Top Legislation - View All
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Air travel, Annuities, Appropriations, Armed forces, Auditing, Authorization, Bribery, Budgets, Campaign funds, Charter airlines, Communications, Conferences, Conflict of interests, Congress, Congressional agencies, Congressional allowances, Congressional caucuses, Congressional committees (House), Congressional committees (Senate), Congressional conference committees, Congressional elections, Congressional employees, Congressional ethics, Congressional information resources, Congressional investigations, Congressional leadership, Congressional office operations, Congressional officers, Congressional pensions, Congressional privileges and immunities, Congressional publications, Congressional publicity, Congressional Record, Congressional reorganization, Congressional reporting requirements, Congressional salaries, Congressional travel, Congressional voting, Conspiracy, Cost of living adjustments, Criminal justice, Data banks, Defense policy, Department of Veterans Affairs, Election candidates, Elections, Electronic data interchange, Employee training, Ex-Members of Congress, Executive departments, Families, Federal aid programs, Federal employees, Federal officials, Federal-Indian relations, Fees, Finance, Financial disclosure, Fines (Penalties), Foreign agents, Foreign policy, Fraud, Fund raising, Gifts, Government employees, Government ethics, Government information, House of Representatives, House rules and procedure, House Standards of Official Conduct, Income tax, Indian claims, Indictments, Informers, Internet, Law, Legal services, Legislation, Legislative amendments, Legislative calendars, Licenses, Lobbying, Married people, Medical care, Medicine, Members of Congress, Military law, Minorities, Misconduct in office, Money laundering, Office of Personnel Management, Parking facilities, Pensions, Perjury, Political action committees, Political conventions, Politicians' families, Politics and government, Presidential elections, Presidents, Private aviation, Senate, Senate Ethics, Senate rules and procedure, Sports, Sports facilities, Standards, Tariff, Tax credits, Tax deductions, Tax exclusion, Tax preferences, Tax returns, Taxation, Technology, Telecommunication, Trade, Transportation, Travel costs, Veterans, Veterans' medical care, Web sites, Witnesses
Latest Action: 09/14/2007 - Signed by President. Bill TextA 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
Also tagged in: Civil liberties, Civil-military relations, Communications, Criminal justice, Democracy, Dissenters, Foreign policy, Freedom of speech, Freedom of the press, Human rights, International affairs, International agencies, International law, Latin America, Law, Murder, Opposition (Political science), Organization of American States (OAS), Police brutality, Political persecution, Politics and government, Rule of law, Torture, Treaties, Venezuela
Latest Action: 04/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. Bill TextCalling on the Government of Venezuela to uphold the human rights and civil liberties of the people of Venezuela. 1/31/2007--Introduced. Expresses support for the people of Venezuela in their daily struggle for freedom, democratic self-governance, and the establishment of the rule of law. Calls on the government of Venezuela to: (1) abide by its obligations under international human rights treaties and international humanitarian law to ensure the rights of all individuals, irrespective of their political views; and (2) end killings, torture, and ill treatment by the police and military. Encourages: (1) the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR) to monitor the human rights situation in Venezuela; and (2) the President and the Secretary of State to assist democracy and human rights activists and the nonviolent democratic opposition in Venezuela. Expresses support for the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) for his [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Budgets, Communications, Conferences, Congress, Congressional budget, Congressional committees (House), Congressional conference committees, Congressional hearings, Congressional leadership, Congressional voting, House of Representatives, House rules and procedure, Legislation, Legislative amendments, Legislative calendars, Politics and government
Latest Action: 01/09/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Rules. Bill TextAmending the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish a minority bill of rights to require the House to be administered in a bipartisan manner and to require regular order in the legislative process. 1/9/2007--Introduced. Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to add Rule XXIX (Bipartisan Administration of the House) to require: (1) the elected leadership of the majority and minority parties to engage in regular consultations with each other to discuss House scheduling, administration, and operations; and (2) the chair and ranking minority member of each committee and their staffs to have regular meetings with each other. Amends Rule X (Organization of Committees) to require that allocation of amounts provided to a committee under a primary or supplemental expense resolution or during an interim funding period be paid at the ranking minority member's direction. Adds Rule XXX (Regular Order for Legislation) to require legislation to come to [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Air travel, Appropriations, Auditing, Authorization, Budgets, Campaign funds, Communications, Conferences, Conflict of interests, Congress, Congressional agencies, Congressional committees (House), Congressional committees (Senate), Congressional conference committees, Congressional elections, Congressional employees, Congressional ethics, Congressional information resources, Congressional investigations, Congressional leadership, Congressional officers, Congressional privileges and immunities, Congressional publicity, Congressional Record, Congressional reorganization, Congressional reporting requirements, Congressional travel, Congressional voting, Data banks, Election candidates, Elections, Electronic data interchange, Employee training, Ex-Members of Congress, Executive departments, Families, Federal aid programs, Federal employees, Federal officials, Federally-guaranteed loans, Fees, Finance, Financial disclosure, Fines (Penalties), Foreign agents, Foreign policy, Fund raising, Gifts, Government employees, Government information, Government lending, House of Representatives, House rules and procedure, House Standards of Official Conduct, Income tax, Internet, Law, Legislation, Legislative amendments, Legislative calendars, Licenses, Lobbying, Members of Congress, Parking facilities, Political action committees, Political conventions, Politicians' families, Politics and government, Public contracts, Senate, Senate Ethics, Senate rules and procedure, Sports, Sports facilities, Standards, Tariff, Tax credits, Tax deductions, Tax exclusion, Tax returns, Taxation, Technology, Telecommunication, Trade, Transportation, Travel costs, Web sites
Latest Action: 01/09/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Bill TextA 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 [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Accounting, Actions and defenses, Campaign funds, Congress, Congressional elections, Constitution, Constitutional law, Election candidates, Elections, Finance, Fund raising, Government information, Government paperwork, Injunctions, Judicial review, Law, Members of Congress, Parties to actions, Political action committees, Political advertising, Politics and government, Presidential elections, Presidents, Voter registration, Voting
Latest Action: 01/11/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. Bill TextTo amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to clarify when organizations described in section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 must register as political committees, and for other purposes. 1/11/2007--Introduced. 527 Reform Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to subject to its requirements as a political committee any applicable 527 organization. Excludes from the meaning of 527 organization for these purposes any committee, club, association, or other group of persons organized to influence: (1) the selection, nomination, election, appointment, or confirmation of one or more candidates to non-federal or non-elected office; or (2) any state or local ballot measure. Denies exception from treatment as an applicable 527 organization to any such a committee, club, association, or other groups of persons which makes disbursements aggregating more than $1,000 for: (1) a public communication that promotes, supports, attacks,[...] show full description
Also tagged in: Banks and banking, Budgets, Business, Business and politics, Campaign funds, Checkoff, Civil liberties, Computer software, Computers, Congress, Congressional elections, Corporations, Election candidates, Elections, Electronic data interchange, Electronic government information, Finance, Freedom of information, Government information, Government paperwork, Government publicity, Government trust funds, Income tax, Internet, Labor, Labor unions, Local government, Political action committees, Politics and government, Presidential elections, Presidents, State and local government, State laws, State politics and government, Tax returns, Taxation, Technology, Telecommunication
Latest Action: 01/16/2007 - 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 TextTo amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to reform the financing of campaigns for election for Federal office. 1/16/2007--Introduced. Citizen Legislature and Political Freedom Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to terminate limitations on federal election campaign contributions after 2007.Repeals the ban on contributions and expenditures by corporations and labor organizations with respect to elections occurring after December 2007. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate after December 31, 2006, the designation of income tax payments to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. Terminates the Fund itself and the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account after December 31, 2007, and transfers any amounts remaining in the Fund to the general fund of the Treasury. Amends FECA to require any political committee of a state or local political party to file with the Federal Election Commission a copy of any report [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Campaign funds, Charitable contributions, Congress, Congressional elections, Congressional ethics, Election candidates, Elections, Income tax, Members of Congress, Political action committees, Politics and government, Presidential elections, Presidential ethics, Presidents, Social services, Tax deductions, Taxation
Latest Action: 01/16/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. Bill TextTo amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to place restrictions on the disposition of funds by leadership PACs. 1/16/2007--Introduced. Leadership PAC Reform Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to allow the funds of a leadership PAC to be used: (1) for otherwise authorized expenditures in connection with campaigns for election for federal office; (2) for charitable contributions; or (3) for transfers to a national, state, or local committee of a political party (subject to FECA limitations). Defines leadership PAC as a political committee which is: (1) directly or indirectly established, maintained, or controlled by a candidate for election for federal office or an individual holding federal office; but (2) is not an authorized committee of the candidate or individual. Excludes from the meaning of leadership PAC any political committee of a political party
Also tagged in: Afghanistan, Americans in foreign countries, Armed forces, Armed forces abroad, Civil liberties, Civil war, Congress, Congress and military policy, Congressional oversight, Congressional reporting requirements, Congressional veto, Constitution, Constitutional amendments, Corruption in politics, Counterterrorism, Criminal justice, Defense policy, Democracy, Development credit institutions, Diplomacy, Diplomats, Economic assistance, Economic development, Economic policy, Elections, Energy, Ethnic relations, Foreign aid, Foreign leaders, Foreign policy, Government ethics, Human rights, Insurgency, International affairs, International finance, Iraq, Iraq compilation, Job creation, Job training, Legislative resolutions, Middle East and North Africa, Military bases, Military occupation, Military operations, Military posture, Military readiness, Military training, Military withdrawal, Militia movements, Minorities, Peace, Performance measurement, Petroleum, Petroleum industry, Police, Politics and government, Public corruption, Religion, Religious liberty, South Asia, Strategic planning, Terrorism, Treaties, War, War relief
Latest Action: 01/30/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1322, S1343-1344) Bill TextA bill to state United States policy for Iraq, and for other purposes. 1/30/2007--Introduced. Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007 - States that: (1) U.S. Armed Forces levels in Iraq after the date of enactment of this Act shall not exceed January 10, 2007, levels without specific statutory authority enacted by Congress after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2) except as otherwise provided, the phased redeployment of U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq shall begin by May 1, 2007. Authorizes the President to temporarily suspend such redeployment upon certification to Congress that: (1) such action is in the U.S. national interest; and (2) the government of Iraq is taking specified actions. Resumes redeployment if Congress enacts a joint resolution disapproving such suspension or suspension renewal. Authorizes, upon certification by the President to Congress, post-deployment retention of certain forces in Iraq to: (1) protect U.S. personnel and facilities; (2) [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Agriculture, Agriculture in foreign trade, Appropriations, Budgets, Campaign funds, Checkoff, Computer software, Cost of living adjustments, Economic policy, Election candidates, Elections, Electronic government information, Foreign trade promotion, Fund raising, Government information, Government paperwork, Government publicity, Government trust funds, Income tax, Indexing (Economic policy), Marketing of farm produce, Political conventions, Politics and government, Presidential elections, Presidents, Primaries, Soft money, Tax returns, Taxation, Technology, Telecommunication, Trade
Latest Action: 01/30/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1346-1348) Bill TextA bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1086 to reform the system of public financing for Presidential elections, and for other purposes. 1/30/2007--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 [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Actions and defenses, Administrative procedure, Broadcasting, Civil rights, Civil rights enforcement, Communications, Congress, Congressional elections, Congressional reporting requirements, Conspiracy, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Department of Justice, Election administration, Election fraud, Elections, Executive departments, Government information, Government publicity, Governmental investigations, Law, Presidential elections, Presidents, Primaries, Prosecution, Public service advertising, Runoff elections, Sentences (Criminal procedure), Sentencing guidelines, Telecommunication, U.S. Sentencing Commission, Voter registration, Voting rights
Latest Action: 10/04/2007 - Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-191. Additional views filed. Bill TextA bill to prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections. 10/4/2007--Reported to Senate amended. (There is 1 other summary) Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Revised Statutes and federal criminal law to prohibit any person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, from knowingly deceiving any other person regarding: (1) the time, place, or manner of conducting any federal election; or (2) the qualifications for or restrictions on voter eligibility for any such election. Makes intent to prevent another person from exercising the right to vote, or from voting for the candidate of such other person's choice, an essential element of the offense. Prescribes a criminal penalty for such deceptive acts.Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and, if appropriate, amend the federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements applicable to persons convicted of any offense under [...] show full description
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Latest Legislation - View All
Also tagged in: Africa (Sub-Saharan), Armed forces, Arms sales, Benin, Botswana, Civil liberties, Democracy, Diplomacy, Diplomats, Dissenters, Economic assistance, Election fraud, Elections, Embargo, Foreign aid, Foreign leaders, Foreign policy, Human rights, International affairs, International finance, International law, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Opposition (Political science), Political persecution, Political violence, Politics and government, Presidential elections, Regionalism (International organization), Sanctions (International law), Senegal, Sierra Leone, Summit diplomacy, Trade, United Nations, Weapons systems, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Latest Action: 07/14/2008 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6669-6670; text as passed Senate: CR S6669-6670; text of measure as introduced: CR S6652-6653) Bill TextA resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on the crisis in Zimbabwe, and for other purposes. 7/14/2008--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.) Expresses the sense of the Senate to: (1) condemn the Mugabe regime for its manipulation of the country's electoral process and reject the June 27, 2008, presidential runoff election as illegitimate; (2) encourage the President's efforts to expand sanctions on those individuals responsible for violations of human and political rights in Zimbabwe; (3) applaud the governments of Benin, Botswana, Liberia, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Zambia for condemning such election; (4) encourage the U.N. Security Council to authorize a United Nations Special Representative for Zimbabwe; (5) urge African leaders to engage in the political resolution effort; (6) urge [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Africa (Sub-Saharan), Armed forces, Arms control, Arms sales, Church and social problems, Civil liberties, Commemorations, Congressional tributes, Criminal justice, Defense policy, Democracy, Diplomacy, Diplomats, Election administration, Elections, Embargo, Foreign aid, Foreign policy, Human rights, International affairs, International agencies, International relief, Labor, Labor unions, Law, Opposition (Political science), Peace negotiations, Police, Police-community relations, Political violence, Politics and government, Religion, Rule of law, Runoff elections, Sanctions (International law), Torture, Trade, United Nations, Weapons systems, Zimbabwe
Latest Action: 06/19/2008 - Considered as unfinished business. Bill TextCondemning postelection violence in Zimbabwe and calling for a peaceful resolution to the current political crisis. 6/19/2008--Passed House amended. (There is 1 other summary) Condemns the campaign of violence and harassment in Zimbabwe conducted by the ruling party and its supporters in the police and military against members of the opposition and other civilians. Calls on the government of Zimbabwe to create an environment conducive to a peaceful transition of power. Encourages the political parties to commit to forming a government that reflects the will of the Zimbabwean people and promotes national unity. Urges the international community, under the leadership of the United Nations, the African Union (AU), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), to deploy monitors to ensure that the presidential runoff election reflects the will of the Zimbabwean people. Commends: (1) the people of Zimbabwe for their [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Africa (Sub-Saharan), Aliens, Criminal aliens, Criminal justice, Criminal justice information, Data banks, Foreign policy, Government information, Identification of criminals, Immigration, International affairs, South Africa, Technology, Terrorism, Visas
Latest Action: 06/26/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. Bill TextA bill to exempt the African National Congress from treatment as a terrorist organization, and for other purposes. 6/26/2008--Reported to 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.) Amends the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008 to state that for purposes of alien inadmissibility based upon terrorist-related grounds the African National Congress (ANC) shall not be considered to be a terrorist organization on the basis of any act or event that occurred before the date of enactment of such Act. Authorizes the Secretary of State (after consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security) or the Secretary of Homeland Security (after consultation with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General) to determine, in such Secretary's sole unreviewable [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Africa (Sub-Saharan), Armed forces, Arms sales, Civil liberties, Democracy, Detention of persons, Economic assistance, Election administration, Elections, Embargo, Foreign aid, Foreign leaders, Foreign policy, Human rights, International affairs, International cooperation, Parliamentary government, Political persecution, Political violence, Politics and government, Regionalism (International organization), Sanctions (International law), Trade, United Nations, Weapons systems, Zimbabwe
Latest Action: 04/29/2008 - Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent. Bill TextA resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the political situation in Zimbabwe. 4/29/2008--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.) Expresses the sense of the Senate: (1) supporting the people of Zimbabwe; (2) that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission should immediately release the legitimate results of the presidential election and ratify the previously announced results of the parliamentary elections; (3) that President Robert Mugabe should accept the will of the people of Zimbabwe in order to effect a timely and peaceful transition to democratic rule; (4) that the U.S. government and the international community should impose targeted sanctions against individuals in the government of Zimbabwe and state security services and militias who are responsible for human rights abuses [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Arab-Israeli conflict, Civil rights, Constitutions, Criminal justice, Foreign leaders, Foreign policy, International affairs, Israel, Middle East and North Africa, Palestinian Authority, Politics and government, Racism, Recognition (International law), Terrorism, Zionism
Latest Action: 04/03/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2449) Bill TextA resolution urging Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who is also the head of the Fatah Party, to officially abrogate the 10 articles in the Fatah Constitution that call for Israel's destruction and terrorism against Israel, oppose any political solution, and label Zionism as racism. 4/3/2008--Introduced. Urges President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority (PA), who is also head of the Fatah Party, to officially abrogate the 10 articles from the Fatah Constitution that call for the destruction of Israel and terrorism against Israel, oppose any political solution, and label Zionism as racism.
Also tagged in: Admission of nonimmigrants, Africa (Sub-Saharan), Aliens, Criminal justice, Criminal justice information, Data banks, Elections, Foreign leaders, Foreign policy, Government information, Identification of criminals, Immigration, International affairs, Politics and government, South Africa, Technology, Terrorism, Visas
Latest Action: 07/01/2008 - Signed by President. Bill TextTo remove the African National Congress from treatment as a terrorist organization for certain acts or events, provide relief for certain members of the African National Congress regarding admissibility, and for other purposes. 6/26/2008--Public Law. (There are 4 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on June 26, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Amends the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008 to state that for purposes of alien inadmissibility based upon terrorist-related grounds the African National Congress (ANC) shall not be considered to be a terrorist organization on the basis of any act or event that occurred before the date of enactment of such Act. Authorizes the Secretary of State (after consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security) or the Secretary of Homeland Security (after [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Business, Civil liberties, Conflict of interests, Congress, Congressional investigations, Congressional reporting requirements, Decision making, Electronic government information, Executive departments, Federal advisory bodies, Freedom of information, General Services Administration, Government and business, Government ethics, Government information, Government publicity, Law, Politics and government, Presidential commissions, Presidents, Technology, Telecommunication, Vice Presidents
Latest Action: 06/25/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Bill TextTo 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 [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Armed forces, Arms sales, Buddhism, Burma, China, Civil liberties, Civil-military relations, Clergy, Communications, Constitution, Defense policy, Democracy, Dissenters, East Asia, Elections, Embargo, Ethnic relations, Foreign policy, Freedom of speech, Freedom of the press, Human rights, International affairs, Military regimes, Minorities, Political prisoners, Politics and government, Referendum, Religion, Religious liberty, Right of assembly, Right to travel, Russia, Sanctions (International law), Trade, Ukraine, United Nations, Weapons systems
Latest Action: 05/07/2008 - Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Bill TextCondemning the Burmese regime's undemocratic draft constitution and scheduled referendum. 5/6/2008--Passed House amended. (There is 1 other summary) Denounces the undemocratic and illegitimate actions of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) in Burma that seek to legitimize military rule through a flawed referendum process and an undemocratic constitution. Demands the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, detained Buddhist monks, and all other political prisoners and prisoners of conscience. Denounces the SPDC for its failure to comply with U.N. recommendations and engage in tri-partite dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1990 election winning parties, and representatives of ethnic nationalities. Urges the President to: (1) call for U.N. Security Council condemnation of the undemocratic referendum process and the SPDC's flawed constitution; (2) call for a Security Council resolution instructing the regime to comply with [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Congress, Congressional committee chairmen, Congressional committee membership, Congressional committees (House), Congressional employees, Congressional ethics, Congressional investigations, Congressional officers, Congressional publicity, Congressional reporting requirements, Congressional-executive relations, Criminal investigation, Ex-Members of Congress, Executive departments, Government information, House rules and procedure, House Standards of Official Conduct, Inspectors general, Lobbying, Members of Congress, Politics and government
Latest Action: 02/27/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Rules. Bill TextAmending the Rules of the House of Representatives to provide increased accountability and transparency in the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. 2/27/2008--Introduced. Amends Rule X (Organization of Committees) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to revise the composition of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Requires Committee members to be appointed jointly by the Speaker of the House and the minority leader: three from the majority party, three from the minority party, and four former Members who have not been registered lobbyists for the last two years. (Currently the Speaker picks five and the minority leader picks five.) Limits chairmanship of the Committee to a current Member only. Rotates chairmanship of the Committee between the two parties from Congress to Congress after the 111th Congress, regardless of which party is in the majority. Requires the chairmanship for the 111th Congress to be held by a member of the majority [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Africa (Sub-Saharan), Alien property, Civil liberties, Commemorations, Communications, Congressional tributes, Criminal justice, Democracy, Diplomacy, Dissenters, Economic assistance, Election candidates, Elections, Ethnic relations, Foreign aid, Foreign leaders, Foreign policy, Freedom of association, Freedom of the press, Human rights, Immigration, International affairs, International finance, Kenya, Negotiations, Police, Police brutality, Political violence, Politics and government, President and foreign policy, Presidential elections, Presidents, Public demonstrations, Refugees, Right of assembly, Right to travel, Sanctions (International law), Transportation, United Nations, Voting
Latest Action: 01/29/2008 - Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S456-457) Bill TextA resolution calling for a peaceful resolution to the current electoral crisis in Kenya. 1/29/2008--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.) Commends the Kenyan people for their commitment to democracy, as evidenced by the high voter turnout and peaceful voting on election day. Condemns: (1) the violence in Kenya; and (2) threats to civil leaders and human rights activists. Urges politicians and political parties to desist from the deactivation and use of ethnic militias. Calls on the two leading presidential candidates to engage in an internationally brokered dialogue and respect the will of the Kenyan people. Calls for: (1) those who are found guilty of human rights violations to be held accountable for their actions; and (2) an end to restrictions on the media [...] show full description
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