Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 07/10/2008 - Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 110-754.

Bill Text
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 regarding environmental education, and for other purposes. 7/12/2007--Introduced. No Child Left Inside Act of 2007 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize states to use federal funds for the development of kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) plans for environmental education and teacher training to ensure that high school graduates are environmentally literate. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to partnerships that include a local educational agency (LEA), and may include institutions of higher education (IHE) and other educational or business entities, for activities that include the development of teacher training programs and more rigorous environmental education curricula. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive matching grants to nonprofit organizations, states, LEAs, or IHEs for activities to improve and support environmental education [...]

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Latest Action: 06/24/2008 - Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

Bill Text
To authorize the establishment of educational exchange and development programs for member countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). 7/31/2007--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Shirley A. Chisholm United States-Caribbean Educational Exchange Act of 2007 - (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary of State to establish the Shirley Chisholm United States-Caribbean Educational Exchange Program under which scholars and secondary, undergraduate, and graduate students from Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries (excluding countries with observer status or that support international terrorism) would attend U.S. schools or universities, participate in activities designed to promote a greater understanding of U.S. values and culture, and have the option to live with a U.S. host family. Sets forth program elements. Directs the Secretary to monitor the program's effectiveness. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary [...]

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

Bill Text
To establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of the National Museum of the American Latino to develop a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, DC, and for other purposes. 6/26/2007--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on February 6, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Commission to Study the Potential Creation of the National Museum of the American Latino Act of 2007 - Establishes the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of American Latino Heritage to report its recommendations with respect to developing a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, D.C. Requires the Commission to develop a fund-raising plan for supporting the creation [...]

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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) [...]

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Latest Action: 01/05/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E3)

Bill Text
To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit certain State election administration officials from actively participating in electoral campaigns.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Federal Election Integrity Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to make it unlawful for a chief state election administration official to take active part in political management or in a political campaign with respect to any election for federal office over which the official has supervisory authority.

Latest Action: 02/08/2007 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To provide a new effective date for the applicability of certain provisions of law to Public Law 105-331.

2/8/2007--Public Law.    (There are 2 other summaries)

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

Revises the effective date for mandatory deposit in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts of any amount derived from proceeds of the surcharge on the sale of the Thomas Alva Edison Commemorative Coin, under the Thomas Alva Edison Commemorative Coin Act, which remains unpaid to a designated recipient organization solely by reason of a specified matching fund requirement.

Postpones the effective date of such requirement until July 1, 2007.

Latest Action: 07/31/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H9191-9192)

Bill Text
To amend title 5, United States Code, to deny retirement benefits accrued by an individual as a Member of Congress if such individual is convicted of any of certain offenses. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Congressional Integrity and Pension Forfeiture Act of 2007 - Amends federal civil service law, with respect to both the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS), to require the Office of Personnel and Management (OPM) to prescribe regulations that deny eligibility under CSRS or FERS for a Member convicted of certain offenses that are: (1) committed by the individual while a Member, (2) related to the individual's service as a Member, and (3) after enactment of this Act. Refunds annuity contributions and deposits, excluding interest earned, to a convicted individual. Defines Member as the Vice President, a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives, a Delegate to the House of Representatives, and the Resident Commissioner [...]

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Latest Action: 02/27/2007 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security. Hearings held.

Bill Text
A bill providing greater transparency with respect to lobbying activities, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Lobbying, Ethics, and Earmarks Transparency and Accountability Act of 2007 - Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) with respect to lobbying disclosures reports, including electronic filing and mandatory free availability to the public over the Internet. Amends Rule XXXVII (Conflict of Interest) of the Standing Rules of the Senate to impose a one-year lobbying moratorium on departing Member or committee staff. Amends the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to allow U.S. officers and employees assigned to an Indian tribe, and former U.S. officers and employees employed by Indian tribes, to act as agents or attorneys for, or appear on behalf of, such tribes in connection with any matter pending before any department, agency, court, or commission. Requires public disclosure by Members of Congress of employment [...]

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Latest Action: 01/09/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Bill Text
A bill to provide greater transparency in the legislative process. 1/9/2007--Introduced. Lobbying and Ethics Reform Act of 2007 - Revises the Standing Rules of the Senate or prescribes requirements with respect to: (1) conference reports; (2) elimination of certain floor privileges and other benefits and privileges for former Members, Senate officers, and Speakers of the House who are lobbyists or seek financial gain; (3) a ban on gifts from lobbyists; (4) travel restrictions and disclosure; (5) post-employment restrictions; (6) public disclosure by Members of employment negotiations; (7) conflicts of interest with respect to a Member's spouse or immediate family members; (8) a Member's use of influence on certain hiring decisions; and (9) notices of intent to object to proceeding to a measure or matter. Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) and the Foreign Agents Registration Act with respect to various specified disclosures by registered lobbyists [...]

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Latest Action: 01/09/2007 - Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdi

Bill Text
To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that a Member of Congress convicted of any of certain felony offenses shall not be eligible for retirement benefits based on that individual's Member service, and for other purposes. 1/9/2007--Introduced. Congressional Pension Forfeiture Act of 2007 - Amends federal civil service law, with respect to both the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS), to require the Office of Personnel and Management (OPM) to prescribe regulations that deny eligibility under CSRS or FERS for a Member convicted of certain offenses that are: (1) committed by the individual while a Member, (2) related to the individual's service as a Member, and (3) committed during the 111th Congress or later. Refunds annuity contributions and deposits, excluding interest earned, to a convicted individual. Defines Member as the Vice President, a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives, a Delegate [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 12/05/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14790-14791)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reform the system of public financing for Presidential elections, and for other purposes. 12/5/2007--Introduced. Presidential Funding Act of 2007 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to public financing of presidential election campaigns to: (1) quadruple (1:1 to 4:1) the matching rate for contributions to primary election candidates; (2) lower from $250 to $200 the limit on individual campaign contributions; (3) increase the presidential primary qualifying threshold from $5,000 to $25,000 in 20 states; (4) require presidential candidates to participate in the primary payment system to be eligible for general election payments; (5) move the starting date for payments to primary candidates from January 1 of a presidential election year to six months before the earliest state primary election; (6) allow additional payments and increased expenditure limits for candidates who face opponents who do not participate [...]

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Latest Action: 12/05/2007 - Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the comm

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reform the system of public financing for Presidential elections, and for other purposes. 12/5/2007--Introduced. Presidential Funding Act of 2007 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to public financing of presidential election campaigns to: (1) quadruple (1:1 to 4:1) the matching rate for contributions to primary election candidates; (2) lower from $250 to $200 the limit on individual campaign contributions; (3) increase the presidential primary qualifying threshold from $5,000 to $25,000 in 20 states; (4) require presidential candidates to participate in the primary payment system to be eligible for general election payments; (5) move the starting date for payments to primary candidates from January 1 of a presidential election year to six months before the earliest state primary election; (6) allow additional payments and increased expenditure limits for candidates who face opponents who do not participate in public [...]

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Latest Action: 12/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Bill Text
To direct the Federal Trade Commission to revise the regulations regarding the do-not-call registry to prohibit politically-oriented recorded message telephone calls to telephone numbers listed on that registry.

12/5/2007--Introduced.

Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to revise the do-not-call registry provisions of the Telemarketing Sales Rule to prohibit politically-oriented recorded message telephone calls to telephone numbers listed on that registry.

Defines politically-oriented recorded message telephone call.

Latest Action: 09/27/2007 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise and extend the user-fee programs for prescription drugs and for medical devices, to enhance the postmarket authorities of the Food and Drug Administration with respect to the safety of drugs, and for other purposes. 9/27/2007--Public Law.    (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.)Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 - Title I: Prescription Drug User Fee Amendments of 2007 - (Sec. 101) Prescription Drug User Fee Amendments of 2007 - (Sec. 102) Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to include postmarket safety activities within the process for the review of human drug applications or supplements, including: (1) developing and using improved adverse event data collection systems and improved analytical tools to assess potential [...]

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Latest Action: 09/06/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Bill Text
To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to increase the limits on the amount of contributions that may be made to political committees and to provide for the indexing of such limits for all contributions made under the Act, and for other purposes.

9/6/2007--Introduced.

PAC Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) increase contribution limits for certain political committees, including multicandidate committees; (2) extend indexing of contribution limits for certain kinds of political committees to all political committees covered by the Act; and (3) revise requirements for the period of increase for contribution limitations, determination of the base year, permitted contribution-related communications between corporations and labor organizations and their members, and permitted contribution-related solicitations by trade associations.

Latest Action: 08/02/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10817, S10820-110821)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 regarding environmental education, and for other purposes. 8/2/2007--Introduced. No Child Left Inside Act of 2007 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require states, as a prerequisite to receiving implementation grants, to develop environmental literacy plans, approved by the Secretary of Education, for kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) that include environmental education standards and teacher training. Directs the Secretary to award Environmental Education Professional Development Grants to states and, through them, competitive subgrants to partnerships that include an LEA and, permissibly, institutions of higher education (IHE), other educational entities, or state or local natural resource or environmental agencies, for activities involving, among other things, teacher training and the operation of model environmental education programs. Authorizes the Secretary [...]

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Latest Action: 07/10/2008 - Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 110-754.

Bill Text
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 regarding environmental education, and for other purposes. 7/12/2007--Introduced. No Child Left Inside Act of 2007 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize states to use federal funds for the development of kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) plans for environmental education and teacher training to ensure that high school graduates are environmentally literate. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to partnerships that include a local educational agency (LEA), and may include institutions of higher education (IHE) and other educational or business entities, for activities that include the development of teacher training programs and more rigorous environmental education curricula. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive matching grants to nonprofit organizations, states, LEAs, or IHEs for activities to improve and support environmental education [...]

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