Top Legislation - View All

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

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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: 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: 10/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H11302)

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Expressing the sense of Congress that the Supreme Court misinterpreted the First Amendment to the Constitution in the case of Buckley v. Valeo. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Supreme Court misinterpreted the First Amendment to the Constitution in the case of Buckley v. Valeo because the decision failed to recognize: (1) that the unlimited spending of large amounts of money on elections has a corrosive effect on the electoral process not simply because of direct transactions between those who give large amounts of money and candidates and elected officials but because the presence of unlimited amounts of money corrupts the process on a more fundamental level; and (2) other legitimate state interests which justify limiting money in campaigns, including the need to preserve the integrity of our republican form of government, restore public confidence in government, and ensure all citizens a more equal opportunity to participate in the political [...]

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Latest Action: 02/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Europe.

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Expressing the sense of Congress that the people of the United States should grieve for the loss of life that defined the Third Reich and celebrate the continued education efforts for tolerance and justice, reaffirming the commitment of the United States to the fight against intolerance and prejudice in any form, and honoring the legacy of transparent procedure, government accountability, the rule of law, the pursuit of justice, and the struggle for universal freedom and human rights. 1/5/2007--Introduced. Expresses the sense of Congress that the people of the United States should grieve for the loss of life that defined the Third Reich and celebrate the continued education efforts for tolerance and justice. States that: (1) the United States reaffirms its commitment to the fight against intolerance and prejudice; (2) Congress urges all members of the international community to honor those individuals of all races, creeds, and colors who were killed by the Nazis; and [...]

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

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To amend section 207 of title 18, United States Code, to further restrict Federal officers and employees from representing or advising foreign entities after leaving Government service.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Foreign Agents Compulsory Ethics in Trade Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose: (1) a permanent restriction (currently, one year) on certain officers and employees of the federal government who have terminated their service or employment from advising or representing for compensation foreign governments or political parties in matters in which the United States is a party or has a direct and substantial interest; and (2) a five-year restriction on such officers and employees from similarly advising or representing foreign individuals, corporations, or other business entities.

Latest Action: 01/22/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H794)

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To amend title 5, United States Code, to deny Federal retirement benefits to individuals convicted of certain offenses, and for other purposes.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Prohibits an individual (or a survivor or beneficiary thereof) from receiving federal annuity or retired pay if such individual is convicted, indicted, or has outstanding charges against him under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for specified offenses concerning: (1) bribery, graft, or conflicts of interest related to public officials and witnesses, Members of Congress, government officers or employees, or obtaining appointive public office; (2) embezzlement or theft of public money, property, or records; (3) the solicitation or use of gifts; (4) fraud and false statements or entries; (5) perjury; (6) subornation of perjury; or (7) false declarations before a grand jury or court.

Refunds annuity contributions and deposits, excluding interest earned, to a convicted individual.

Latest Action: 05/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

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To amend the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the agencies and actors responsible for the administration of such compensation program, and for other purposes. 1/5/2007--Introduced. Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to instruct the Secretaries of Labor and of Health and Human Services (HHS) to include as part of their annual budget requests the administrative costs necessary to implement their responsibilities under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (including, for the Secretary of HHS, costs for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health). Instructs the Secretary of Energy to designate annually as a beryllium vendor any vendor, processor, or producer of beryllium [...]

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Latest Action: 04/20/2007 - Received in the House.

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A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to protect judges, prosecutors, witnesses, victims, and their family members, and for other purposes. 4/19/2007--Passed Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Court Security Improvement Act of 2007 - Title I: Judicial Security Improvements and Funding - (Sec. 101) Amends the federal judicial code to require the Director of the U.S. Marshals Service to consult with the Judicial Conference of the United States (Judicial Conference) on a continuing basis regarding the security requirements of the judicial branch.(Sec. 102) Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to: (1) authorize the Judicial Conference to allow redactions of personal information of family members of judges from financial disclosure forms filed by such judges; (2) extend through 2009 the authority of the Judicial Conference to redact certain personal information of judges from financial disclosure reports; and (3) require [...]

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Latest Action: 08/03/2007 - Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S10940-10943)

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A resolution censuring the President and the Attorney General.

8/3/2007--Introduced.

Censures President George W. Bush and Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales and condemns them for: (1) undermining the rule of law and the separation of powers; (2) disregarding statutes, treaties, and the Constitution; and (3) repeatedly misleading the American people.

Latest Legislation - View All

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. 7/16/2008--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.)National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Authorizes appropriations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for FY2009 for: (1) science; (2) aeronautics; (3) exploration; (4) education; (5) space operations; (6) cross-agency support programs; and (7) the inspector general. Authorizes additional appropriations to accelerate the initial operational capability of a U.S.-owned human spacecraft capability.(Sec. 4) Affirms congressional support for the broad goals of U.S. space exploration policy, utilization of lunar exploration, activity related to Mars exploration,[...]

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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. 7/22/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Aviation Safety Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends federal transportation law to establish in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) an Aviation Safety Whistleblower Investigation Office, with a Director appointed by the Secretary of Transportation, which shall 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 [...]

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Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

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To authorize law enforcement and security assistance, and assistance to enhance the rule of law and strengthen civilian institutions, for Mexico and the countries of Central America, and for other purposes. 6/10/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act of 2008 - Title I: Assistance for Mexico - Subtitle A: Law Enforcement and Security Assistance - (Sec. 112) Authorizes the President to provide assistance for Mexico for: (1) counternarcotics and countertrafficking; (2) port, airport, and related security to assist in controlling the Mexico-U.S. and Mexico-Central America borders; (3) intelligence gathering operational technology; and (4) public security and law enforcement, including assistance to the National Council Against Addiction (CONADIC). (Sec. 114) Prohibits assistance to any armed forces of Mexico or law enforcement unit [...]

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Latest Action: 04/24/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

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To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to establish procedures to limit for a period of one year flight standards inspectors from accepting certain employment positions or responsibilities with an air carrier.

4/23/2008--Introduced.

Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to establish procedures to prohibit for a period of one year a flight standards inspector from accepting certain employment positions or responsibilities with an air carrier for whom the inspector has conducted inspections or had oversight responsibility in the past.

Latest Action: 06/25/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Bill Text
To amend the Federal Advisory Committee Act to increase the transparency and accountability of Federal advisory committees, and for other purposes. 6/24/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Federal Advisory Committee Act to require appointments to advisory committees to be made without regard to political affiliation or activity, unless otherwise required by federal statute. Directs each agency head to: (1) ensure that no individual who has a conflict of interest is appointed unless the need for the individual's services outweighs the potential impacts of the conflict; (2) require that each individual to be appointed inform the agency of any actual or potential conflict that exists before the appointment or that arises while the individual is serving; and (3) ensure that advisory committee reports are the result of the committee's judgment, independent from [...]

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Latest Action: 09/22/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To make certain reforms with respect to the Government Accountability Office, and for other purposes. 9/22/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on August 1, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Government Accountability Office Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Requires: (1) the Comptroller General to provide for a pay increase to covered Government Accountability Office (GAO) officers and employees if the increase that would otherwise take effect would be less than the required minimum percentage (equal to the total annual pay adjustment for General Schedule positions within a pay locality); and (2) nonpermanent merit pay to a such an officer or employee to be decreased by an amount equal to the portion of such person's basic pay that is attributable to the increase provided by this Act.Defines a "covered officer or employee" to mean a [...]

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Latest Action: 11/14/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
A bill to reauthorize the programs of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and for other purposes. 11/14/2007--Introduced. Overseas Private Investment Corporation Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to reauthorize the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) through September 30, 2011. Revises international worker rights provisions. Requires OPIC to institute a climate change mitigation action plan. Requires, with a specified exception, prior to OPIC approval of a Category A extractive industry project (as defined by this Act) or an extractive industry project in which OPIC assistance would be valued at $10 million or more; (1) prior congressional notification; and (2) investor and host country agreement to implement Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative principles or substantially similar principles, and host country adherence to certain accounting procedures as they relate to such projects. [...]

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Latest Action: 11/08/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Bill Text
To amend the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to prevent Government officials from accepting travel from persons having business before their agencies, and for other purposes.

11/8/2007--Introduced.

Restoring Trust in Public Officials Act of 2007 - Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to prohibit: (1) covered governmental officials from accepting travel paid for by a prohibited source; and (2) an agency from accepting a payment for travel that a covered official may not accept.

Defines "prohibited source" to mean: (1) any person who is seeking official action by the covered official's agency, does business or seeks to do business with the covered official's agency, conducts activities regulated by the covered official's agency, or has interests that may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the covered official's official duties; or (2) is an organization a majority of whose members are prohibited sources.

Latest Action: 04/24/2008 - Received in the House.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) to enhance the Offices of the Inspectors General, to create a Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, and for other purposes. 4/23/2008--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Inspector General Reform Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to require Inspectors General (IGs) for designated federal entities to be appointed without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law, management analysis, public administration, or investigations.(Sec. 3) Requires the President, the heads of designated federal entities, the Librarian of Congress, the Capitol Police Board, and the Public Printer to communicate to Congress in writing the reasons for removing or transferring an IG no later than 30 days before such removal or transfer.[...]

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