Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/20/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Bill Text
To provide that 8 of the 12 weeks of parental leave made available to a Federal employee shall be paid leave, and for other purposes. 5/8/2008--Reported to House amended, Part I.    (There is 1 other summary) Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2008 - Allows federal employees to substitute any available paid leave for any leave without pay available for either the: (1) birth of a child; or (2) placement of a child with the employee for either adoption or foster care. Makes available for any of the 12 weeks of leave an employee is entitled to for such purposes: (1) four administrative weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth or placement involved; and (2) any accumulated annual or sick leave. Authorizes the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to increase the amount of paid parental leave available to up to eight administrative workweeks, based on the consideration of: (1) the benefits provided to the federal [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 07/17/2008 - Became Public Law No: 110-279.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for certain Federal employee benefits to be continued for certain employees of the Senate Restaurants after operations of the Senate Restaurants are contracted to be performed by a private business concern, and for other purposes. 6/3/2008--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.)Authorizes specified Senate Restaurants employees who are employees of the Architect of the Capitol on the date of enactment of this Act and who become employees of a contractor under a food services contract to elect to continue coverage of federal benefits, including retirement benefits, life and health insurance, annual and sick leave balances and accrual rates, and transit subsidies, after operations of the Senate Restaurants are contracted to be performed by a private business concern.Prohibits the basic pay [...]

show full description
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 [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/05/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Bill Text
To reauthorize the sound recording and film preservation programs of the Library of Congress, and for other purposes. 4/24/2008--Introduced. Library of Congress Sound Recording and Film Preservation Programs Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000 (the Act) to authorize appropriations through FY2014 for: (1) the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress for the purpose of maintaining and preserving sound recordings that are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant; and (2) the National Recording Preservation Foundation to accept and administer private gifts to promote and ensure the preservation and public accessibility of the nation's sound recording heritage held at the Library of Congress and other public and nonprofit archives. Amends the National Film Preservation Act of 1996 to authorize appropriations through FY2014 for the National Film Preservation Board of the Library of Congress. Updates [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/05/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Bill Text
To make technical corrections to the laws affecting certain administrative authorities of the United States Capitol Police, and for other purposes. 6/4/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) United States Capitol Police Administrative Technical Corrections Act of 2008 - Makes technical amendments to the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2001 with respect to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the Capitol Police. Repeals requirements that the Comptroller General be involved in the process of hiring and evaluating the CAO. (Thus, grants such authority solely to the Chief of the Capitol Police.) Transfers the CAO's authority to the Chief of Police over the personnel of the Capitol Police Office of Administration. Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2008 to terminate the Chief of Police's authority at the end of FY2012 to make advance payments for U.S. Capitol Police obligations for subscription [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/03/2008 - Star Print ordered on on the bill as reported.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Global Change Research Act of 1990, and for other purposes. 11/5/2007--Introduced. Global Change Research Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Global Change Research Act of 1990 to: (1) rename the Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences as the Committee on Global Change Research; (2) revise requirements governing such Committee, including requiring the Committee to develop a strategic plan for the U.S. Global Change Research Program; (3) establish an Integrated Program Office for such Program in the Office of Science and Technology Policy; (4) authorize funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) for research grants on climate change; and (5) repeal a declaration that such Act does not preclude or delay federal planning or action to address the threats of stratospheric ozone depletion or global climate change.Requires the NSF Director and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to arrange with the [...]

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

Bill Text
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) [...]

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

Bill Text
To amend the Rules of the House of Representatives to reform the ethics process, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Accountability and Transparency in Ethics Act - Establishes an independent Investigations Commission within the legislative branch. Requires annual ethics training for Members and employees of the House of Representatives and for registered lobbyists. Amends Rule XXV (Limitations on Outside Earned Income and Acceptance of Gifts) of the Rules of the House to require advance authorization by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct of any privately-funded trip by any Member, officer, or employee of the House. Amends such Rule and Rule XXXV (Gifts) of the Standing Rules of the Senate with respect to: (1) the market value of a flight on an airplane not licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate for compensation or hire; (2) a ban on gifts worth less than $50; and (3) disbursements for a national party convention [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 01/30/2007 - DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 24.

Bill Text
Establishing the House Democracy Assistance Commission for the One Hundred Tenth Congress. 1/30/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Establishes in the House of Representatives a House Democracy Assistance Commission to work with the parliaments of selected countries that have established or are developing democratic parliaments in order to: (1) enable House members, officers, staff, and congressional support agencies to provide advice and consultation to members and staff of the legislatures of partner countries; (2) enable members and staff of legislatures of partner countries to study the operations of the House and its support agencies; and (3) provide recommendations to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) regarding the provision of needed material assistance to such parliaments to improve the efficiency and transparency of their work. Requires the Commission to report annually to the Speaker [...]

show full description

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Select Committee on Intelligence. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Rockefeller. With written report No. 110-333. Additional and Minority views filed.

Bill Text
An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes. 5/8/2008--Introduced. Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2009 for the conduct of intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the: (1) Office of the Director of National Intelligence; (2) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); (3) Department of Defense (DOD); (4) Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA); (5) National Security Agency (NSA); (6) Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; (7) Coast Guard; (8) Departments of State, the Treasury, Energy, and Justice; (9) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); (10) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); (11) National Reconnaissance Office; (12) National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency; and (13) Department [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/05/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Bill Text
To make technical corrections to the laws affecting certain administrative authorities of the United States Capitol Police, and for other purposes. 6/4/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) United States Capitol Police Administrative Technical Corrections Act of 2008 - Makes technical amendments to the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2001 with respect to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the Capitol Police. Repeals requirements that the Comptroller General be involved in the process of hiring and evaluating the CAO. (Thus, grants such authority solely to the Chief of the Capitol Police.) Transfers the CAO's authority to the Chief of Police over the personnel of the Capitol Police Office of Administration. Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2008 to terminate the Chief of Police's authority at the end of FY2012 to make advance payments for U.S. Capitol Police obligations for subscription [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 07/17/2008 - Became Public Law No: 110-279.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for certain Federal employee benefits to be continued for certain employees of the Senate Restaurants after operations of the Senate Restaurants are contracted to be performed by a private business concern, and for other purposes. 6/3/2008--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.)Authorizes specified Senate Restaurants employees who are employees of the Architect of the Capitol on the date of enactment of this Act and who become employees of a contractor under a food services contract to elect to continue coverage of federal benefits, including retirement benefits, life and health insurance, annual and sick leave balances and accrual rates, and transit subsidies, after operations of the Senate Restaurants are contracted to be performed by a private business concern.Prohibits the basic pay [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/05/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Bill Text
To reauthorize the sound recording and film preservation programs of the Library of Congress, and for other purposes. 4/24/2008--Introduced. Library of Congress Sound Recording and Film Preservation Programs Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000 (the Act) to authorize appropriations through FY2014 for: (1) the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress for the purpose of maintaining and preserving sound recordings that are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant; and (2) the National Recording Preservation Foundation to accept and administer private gifts to promote and ensure the preservation and public accessibility of the nation's sound recording heritage held at the Library of Congress and other public and nonprofit archives. Amends the National Film Preservation Act of 1996 to authorize appropriations through FY2014 for the National Film Preservation Board of the Library of Congress. Updates [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/12/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement.

Bill Text
To provide for the periodic review of the efficiency and public need for Federal agencies, to establish a Commission for the purpose of reviewing the efficiency and public need of such agencies, and to provide for the abolishment of agencies for which a public need does not exist. 4/15/2008--Introduced. Federal Sunset Act of 2008 - Establishes the Federal Agency Sunset Commission to: (1) submit to Congress a schedule for review by the Commission, at least once every 12 years, of the abolishment or reorganization of each agency; (2) review and evaluate the efficiency and public need for each agency using specified criteria; (3) recommend whether each agency should be abolished or reorganized; and (4) report to Congress on all legislation introduced that would establish a new agency or a new program to be carried out by an existing agency. Requires the abolishment of any agency within one year of the Commission's review, unless the agency is reauthorized by Congress. Authorizes [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/20/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Bill Text
To provide that 8 of the 12 weeks of parental leave made available to a Federal employee shall be paid leave, and for other purposes. 5/8/2008--Reported to House amended, Part I.    (There is 1 other summary) Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2008 - Allows federal employees to substitute any available paid leave for any leave without pay available for either the: (1) birth of a child; or (2) placement of a child with the employee for either adoption or foster care. Makes available for any of the 12 weeks of leave an employee is entitled to for such purposes: (1) four administrative weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth or placement involved; and (2) any accumulated annual or sick leave. Authorizes the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to increase the amount of paid parental leave available to up to eight administrative workweeks, based on the consideration of: (1) the benefits provided to the federal [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/10/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Post Office, and the District of Columbia.

Bill Text
To provide that 8 of the 12 weeks of parental leave made available to a Federal employee shall be paid leave, and for other purposes. 4/8/2008--Introduced. Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2008 - Allows federal employees to substitute any available paid leave for any leave without pay available for either the: (1) birth of a child; or (2) placement of a child with the employee for either adoption or foster care. Makes available for any of the 12 weeks of leave an employee is entitled to for such purposes: (1) eight administrative weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth or placement involved; and (2) any accumulated annual or sick leave.Amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to allow the same substitution for covered congressional employees.Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to allow the same substitution for Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Library of Congress employees.Requires GAO to study [...]

show full description
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 [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 03/04/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Rules.

Bill Text
Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish the House Ethics Commission.

3/4/2008--Introduced.

Establishes within the House of Representatives an independent House Ethics Commission.

Amends Rule XI (Procedures of Committees and Unfinished Business) of the Rules of the House to revise the duties of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to conform with this Act.