Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 10/09/2008 - Presented to President.

Bill Text
To establish the Office of the Capitol Visitor Center within the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, headed by the Chief Executive Officer for Visitor Services, to provide for the effective management and administration of the Capitol Visitor Center, and for other purposes. 3/5/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on March 3, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Capitol Visitor Center Act of 2008 - Title I: Administration and Management of Capitol Visitor Center - (Sec. 102) Grants authority to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Committee on House Administration (supervising Committees) to exercise policy review and oversight over the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC). (Sec. 103) Declares that certain "unassigned" expansion space for the Senate and the House of Representatives shall [...]

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Latest Action: 10/08/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To authorize the Administrator of General Services to provide for the redevelopment of the Old Post Office Building located in the District of Columbia. 6/23/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Old Post Office Building Redevelopment Act of 2008 - Directs the Administrator of General Services to proceed with redevelopment of the Old Post Office Building (including the Pavillion Annex), located at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., consistent with the redevelopment plan approved by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committees on Appropriations and Environment and Public Works. Authorizes the Administrator to provide replacement space for federal agency tenants housed in the Building as necessary. Requires the Administrator to report to Congress on any proposed redevelopment agreement, including a summary of a cost-beneft analysis and a description of material provisions. Delays [...]

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Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act to preserve and protect Social Security benefits of American workers and to help ensure greater congressional oversight of the Social Security system by requiring that both Houses of Congress approve a totalization agreement before the agreement, giving foreign workers Social Security benefits, can go into effect. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Social Security Totalization Agreement Reform Act of 2007 or STAR Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to provide that any agreement to establish a totalization arrangement which is entered into with another country shall enter into force with respect to the United States if (and only if): (1) the President, at least 90 calendar days before the date on which he enters into the agreement, notifies each House of Congress of his intention to enter into it, and promply thereafter publishes notice of such intention in the Federal [...]

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Latest Action: 02/29/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.

Bill Text
A bill to reaffirm the authority of the Comptroller General to audit and evaluate the programs, activities, and financial transactions of the intelligence community, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Intelligence Community Audit Act of 2007 - Reaffirms the authority of the Comptroller General to audit and evaluate financial transactions, programs, and activities of elements of the intelligence community (those elements identified in the National Security Act of 1947) and obtain access to records for such purposes. Allows the Comptroller General to conduct an audit or evaluation of intelligence sources and methods or covert actions only upon a request of a congressional intelligence committee or the majority or minority leader of the Senate or the House of Representatives. Requires the Comptroller General to disclose the results of any such audit or evaluation only to the original requestor, the Director of National Intelligence, and the head of the relevant [...]

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

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of Congress that the President should not initiate military action against Iran without first obtaining authorization from Congress.

1/16/2007--Introduced.

States congressional belief that: (1) initiating military action against Iran without congressional approval does not fall within the President's "Commander-in-Chief" powers under the Constitution; and (2) seeking congressional authority prior to taking military action against Iran is not discretionary, but a legal and constitutional requirement.

Rejects any suggestion that P.L. 107-40 (the authorization of force resolution approved in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001) or P.L. 107-243 (the authorization of force resolution approved by Congress to go to war with Iraq) extends to authorizing military action against Iran, including over its nuclear program.

Latest Action: 01/12/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Concerning the use of military force by the United States against Iran.

1/12/2007--Introduced.

Provides that: (1) no provision of law enacted before the date of the enactment of this joint resolution shall be construed to authorize the use of U.S. military force against Iran; and (2) absent a national emergency created by an attack or imminent attack by Iran upon the United States, its territories or possessions or its Armed Forces, the President shall consult with Congress, and receive specific authorization pursuant to law from Congress, prior to initiating military force against Iran.

Latest Action: 09/29/2007 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
Making continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008, and for other purposes. 9/29/2007--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on September 26, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Makes continuing appropriations for FY2008. (Sec. 101) Appropriates amounts for continuing operations, projects, or activities which were conducted in FY2007 and for which appropriations, funds, or other authority were made available in: (1) the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2007 (division A of Public Law 109-289); (2) the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007 (Public Law 109-295); and (3) the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 (division B of Public Law 109-289, as amended by Public Law 110-5). (Sec. 102) Prohibits the use of appropriations, funds, or authority granted under this joint resolution for the Department [...]

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Latest Action: 09/25/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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 committee concerne

Bill Text
To amend the War Powers Resolution to ensure the collective judgment of both the Congress and the President will apply to the initiation of hostilities by the Armed Forces, the continued use of the Armed Forces in hostilities, and the participation of the Armed Forces in military operations of the United Nations.

9/25/2007--Introduced.

Constitutional War Powers Amendments of 2007 - Rewrites the War Powers Resolution. Includes consultation procedures concerning participation in military operations of the United Nations.

Latest Action: 01/09/2007 - DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res 6, the House proceeded with one hour debate on H. Res. 35.

Bill Text
To enhance intelligence oversight authority. 1/9/2007--Passed House 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.) Amends Rule X (Organization of Committees) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish a Select Intelligence Oversight Panel of the Committee on Appropriations to: (1) review and study on a continuing basis budget requests for and execution of intelligence activities; (2) make recommendations to relevant subcommittees of the Committee; and (3) annually report to its Defense Subcommittee on budgetary and oversight observations and recommendations for use in preparation of the classified annex to the bill making Department of Defense (DOD) appropriations. Specifies the composition of the Select Panel, including three members of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.[...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/18/2008 - The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 110-862, by Mr. Price (NC).

Bill Text
Making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 9/18/2008--Introduced. Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2009 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2009 for: (1) the Offices of the Secretary, the Under Secretary for Management, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Information Officer, the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, and the Inspector General; (2) Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including for customs and border protection fencing, infrastructure, and technology; (3) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including for detention and removal operations (including to identify and remove aliens who have been convicted of a crime once they are judged deportable) and the Federal Protective Service; (4) the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including for screening operations and procurement and installation [...]

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Latest Action: 09/11/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
A bill to require United States Government representatives to present to the Government of Iraq a plan to establish an oil trust.

9/11/2008--Introduced.

Support for Iraq Oil Trust Act of 2008 - Withholds specified percentages of Economic Support Fund assistance for Iraq unless the Secretary of State certifies within specified time periods to the appropriate congressional committees that U.S. government representatives have presented an oil trust plan to Iraqi government representatives.

Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8040)

Bill Text
A bill to ensure that any agreement with Iraq containing a security commitment or arrangement is concluded as a treaty or is approved by Congress.

8/1/2008--Introduced.

Iraq Security Agreement Act of 2008 - Directs the President to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees respecting U.S. security commitments to, and arrangements with, other countries.

Directs the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense to consult with the appropriate congressional committees respecting negotiations pursuant to the Declaration of Principles between the United States and Iraq.

Prohibits any agreement (or the obligation of implementing funds) containing a security commitment to, or security arrangement with, the Republic of Iraq, from entering into force except pursuant to Article II, section 2, clause 2 (relating to treaties) or Article I, section 7, clause 2 (relating to enactment of laws) of the Constitution of the United States.

Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
A bill to require the Federal Communications Commission to auction spectrum for a free and open access wireless service. 8/1/2008--Introduced. Open Wireless Internet Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promote nationwide broadband competition through the use of wireless services by issuing nationwide licenses, for a term of at least 15 years, for two bands of frequencies, each composed of 20 megahertz of unpaired contiguous spectrum, one band under 3 gigahertz and not part of the recovered analog spectrum and the other band between 2155 and 2180 megahertz. Requires the FCC to ensure that licensees of spectrum obtained under these provisions are fully protected from, and fully protect, licensees of adjacent spectrum from harmful interference, including receiver overload and excessive out-of-band emissions. Requires licensees, among other things, to offer to consumers and authorized public safety [...]

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Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Dodd. With written report No. 110-443.

Bill Text
An original bill to impose sanctions with respect to Iran, to provide for the divestment of assets in Iran by State and local governments and other entities, to identify locations of concern with respect to transshipment, reexportation, or diversion of certain sensitive items to Iran, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 10/03/2008 - Became Public Law No: 110-342.

Bill Text
A joint resolution expressing the consent and approval of Congress to an interstate compact regarding water resources in the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Basin.

9/23/2008--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.)

Grants congressional consent to and approval of the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact as set forth in this resolution's preamble.

Declares that current laws provide protection sufficient to prevent Great Lakes diversions until a Great Lakes water compact is ratified and enforceable.

Reserves the right to alter, amend, or repeal this resolution.

Latest Action: 09/08/2008 - Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 945.

Bill Text
Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 8/1/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2009 - Title I: Department of Defense - Appropriates funds for FY2009 for the Department of Defense (DOD) for: (1) military construction for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force (military departments), DOD, the Army and Air National Guard, and the Army, Navy, and Air Force reserves; (2) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; (3) family housing construction and related operation and maintenance for the military departments and DOD; (4) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund; (5) the Homeowners Assistance Fund; (6) chemical demilitarization construction; and (7) the Department of Defense [...]

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Latest Action: 09/22/2008 - Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-863.

Bill Text
To express the consent and approval of Congress to an interstate compact regarding water resources in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin.
Latest Action: 07/22/2008 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Johnson. With written report No. 110-428.

Bill Text
An original bill making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 7/22/2008--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.) Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 - Title I: Department of Defense - Appropriates funds for FY2009 for the Department of Defense (DOD) for: (1) military construction for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force (military departments), DOD, the Army and Air National Guard, and the Army, Navy, and Air Force reserves; (2) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; (3) family housing and related operation and maintenance for the military departments [...]

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