Law and Government Legislation regarding 'Defense policy' in Federal Government

Supports the goals and ideals of National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month.

Recognizes that sarcoidosis has played a prominent yet hidden role in America's workforce history.

Supports research efforts to better understand the links between sarcoidosis and specific occupations where sarcoidosis is disproportionately represented.

Reaffirms support for the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Calls on all States Parties to: (1) continue their compliance; (2) allow verification of industrial chemical declarations and monitoring of the non-diversion of chemicals for prohibited activities; and (3) adopt necessary laws and enforcement practices to ban chemical weapons activities and afford appropriate legal and regulatory assistance to other countries so as to achieve full implementation of the Convention.

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

Supports the declaration of the Bucharest Summit which stated that Ukraine and Georgia will become members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Reiterates support for NATO's further enlargement to include democratic governments that are able and willing to meet membership responsibilities.

Urges NATO member states at their December 2008 meeting to consider favorably Ukraine's and Georgia's applications for Membership Action Plans.

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

Recognizes the historic significance of the 60th anniversary of the reestablishment of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people.

Reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the United States and Israel.

Commends the people of Israel for their achievements in building a new state and a pluralistic democratic society.

Reaffirms support for Israel's right to defend itself against threats to its security and existence.

Extends congratulations and best wishes to Israel and the Israeli people for a peaceful and successful future.

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) U.S. funding to the government of Iraq for reconstruction, training for Iraqi security forces, and fuel for U.S. operations in Iraq should be provided as loans; and (2) the U.S. government should work with the government of Iraq to ensure that the government of Iraq obligates its own budget surplus for reconstruction projects before U.S. reconstruction aid is obligated.

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that funding for future Iraq reconstruction initiatives and training of Iraqi security forces should come from Iraqi revenues, and if the government of Iraq cannot properly allocate and spend its revenues, U.S. reconstruction and security training funding should be provided to Iraq as a loan.

Constitutional Amendment - States that a person born in the United States shall not be a U.S. citizen unless: (1) one parent of the person is a U.S. citizen; (2) one parent of the person is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States who resides in the United States; (3) one parent of the person is an alien performing active service in the U.S. Armed Forces; or (4) the person is naturalized in accordance with the laws of the United States.

Expresses the sense of the Senate that U.S. funding to the government of Iraq for reconstruction and training for security forces after the date on which the Senate agrees to this resolution be provided as a loan.

Expresses the need for a comprehensive diplomatic initiative led by the United States, the Republic of Iraq, and the international community to ensure the establishment of a cohesive government in Iraq.

Expresses condolences to the number of Iraqis who have been killed, displaced, or wounded.

Expresses gratitude to the coalition forces and other international supporters for their contribution and sacrifice in the efforts to bring peace to Iraq.

Recognizes that the U.S. government owes a debt of gratitude to the men and women who have served in Iraq and who now deserve comprehensive rehabilitation and assistance.

(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.

Recognizes and honors the sacrifice of the members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families on the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war.

Urges President George W. Bush: (1) not to enter into any long-term United States-Iraq strategic agreement without the approval of Congress; (2) to begin an immediate and safe redeployment of forces from Iraq; and (3) to live up to his responsibilities and adequately provide health care assistance to U.S. troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1155 Seminole Trail in Charlottesville, Virginia, as the "Corporal Bradley T. Arms Post Office Building."

Recognizes the strategic importance of the African continent and welcomes the establishment of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).

Encourages African nations to take advantage of the opportunity which AFRICOM represents to collaborate in promoting peace and stability on the continent.

Supports the idea that the war in Iraq is not lost.

Recognizes that: (1) the overall progress being made on the ground in Iraq is undeniable; (2) much of this progress is due to the skill and valor of the American service member; and (3) the decision by the President and our military leadership to provide a surge of troops to implement a new counterinsurgency strategy was the correct course of action.

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

Authorizes the use of the Capitol rotunda on March 13, 2008, for a ceremony to: (1) honor the five years of service and sacrifice of our troops and their families in the war in Iraq; and (2) remember those who are serving our nation in Afghanistan and throughout the world.

Student Veteran Financial Aid Fairness Act of 2008 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to treat current active National Guard and Reserve personnel who have completed their initial military training as independent students in analyses of their need for assistance under title IV (Student Assistance) of the Act.

Prohibits educational assistance provided under specified benefit programs for veterans and members of the Selected Reserve from being considered in such need analyses.

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

Designates March 26, 2008, as National Support the Troops and Their Families Day. Encourages all Americans to participate in a moment of silence to reflect upon the service and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces and their families.

Recognizes the service that our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines have given to the nation, especially those who have sustained injury in combat.

Declares that the House of Representatives is committed to providing wounded warriors with the highest quality medical care available and to supporting wounded Armed Forces members and their families during their recovery.

Commends the actions of private citizens and organizations who volunteer their continued support to wounded warriors.

Encourages support and appreciation for returning troops, especially those who have been wounded.

Expresses the the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the current U.S. economic slowdown is directly related to the enormous costs of the ongoing occupation of Iraq; and (2) Congress should move to redeploy U.S. Armed Forces and contractor security forces from Iraq as quickly and as safely as practical and refocus its efforts on addressing vital domestic priorities.

Expresses the the sense of the Senate that: (1) the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) contributes to NATO's continued effectiveness and relevance; and (2) the United States should take the lead in supporting the awarding of invitations to Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia to join NATO at the April 2008 NATO Summit at Bucharest, Romania.

Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 10449 White Granite Drive in Oakton, Virginia, as the "Private First Class David H. Sharrett II Post Office Building."

Student Veteran Financial Aid Fairness Act of 2008 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit educational assistance provided under specified benefit programs for veterans and members of the Selected Reserve from being considered in analyses of their need for assistance under title IV (Student Assistance) of the Act.

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

Recognizes the 69th Infantry Regiment, or the Fighting 69th, as one of the great regiments in American military history that has continually participated in the Global War on Terror since the attack on September 11, 2001, as it deploys to Afghanistan.

Honors the sacrifice of all mothers in the Armed Forces who have deployed to theaters of combat on behalf of the United States.

Commends the service of approximately 130,000 military mothers who have deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Horn of Africa in support of the Global War on Terror.

Directs the President to transition the mission of U.S. forces in Iraq to the following purposes: (1) conducting limited scope and duration operations against al Qaeda and other international terrorist organizations; (2) providing security for U.S. infrastructure and personnel; (3) tr