Top Legislation - View All

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

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A bill to improve the tracking of stolen firearms and firearms used in a crime, to allow more frequent inspections of gun dealers to ensure compliance with Federal gun law, to enhance the penalties for gun trafficking, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Anti-Gun Trafficking Penalties Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 to repeal restrictions on disclosure of the content of the Firearms Trace System database. Directs the Attorney General to provide state and local governments or law enforcement agencies with information from such database upon receipt of a written request.Requires federal law enforcement agencies investigating a crime to provide information about firearms stolen or used in such crime to the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives (BAFTE). Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require state and local law enforcement [...]

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

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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: 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: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S117-118)

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A bill to give investigators and prosecutors the tools they need to combat public corruption.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Effective Corruption Prosecutions Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) extend to eight years the statute of limitations for certain public corruption offenses involving bribery, theft of government funds, mail fraud, and racketeering; and (2) permit interception of wire, oral or electronic communications in connection the crimes of theft of federal funds or bribery (federal program bribery) and include such crimes within the definition of racketeering for purposes of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Practices Act (RICO).

Authorizes appropriations for additional Department of Justice personnel to investigate and prosecute public corruption offenses.

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

Bill Text
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: 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 Action: 02/15/2007 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman without amendment. With written report No. 110-18.

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A bill to provide for the protection of paleontological resources on Federal lands, and for other purposes. 2/15/2007--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.) Paleontological Resources Preservation Act - (Sec. 3) Directs the the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as appropriate, to: (1) manage and protect paleontological resources on federal land, using scientific principles and expertise; and (2) develop plans for inventorying, monitoring, and deriving the scientific and educational use of such resources. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to establish a program to increase public awareness about such resources. (Sec. 5) Prohibits a person from collecting a paleontological resource from federal land without [...]

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Latest Action: 04/26/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5174-5175)

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A bill to abolish the death penalty under Federal law.

1/31/2007--Introduced.

Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2007 - Repeals death penalty provisions for a wide range of homicide-related offenses under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the federal criminal code, the Controlled Substances Act, and other statutes relating to aircraft hijacking, espionage and treason, and offenses punished under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Prohibits the sentencing to death or execution of any person for any violation of federal law after the enactment of this Act. Commutes death penalties imposed prior to the enactment of this Act to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - House Committee on Agriculture Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 12, 2008.

Bill Text
To provide for the protection of paleontological resources on Federal lands, and for other purposes. 5/22/2008--Reported to House amended, Part I.    (There is 1 other summary) Paleontological Resources Preservation Act - (Sec. 3) Directs the the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as appropriate, to: (1) manage and protect paleontological resources on federal land, using scientific principles and expertise; and (2) develop plans for inventorying, monitoring, and deriving the scientific and educational use of such resources. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to establish a program to increase public awareness about such resources. (Sec. 5) Prohibits a person from collecting a paleontological resource from federal land without a permit issued under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to allow casual collecting of a reasonable amount of common invertebrate and plant paleontological resources for non-commercial personal uses [...]

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Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management.

Bill Text
To regulate over-the-counter trading of energy derivatives. 1/19/2007--Introduced. Prevent Unfair Manipulation of Prices Act of 2007 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to extend its jurisdiction to certain: (1) "included energy transactions" traded on an electronic trading facility; and (2) certain energy commodities involved in over-the-counter transactions. Sets forth reporting and recordkeeping requirements for: (1) certain contract participants that enter into or execute "included energy transactions;" and (2) electronic trading facilities for energy commodities. Extends prohibitions against fraudulent transactions to: (1) filling an order by offset against the other person's order; and (2) knowingly and willfully becoming the buyer in respect to another person's selling order, or the seller in respect to another person's buying order, without the other person's prior consent. Empowers the Commodities Futures Trading Commission [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Bill Text
To require certain metal recyclers to keep records of their transactions in order to deter individuals and enterprises engaged in theft and interstate fencing of stolen copper, and for other purposes.

8/1/2008--Introduced.

Copper Theft Prevention Act of 2008 - Requires secondary copper recyclers (purchasers of copper that has served its original economic purpose) to keep records for at least two years of all purchases of copper property. Prohibits such recyclers from accepting cash in excess of $500 for the purchase of copper property. Imposes a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for violations of this Act.

Latest Action: 02/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To amend title 18, United States Code, and the Social Security Act to limit the misuse of Social Security numbers, to establish criminal penalties for such misuse, and for other purposes. 2/6/2008--Introduced. Social Security Number Misuse Prevention Act - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit the display, sale, or purchase of Social Security numbers without the affirmatively expressed consent of the individual, except in specified circumstances. Directs the Attorney General to study and report to Congress on all the uses of Social Security numbers permitted, required, authorized, or excepted under any federal law, including the impact of such uses on privacy and data security.Establishes a public records exception to the prohibition. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on Social Security numbers in public records. Grants the Attorney General rulemaking authority to enforce this Act's prohibition and to implement and clarify the permitted [...]

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Latest Action: 01/14/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To combat illegal gun trafficking, and for other purposes. 12/18/2007--Introduced. Detectives Nemorin and Andrews Anti-Gun Trafficking Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 20 years for the sale, transfer, or barter of a stolen firearm or a firearm with an altered serial number or for the sale of such firearms to persons prohibited from possessing them; (2) impose an additional five-year prison term for possession of a stolen or altered firearm during the commission of a felony; (3) require licensed firearms importers, manufacturers, or dealers to contact the national instant stolen gun check system before receiving firearms from any unlicensed person; and (4) increase criminal penalties for the use of a stolen or altered firearm during the commission of a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime.Amends the 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act to: (1) include illegal gun trafficking [...]

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Latest Action: 03/12/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary Senate Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs. Hearings held.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to prevent the abuse of dextromethorphan, and for other purposes. 10/31/2007--Introduced. Dextromethorphan Abuse Reduction Act of 2007 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to: (1) set forth definitions relating to dextromethorphan in unfinished or finished dosage form; (2) classify unfinished dextromethorphan as a Schedule V controlled substance; and (3) impose civil penalties for sales of products containing dextromethorphan to individuals under the age of 18.Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) manufacturers of products containing dextromethorphan should provide warnings about the dangers of dextromethorphan misuse; and (2) retailers should impose safeguards to protect against the theft of products containing dextromethorphan. Directs the Director of National Drug Control Policy to make grants to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America for education programs [...]

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Latest Action: 12/03/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to restore certain provisions relating to the definition of aggravated felony and other provisions as they were before the enactment of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. 10/31/2007--Introduced. Keeping Families Together Act of 2007 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (Act) to repeal the provision amending the definition of "aggravated felony," and restore provisions of law amended by such provision as if it had not been enacted, including residency-or status-related rights of an affected legal alien. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise detention of criminal alien provisions, effective as if included in the Act. Repeals, as if included in the Act: (1) certain provisions respecting termination of continuous presence or physical presence in the United States; and (2) the definition of "conviction." [...]

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

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A bill to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, and to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes. 10/17/2007--Introduced. Natural Resource Projects and Programs Authorization Act of 2007 - Authorizes specified programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy concerning, among other things, national monuments, conservation areas, resource protection, historic sites, national trails, national heritage areas, and the clean coal power initiative. Makes amendments to various public laws, including the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act, the National Trails System Act, the Steel Industry American Heritage Area Act of 1996, the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor [...]

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Latest Action: 11/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To amend title 18, with respect to certain crimes affecting national security, and for other purposes. 10/10/2007--Introduced. Supporting Prosecutions of International Espionage Schemes Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) revise criminal prohibitions against unauthorized gathering and disclosure of national defense information and recklessly losing such information; (2) increase maximum prison terms for the crimes of misprision of treason, rebellion, and thefts of classified information and financial records by computer; (3) impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 30 years for damaging or impeding the operation of a nuclear facility or attempting or conspiring to do so; and (4) impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 20 years for violations of certain export control requirements.Directs the Attorney General to: (1) notify appropriate officials at the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS), State, and Commerce of any indictments, convictions, or [...]

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Latest Action: 06/12/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Bill Text
To direct the United States Sentencing Commission to assure appropriate punishment enhancements for those involved in receiving stolen property where that property consists of grave markers of veterans, and for other purposes. 6/12/2008--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on May 15, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Let Our Veterans Rest in Peace Act of 2008 - Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and, if appropriate, amend its sentencing guidelines and policy statements to provide adequate sentencing enhancements for any offense involving the desecration, theft, or trafficking in a grave marker, headstone, monument, or other object intended to permanently mark a veteran's grave. Requires the Commission to ensure that the sentences, guidelines, and policy statements for these crimes are appropriately [...]

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Latest Action: 12/10/2007 - Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-239.

Bill Text
A bill to help Federal prosecutors and investigators combat public corruption by strengthening and clarifying the law. 12/10/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Public Corruption Prosecution Improvements Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to revise and expand prohibitions against bribery, theft of public money, and other public corruption offenses. (Sec. 2) Establishes a six-year limitation period for the prosecution of public corruption crimes involving bribery, extortion, theft of government property, mail fraud, and racketeering. (Sec. 3) Expands mail and wire fraud statutes to cover offenses involving any other thing of value (e.g., intangible rights and licenses). (Sec. 4) Modifies general venue rules for criminal prosecutions to allow prosecutions in any district in which an act in furtherance of an offense is committed.(Sec. 5) Reduces from $5,000 to $1,000 the threshold amount [...]

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