFunds
			 appropriated or otherwise made available under any provision of law may not be
			 obligated or expended to deploy or continue to deploy members or units of the
			 United States Armed Forces to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
				(2)ExceptionsParagraph
			 (1) does not apply to the use of funds—
					(A)to provide for the
			 safe and orderly withdrawal of the Armed Forces from Iraq pursuant to
			 subsection (a);
					(B)to ensure the
			 security of Iraq by carrying out consultations with the Government of Iraq,
			 other foreign governments, the United Nations, and other international
			 organizations; or
					(C)to ensure the
			 security of Iraq by funding the United Nations-led peacekeeping mission.
					(c)Armed Forces
			 DefinedIn this section, the term Armed Forces has
			 the meaning given the term in section 101(a)(4) of title 10, United States
			 Code.


I
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6089
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

August 10, 2010
Mrs. Bachmann introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to eliminate any time limitation for granting equitable innocent spouse relief.

1.Elimination of time limitation for equitable innocent spouse relief
(a)In generalSubsection (f) of section 6015 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting without regard to any time limitation before the period at the end.
(b)Effective dateThe amendment made by this section shall apply with respect to any liability for taxes arising or remaining unpaid on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.


116 HR 3273 IH: Combating Transnational Criminal Organizations Act of 2019
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-06-13
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3273IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 13, 2019Mr. Higgins of Louisiana introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland SecurityA BILLTo amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish programs to combat transnational criminal
			 organizations, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Combating Transnational Criminal Organizations Act of 2019 or the Combating TCOs Act of 2019. 2.Integrated border enforcement teams (a)In generalSubtitle C of title IV of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 231 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

					437.Integrated Border Enforcement Teams
 (a)EstablishmentThere is established within the Department a program to be known as the Integrated Border Enforcement Team program (referred to in this section as IBET).
 (b)PurposeThe purpose of IBET is to enhance border security in a manner that results in a cooperative approach between the United States and Canada to—
 (1)strengthen security between designated ports of entry; (2)detect, investigate, prevent, and respond to terrorism, transnational criminal organizations, and other violations of law related to border security;
 (3)facilitate collaboration among components and offices within the Department and international partners;
 (4)execute coordinated activities in furtherance of border security and homeland security; and (5)enhance information-sharing, including the dissemination of homeland security information among such components and offices.
							(c)Composition and establishment of units
 (1)CompositionIBET units may be comprised of personnel from the following: (A)U.S. Customs and Border Protection, led by the U.S. Border Patrol.
 (B)U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, led by Homeland Security Investigations. (C)Other Department personnel, as appropriate.
 (D)Other Federal, State, local, Tribal, and foreign law enforcement agencies, as appropriate. (E)Other appropriate personnel at the discretion of the Secretary.
 (2)Establishment of unitsThe Secretary is authorized to establish IBET units in regions in which such units can contribute to IBET missions, as appropriate. When establishing an IBET unit, the Secretary shall apply risk-based criteria that takes into consideration the following:
 (A)Whether the region in which the IBET unit would be established is significantly impacted by cross-border threats, including threats posed by transnational criminal organizations and terrorist groups.
 (B)The availability of Federal, State, local, Tribal, and foreign law enforcement resources to participate in the IBET unit.
 (C)Whether, in accordance with paragraph (3), other joint cross-border initiatives already take place within the region in which the IBET unit would be established.
 (3)Duplication of effortsIn determining whether to establish a new IBET unit or to expand an existing IBET unit in a given region, the Secretary shall ensure that the IBET unit under consideration does not duplicate the efforts of other existing interagency task forces or centers within such region, including the Border Enforcement Security Task Force established under section 432.
 (d)OperationAfter determining the regions in which to establish IBET units under subsection (c)(2), the Secretary may—
 (1)direct the assignment of Federal personnel to such IBET units; (2)take other actions to assist Federal, State, local, and Tribal entities to participate in such IBET units, including providing financial assistance, as appropriate, for operational, administrative, and technological costs associated with such participation;
 (3)direct the development of policy and guidance necessary to identify, assess, and integrate the available partner resources in relevant border sector security assessments and resource planning documents;
 (4)establish targets and performance measures for such IBET units; and (5)direct leadership of such IBET units to monitor progress on such targets and performance measures.
 (e)CoordinationThe Secretary shall coordinate IBET activities with other similar border security and antiterrorism programs within the Department in accordance with the strategic objectives of the Cross-Border Law Enforcement Advisory Committee.
 (f)Memoranda of understandingThe Secretary may enter into memoranda of understanding with appropriate representatives of the entities specified in subsection (c)(1) as necessary to carry out this section. Such memoranda with entities specified in subsection (c)(1)(G) shall be entered into with the concurrence of the Secretary of State.
 (g)ReportNot later than 180 days after the date on which IBET is established and biannually thereafter for the following six years, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report that—
 (1)describes targets and performance measures for IBET units; (2)describes the effectiveness of IBET units in fulfilling the purposes specified in subsection (b);
 (3)identifies and assesses the impact of certain challenges on the sustainment of cross-border IBET operations, including challenges faced by international partners, and planned corrective actions;
 (4)identifies and assesses costs associated with IBET units broken down by relevant categories designated at the Secretary’s discretion;
 (5)identifies ways to support joint training for IBET stakeholder agencies and radio interoperability to allow for secure cross-border radio communications; and
 (6)identifies and assesses ways IBET, Border Tunnel Task Forces, Border Enforcement Security Task Forces, and the Integrated Cross-Border Maritime Law Enforcement Operation Program can better align operations, including interdiction and investigation activities..
 (b)Clerical amendmentThe table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by striking the items relating to sections 435 and 436 and inserting the following new items:

						Sec. 435. Maritime operations coordination plan.
						Sec. 436. Maritime security capabilities assessments.
						Sec. 437. Integrated Border Enforcement Teams..
			3.Border tunnel detection
 (a)In generalSubtitle B of title IV of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 211 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

					420.Border Tunnel Task Forces
 (a)EstablishmentThere is established within the Department a program to be known as the Border Tunnel Task Force program (referred to in this section as BTTF).
 (b)PurposeThe purpose of BTTF established pursuant to subsection (a) is to enhance and integrate border security efforts by identifying, reducing, and remediating cross-border tunnel related threats by—
 (1)facilitating collaboration among Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies to execute coordinated activities; and
 (2)enhancing information-sharing, including the dissemination of homeland security information, among such agencies.
							(c)Composition and establishment of border tunnel task force units
 (1)CompositionBTTF units may be comprised of personnel from the following: (A)U.S. Customs and Border Protection, led by the U.S. Border Patrol.
 (B)U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, led by Homeland Security Investigations. (C)Other Department components and offices, as appropriate.
 (D)Other Federal, State, local, Tribal, and foreign law enforcement agencies, as appropriate. (E)Other appropriate personnel at the discretion of the Secretary.
 (2)Establishment of unitsThe Secretary is authorized to establish BTTF units in regions in which the Secretary determines such units can contribute to the Department’s border security efforts to identify, reduce, and remediate cross-border tunnel threats. When establishing a BTTF unit, the Secretary shall apply risk-based criteria that takes into consideration the following:
 (A)Whether the areas in which such BTTF units would be established are significantly impacted by cross-border tunnel threats.
 (B)The availability of Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement resources to participate in such BTTF units.
 (C)Whether other similar joint cross-border tunnel detection initiatives already take place within the region in which the BTTF unit would be established.
 (d)Duplication of effortsIn determining whether to establish a new BTTF unit or to expand an existing BTTF unit in a given region, the Secretary shall ensure that the BTTF unit under consideration does not unnecessarily duplicate the efforts of other existing interagency task forces or centers within such jurisdiction.
 (e)OperationAfter determining the regions in which to establish BTTF units under subsection (c)(2), the Secretary may—
 (1)direct the assignment of Federal personnel to such BTTF units; (2)take other actions to assist Federal, State, local, and Tribal entities to participate in such BTTF units, including providing financial assistance, as appropriate, for operational, administrative, and technological costs associated with such participation;
 (3)direct the development of policy and guidance necessary to identify, assess, and integrate the available partner resources in relevant border sector security assessments and resource planning documents;
 (4)establish targets and performance measures for BTTF units; (5)direct leadership of each BTTF unit to monitor progress on such targets and performance measures for each such unit; and
 (6)dedicate appropriate research and development resources to improve cross-border tunnel detection and remediation capabilities.
 (f)CoordinationThe Secretary shall coordinate BTTF activities with other similar border security and antiterrorism programs within the Department that handle matters relating to cross-border tunnel threat detection.
 (g)Authorization of tunnel remediation accessNotwithstanding any other provision of law, U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall have immediate access to Federal land for the remediation of tunnels used to facilitate illicit cross-border activities across the international borders of the United States.
 (h)Tunnel detection and remediation technology pilot programNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program to test and evaluate new and emerging technologies for the purpose of detection and remediation of cross-border tunnel threats.
 (i)ReportNot later than 180 days after the date on which BTTF is established and biannually thereafter for the following six years, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report that—
 (1)describes targets and performance measures for BTTF units; (2)describes the effectiveness of BTTF in fulfilling the purposes specified in subsection (b);
 (3)identifies and assesses the impact of certain challenges on the sustainment of cross-border BTTF operations and planned corrective actions;
 (4)identifies and assesses costs associated with BTTF units broken down by relevant categories designated at the Secretary’s discretion;
 (5)identifies ways to support joint training for BTTF stakeholder agencies; (6)identifies and assesses ways BTTF, IBET, and Border Enforcement Security Task Forces can better align operations, including interdiction and investigation activities; and
 (7)identifies and assesses gaps in BTTF technological capability to detect cross-border tunnel threats..
 (b)Clerical amendmentThe table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 419 the following new item:

						Sec. 420. Border Tunnel Task Forces..
			4.Border Enforcement Security Task Force updates
 (a)Updated purposeSubsection (b) of section 432 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 240) is amended— (1)in paragraph (1), by striking and after the semicolon at the end;
 (2)in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and (3)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

 (3)detecting, investigating, preventing, and responding to terrorism, transnational criminal organizations, and other violations of law related to border security..
 (b)Updated considerations for establishment of unitsParagraph (2) of section 432(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 240(c)) is amended— (1)in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)—
 (A)in the first sentence, by striking jurisdictions and inserting regions; (B)by striking Before and inserting When; and
 (C)by striking shall consider and inserting shall apply risk-based criteria that takes into consideration; (2)in subparagraph (B), by inserting and after the semicolon at the end; and
 (3)by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D) and inserting the following new subparagraph:  (C)Whether, in accordance with paragraph (3), other joint cross-border initiatives already take place within the region in which the BEST unit would be established..
 (c)Updated reportSubsection (e) of section 432 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 240) is amended to read as follows:

 (e)ReportsNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection and biannually thereafter for the following six years, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report that—
 (1)describes targets and performance measures for BEST units; (2)describes the effectiveness of BEST units in fulfilling the purposes specified in subsection (b);
 (3)identifies and assesses the impact of certain challenges on the sustainment of cross-border BEST operations, including challenges faced by international partners, and planned corrective actions;
 (4)identifies and assesses costs associated with BEST units, broken down by relevant categories designated at the Secretary’s discretion;
 (5)identifies ways to support joint training for BEST stakeholder agencies; (6)identifies and assesses ways BTTF under section 420, IBET units under section 437, and BEST units can better align operations, including interdiction and investigation activities; and
 (7)identifies and assesses gaps in BEST technological capability to detect transnational criminal organizations or terrorist threats..
 (d)Updated reportNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and biannually thereafter for the following six years, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report that—
 (1)describes the effectiveness of BEST units under section 432 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 240), as amended by this Act;
 (2)assesses the impact of certain challenges on the sustainment of cross-border BEST operations, including challenges faced by international partners, and planned corrective actions;
 (3)assesses costs associated with BEST units, broken down by relevant categories designated at the Secretary’s discretion;
 (4)addresses ways to support joint training for BEST stakeholder agencies; (5)assesses how BTTF under section 420 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (as added by this Act), IBET units under section 437 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (as added by this Act), and BEST units can better align operations, including interdiction and investigation activities; and
 (6)assesses the gaps in BEST technological capability to detect cross-border tunnel threats. (e)Technical and conforming amendmentsSection 432 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 240) is amended—
 (1)in subsection (c)— (A)in paragraph (1)(D), by inserting a semicolon at the end; and
 (B)in paragraph (3), by striking jurisdiction each place it appears and inserting region; and (2)in subsection (d), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking jurisdictions and inserting regions.


116 S2041 IS: Green Spaces, Green Vehicles Act of 2019
U.S. Senate
2019-06-27
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2041IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 27, 2019Ms. Cortez Masto (for herself, Ms. Stabenow, Ms. Smith, Mr. Wyden, Mrs. Gillibrand, Ms. Hirono, and Mr. Merkley) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural ResourcesA BILLTo establish the Green Spaces, Green Vehicles Initiative to facilitate the installation of
			 zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure on National Forest System land,
			 National Park System land, and certain related land, and for other
 purposes. 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Green Spaces, Green Vehicles Act of 2019.2.DefinitionsIn this Act:(1)Appropriate agency headThe term appropriate agency head means—(A)the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, with respect to National Forest System land; and(B)the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, with respect to National Park System land.(2)Appropriate committees of CongressThe term appropriate committees of Congress means—(A)the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives;(B)the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives;(C)the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives;(D)the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; and(E)the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.(3)Covered landThe term covered land means—(A)National Forest System land;(B)National Park System land; and(C)any land owned by a unit of local government or Indian Tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304))—(i)that is located not more than 25 miles from land described in subparagraph (A) or (B); and(ii)with respect to which the Secretary or an appropriate agency head has entered into an agreement with the owner of the land for the installation of zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure on the land, after making a determination that the infrastructure to be installed under the agreement is related to providing zero-emissions vehicles with access to land described in subparagraph (A) or (B).(4)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.(5)Zero-emissions vehicle infrastructureThe term zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure means infrastructure used to charge or fuel a zero-emissions vehicle.(6)Zero-emissions vehicleThe term zero-emissions vehicle means—(A)a zero-emission vehicle (as defined in section 88.102–94 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)); or(B)a vehicle that produces zero exhaust emissions of any criteria pollutant (or precursor pollutant) or greenhouse gas under any possible operational modes or conditions.3.Establishment of Green Spaces, Green Vehicles Initiative(a)EstablishmentThe Secretary and the appropriate agency heads shall collaborate on an initiative, to be known as the Green Spaces, Green Vehicles Initiative, to facilitate the installation and use of zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure on covered land.(b)DutiesThe Secretary and the appropriate agency heads shall facilitate the installation and use of zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure on covered land—(1)by entering into agreements with public, private, or nonprofit entities for the acquisition, installation, and operation, including use-fee processing and collection, on covered land of publicly accessible zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure that is directly related to the charging or fueling of a vehicle in accordance with this section;(2)by acquiring, in coordination with the Administrator of General Services, zero-emissions vehicles, including shuttle vehicles, for the fleets of the Forest Service and the National Park Service;(3)by providing information to the public, including by publishing a map on any relevant agency website, regarding the availability of existing and planned zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure on covered land; and(4)by allowing for the use of charging infrastructure by employees of the Forest Service and the National Park Service to charge vehicles used by the employees in commuting to or from work.(c)ConsiderationsIn determining the location for zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure acquired and installed on covered land under subsection (b), the Secretary and the appropriate agency heads shall consider whether a proposed location would—(1)complement, to the extent feasible, alternative fueling corridor networks established under section 151 of title 23, United States Code;(2)meet current or anticipated market demands for charging or fueling infrastructure;(3)enable or accelerate the construction of charging or fueling infrastructure that would be unlikely to be completed without Federal assistance; and(4)support the use of zero-emissions vehicles by Federal fleets and visitors to Federal facilities.(d)Location of infrastructureAny zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure acquired, installed, or operated under subsection (b) shall be located on covered land.(e)Funding(1)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each fiscal year.(2)Limitations on use of funds(A)Federal fleetsNot more than 20 percent of any funds appropriated to carry out this section may be used to acquire zero-emissions vehicles under subsection (b)(2).(B)Urbanized areasNot more than 30 percent of any funds appropriated to carry out this section may be used to acquire, install, or operate zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure in an urbanized area (as designated by the Bureau of the Census).(C)Administrative costsNot more than 2 percent of any funds appropriated to carry out this section may be used for administrative costs.4.Agreements for shuttle or other transportation services on National Forest System land and National
 Park System landIn entering into an agreement with an entity to provide shuttle or other transportation services on or to covered land, an appropriate agency head shall give priority consideration to an entity that would provide the applicable services using zero-emissions vehicles.5.Alternative fuel use by light duty Federal vehiclesSection 400AA(a) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6374(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:(5)For purposes of making a determination under paragraph (1) as to whether the acquisition of alternative fueled vehicles is practicable for the fleet of the Forest Service or the National Park Service, the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior, as applicable, shall take into account the availability on National Forest System land or National Park System land, as applicable, of zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure (as defined in section 2 of the Green Spaces, Green Vehicles Act of 2019) acquired and installed under section 3 of the Green Spaces, Green Vehicles Act of 2019.(6)(A)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior, as applicable, shall develop a strategy to, by 2030, increase the number of zero-emissions vehicles (as defined in section 2 of the Green Spaces, Green Vehicles Act of 2019) in the fleet and shuttle operations of each of the Forest Service and the National Park Service to the greater of—(i)a number that is equal to 125 percent of the number of zero-emissions vehicles in the fleet and shuttle operations of each agency on the date of enactment of this paragraph; and(ii)a number that is equal to 25 percent of all vehicles in the fleet and shuttle operations of each agency.(B)The strategy developed under subparagraph (A) shall be updated not less frequently than once every 2 years..6.ReportNot later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary and the appropriate agency heads shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes—(1)the location of—(A)any zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure acquired, installed, or operated, or planned to be acquired, installed, or operated, under section 3(b)(1); and(B)any zero-emissions vehicles acquired for the fleet of the Forest Service or the National Park Service under section 3(b)(2);(2)the amount of Federal funds expended to carry out each duty under section 3(b);(3)any allocation of costs or benefits between the Federal Government and private or nonprofit entities under an agreement entered into by the Secretary or the appropriate agency heads under section 3(b)(1);(4)the justifications for the expenditure of funds to carry out section 3 during the period covered by the report, including, with respect to any zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure installed during the period covered by the report, an analysis of each of the considerations under section 3(c);(5)if applicable, any challenges in acquiring the necessary workforce to install, operate, or maintain—(A)any zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure acquired, installed, or operated, or planned to be acquired, installed, or operated, under section 3(b)(1); and(B)any zero-emissions vehicles acquired for the fleet of the Forest Service or the National Park Service under section 3(b)(2);(6)with respect to each agreement for shuttle or other transportation services on or to covered land entered into by an appropriate agency head during the period covered by the report, how the appropriate agency head complied with the requirements of section 4;(7)the strategy developed under paragraph (6)(A) of section 400AA(a) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6374(a)) (including any updates to the strategy under paragraph (6)(B) of that section); and(8)any recommendations of the Secretary with respect to any additional funding or authority needed to carry out paragraph (6) of section 400AA(a) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6374(a)).


110 HCON 423 IH: Calling for a comprehensive strategy to

U.S. House of Representatives
2008-09-23
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		IV
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. CON. RES. 423
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			September 23, 2008
			Mr. Kirk (for
			 himself, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, and
			 Mr. Wolf) submitted the following
			 concurrent resolution; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Foreign
			 Affairs

		CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
		Calling for a comprehensive strategy to
		  address the crisis in Darfur, Sudan, and condemning the ongoing assaults and
		  obstruction by the Khartoum regime.

		Whereas more than 300,000 people have died and
			 approximately 2,500,000 have been displaced in Darfur, Sudan, since 2003,
			 according to estimates by the United Nations;
		Whereas, on July 22, 2004, Congress unanimously declared
			 that the atrocities in Darfur were genocide;
		Whereas, on September 9, 2004, Secretary of State Colin
			 Powell described the crisis in Darfur as genocide and on June 1, 2005,
			 President George W. Bush did the same;
		Whereas the United States has led the world in financial
			 contributions to humanitarian aid and peacekeeping operations in Darfur;
		Whereas, on July 31, 2007, the United Nations Security
			 Council voted to deploy a historic United Nations African Union (UNAMID)
			 peacekeeping force to stem the violence in Darfur and create conditions for
			 peace talks;
		Whereas only approximately 10,000 of the authorized force
			 of 26,000 peacekeepers and police have deployed to Darfur, the remaining forces
			 have been delayed by Sudanese obstruction as well as by a failure of the
			 international community to commit sufficient resources and to overcome
			 logistical obstacles;
		Whereas more than 4 years have passed since Congress
			 declared the conflict in Darfur to be genocide and conditions on the ground in
			 Darfur continue to worsen;
		Whereas the Sudanese armed forces continue bombardment of
			 alleged rebel positions reportedly causing thousands of civilians to leave
			 their homes amid the fresh onslaught;
		Whereas to date United Nations has failed to overcome
			 obstructionism and logistical difficulties imposed by the regime in Khartoum
			 and the armed factions in Darfur to assure the protection of civilians;
			 and
		Whereas this pattern of continued failure cannot continue:
			 Now, therefore, be it

		That Congress—
			(1)urges the President, the Secretary-General
			 of the United Nations, the African Union, regional governmental and
			 nongovernmental actors, and other key members of the international community to
			 pursue a comprehensive solution to the Darfur crisis by—
				(A)supporting efforts to reach a just and
			 inclusive peace agreement;
				(B)ensuring the full and effective deployment
			 of the United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID);
				(C)ensuring the free
			 and unfettered flow of humanitarian aid;
				(D)promoting economic
			 and political development programs;
				(E)supporting full
			 implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005; and
				(F)promoting justice
			 and accountability;
				(2)condemns the ongoing acts of violence in
			 and obstruction of aid to Darfur committed by all parties; and
			(3)calls upon the
			 Government of Sudan and armed parties in the region to declare and respect an
			 immediate cessation of hostilities, abide by the United Nations embargo on the
			 importation of arms, cease predation and attacks upon humanitarian
			 organizations, and participate in international efforts to negotiate a lasting
			 political settlement for the region.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1595
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 15, 2011
			Mr. Blumenauer (for
			 himself, Ms. Baldwin,
			 Mr. Bilbray,
			 Mrs. Davis of California,
			 Mr. DeFazio,
			 Mr. Filner,
			 Mr. Garamendi,
			 Mr. Al Green of Texas,
			 Ms. Jackson Lee of Texas,
			 Mr. Schrader,
			 Mr. Walden,
			 Mr. Wu, Mr. Young of Alaska, and
			 Mr. Kind) introduced the following
			 bill; which was referred to the Committee
			 on Ways and Means

		A BILL
		To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make all
		  veterans eligible for home loans under the veterans mortgage revenue bond
		  program.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Veterans’ Home Loan Improvement Act of
			 2011.
		2.All veterans made
			 eligible for home loans under veterans mortgage revenue bond
			 provisions
			(a)In
			 generalParagraph (4) of
			 section 143(l) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as
			 follows:

					(4)Qualified
				veteranFor purposes of this
				subsection, the term qualified veteran means any veteran who
				served on active
				duty.
					.
			(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by this section shall apply to financing
			 provided after the date of the enactment of this Act under issues issued
			 before, on, or after such date.


116 HR 5726 IH: Senior Housing Improvement and Retirement Accounts Act of 2020
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-01-30
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.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 5726IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 30, 2020Mr. Gottheimer (for himself and Mr. Katko) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and MeansA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow, in certain cases, an increase in the
			 limitation on the exclusion for gains from a sale or exchange of a
			 principal residence.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Senior Housing Improvement and Retirement Accounts Act of 2020 or the Senior Housing IRA Act of 2020. 2.Increase in exclusion limitation for gains from certain sales of principal residences (a)In generalSubsection (b) of section 121 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

					(6)Special rules for certain taxpayers
 (A)In generalIn the case of a qualified individual, paragraph (1) shall be applied by inserting the sum of before $250,000 and by inserting and the amount treated under paragraph (8) of section 408A(c) as a qualified rollover contribution to a Roth IRA of the qualified individual referred to in paragraph (6)(A) after $250,000.
 (B)Qualified individualThe term qualified individual means, with respect to a sale or exchange of property to which subsection (a) applies, an individual who—
 (i)has attained the age of 55 before the date of such sale or exchange, (ii)has owned and used the property as such individual’s principal residence for a period of not less than 20 years, and
 (iii)has not previously elected to treat a contribution to a Roth IRA as a qualified rollover contribution under paragraph (8) of section 408A(c).
							In the case of a joint return, ownership and use of the property by an individual’s spouse shall be
			 taken into account as ownership and use by such individual..
			(b)Removing Roth IRA contribution limits
 (1)In generalSubsection (c) of section 408A of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

						(8)Proceeds from sales of certain residences treated as rollover contributions
 (A)In generalIn the case of a qualified individual (as defined in subsection (b)(6)(B) of section 121), a contribution to a Roth IRA of gain from a sale or exchange of property described in subsection (a) of such section may be treated, at the election of such taxpayer, as a qualified rollover contribution from a Roth IRA for purposes of this section.
 (B)LimitationThe amount of gain that may be treated as a qualified rollover contribution under subparagraph (A) for a taxpayer may not exceed the excess of—
 (i)the gain from the sale or exchange described in subparagraph (A), over (ii)the amount that would (without regard to paragraph (6) of subsection (b) of such section) be excluded from gross income under subsection (a) of section 121..
 (c)Effective dateThe amendment made by this section shall apply with respect to sales or exchanges of property in taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.


113 HR 5129 IH: UAC State Notification Act of 2014
U.S. House of Representatives
2014-07-17
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.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5129
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 17, 2014
			Mr. Smith of Nebraska (for himself, Mr. Fortenberry, and Mr. Terry) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

		A BILL
		To require notification of a Governor of a State if an unaccompanied alien child is placed for
			 custody and care in the State.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the UAC State Notification Act of 2014.
		2.Notification of State GovernorsSection 235 of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008
			 (8 U.S.C. 1232) is amended by adding at the end the following:

				(j)Notification to StatesIn the case of an unaccompanied alien child who is in Federal custody by reason of the child’s
			 immigration status, the Secretary of Health and Human Services or the
			 Secretary of Homeland Security shall notify the Governor of a State not
			 later than 48 hours prior to the placement of the child in the care of a
			 proposed custodian located in such State..


I
111th CONGRESS 2d Session
H. R. 6096
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

August 10, 2010
Mr. Edwards of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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 rescind certain amounts appropriated to the Bureau of the Census, to reduce the Federal budget deficit, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Reduce Our Deficits Act.
2.RescissionFrom the unobligated balances made available for Department of Commerce—Bureau of the Census—Periodic Censuses and Programs, $1,600,000,000 is rescinded.
3.Use of certain amounts to reduce the Federal budget deficit and national debtNotwithstanding any other provision of law, any amounts received by the Federal Government as rentals or royalties shall be deposited into the general fund of the Treasury and used for Federal budget deficit reduction or, if there is no Federal budget deficit, for reducing the national debt in such a manner as the Secretary of the Treasury considers appropriate.


116 SRES 547 IS: Encouraging the President to use authorities provided by the Defense Production Act of 1950 to scale up the national response to the coronavirus crisis.
U.S. Senate
2020-03-18
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

III116th CONGRESS2d SessionS. RES. 547IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 18, 2020Mr. Markey (for himself, Mr. Jones, Ms. Warren, Mr. Brown, Mr. Blumenthal, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Booker, Mr. Bennet, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Peters, Mr. Carper, and Ms. Smith) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban AffairsRESOLUTIONEncouraging the President to use authorities provided by the Defense Production Act of 1950 to scale up the national response to the coronavirus crisis. Whereas more than 3,800 people in the United States have already tested positive for the novel coronavirus across 49 States, the District of Columbia, and 3 territories, with experts believing the number is already much higher;Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have projected that between 160,000,000 and 214,000,000 people could be infected by the novel coronavirus in the United States over the course of the pandemic;Whereas the United States health care sector is facing severe shortages of critical supplies for coronavirus testing and treatment, including personal protective equipment for staff and infected patients, N95 respirators, sanitizing materials, ventilators, and test kit supplies;Whereas the Strategic National Stockpile contains only a fraction of the supplies that the Department of Health and Human Services estimates will be necessary to respond to the coronavirus crisis, with the stockpile currently holding less than 0.3 percent of the amount of respirators estimated to be necessary;Whereas the President has the existing authority under the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.) to take immediate action to mobilize United States industry for emergency preparedness activities conducted pursuant to title VI of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5195 et seq.), which has been previously used to respond to public health hazards; andWhereas the President issued a national emergency declaration relating to the novel coronavirus under section 501(b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5191(b)) on March 13, 2020: Now, therefore, be itThat the Senate—(1)calls on the President to use existing authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.) to massively and quickly ramp up production in the United States of medical supplies, including personal protective equipment, needed to respond to the ongoing public health emergency driven by the spread of the novel coronavirus;(2)urges the President to prioritize the use of those authorities to produce and secure additional personal protective equipment, test kit supplies, respirators, ventilators, and sanitizing materials for use within the health care sector in the United States; (3)supports the use of authorities under title I of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4511 et seq.) to allocate and control the distribution of medical materials needed for testing and treating the novel coronavirus, including by directing suppliers to prioritize and accept government contracts to restock the Strategic National Stockpile where necessary;(4)supports the use of authorities under title III of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4531 et seq.) to provide financial incentives to manufacturers and suppliers of critical medical equipment, including loans, loan guarantees, direct purchases, and purchase commitments; and(5)supports the use of authorities under title VII of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4551 et seq.) to establish voluntary agreements between the Federal Government and private industry that would allow for the temporary coordination of production of necessary and scarce medical supplies.


116 HR 2656 IH: ABLE Accounts for Veterans Act of 2019
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-05-09
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.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2656IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 9, 2019Mr. Austin Scott of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Garamendi, Mrs. Hartzler, and Mr. Crawford) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and MeansA BILLTo amend title II of the Social Security Act to disregard certain contributions to ABLE accounts
			 when determining an individual’s ability to engage in substantial gainful
			 activity, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the ABLE Accounts for Veterans Act of 2019. 2.Certain contributions to ABLE accounts disregarded in determination of substantial gainful activity (a)In generalSection 223(d)(4) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 423(d)(4)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 (D)In determining when earnings derived from services demonstrate an individual’s ability to engage in substantial gainful activity, in the case of earnings earned in a month by an individual who receives compensation for a service-connected disability for such month under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, the Commissioner of Social Security shall disregard an amount of such earnings equal to the amount of any contribution made by the individual in such month to a qualified ABLE program (as defined in section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) established for the benefit of such individual..
 (b)Effective dateThe amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to earnings earned for months beginning after the date that is 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.


110 HR 4214 IH: Community and Healthcare-Associated Infections Reduction Act of 2007
U.S. House of Representatives
2007-11-15
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.

I
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4214
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 15, 2007
Mr. Cummings (for himself, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Towns, and Mr. Wynn) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL
To improve the prevention, detection, and treatment of community and healthcare-associated infections (CHAI), with a focus on antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Community and Healthcare-Associated Infections Reduction Act of 2007.
2.FindingsCongress makes the following findings:
(1)Effective antibiotics have transformed the practice of medicine and saved millions of lives, but the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens poses a significant threat to patient and public health.
(2)Although many antibiotic-resistant infections occur most frequently among individuals in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, they also affect otherwise healthy individuals in the community.
(3)According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (referred to in this Act as the CDC), healthcare-associated infections (referred to in this Act as HAI) are one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States.
(4)In American hospitals alone, HAI account for an estimated 1,700,000 infections and 99,000 associated deaths each year. In 70 percent of these deaths, the bacteria are resistant to at least one commonly used antibiotic.
(5)Dr. John Jernigan, Chief of Interventions and Evaluations at the CDC, estimates that HAI in hospitals result in up to $27,500,000,000 in additional healthcare costs annually. The growing problem of antibiotic resistance, which affects the most common and least expensive antibiotics first, also shifts utilization toward more expensive antibiotics.
(6)Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (referred to in this Act as MRSA), one of the most dangerous forms of antibiotic-resistant staph infections, highlights the magnitude of the problem. A recent study by the CDC estimates that nearly 95,000 people became infected with invasive MRSA in 2005 in the United States, resulting in 19,000 deaths, more than the number who died from HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, emphysema, or homicide. A vast majority (85 percent) of these infections were associated with healthcare treatment.
(7)MRSA also affects individuals outside the healthcare setting and in the community. Recent weeks have seen an increase by health and education officials in reported staph infection outbreaks, including antibiotic-resistant strains. These infections have occurred in New York, Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland, Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina, Florida, and the District of Columbia.
(8)The problem of antibiotic-resistant infections is not limited to MRSA. High levels of resistance in enterococci, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and E. coli have also been reported.
(9)Antibiotic-resistant infections have been discovered in troops coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan. A CDC study showed that between March and October 2003, 145 United States service members at military treatment facilities were infected or colonized with a multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterium called Acinetobacter baumannii. The most likely source of this outbreak was bacteria within deployed field hospitals.
(10)Despite this significant public health threat, information on community and healthcare-associated infections (referred to in this Act as CHAI) is incomplete and unreliable. Policymakers, healthcare providers, and individual consumers have little information about hospital infection rates, making it difficult to diagnose the scope of the problem and evaluate current infection prevention efforts, and assess potential remedies.
3.DefinitionsIn this Act:
(1)AdministratorThe term Administrator means the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
(2)AHRQThe term AHRQ means the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
(3)CHAIThe term CHAI means community and healthcare-associated infections.
(4)DirectorThe term Director means the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unless otherwise specifically designated.
(5)HAIThe term HAI means healthcare-associated infections, which are infections that patients acquire during the course of receiving treatment for other conditions within a healthcare setting.
(6)HospitalThe term hospital means a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in section 1886(d)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(1)(B))).
(7)Interagency working groupThe term interagency working group means the interagency working group on community and healthcare-associated infections established under section 9.
(8)MRSAThe term MRSA means Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
(9)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
4.Community and healthcare-associated infection control program
(a)Establishment of best practices guidelines for infection control
(1)In generalNot later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, AHRQ in collaboration with CDC shall develop best-practices guidelines for internal infection control plans to prevent, detect, control, and treat CHAI at hospitals.
(2)RequirementsIn carrying out paragraph (1), AHRQ shall—
(A)establish a set of best practices with supporting justification of their appropriateness and effectiveness based on nationally-recognized or evidence-based standards, which practices may include—
(i)the establishment of an infection control oversight committee; and
(ii)the establishment of measures for the prevention, detection, control, and treatment of CHAI, such as—
(I)staff training and education on CHAI prevention and control, including the monitoring and strict enforcement of hand hygiene procedures;
(II)a system to identify, designate, and manage patients known to be colonized or infected with CHAI, including diagnostic surveillance processes and policies, procedures and protocols for staff who may have had potential exposure to a patient or resident known to be colonized or infected with a CHAI, and an outreach process for notifying a receiving healthcare facility of any patient known to be colonized or infected with CHAI prior to transfer of such patient within or between facilities;
(III)the development and implementation of an infection control intervention protocol that may include active detection and isolation procedures, the alternation of the physical plan of a hospital, the appropriate use of anti-microbial agents, and other infection control precautions for general surveillance of infected or colonized patients;
(B)work in collaboration with other agencies and organizations whose area of expertise is the identification, treatment, and prevention of infectious disease;
(C)publish proposed guidelines for internal infection control plans;
(D)provide for a comment period of not less than 90 days; and
(E)establish final guidelines, taking into consideration any comment received under subparagraph (D).
(b)Consultation of best practices guidelinesThe Administrator shall consult best practices guidelines in evaluating hospitals infection control plans as a condition of participation in the Medicare program.
(c)Authorization of appropriationsFor the purpose of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
5.Collection, reporting, and compilation of community and healthcare-associated infection data
(a)In generalNot later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, hospitals shall report information about CHAI to the CDC National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), which shall be used by the CDC to develop a national database of infection rates in hospitals. With respect to reporting such information, the following shall apply:
(1)Hospitals shall meet data reporting standards as required by the NHSN, including timeframes, case-finding techniques, submission formats, infection definitions and other relevant terms, methodology for surveillance of infections, risk-adjustment techniques, or other specifications necessary to render the incoming data valid, consistent, compatible, and manageable.
(2)Hospitals shall submit data that allows the CDC to distinguish between—
(A)infections that are present in patients upon their admission to the hospital;
(B)infections that occur during a patient's hospital stay; and
(C)infections caused by multiple drug resistant organisms and nondrug resistant organisms.
(3)The CDC shall have the authority to make such orders, findings, rules, and regulations as necessary to ensure that hospitals accurately and timely track and report data.
(b)ConsultationThe CDC shall review and revise NHSN standards as appropriate, working in consultation with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, AHRQ, and national organizations engaged in healthcare quality measurement and reporting.
(c)Data harmonizationThe Director shall work in collaboration with the Administrator to support the harmonization of data for purposes of developing a national database of infections rates in hospitals and other purposes determined to be appropriate.
(d)Dissemination of dataNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, subject to the confidentiality of patient records, the CDC shall—
(1)make data available to interested researchers;
(2)make data available to interested State Health Departments;
(3)produce useful and accessible reports for the public to allow for comparisons of HAI rates across hospitals; and
(4)use data to assist hospitals in evaluating and formulating best practices strategies to reduce infection rates.
(e)Privacy of dataNotwithstanding any other provision of Federal, State, or local law, the infection data collected pursuant to this Act shall be privileged and shall not be—
(1)subject to admission as evidence or other disclosure in any Federal, State, or local civil or administrative proceeding; and
(2)subject to use in a State or local disciplinary proceeding against a hospital or provider.
(f)Authorization of appropriationsFor the purpose of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
6.Quality improvement payment program
(a)Pay for performance initiatives reportNot later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report studying the feasibility of reducing HAI rates through a Quality Improvement Payment Program.
(b)ProgramThe report under subsection (a) shall consider such factors as—
(1)patient demographics, such as—
(A)the median income of patients;
(B)percentage of minority patients; and
(C)disease condition;
(2)hospital characteristics, such as—
(A)median income;
(B)population density of the hospital zip code locale;
(C)university affiliation; and
(D)hospital size as indicated by the number of beds; and
(3)other factors as determined to be appropriate by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
(c)Authorization of appropriationsFor the purpose of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
7.Public awareness campaign
(a)In generalThe Director shall award grants to States for the purpose of enabling the States to carry out public awareness campaigns to provide public education and increase awareness with respect to the issue of reducing, preventing, detecting, and controlling CHAI.
(b)RequirementsTo be eligible for a grant under subsection (a), a State shall provide assurances to the Secretary that the State campaign to be conducted under the grant shall—
(1)provide information on the prevention and control of CHAI, including appropriate antibiotic use, causes and symptoms, and management, treatment and reduction methods, in healthcare settings and non-healthcare settings;
(2)provide information to healthcare providers and the public, including schools, non-profit organizations, and private-sector entities; and
(3)work with members of the community to promote awareness and education, including hospitals, school health centers, schools, local governments, doctors' offices, prisons, jails, and other public- and private-sector entities.
(c)Authorization of appropriationsFor the purpose of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
8.Expansion and coordination of activities of the National Institutes of Health regarding community and healthcare-associated infections
(a)Community and healthcare-associated infections initiative through the National Institutes of Health
(1)Expansion and intensification of activities
(A)In generalThe Director of National Institutes of Health (referred to in this section as the Director), in coordination with the directors of the other national research institutes (as appropriate), may expand and intensify programs of the National Institutes of Health with respect to research and related activities concerning CHAI.
(B)CoordinationThe directors referred to in paragraph (1) may jointly coordinate the programs referred to in such paragraph and consult with additional Federal officials, voluntary health associations, medical professional societies, and private entities, as appropriate.
(2)Planning grants and contracts for innovative research in CHAI
(A)In generalIn carrying out subsection (a)(1) the Director may award planning grants or contracts for the establishment of new research programs, or the enhancement of existing research programs, that focus on CHAI.
(B)ResearchIn awarding planning grants or contracts under paragraph (1), the Director may give priority to—
(i)collaborative partnerships, which may include academic institutions, private sector entities, or nonprofit organizations with a focus on infectious disease science, medicine, public health, veterinary medicine, or other discipline impacting or influenced by emerging infectious diseases;
(ii)research on the most effective copper-based applications to stem infections in military and civilian healthcare facilities; and
(iii)research on new rapid diagnostic techniques for antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
(b)ReportNot later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in collaboration with the Director, the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, and the Director of the National Institutes of Health, shall prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of the Congress a report that describes the obstacles to anti-infective, especially antibacterial, drug research and development. Such report shall—
(1)identify, in concurrence with infectious disease clinicians and appropriate professional associations, the infectious pathogens that are (or are likely to become) a significant threat to public health because of drug resistance or other factors;
(2)identify those incentives that may already exist through Federal programs, such as Orphan Product designation, including an explanation of how such programs would apply to infectious diseases and in particular resistant bacterial infections;
(3)recommend strategies to publicize current incentives available to encourage anti-infective, especially antibacterial, drug research and development;
(4)recommend additional regulatory and legislative solutions to stimulate appropriate anti-infective, especially antibacterial, drug research and development;
(5)update the progress made in response to the Public Health Action Plan to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance to include a narrative summary of activities in addition to tables provided in existing progress reports, highlighting where gaps remain as well as obstacles to future progress; and
(6)recommend strategies to strengthen the Federal response to antimicrobial resistance, as outlined in the Action Plan, in particular additional actions needed to address remaining gaps or obstacles to progress in implementing the Plan, as well as Federal funding needs.
(c)Public informationThe coordinating committee shall make readily available to the public information concerning the research, education, and other activities relating to CHAI, that are conducted or supported by the National Institutes of Health.
(d)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to carry out this section.
9.Interagency working group on community and healthcare-associated infections
(a)EstablishmentThe Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator, shall establish an interagency working group on CHAI to consider issues relating to the reduction and prevention of these infections.
(b)MembershipThe interagency working group shall be composed of a representative from each Federal agency (appointed by the head of each such agency) that has jurisdiction over, or is affected by, CHAI including—
(1)the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services;
(2)the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
(3)the Health Resources and Services Administration;
(4)the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality;
(5)the Food and Drug Administration;
(6)the National Institutes of Health;
(7)the Department of Agriculture;
(8)the Department of Defense;
(9)the Department of Veterans Affairs;
(10)the Environmental Protection Agency; and
(11)such other Federal agencies as determined appropriate.
(c)DutiesThe interagency working group shall—
(1)work in collaboration with the Interagency Task Force on Anti-microbial Resistance;
(2)facilitate communication and partnership on infection prevention and quality health-related projects and policies;
(3)serve as a centralized mechanism to coordinate a national effort—
(A)to discuss and evaluate evidence and knowledge on infection prevention;
(B)to determine the range of effective, feasible, and comprehensive actions to improve healthcare quality related to CHAI; and
(C)to examine and better address the growing impact of CHAI in communities throughout the United States;
(4)coordinate plans to communicate research results relating to CHAI prevention and control to enable reporting and outreach activities to produce more useful and timely information;
(5)consider and determine the feasibility of establishing an active surveillance program involving other entities (such as athletic teams or correctional facilities) for the purpose of identifying those individuals in the community that are colonized and at risk of susceptibility to and transmission of bacteria;
(6)develop an appropriate research agenda for Federal agencies;
(7)develop recommendations regarding evidence-based best practices, model programs, effective guidelines, and other strategies for promoting CHAI prevention and control;
(8)monitor Federal progress in meeting specific CHAI prevention and control promotion goals; and
(9)not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, submit to Congress a report that describes the appropriateness and effectiveness of best practices guidelines developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for infection control plans.
(d)Meetings
(1)In generalThe interagency working group shall meet at least 6 times each year.
(2)Annual conferenceThe Secretary shall sponsor an annual conference on CHAI prevention, detection, and control to enhance coordination and share best practices in CHAI data collection, analysis, and reporting.
(e)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
10.Government Accountability Office report on community and healthcare-associated infectionsNot later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Act, the Government Accountability Office shall submit to Congress a report on the impact of this Act on—
(1)the prevalence of CHAI; and
(2)the quality and availability of data about CHAI.
11.PreemptionNothing in this Act shall be construed to preempt existing State laws, except to the extent that such State laws would result in the establishment of duplicative or conflicting surveillance or reporting requirements.


116 HR 8107 IH: VA Emergency Department Safety Planning Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-08-25
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. 8107IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESAugust 25, 2020Mr. Levin of Michigan (for himself and Mr. Stivers) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a report on efforts by Department of Veterans Affairs to implement safety planning in emergency departments, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the VA Emergency Department Safety Planning Act. 2.Report on efforts by Department of Veterans Affairs to implement safety planning in emergency departments(a)FindingsCongress makes the following findings:(1)The Department of Veterans Affairs must be more effective in its approach to reducing the burden of veteran suicide connected to mental health diagnoses, to include expansion of treatment delivered via telehealth methods and in rural areas.(2)An innovative project, known as Suicide Assessment and Follow-up Engagement: Veteran Emergency Treatment (in this subsection referred to as SAFE VET), was designed to help suicidal veterans seen at emergency departments within the Veterans Health Administration and was successfully implemented in five intervention sites beginning in 2010.(3)A 2018 study found that safety planning intervention under SAFE VET was associated with 45 percent fewer suicidal behaviors in the six-month period following emergency department care and more than double the odds of a veteran engaging in outpatient behavioral health care.(4)SAFE VET is a promising alternative and acceptable delivery of care system that augments the treatment of suicidal veterans in emergency departments of the Veterans Health Administration and helps ensure that those veterans have appropriate follow-up care.(5)Beginning in September 2018, the Veterans Health Administration implemented a suicide prevention program based on the findings of SAFE VET, known as the SPED program, for veterans presenting to the emergency department who are assessed to be at risk for suicide and are safe to be discharged home.(6)The SPED program includes issuance and update of a safety plan and post-discharge follow-up outreach for veterans to facilitate engagement in outpatient mental health care.(b)Report(1)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the efforts of the Secretary to implement a suicide prevention program for veterans presenting to an emergency department or urgent care center of the Veterans Health Administration who are assessed to be at risk for suicide and are safe to be discharged home, including a safety plan and post-discharge outreach for veterans to facilitate engagement in outpatient mental health care.(2)ElementsThe report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:(A)An assessment of the implementation of the current operational policies and procedures of the SPED program at each medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs, including an assessment of the following:(i)Training provided to clinicians or other personnel administering protocols under the SPED program.(ii)Any disparities in implementation of such protocols between medical centers.(iii)Current criteria used to measure the quality of such protocols including—(I)methodology used to assess the quality of a safety plan and post-discharge outreach for veterans; or(II)in the absence of such methodology, a proposed timeline and guidelines for creating a methodology to ensure compliance with the evidence-based model used under the Suicide Assessment and Follow-up Engagement: Veteran Emergency Treatment (SAFE VET) program of the Department.(B)An assessment of the implementation of the policies and procedures described in subparagraph (A), disaggregated by gender and by race and ethnicity, including the following:(i)An assessment of the quality and quantity of safety plans issued to veterans.(ii)An assessment of the quality and quantity of post-discharge outreach provided to veterans.(iii)The post-discharge rate of veteran engagement in outpatient mental health care, including attendance at not fewer than one individual mental health clinic appointment or admission to an inpatient or residential unit.(iv)The number of veterans who decline safety planning efforts during protocols under the SPED program.(v)The number of veterans who decline to participate in follow-up efforts within the SPED program.(C)A description of how SPED primary coordinators are deployed to support such efforts, including the following:(i)A description of the duties and responsibilities of such coordinators.(ii)The number and location of such coordinators.(iii)A description of training provided to such coordinators.(iv)An assessment of the other responsibilities for such coordinators and, if applicable, differences in patient outcomes when such responsibilities are full-time duties as opposed to secondary duties.(D)An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of expanding the total number and geographic distribution of SPED primary coordinators.(E)An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of providing services under the SPED program via telehealth channels, including an analysis of opportunities to leverage telehealth to better serve veterans in rural areas.(F)A description of the status of current capabilities and utilization of tracking mechanisms to monitor compliance, quality, and patient outcomes under the SPED program.(G)Such recommendations, including specific action items, as the Secretary considers appropriate with respect to how the Department can better implement the SPED program, including recommendations with respect to the following:(i)A process to standardize training under such program.(ii)Any resourcing requirements necessary to implement the SPED program throughout Veterans Health Administration, including by having a dedicated clinician responsible for administration of such program at each medical center.(iii)An analysis of current statutory authority and any changes necessary to fully implement the SPED program throughout the Veterans Health Administration.(iv)A timeline for the implementation of the SPED program through the Veterans Health Administration once full resourcing and an approved training plan are in place.(H)Such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate.(c)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)The term appropriate committees of Congress means—(A)the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and(B)the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. (2)The term SPED primary coordinator means the main point of contact responsible for administering the SPED program at a medical center of the Department. (3)The term SPED program means the Safety Planning in Emergency Departments program of the Department of Veterans Affairs established in September 2018 for veterans presenting to the emergency department who are assessed to be at risk for suicide and are safe to be discharged home, which extends the evidence-based intervention for suicide prevention to all emergency departments of the Veterans Health Administration.


117 S2776 IS: Keeping Renters Safe Act
U.S. Senate
2021-09-21
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2776IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESSeptember 21, 2021Ms. Warren (for herself, Mr. Markey, Mr. Padilla, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Sanders, and Mrs. Gillibrand) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo clarify that the Secretary of Health and Human Services has authority to implement a residential eviction moratorium under the quarantine authority vested by the Public Health Service Act, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Keeping Renters Safe Act.2.Clarification HHS has authority for residential eviction moratoriaSection 361 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 264) is amended—(1)by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and(2)by inserting after subsection (d) the following:(e)Consistent with the standard described in subsection (a), regulations under this section may implement, maintain, or extend a residential eviction moratorium..3.COVID–19 eviction moratorium(a)In generalThe Secretary of Health and Human Services shall implement a national residential eviction moratorium under section 361 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 264) to reduce the introduction, transmission, and spread of COVID–19 and otherwise address the public health emergency declared under section 319 of the such Act (42 U.S.C. 247d) with respect to COVID–19.(b)ApplicabilityThe moratorium under subsection (a) shall—(1)be automatic, without requiring individuals to apply for coverage; and(2)apply to all residential eviction filings, hearings, judgments, and execution of judgments, except that the Secretary of Health and Human Services may establish moratorium exceptions necessary to protect the health and safety of others.(c)Period following public health emergencyThe moratorium under subsection (a) shall remain in effect at least 60 days after the conclusion of the public health emergency described in such subsection, including any extensions thereof.


		I
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1327
		IN THE HOUSE OF
		  REPRESENTATIVES

			December 5, 2007
			Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

		AN ACT
		To create and extend certain temporary
		  district court judgeships.

		1.Temporary judgeships for district
			 courts
			(a)Additional temporary judgeships
				(1)In generalThe President shall appoint, by and with
			 the advice and consent of the Senate—
					(A)1 additional district judge for the eastern
			 district of California; and
					(B)1 additional district judge for the
			 district of Nebraska.
					(2)Vacancies not filledThe first vacancy in the office of district
			 judge in each of the offices of district judge authorized by this subsection,
			 occurring 10 years or more after the confirmation date of the judge named to
			 fill the temporary district judgeship created in the applicable district by
			 this subsection, shall not be filled.
				(b)Extension of certain temporary
			 judgeshipsSection 203(c) of
			 the Judicial Improvements Act of 1990 (Public Law 101–650; 28 U.S.C. 133 note)
			 is amended—
				(1)in the second sentence, by inserting
			 the district of Hawaii, after
			 Pennsylvania,;
				(2)in the third sentence (relating to the
			 district of Kansas), by striking 16 years and inserting
			 26 years;
				(3)in the fifth sentence (relating to the
			 northern district of Ohio), by striking 15 years and inserting
			 25 years; and
				(4)by inserting The first vacancy in
			 the office of district judge in the district of Hawaii occurring 20 years or
			 more after the confirmation date of the judge named to fill the temporary
			 judgeship created under this subsection shall not be filled. after the
			 sixth sentence.

			Passed the Senate
			 December 4, 2007.
			Nancy Erickson,
			Secretary