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Latest Action: 05/22/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6471-6472)

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A bill to amend section 7209 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 and for other purposes. 5/22/2007--Introduced. Western Hemisphere Traveler Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to require as part of the certifications required prior to implementation of the western hemisphere travel initiative (Initiative), that: (1) a pilot program of at least one state has been initiated and evaluated to determine if an enhanced driver's license valid only for citizenship verification for U.S. entry from Canada meets documentation requirements; (2) a study has determined the number of passports and passport cards that will be required to be issued; and (3) sufficient passport adjudication personnel have been hired. Authorizes a person under 16 years old who is a U.S. or Canadian citizen to enter the United States with a birth certificate if the person: (1) is accompanied by the individual's legal [...]

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Latest Action: 07/09/2007 - Senate incorporated this measure in H.R.1 as an amendment.

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A bill to make the United States more secure by implementing unfinished recommendations of the 9/11 Commission to fight the war on terror more effectively, to improve homeland security, and for other purposes. 3/13/2007--Passed Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Improving America's Security Act of 2007 - Provides for implementation of recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission). Title I: Improving Intelligence and Information Sharing within the Federal Government and with State, Local, and Tribal Governments - Subtitle A: Homeland Security Information Sharing Enhancement - (Sec. 111) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security (the Secretary) to administer the Homeland Security Advisory System to provide warnings regarding the risk of terrorist attacks on the homeland to federal, state, local, and tribal government authorities [...]

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Latest Action: 02/15/2007 - Presented to President.

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Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2007, and for other purposes. 2/15/2007--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 (Public Law 109-289, division B), as amended by Public Laws 109-369 and 109-383, to extend specified continuing appropriations through FY2007. Division B: Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 - Title I: Full-Year Continuing Appropriations - (Sec. 101) Appropriates amounts at specified levels for continuing operations, projects, or activities, conducted in FY2006, for which appropriations, funds, or other authority would be made available in: (1) the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies [...]

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Latest Action: 01/17/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
A bill to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. 1/17/2007--Introduced. Ensuring Implementation of the 9/11 Commission Report Act - Homeland Emergency Response Operations Act or the HERO Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to complete assignment of the electromagnetic spectrum for public safety services to permit operation by December 31, 2007. Requires reports respecting: (1) a unified incident command system; (2) a national critical infrastructure risk and vulnerabilities assessment; and (3) private sector preparedness. Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act of 2005 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant program to assist state and local governments in achieving essential capabilities for terrorism preparedness. Directs the Secretary of Homeland [...]

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Latest Action: 10/29/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H12136-12137)

Bill Text
To require United States military disengagement from Iraq, to provide United States assistance for reconstruction and reconciliation in Iraq, and for other purposes. 1/17/2007--Introduced. Bring the Troops Home and Iraq Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2007 - Declares that it is U.S. policy to: (1) end the occupation of Iraq; (2) accelerate the training and equipping of Iraq's military and security forces; (3) pursue security and stability in Iraq through diplomacy; (4) help preserve the territorial integrity of Iraq as a nation state; (5) account for any missing U.S. Armed Forces personnel or U.S. citizens in Iraq; and (6) turn over internal security activities and military operations in Iraq to the elected government of Iraq within six months. Repeals the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002. Requires the withdrawal from Iraq of all U.S. Armed Forces and contractor security forces within six months. Prohibits, with exceptions,[...]

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Latest Action: 04/10/2007 - Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Biden without amendment. With written report No. 110-50.

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A bill to enhance the overseas stabilization and reconstruction capabilities of the United States Government, and for other purposes. 4/10/2007--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.) Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) States that the purpose of this Act is to provide for the development, as a core mission of the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), of an expert civilian response capability to carry out stabilization and reconstruction activities in a country or region that is in, or is in transition from, conflict or civil strife. (Sec. 5) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish assistance to help stabilize and reconstruct a country or region that [...]

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Latest Action: 05/02/2007 - Reported by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. H. Rept. 110-119.

Bill Text
To promote democratic values and enhance democracy, and for other purposes. 5/2/2007--Reported to 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.) Advance Democratic Values, Address Nondemocratic Countries, and Enhance Democracy Act of 2007 or ADVANCE Democracy Act of 2007 - Title I: Department of State Activities - (Sec. 101) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to provide that the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor shall also be responsible for matters relating to the development of democracy in nondemocratic countries. Requires that there be at least one office in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (Bureau) of the Department of State responsible for working with democratic movements and facilitating the transition of countries [...]

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Latest Action: 07/30/2007 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
A bill to enable the Department of State to respond to a critical shortage of passport processing personnel, and for other purposes.

7/30/2007--Public Law.    (There are 4 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on July 16, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Passport Backlog Reduction Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to authorize the Secretary of State to employ Foreign Service annuitants to assist in the processing of: (1) passport applications, including passport fraud investigations; and (2) visa applications at consular posts with a substantial application backlog.

Authorizes the Secretary to waive salary and full-time employment pension restrictions through: (1) September 30, 2008, for consular-related employment; and (2) through September 30, 2009, for passport-related employment.

Latest Action: 03/07/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 609.

Bill Text
To amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956, and the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to build operational readiness in civilian agencies, 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 4, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management Act of 2008 - (Sec. 4) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President, if in the U.S. national interest, to furnish assistance to assist in stabilizing and reconstructing a country or region that is in, or is in transition from, conflict or civil strife. Requires specified pre-notification by the President before making assistance available. Limits: (1) program authority to FY2008-FY2010; and (2) annual fiscal year expenditures to $100 million. (Sec.[...]

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Latest Action: 04/24/2007 - Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.

Bill Text
A bill to end the use of child soldiers in hostilities around the world, and for other purposes. 4/19/2007--Introduced. Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2007 - Defines "child soldier." Prohibits, with a national interest waiver, funds appropriated or otherwise made available for specified military and related areas from being obligated or otherwise made available to the government of a country identified by the Department of State as having governmental armed forces or government supported armed groups, including paramilitaries, militias, or civil defense forces, that recruit or use child soldiers. Directs the Secretary of State to notify any government so identified. Authorizes the President to reinstate assistance upon certifying to Congress that a government is implementing: (1) compliance measures; and (2) mechanisms to prohibit future use of child soldiers and to ensure that no children are recruited, conscripted, or otherwise compelled [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/23/2008 - Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to extend comparability pay adjustments to members of the Foreign Service assigned to posts abroad, and to amend the provision relating to the death gratuity payable to surviving dependents on Foreign Service employees who die as a result of injuries sustained in the performance of duty abroad.

9/23/2008--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.)

Foreign Service Overseas Pay Equity Act of 2008 - Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to: (1) extend comparability pay adjustments to Foreign Service members assigned abroad; and (2) amend the death gratuity computation payable to surviving dependents of Foreign Service employees who die from injuries sustained in the performance of duty abroad.

Latest Action: 07/18/2008 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Leahy under authority of the order of the Senate of 01/04/2007. With written report No. 110-425.

Bill Text
An original bill making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 7/18/2008--Introduced. Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2009 - Makes FY2009 appropriations for the Department of State (Department) for: (1) administration of foreign affairs and diplomatic and consular programs; (2) the civilian stabilization initiative; (3) the Capital Investment Fund; (4) the Office of Inspector General; (5) educational and cultural exchange programs; (6) representation allowances; (7) protection of foreign missions and officials; (8) U.S. embassy security, construction, and maintenance; (9) emergencies in the diplomatic and consular service; (10) the repatriation loans program account; (11) the American Institute in Taiwan; (12) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (13) international organizations, peacekeeping, and [...]

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Latest Action: 07/16/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1485)

Bill Text
To address the impending humanitarian crisis and potential security breakdown as a result of the mass influx of Iraqi refugees into neighboring countries, and the growing internally displaced population in Iraq, by increasing directed accountable assistance to these populations and their host countries, facilitating the resettlement of Iraqis at risk, and for other purposes. 7/15/2008--Introduced. Iraqi Refugee and Internally Displaced Persons Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement, and Security Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of State, with respect to vulnerable populations in Iraq (including internally displaced persons) and with respect to countries containing a significant population of Iraqi refugees (including Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, and Iran), to provide such countries or appropriate international organizations and nongovernmental organizations with specified humanitarian assistance. Directs the Secretary to make every effort to ensure that [...]

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Latest Action: 09/19/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To provide for extensions of certain authorities of the Department of State, and for other purposes. 7/30/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) (Sec. 1) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to extend for one year the Secretary of State's authority to waive Foreign Service annuitant salary and full-time employment pension restrictions respecting assignment to: (1) consular posts with a substantial visa application backlog; and (2) Iraq and Afghanistan. (Sec. 2) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to permit rest and recuperation travel for Foreign Service members and family members to U.S. territories, including American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Specifies that required leave based upon continuous service abroad may be taken in the United States or its territories, including American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,[...]

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