Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/11/2007 - For Further Action See Title III of H.R. 2954.

Bill Text
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to enforce restrictions on employment in the United States of unauthorized aliens through the use of improved Social Security cards and an Employment Eligibility Database, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Illegal Immigration Enforcement and Social Security Protection Act of 2007 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require inclusion of encrypted machine-readable electronic identification strips on Social Security cards. Requires the Commissioner of Social Security to: (1) develop the strip in a manner that enables employers to access the Employment Eligibility Database (EED) established by this Act; and (2) transmit to the Secretary of Homeland Security necessary information from an individual's application for a Social Security card or number for inclusion in the EED. Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain the EED. Requires the EED to [...]

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Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S91-92)

Bill Text
A bill to provide increased rail transportation security. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Rail Security Act of 2007 - Directs the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to conduct a vulnerability assessment of freight and passenger rail transportation, and develop specific prioritized recommendations for improving rail security. Directs the Assistant Secretary to conduct a study on requiring security screening for passengers, baggage, and cargo on passenger trains. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to Amtrak for fire and life-safety improvements and infrastructure upgrades to tunnels on the Northeast Corridor. Directs Amtrak to submit to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) a plan to address the needs of families of passengers involved in rail passenger accidents. Authorizes the Assistant Secretary to award grants to Amtrak for certain system-wide Amtrak, freight,[...]

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Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5530)

Bill Text
A bill to provide assistance to the State of New Mexico for the development of comprehensive State water plans, and for other purposes. 2/15/2007--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.) New Mexico Water Planning Assistance Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, at the request of the governor of New Mexico and acting through the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Geological Survey, to: (1) provide to New Mexico technical assistance and grants for the development of comprehensive state water plans; (2) conduct water resources mapping in New Mexico; and (3) conduct a comprehensive study of groundwater resources in New Mexico to assess the quantity, quality, and interaction of groundwater and surface water resources. Lists types of technical assistance that may be provided, including [...]

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Latest Action: 03/13/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with amendments. Without written report.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for media coverage of Federal court proceedings. 3/13/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2008 - Authorizes the presiding judge of a U.S. appellate court or U.S. district court to permit the photographing, electronic recording, broadcasting, or televising to the public of court proceedings over which that judge presides except when such action would constitute a violation of the due process rights of any party.Directs: (1) a district court, upon the request of any witness in a trial proceeding other than a party, to order the face and voice of the witness to be disguised or otherwise obscured to render the witness unrecognizable to the broadcast audience of the trial proceeding; and (2) the presiding judge in a trial proceeding to inform each witness who is not a party of the right to make such request. Prohibits the presiding judge from permitting the photographing,[...]

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Latest Action: 04/18/2007 - Returned to the Calendar. Calendar No. 20.

Bill Text
An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2007 for the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Intelligence Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes. 1/24/2007--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.) Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 - Title I: Intelligence Activities - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for FY2007 for the conduct of intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the: (1) Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI); (2) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); (3) Department of Defense (DOD); (4) Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA); (5) National Security Agency (NSA); (6) Departments of [...]

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

Bill Text
To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require each individual who desires to vote in an election for Federal office to provide the appropriate election official with a government-issued photo identification, and for other purposes. 1/16/2007--Introduced. Federal Election Integrity Act of 2007 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit the appropriate state or local election official from providing a federal election ballot to an individual who desires to vote in person unless the individual presents to the official: (1) a government-issued, current, and valid photo identification (ID); or (2) for regularly scheduled federal general elections held in November 2010 and subsequent years, a government-issued, current, and valid photo ID for which the individual was required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship as a condition for issuance of the ID. Requires an individual who does not present such an ID to be permitted to cast a provisional ballot in [...]

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Latest Action: 06/06/2007 - Considered as privileged matter. (consideration: CR H6015)

Bill Text
Permitting official photographs of the House of Representatives to be taken while the House is in actual session on a date designated by the Speaker.

6/6/2007--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.)

Authorizes official photographs of the House of Representatives to be taken while the House is in actual session, on a date designated by the Speaker.

Latest Action: 03/01/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require States who wish to receive funds under the Act to increase the penalty applied to a defendant convicted of a violent crime who placed a video of the commission of that crime on the Internet.

1/24/2007--Introduced.

Web Video Violence Act - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to reduce funding under such Act for states which fail to certify that their laws or official policies require increased penalties for a criminal defendant convicted of a violent crime who places a video or image of the commission of such crime on the Internet.

Latest Action: 04/29/2008 - Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia. Hearings held.

Bill Text
A bill to repeal title II of the REAL ID Act of 2005, to restore section 7212 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which provides States additional regulatory flexibility and funding authorization to more rapidly produce tamper- and counterfeit-resistant driver's licenses, and to protect privacy and civil liberties by providing interested stakeholders on a negotiated rulemaking with guidance to achieve improved 21st century licenses to improve national security. 2/28/2007--Introduced. Identification Security Enhancement Act of 2007 - Repeals title II of the Real ID Act of 2005. Prohibits federal agencies from accepting state-issued driver's licenses and personal identification cards after specified deadlines unless such identification conforms to the minimum standards promulgated under this Act. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) establish by regulation minimum standards for acceptance of state-issued driver's licenses [...]

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Latest Action: 10/30/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Bill Text
Recognizing and honoring, in community post offices, the service of men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces deployed overseas.

10/30/2007--Introduced.

Commends all U.S. Post Offices that display photographs of local community members who are serving in the Armed Forces and are deployed overseas.

Reaffirms the authority of the U.S. Postal Service to display in post offices official photographs of members of the Armed Forces at the request of the community or the servicemembers' families.

Urges U.S. Post Offices to reserve or designate space in their public areas for the purpose of displaying photographs of servicemembers.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 05/20/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4490-4491)

Bill Text
A bill to improve Federal land management, resource conservation, environmental protection, and use of Federal real property, by requiring the Secretary of the Interior to develop a multipurpose cadastre of Federal and real property and identifying inaccurate, duplicate, and out-of-date Federal land inventories, and for other purposes. 5/20/2008--Introduced. Federal Land Asset Inventory Reform Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop a multipurpose cadastre of federal real property (an inventory of real property of the federal government) to assist with federal land management, resource conservation, environmental protection, and use of real property. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cost-sharing agreements with states to include any non-federal lands in a state in such cadastre. Limits the federal share of any such agreement to 50% of the total cost to a state for the development of the cadastre of the non-federal lands in the state. Requires [...]

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Latest Action: 05/20/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Bill Text
Encouraging all States to enact laws requiring photo identification to vote in elections.

5/20/2008--Introduced.

Encourages all states that have not already done so to swiftly enact laws requiring voters to present current, valid, government-issued photo identification based on proof of U.S. citizenship in order to vote in elections.

Applauds those states that have already implemented vigorous photo identification laws to secure the integrity of the democratic process.

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--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.)Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 - Title I: Budget and Personnel Authorizations - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for FY2009 for the conduct of intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the: (1) Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI); (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,[...]

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Latest Action: 05/19/2008 - Mr. Bishop (NY) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

Bill Text
Recognizing May 25, 2008, as National Missing Children's Day.

5/19/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Recognizes: (1) National Missing Children's Day and encourages all Americans to plan events to raise public awareness about the issue of missing children; and (2) that one of the most important tools for law enforcement to use in the case of a missing child is an up-to-date, good quality photograph and urges all parents and guardians to follow this precaution.

Acknowledges that National Missing Children's Day should remind Americans not to forget the children who are still missing and not to waver in the effort to reunite them with their families.

Latest Action: 04/17/2008 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3170; text as passed Senate: CR S3170; text of measure as introduced: CR S3163)

Bill Text
A resolution authorizing the taking of a photograph in the Chamber of the United States Senate.

4/17/2008--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.)

Suspends specified provisions of Rule IV of the Rules for the Regulation of the Senate Wing of the U.S. Capitol (prohibiting the taking of pictures in the Senate Chamber) to permit the Senate Photographic Studio to photograph the U.S. Senate in actual session on Tuesday, June 3, 2008, at 2:15 p.m.

Latest Action: 04/29/2008 - Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3549-3550; text as passed Senate: CR S3549-3550)

Bill Text
A resolution commemorating the life and work of Dith Pran.

4/29/2008--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries)

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

Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) Dith Pran is a modern day hero and an exemplar of what it means to be a citizen of the United States and a citizen of the world; (2) the United States owes a debt of gratitude to Dith Pran for his tireless work to prevent genocide and violations of fundamental human rights; and (3) teachers throughout the United States should spread Dith Pran's message by educating their students about his life, the genocide in Cambodia, and the collective responsibility of all people to prevent modern-day atrocities and human rights abuses.

Latest Action: 05/06/2008 - Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3088-3089)

Bill Text
Honoring the memory of Dith Pran by remembering his life's work and continuing to acknowledge and remember the victims of genocides that have taken place around the globe.

5/6/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Honors the life and legacy of Dith Pran: (1) for his commitment to raising awareness about the atrocities that took place under the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia; and (2) by remembering his life's work and continuing to acknowledge and remember the victims of genocides that have taken place around the world.

Latest Action: 04/09/2008 - Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent Vote.

Bill Text
A resolution condemning the violence in Tibet and calling for restraint by the Government of the People's Republic of China and the people of Tibet. 4/9/2008--Passed 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.) Condemns the violence in Tibet and calls for restraint by the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the people of Tibet. Calls for: (1) a dialogue between the government of China and His Holiness the Dalai Lama on religious and cultural autonomy for Tibet within China; and (2) release of peaceful protesters. Calls on the PRC to: (1) respect the right of the people of Tibet to speak of the Dalai Lama and possess his photograph; (2) respect basic human rights; (3) allow international journalists free access to China; and (4) provide a full accounting of the March [...]

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Latest Action: 03/10/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

Bill Text
To improve Federal land management, resource conservation, environmental protection, and use of Federal real property, by requiring the Secretary of the Interior to develop a multipurpose cadastre of Federal real property and identifying inaccurate, duplicate, and out-of-date Federal land inventories, and for other purposes. 3/5/2008--Introduced. Federal Land Asset Inventory Reform Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop a multipurpose cadastre of federal real property (an inventory of real property of the federal government) to assist with federal land management, resource conservation, environmental protection, and use of real property. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cost-sharing agreements with states to include any non-federal lands in a state in such cadastre. Limits the federal share of any such agreement to 50% of the total cost to a state for the development of the cadastre of the non-federal lands in the state. Requires the Secretary [...]

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Latest Action: 02/18/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.

Bill Text
To protect seniors from identity theft and strengthen our national security by providing for the issuance of a secure Social Security card.

2/13/2008--Introduced.

Social Security Identity Theft Prevention Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require Social Security cards to be made of tamperproof and wear-resistant material (currently, of banknote paper), and include a digital image of the cardholder as well as an encrypted, machine-readable electronic record containing biometric identifiers.