Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 08/31/2008 - Cleared for White House.

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To establish consumer product safety standards and other safety requirements for children's products and to reauthorize and modernize the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 3/6/2008--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) CPSC Reform Act - (Sec. 3) Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to authorize appropriations: (1) to carry out the Act and any other provision of law the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is authorized or directed to carry out; (2) for the office of Inspector General; (3) to make capital improvements to the research, development, and testing facility of the CPSC; and (4) for research into safety issues related to the use of nanotechnology in consumer products. (Sec. 4) Requires the CPSC, subject to the availability of appropriations, to increase by at least 500 the number of its full-time employees and by at least 50 the number of its port-of-entry and overseas production facility inspectors. Requires [...]

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Latest Action: 09/14/2007 - Signed by President.

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A bill to provide greater transparency in the legislative process. 9/14/2007--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on July 31, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 - Title I: Closing the Revolving Door - (Sec. 101) Amends the federal criminal code to extend from one to two years the ban on lobbying contacts by former: (1) very senior executive personnel with any Member, officer, or employee of the entity in which such person served before his or her tenure terminated; and (2) Senators with any Member, officer or employee of either chamber, or employee of any other legislative office.Continues the one-year ban on lobbying contacts by former: (1) Members of the House of Representatives with any Member, officer, or employee of either chamber, or employee of any other legislative office; (2) [...]

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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: 05/22/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6471-6472)

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A bill to amend section 7209 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 and for other purposes. 5/22/2007--Introduced. Western Hemisphere Traveler Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to require as part of the certifications required prior to implementation of the western hemisphere travel initiative (Initiative), that: (1) a pilot program of at least one state has been initiated and evaluated to determine if an enhanced driver's license valid only for citizenship verification for U.S. entry from Canada meets documentation requirements; (2) a study has determined the number of passports and passport cards that will be required to be issued; and (3) sufficient passport adjudication personnel have been hired. Authorizes a person under 16 years old who is a U.S. or Canadian citizen to enter the United States with a birth certificate if the person: (1) is accompanied by the individual's legal [...]

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Latest Action: 03/30/2007 - Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on.

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A bill to amend chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, to authorize the use of clinical social workers to conduct evaluations to determine work-related emotional and mental illnesses.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Clinical Social Workers' Recognition Act of 2007 - Amends federal law concerning federal workers' compensation to authorize the use of clinical social workers to conduct evaluations to determine work-related emotional and mental illnesses.

Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

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A bill to amend the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to establish criminal penalties for knowingly and willfully falsifying or failing to file or report certain information required to be reported under that Act.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to one year for an intentional failure to file or report certain financial information.

Latest Action: 09/29/2007 - Signed by President.

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Making continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008, and for other purposes. 9/29/2007--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on September 26, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Makes continuing appropriations for FY2008. (Sec. 101) Appropriates amounts for continuing operations, projects, or activities which were conducted in FY2007 and for which appropriations, funds, or other authority were made available in: (1) the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2007 (division A of Public Law 109-289); (2) the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007 (Public Law 109-295); and (3) the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 (division B of Public Law 109-289, as amended by Public Law 110-5). (Sec. 102) Prohibits the use of appropriations, funds, or authority granted under this joint resolution for the Department [...]

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Latest Action: 10/18/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S13101)

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A concurrent resolution commending NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia on the celebration of its 90th anniversary on October 26 and 27, 2007.

10/18/2007--Introduced.

Congratulates and commends the men and women of NASA Langley Research Center for their accomplishments and role in inspiring the American people.

Latest Action: 03/05/2007 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2646 text as passed Senate: CR S2646 text of measure as introduced: CR S2631)

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A resolution honoring the employees of the Department of Homeland Security on the 4th anniversary of the Department.

3/5/2007--Passed Senate 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.)

Honors the employees of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for their substantial contributions to protecting the nation on the 4th anniversary of DHS.

Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To reform Federal procedures relating to intercountry adoption. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Intercountry Adoption Reform Act of 2007 or the ICARE Act - Establishes an Office of Intercountry Adoptions within the Department of State to be headed by the Ambassador at Large for Intercountry Adoptions. Transfers to the Office all functions with respect to intercountry adoptions currently performed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise: (1) conditions for automatic citizenship for children born outside the United States, including for adopted children; and (2) requirements concerning the history of parents' physical presence in the United States or its possessions. Defines the term "full and final adoption." Prescribes procedural requirements for the adoption of foreign-born children by U.S. citizens.Establishes a nonimmigrant W-visa for an adoptable child coming into the United States for adoption by [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Bill Text
To require the Archivist of the United States to promulgate regulations regarding the use of information control designations, and for other purposes. 7/23/2008--Introduced. Reducing Information Control Designations Act - Requires each federal agency to reduce and minimize its use of information control designations on information that is not classified. Requires the Archivist of the United States to promulgate regulations regarding the use of such designations, including : (1) standards for utilizing such designations in a manner that is narrowly tailored to maximize public access to information; (2) procedures for identifying, marking, dating, and tracking information assigned to the designations; and (3) penalties for employees and contractors who repeatedly fail to comply.Requires each federal agency head to implement the regulations promulgated by the Archivist in a manner that ensures that: (1) information can be shared within the agency, with other agencies,[...]

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Latest Action: 07/16/2008 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Inouye. With written report No. 110-422.

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An original bill to reauthorize the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 07/23/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

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To amend title 49, United States Code, to enhance aviation safety. 7/15/2008--Introduced. Aviation Safety Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends federal transportation law to establish in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) an Aviation Safety Whistleblower Investigation Office to receive and assess complaints and information relating to possible violations of aviation safety laws and regulations. Directs the FAA Administrator to modify the FAA customer service initiative, mission and vision statements, and other policy statements to: (1) remove any reference to air carriers or other entities regulated by the FAA as "customers"; (2) clarify that in regulating safety the only FAA customers are individuals traveling on aircraft; and (3) clarify that air carriers and other entities regulated by the FAA do not have the right to select the FAA employees who will inspect their operations. Prohibits any person holding an air carrier operating certificate from [...]

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Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
To provide for extensions of certain authorities of the Department of State, and for other purposes. 7/30/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) (Sec. 1) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to extend for one year the Secretary of State's authority to waive Foreign Service annuitant salary and full-time employment pension restrictions respecting assignment to: (1) consular posts with a substantial visa application backlog; and (2) Iraq and Afghanistan. (Sec. 2) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to permit rest and recuperation travel for Foreign Service members and family members to U.S. territories, including American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Specifies that required leave based upon continuous service abroad may be taken in the United States or its territories, including American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,[...]

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Latest Action: 07/07/2008 - Committee on Finance. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Baucus. With written report No. 110-408. Additional views filed.

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An original bill to impose sanctions on Iran and for other purposes. 7/7/2008--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Iran Sanctions Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Expresses the sense of Congress concerning a variety of existing and proposed sanctions against Iran. (Sec. 4) States that nothing in this Act shall be construed as authorizing the President to use military force against Iran. (Sec. 5) Defines specified terms. (Sec. 6) Amends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to expand the definition of "person" to include: (1) a financial institution, insurer, underwriter, guarantor, or any other business organization, including any foreign subsidiary, parent, or affiliate of one of the foregoing; and (2) an export credit agency that is a governmental entity operating [...]

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Latest Action: 07/11/2008 - Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6611)

Bill Text
A resolution honoring the men and women of the Drug Enforcement Administration on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Administration.

7/11/2008--Passed Senate 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.)

Congratulates the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on its 35th anniversary, honors the heroic sacrifice of its employees, and gives heartfelt thanks to the men and women of the DEA for their efforts to defend the people of the United States from illegal drugs and terrorism.

Latest Action: 07/10/2008 - Considered as unfinished business.

Bill Text
Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

6/26/2008--Introduced.

Honors the men and women of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary.

Acknowledges the value of NASA's discoveries and accomplishments.

Pledges to maintain America's position as the world leader in aeronautics and space exploration and technology.

Latest Action: 06/23/2008 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Byrd. With written report No. 110-396.

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An original bill making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 6/23/2008--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2009 - Title I: Department of Homeland Security Departmental Management and Operations - Makes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2009 for the Offices of the Secretary, the Under Secretary for Management, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Information Officer, the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, and the Inspector General.Title II: Security, Enforcement, and Investigations - Makes appropriations for FY2009 for: (1) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including [...]

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Latest Action: 07/21/2008 - Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.

Bill Text
A bill to provide that 4 of the 12 weeks of parental leave made available to a Federal employee shall be paid leave, and for other purposes.