Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 10/07/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To provide for the investigation of certain unsolved civil rights crimes, and for other purposes. 6/20/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2007 - Directs the Attorney General to designate a Deputy Chief in the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ). Makes the Deputy Chief responsible for investigating and prosecuting violations of criminal civil rights statutes in which the alleged violation occurred before January 1, 1970 and resulted in death. (Sec. 4) Directs the Attorney General to designate a Supervisory Special Agent in the Civil Rights Unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the DOJ to investigate violations of criminal civil rights statutes that occurred before January 1, 1970 and resulted in a death. (Sec. 5) Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to state or local law enforcement agencies for the investigation [...]

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Latest Action: 10/06/2008 - Presented to President.

Bill Text
To amend title 49, United States Code, to prevent railroad fatalities, injuries, and hazardous materials releases, to authorize the Federal Railroad Safety Administration, and for other purposes. 10/17/2007--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007 - Title I: Federal Railroad Safety Administration - (Sec. 101) Amends federal transportation law to establish within the Department of Transportation (DOT) the Federal Railroad Safety Administration to carry out, with the highest priority, enforcement of U.S. safety laws with respect to rail transportation (effectively replacing the Federal Railroad Administration). Provides for the appointment of an Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety who shall be the Chief Safety Officer of the Federal Railroad Safety Administration. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to develop a long-term strategy for improving [...]

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Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Bill Text
To provide for the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Rosa Parks.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Requires the Postmaster General to issue a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Rosa Parks.

Latest Action: 01/09/2007 - Star Print ordered on the bill.

Bill Text
A bill to expand access to preventive health care services that help reduce unintended pregnancy, reduce abortions, and improve access to women's health care. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Prevention First Act - Title X Family Planning Services Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations for family planning services grants and contracts under the Public Health Service Act (PHSA). Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and PHSA to prohibit a group health plan and a health insurance issuer providing group coverage from excluding or restricting benefits in any way for prescription contraceptive drugs, devices, and outpatient services if the plan or coverage provides benefits for other outpatient prescription drugs, devices, or outpatient services. Applies such prohibitions to coverage offered in the individual market. Emergency Contraception Education Act of 2007 - Directs [...]

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Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To provide a program of national health insurance, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. National Health Insurance Act - Requires that medical services, hospital services, and other personal health services be made available to eligible individuals in all U.S. health-service areas as rapidly as possible. Sets forth minimum income requirements for eligibility. Allows health care professionals and hospitals to enter into agreements to furnish services to eligible individuals. Gives responsibility for administration of the benefits provided under this Act to local administrative committees or officers. Allows a state to assume responsibility for administration of the personal health benefits provided under this Act. Establishes: (1) the National Health Insurance Board in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); and (2) the National Advisory Medical Policy Council. Requires the Secretary of HHS to determine the eligibility [...]

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Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S84-85)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for patient protection by establishing minimum nurse staffing ratios at certain Medicare providers, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2007 - Amends part D (Miscellaneous) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) require each participating hospital to adopt and implement a staffing system that ensures a number of registered nurses on each shift and in each unit of the hospital to ensure appropriate staffing levels for patient care; (2) provide for the public reporting of certain staffing information, including a daily posting for each shift in the hospital of the current number of licensed and unlicensed nursing staff directly responsible for patient care; (3) prescribe recordkeeping, data collection, and evaluation requirements for participating hospitals; (4) specify civil monetary penalties for violations of such requirements; and [...]

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Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S113)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title VII of the Public Health Service Act to make certain graduate programs in professional psychology eligible to participate in various health professions loan programs.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Strengthen the Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement for the establishment and operation of a student loan fund with any public or other nonprofit school that offers a graduate program in professional psychology.

Revises provisions concerning the collection of health professions data, sex discrimination in medical education programs, and definitions to make these applicable to "professional" (rather than "clinical") psychologists.

Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States Postal Service should issue a commemorative postage stamp honoring former Representative Shirley Chisholm, and that the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend to the Postmaster General that such a stamp be issued.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the U.S. Postal Service should issue a commemorative postage stamp honoring former Representative Shirley Chisholm; and (2) the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend to the Postmaster General that such a stamp be issued.

Latest Action: 03/15/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E561-563)

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the Congress that the President should grant a pardon to Marcus Mosiah Garvey to clear his name and affirm his innocence of crimes for which he was unjustly prosecuted and convicted.

1/10/2007--Introduced.

Declares that Marcus Mosiah Garvey (founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association): (1) was innocent of the charges brought against him by the U.S. government; and (2) should be recognized internationally as a leader and thinker in the struggle for human rights and dignity.

Calls upon the President to endeavor to restore Garvey's honor and good name by granting him a full posthumous pardon that proclaims his conviction to have been unjust and affirms his innocence.

Latest Action: 01/18/2007 - Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
Honoring the Mare Island Original 21ers for their efforts to remedy racial discrimination in employment at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.

1/17/2007--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.)

Recognizes: (1) the historic accomplishments of the Mare Island Original 21ers in combating employment discrimination against African-American shipyard workers; (2) the importance of the Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity as a forerunner to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); and (3) the importance of title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/25/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
A bill to restore the intent and protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. 9/25/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.) ADA Amendments Act of 2008 - (Sec. 4) Amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) to redefine the term "disability," including by defining "major life activities" and "being regarded as having such an impairment." Sets forth rules of construction regarding the definition of "disability," including that: (1) such term shall be construed in favor of broad coverage of individuals under the Act; (2) an impairment that substantially limits one major life activity need not limit other major life activities in order to be a disability; (3) an impairment that is episodic or in remission is a disability if it would substantially [...]

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Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for habeas corpus review for terror suspects held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and for other purposes. 7/31/2008--Introduced. Enemy Combatant Detention Review Act of 2008 - Amends the federal judicial code to grant the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction of, and make it the exclusive venue for consideration of, all habeas corpus applications by or on behalf of any enemy combatant held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident (covered individual) that are pending on or filed on or after the enactment of this Act. Prescribes related procedures, including restrictions on oral testimony. Stays any such application until all Military Commission proceedings regarding the covered individual have been resolved. Requires release of a covered individual, for whom the District Court grants a writ application and orders release, into the custody of the Secretary of Homeland Security [...]

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Latest Action: 09/29/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism.

Bill Text
To impose requirements with regard to border searches of digital electronic devices and digital storage media, and for other purposes. 7/31/2008--Introduced. Securing Our Borders and Our Data Act of 2008 - Sets forth rules for the search or seizure at a U.S. border of digital electronic devices or digital storage media. Prohibits a search of the digital contents of such devices or media unless such search is based on: (1) a reasonable suspicion regarding the owner of such devices or media; and (2) an independent constitutional authority to make a seizure (other than the authority for border searches). Requires officers at U.S. borders to receive appropriate training to make searches of digital devices or media to minimize the possibility of irreparable damage to such devices or media. Allows the owners of such devices and media to request that searches be conducted out of public view. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) make rules regarding border [...]

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Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To provide for habeas corpus review for terror suspects held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and for other purposes. 7/31/2008--Introduced. Enemy Combatant Detention Review Act of 2008 - Amends the federal judicial code to grant the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction of, and make it the exclusive venue for consideration of, all habeas corpus applications by or on behalf of any enemy combatant held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident (covered individual) that are pending on or filed on or after the enactment of this Act. Prescribes related procedures, including restrictions on oral testimony. Stays any such application until all Military Commission proceedings regarding the covered individual have been resolved. Requires release of a covered individual, for whom the District Court grants a writ of habeas corpus and orders release, into the custody of the Secretary of Homeland Security [...]

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Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To provide for nondiscrimination by eligible lenders in the Robert T. Stafford Federal Student Loan Program.

7/31/2008--Introduced.

Preventing Student Loan Discrimination Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit lenders under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program from receiving special allowance payments (made to such lenders to compensate them for the difference between FFEL interest rates and market rates) if they deny FFELs to eligible borrowers because of their education program length or attendance at a particular school participating in the FFEL program.

Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7975-7976)

Bill Text
A resolution supporting legislation promoting improved health care and access to health care for women. 7/31/2008--Introduced. Declares that the Senate commits to pass, and urges the President sign, within 18 months, legislation that guarantees health care for all people of the United States and that: (1) recognizes the role of women as health care consumers, caregivers, and providers; (2) guarantees inclusion of benefits essential to achieving and maintaining good health; (3) promotes primary and preventive care; (4) provides a choice of public and private plans and direct access to a choice of doctors and health providers that ensures continuity of coverage and a delivery system that meets the needs of women; (5) eliminates disparities on the basis of gender, culture, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, health status, or sexual orientation; (6) shares financing responsibility among employers, individuals, and the government while taking into account small business needs;[...]

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Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1697)

Bill Text
Expressing the support of the Congress regarding the need to ensure health care for women and health care for all in national health care reform. 7/31/2008--Introduced. Declares that Congress commits to pass, and urges the President sign, within 18 months, legislation that guarantees health care for all and that: (1) recognizes the role of women as health care consumers, caregivers, and providers; (2) guarantees inclusion of benefits essential to achieving and maintaining good health; (3) promotes primary and preventive care; (4) provides a choice of public and private plans and direct access to a choice of doctors and health care providers to ensure continuity of coverage and a delivery system that meets the need of women; (5) eliminates disparities on the basis of gender, culture, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, health status, or sexual orientation; (6) shares financing responsibility among employers, individuals, and the government while taking into account small [...]

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Latest Action: 07/30/2008 - Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 43. Record Vote Number: 192. (consideration: CR S7722; text: CR S7722)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, and for other purposes. 7/24/2008--Introduced. Jobs, Energy, Families, and Disaster Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend various provisions relating to energy production and conservation and to individual and business-related activities.Extends the tax credit for producing electricity from wind facilities through 2009 and the tax credit for closed and open-loop biomass, geothermal, small irrigation, hydropower, landfill gas, and trash combustion facilities through 2011. Includes marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a renewable resource for purposes of such tax credit. Extends the energy tax credit for solar energy and the residential energy efficient property tax credit through 2016. Extends the energy tax credits for fuel cell and microturbine property through 2017. Allows a new investment tax credit for combined heat and power system property.[...]

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Latest Action: 09/26/2008 - Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

Bill Text
A bill to advance America's priorities. 7/22/2008--Introduced. Advancing America's Priorities Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) establish a system to collect data on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and establish a registry for such data; (2) provide for an education and information campaign to promote stroke prevention; and (3) award grants for a pilot project to improve stroke patient outcomes by coordinating health care delivery through telehealth networks.Establishes programs for research, rehabilitation, and quality of life for people with paralysis.Provides for support services to women suffering from postpartum depression and who receive a positive diagnosis of Down syndrome or other prenatally or postnatally diagnosed conditions. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to states to provide vision care for children. Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to expand services for homeless youth [...]

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