Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/10/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Bill Text
To amend title 5, United States Code, to make technical amendments to certain provisions of title 5, United States Code, enacted by the Congressional Review Act.

3/11/2008--Introduced.

Congressional Review Act Improvement Act - Eliminates a requirement that federal agencies must submit specified information about a rule to both Houses of Congress before such rule can take effect (thus requiring that the information be submitted to only the Comptroller General).

Requires the Comptroller General to submit to each House a weekly report containing a list of the rules received, including a notation identifying each major rule. Requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives to publish such report in the Congressional Record.

Latest Action: 06/25/2008 - Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

Bill Text
To make certain reforms with respect to the Government Accountability Office, and for other purposes. 4/2/2008--Introduced. Government Accountability Office Act of 2008 - Requires specified minimum percentage pay increases and lump sum back payments for certain Government Accountability Office (GAO) officers and employees. Establishes an Office of the Inspector General in GAO, who shall report semiannually to the Comptroller General.Requires the Comptroller General's annual report to Congress to assess the overall degree of federal agency cooperation with GAO audits.Requires any executive agency (or component) that prepares an audited financial statement to reimburse GAO the cost of any GAO audit of such statement.Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to revise the coverage of certain GAO officers and employees under its financial disclosure requirements.Revises the highest basic pay rate for GAO personnel from GS-15 to Executive Level [...]

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Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To reiterate that chapters 119 and 121 of title 18, United States Code, and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 are the exclusive means by which domestic electronic surveillance may be conducted, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. NSA Oversight Act - States that provisions of the federal criminal code concerning wire and electronic communications and their interception and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) are the exclusive means by which domestic electronic surveillance may be conducted until specific statutory authorization for any other such surveillance is enacted. Requires the President to report to the congressional intelligence committees on the Terrorist Surveillance Program of the National Security Agency (NSA) as well as any other program which involves electronic surveillance of U.S. persons in the United States conducted by a federal department or agency without fully complying with FISA procedures. Authorizes [...]

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Latest Action: 01/05/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Expressing that Congress has the sole and exclusive power to declare war.

1/5/2007--Introduced.

States that pursuant to section 8 of article I of the Constitution of the United States, Congress has the sole and exclusive power to declare war.

Latest Action: 01/16/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of Congress that the President should not initiate military action against Iran without first obtaining authorization from Congress.

1/16/2007--Introduced.

States congressional belief that: (1) initiating military action against Iran without congressional approval does not fall within the President's "Commander-in-Chief" powers under the Constitution; and (2) seeking congressional authority prior to taking military action against Iran is not discretionary, but a legal and constitutional requirement.

Rejects any suggestion that P.L. 107-40 (the authorization of force resolution approved in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001) or P.L. 107-243 (the authorization of force resolution approved by Congress to go to war with Iraq) extends to authorizing military action against Iran, including over its nuclear program.

Latest Action: 01/12/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Concerning the use of military force by the United States against Iran.

1/12/2007--Introduced.

Provides that: (1) no provision of law enacted before the date of the enactment of this joint resolution shall be construed to authorize the use of U.S. military force against Iran; and (2) absent a national emergency created by an attack or imminent attack by Iran upon the United States, its territories or possessions or its Armed Forces, the President shall consult with Congress, and receive specific authorization pursuant to law from Congress, prior to initiating military force against Iran.

Latest Action: 09/25/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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 concerne

Bill Text
To amend the War Powers Resolution to ensure the collective judgment of both the Congress and the President will apply to the initiation of hostilities by the Armed Forces, the continued use of the Armed Forces in hostilities, and the participation of the Armed Forces in military operations of the United Nations.

9/25/2007--Introduced.

Constitutional War Powers Amendments of 2007 - Rewrites the War Powers Resolution. Includes consultation procedures concerning participation in military operations of the United Nations.

Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Considered as privileged matter. (consideration: CR H6)

Bill Text
Authorizing the Speaker to appoint a committee to notify the President of the assembly of the Congress.

1/4/2007--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Provides for appointment of a House of Representatives committee joined with a Senate committee to notify the President that a quorum of each House has assembled.

Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Considered as privileged matter. (consideration: CR H6)

Bill Text
Authorizing the Clerk to inform the President of the election of the Speaker and the Clerk.

1/4/2007--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Instructs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to inform the President that Nancy Pelosi has been elected Speaker of the House and that Karen L. Haas has been elected Clerk.

Latest Action: 02/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade.

Bill Text
Recognizing the dangers posed by nuclear weapons and calling on the President to engage in nonproliferation strategies designed to eliminate these weapons of mass destruction from United States and worldwide arsenals. 1/16/2007--Introduced. Requests the President to inform Congress and the Secretary General of the United Nations regarding U.S. efforts and measures taken with respect to implementation and observance of Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and certain U.N. resolutions calling for U.S. and world nuclear disarmament. Calls on the President to implement and observe all NPT obligations and commitments and to revise national policies on nuclear weapons accordingly. Urges the President, in the interests of protecting and advancing human, national, and global security, to: (1) declare that the United States will not use nuclear weapons first, and that pending their elimination, such weapons serve only to deter a [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/25/2008 - Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

Bill Text
To make certain reforms with respect to the Government Accountability Office, and for other purposes. 4/2/2008--Introduced. Government Accountability Office Act of 2008 - Requires specified minimum percentage pay increases and lump sum back payments for certain Government Accountability Office (GAO) officers and employees. Establishes an Office of the Inspector General in GAO, who shall report semiannually to the Comptroller General.Requires the Comptroller General's annual report to Congress to assess the overall degree of federal agency cooperation with GAO audits.Requires any executive agency (or component) that prepares an audited financial statement to reimburse GAO the cost of any GAO audit of such statement.Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to revise the coverage of certain GAO officers and employees under its financial disclosure requirements.Revises the highest basic pay rate for GAO personnel from GS-15 to Executive Level [...]

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Latest Action: 04/15/2008 - Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2298)

Bill Text
Permitting active duty members of the Armed Forces who are assigned to a Congressional liaison office of the Armed Forces at the House of Representatives to obtain membership in the exercise facility established for employees of the House of Representatives.

4/15/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on April 14, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Permits any active duty member of the Armed Forces who is assigned to a congressional liaison office of the Armed Forces at the House of Representatives to obtain membership in the exercise facility established for House employees in the same manner as such individuals and in accordance with such regulations as the Committee on House Administration may promulgate.

Latest Action: 06/10/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Bill Text
To amend title 5, United States Code, to make technical amendments to certain provisions of title 5, United States Code, enacted by the Congressional Review Act.

3/11/2008--Introduced.

Congressional Review Act Improvement Act - Eliminates a requirement that federal agencies must submit specified information about a rule to both Houses of Congress before such rule can take effect (thus requiring that the information be submitted to only the Comptroller General).

Requires the Comptroller General to submit to each House a weekly report containing a list of the rules received, including a notation identifying each major rule. Requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives to publish such report in the Congressional Record.

Latest Action: 03/06/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Reasserting congressional prerogatives in foreign policy and reaffirming the importance of following constitutional processes when the United States Government enters into agreements regarding the use or maintenance of the United States Armed Forces or the use of the financial resources of the United States to assist a foreign government or people and clarifying the nature and scope of status of forces agreements. 3/6/2008--Introduced. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that approval by an Act of Congress is required for: (1) any agreement, understanding, or commitment, other than a treaty, entered into by the President or his designee, whether characterized or denominated as a status of forces agreement or otherwise, which purports to impose a binding or enforceable obligation on the United States to use or maintain the U.S. Armed Forces to assist a foreign country, government, or people, either immediately or upon the happening of certain events; (2) any [...]

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Latest Action: 02/13/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H926)

Bill Text
Disapproving of any formal agreement emerging from the "Declaration of Principles for a Long-Term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship Between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America" unless the agreement is approved through an Act of Congress. 1/23/2008--Introduced. States that any formal agreement emerging from the "Declaration of Principles for a Long-term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship Between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America" shall not have the effect of force of law unless the agreement is approved by Congress after the date of enactment of this Act. Expresses the sense of Congress that any formal agreement emerging from such Declaration must be approved by the Iraqi legislature. Prohibits funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense (DOD) or any other U.S. department or agency from being used to enforce or implement any formal agreement emerging from such Declaration [...]

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Latest Action: 12/06/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for congressional oversight of United States agreements with the Government of Iraq.

12/6/2007--Introduced.

Congressional Oversight of Iraq Agreements Act of 2007 - Directs the Legal Advisor to the Secretary of State to provide Congress with the justification (including the constitutional authority) for the President's decision to deny Congress its constitutionally protected role by concluding an agreement on the future of the security relationship between the United States and Iraq as an executive agreement.

Expresses the sense of Congress that any bilateral agreement between the United States and Iraq involving "commitments or risks affecting the nation as a whole," including a status of forces agreement (SOFA), that is not a treaty approved by two-thirds of the Senate under Article II of the Constitution or authorized by legislation does not have the force of law. Prohibits the use of funds to carry out such an agreement.

Latest Action: 12/06/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To assess the impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), to require further negotiation of certain provisions of the NAFTA, and to provide for the withdrawal from the NAFTA unless certain conditions are met.

12/6/2007--Introduced.

NAFTA Accountability Act - Provides that unless the specified conditions set forth in this Act are met: (1) Congress withdraws its approval of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) effective October 1, 2009; and (2) the President, not later than April 1, 2009, shall provide written notice of withdrawal to the governments of Canada and Mexico.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should not engage in negotiations to expand NAFTA to include other countries and that trade promotion authority should not be renewed with respect to the approval of any such NAFTA expansion.

Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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 concerne

Bill Text
To establish the Congressional-Executive Commission on the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

11/15/2007--Introduced.

Establishes a Congressional-Executive Commission on the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, which shall: (1) monitor the Socialist Republic of Vietnam's human rights compliance, with particular emphasis on the Montagnard peoples and the Central and Northwest Highlands; (2) maintain lists of persons believed to be imprisoned, detained, tortured, or otherwise persecuted by the government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam due to their pursuit of the rights described in this Act; (3) monitor the development of the rule of law in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, with particular emphasis on the Montagnard peoples and the Central and Northwest Highlands; and (4) monitor and encourage the development of programs and activities of the U.S. government and private organizations with a view toward increasing the U.S.-Vietnam interchange.

Latest Action: 11/08/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H13301-13302)

Bill Text
Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. 11/7/2007--Introduced. Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Appropriates funds for FY2008 for the Department of Defense (DOD) for: (1) military construction for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force (military departments), DOD, the Army and Air National Guard, and the Army, Navy, and Air Force reserves; (2) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; (3) family housing construction and related operation and maintenance for the military departments and DOD; (4) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund; (5) DOD chemical demilitarization construction; and (6) the Department of Defense Base Closure Accounts of 1990 and 2005. Appropriates funds for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) [...]

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Latest Action: 10/16/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To provide for a reporting requirement regarding communications between the Department of Justice and the White House relating to civil and criminal investigations, and for other purposes. 10/16/2007--Introduced. Security from Political Interference in Justice Act of 2007 - Defines "covered communication" as any communication relating to an ongoing Department of Justice (DOJ) civil or criminal investigation (regardless of whether a civil or criminal indictment or information has been filed). Excludes from such definition any communication relating to policy appointments, legislation, rulemaking, budgets, public relations, programmatic matters, intergovernmental relations, administrative or personnel matters, appellate litigation, or requests for legal advice. Defines "covered Department of Justice officer" as the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General, and the Associate Attorney General. Defines "covered White House officer" as the [...]

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