Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 10/07/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To provide for the investigation of certain unsolved civil rights crimes, and for other purposes. 6/20/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2007 - Directs the Attorney General to designate a Deputy Chief in the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ). Makes the Deputy Chief responsible for investigating and prosecuting violations of criminal civil rights statutes in which the alleged violation occurred before January 1, 1970 and resulted in death. (Sec. 4) Directs the Attorney General to designate a Supervisory Special Agent in the Civil Rights Unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the DOJ to investigate violations of criminal civil rights statutes that occurred before January 1, 1970 and resulted in a death. (Sec. 5) Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to state or local law enforcement agencies for the investigation [...]

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

Bill Text
To reauthorize the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program, and for other purposes. 7/14/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to: (1) require state and local governments to implement a process for the collection of DNA samples from all felons in their prisons for inclusion in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); (2) allow use of grant funds for DNA analyses of samples from missing or unidentified persons; and (3) increase and extend the authorization of appropriations for such Act for FY2010-FY2014. (Sec. 3) Expresses the sense of Congress that as a result of the DNA analysis backlog violent crimes remain unsolved and wrongfully convicted individuals have not been determined to be innocent. Requires the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to the Attorney General [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 03/13/2007 - DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 64.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Government of Bangladesh should immediately drop all pending charges against Bangladeshi journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury.

3/13/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the government of Bangladesh should: (1) drop all pending charges against Bangladeshi journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury; (2) return all of Mr. Choudhury's confiscated possessions; and (3) cease harassment of Mr. Choudhury and take steps to protect Mr. Choudhury.

Latest Action: 05/01/2007 - Mr. Sires moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

Bill Text
Expressing the sympathy of the House of Representatives to the families of women and girls murdered in Guatemala and encouraging the Government of Guatemala to bring an end to these crimes. 5/1/2007--Passed House 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 condolences to the families of women and girls murdered in Guatemala and recognizes the families' courage in seeking justice. Condemns the ongoing abductions and murders of women and girls in Guatemala. Urges the government of Guatemala to recognize domestic violence and sexual harassment as criminal acts and encourages the government of Guatemala to investigate the killings of women, prosecute those responsible, and eliminate the tolerance of violence against women. Supports efforts to identify perpetrators and unknown victims through forensic [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 03/29/2007 - Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Biden with an amendment and with a preamble. Without written report.

Bill Text
A resolution condemning the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist and human rights advocate Hrant Dink and urging the people of Turkey to honor his legacy of tolerance. 3/29/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Condemns the murder of Hrant Dink. Supports the government of Turkey's pledge to conduct an exhaustive investigation into Mr. Dink's assassination and acknowledges the prompt arrest of individuals allegedly responsible for the killing. Urges the government of Turkey to repeal Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code and work to foster a more open intellectual environment. Recognizes the government of Turkey's decision to invite senior Armenian religious and political figures to participate in memorial services for Mr. Dink. Calls on the governments of Turkey and Armenia to reestablish full diplomatic, political, and economic relations. Supports Mr. Dink's wish that Turkey pursue further [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 02/13/2007 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1926-1927 text as passed Senate: CR S1927 text of measure as introduced: CR S1923)

Bill Text
A resolution to authorize testimony, document production, and legal representation in State of Oregon v. Rebecca Michelson, Michele Darr, and Vernon Huffman

2/13/2007--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.)

Authorizes: (1) Kellie Lute and other employees of Senator Gordon Smith's office to testify and produce documents in State of Oregon v. Rebecca Michelson, Michele Darr, and Vernon Huffman, except concerning matters for which a privilege should be asserted; and (2) the Senate Legal Counsel to represent Kellie Lute and such other employees in those cases.

Latest Action: 08/03/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
Condemning the attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in July 1994, and for other purposes. 7/30/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) States that Congress: (1) reiterates its strongest condemnation of the 1994 attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and honors the victims of the attack; (2) expresses its sympathy to the victims' relatives; (3) applauds the government of Argentina for increasing the investigation's pace and for its recently passed anti-terrorism legislation; (4) urges the government of Argentina to continue to provide the judiciary and intelligence resources necessary to fully investigate the AMIA case and bring those responsible to justice; (5) calls upon the General Assembly of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to issue and implement specified capture notices (red notices); and (6) calls upon responsible nations to cooperate fully [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 01/29/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Condemning the assassination of human rights advocate and outspoken defender of freedom of the press, Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink on January 19, 2007.

1/29/2007--Introduced.

Condemns the assassination of Hrant Dink.

Urges the government of Turkey to: (1) continue its investigation and prosecution of those individuals responsible for Hrant Dink's murder; and (2) protect freedom of speech in Turkey by repealing Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code and by opposing intolerance, intimidation, and violence against individuals who are exercising their right of freedom of speech.

Latest Action: 04/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should take action to meet its obligations, and to ensure that all other member states of the United Nations meet their obligations, to women as agreed to in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 relating to women, peace, and security, and the United States should fully assume the implementation of international law relating to human rights that protects the rights of women and girls during and after conflicts, and for other purposes. 2/8/2007--Introduced. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) member states of the United Nations should meet their obligations to women as agreed to in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325, including increased representation of women at all decision-making levels in conflict resolution and peace processes; and (2) the United States should fully implement international law relating to human rights that protects the rights of women and [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 03/27/2007 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3981-3982; text as passed Senate: CR S3982; text of measure as introduced: CR S3846-3847)

Bill Text
A resolution to authorize testimony, document production, and legal representation in United States v. Philip G. Balcombe, Sansi G. Coonan, John S. Dear, Jan Lustig, Michella A. Marusa, Martin J. Ryan, Eleanore M. Vouselas, and Bruno Keller. 3/27/2007--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.) Authorizes: (1) Maggie Murray and any other employees of Senator Domenici's office from whom testimony or the production of documents may be required to testify and produce documents in the case of United States v. Philip G. Balcombe, Sansi G. Coonan, John S. Dear, Jan Lustig, Michella A. Marusa, Martin J. Ryan, Eleanore M. Vouselas, and Bruno Keller, except concerning matters for which a privilege should be asserted; and (2) the Senate Legal Counsel to represent Maggie Murray and other employees of Senator Domenici's [...]

show full description

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/23/2008 - Received in the Senate.

Bill Text
A bill to establish in the Federal Bureau of Investigation the Nationwide Mortgage Fraud Coordinator to address mortgage fraud in the United States, and for other purposes. 9/22/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Nationwide Mortgage Fraud Coordinator Act of 2008 - Requires the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to assign the Chief of its Financial Crimes Section, Criminal Investigative Division, to be the Nationwide Mortgage Fraud Coordinator, who shall oversee all FBI activities related to investigation of mortgage fraud. Directs the Coordinator to: (1) establish regional task forces, consisting of the voluntary participation of federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies, to organize initiatives to address mortgage fraud; (2) train such agencies; (3) collect and disseminate mortgage fraud data; and (4) perform other related functions. Authorizes the Coordinator to: (1) [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 07/29/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7639-7640)

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the Senate has lost confidence in the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Stephen L. Johnson, that the Administrator should resign his position immediately, and that the Department of Justice should open an investigation into the veracity of his congressional testimony regarding the California waiver decision and pursue any prosecutorial action the Department determines to be warranted.

7/29/2008--Introduced.

Declares that the Senate has lost confidence in the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Stephen L. Johnson, and calls for his immediate resignation.

Urges the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the veracity of his congressional testimony regarding the California waiver decision and to pursue any prosecutorial action warranted.

Latest Action: 07/23/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7156)

Bill Text
A bill to establish a Federal Polygamy Task Force, to authorize assistance for victims of polygamy, and for other purposes. 7/23/2008--Introduced. Victims of Polygamy Assistance Act of 2008 - Establishes within the Department of Justice a Federal Polygamy Task Force to strengthen federal law enforcement activities and provide state and local law enforcement officials the assistance they need to address the illegal activity of one or more polygamist organizations. Requires the Federal Polygamy Task Force to: (1) formulate effective responses to the unique set of crimes committed by polygamist organizations; (2) establish partnerships with state and local law enforcement agencies to share relevant information and strengthen state and federal efforts to combat crimes perpetrated by polygamist organizations; (3) assist states by providing strategies and support for the protection of witnesses; (4) track the criminal behavior of polygamist organizations that cross state [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 09/26/2008 - Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

Bill Text
A bill to advance America's priorities. 7/22/2008--Introduced. Advancing America's Priorities Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) establish a system to collect data on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and establish a registry for such data; (2) provide for an education and information campaign to promote stroke prevention; and (3) award grants for a pilot project to improve stroke patient outcomes by coordinating health care delivery through telehealth networks.Establishes programs for research, rehabilitation, and quality of life for people with paralysis.Provides for support services to women suffering from postpartum depression and who receive a positive diagnosis of Down syndrome or other prenatally or postnatally diagnosed conditions. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to states to provide vision care for children. Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to expand services for homeless youth [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 07/16/2008 - Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
Condemning the attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in July 1994, and for other purposes. 7/15/2008--Passed House 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.) Reiterates condemnation of the 1994 attack on the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association (AMIA) Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, honors the victims of the attack, and expresses sympathy to the victims' relatives. Applauds the government of Argentina for increasing the pace of the AMIA bombing investigation. Commends the General Assembly of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) for upholding and issuing the Red Notices. Expresses concern regarding the government of Saudi Arabia's failure to detain certain Iranian officials in connection with the AMIA case. Urges: (1) all nations [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/17/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5821-5822)

Bill Text
A bill to assist law enforcement agencies in locating, arresting, and prosecuting fugitives from justice. 6/17/2008--Introduced. Capture Arrest and Transport Charged Fugitives Act of 2008 - Amends the Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000 to authorize appropriations through FY2015 for establishing new Regional Fugitive Task Forces and for hiring criminal investigators and providing training for such Task Forces. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) provide transportation services to state and local governments for the extradition of fugitives through the U.S. Marshal Service Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation Service; (2) make grants to states for the extradition of fugitives to other states for prosecution; and (3) make grants to states for establishing or upgrading information and identification technologies for serious misdemeanor and felony warrants. Makes state compliance with felony and serious misdemeanor warrant reporting requirements a condition [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 10/03/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management.

Bill Text
To amend the Commodity Exchange Act to prevent price manipulation and excessive speculation and to increase transparency with respect to energy trading on foreign exchanges conducted within the United States. 6/17/2008--Introduced. Close the London Loophole Act of 2008 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to authorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), in the case of a registered entity located within the United States, and subject to CFTC jurisdiction, which trades on a foreign board of trade, exchange, or market located outside the United States, to: (1) enforce criminal prosecution of violations, including manipulation or attempted manipulation, the making of false statements, and willful violations of this Act; (2) require a person to limit, reduce, or liquidate any position to prevent or reduce the threat of price manipulation, excessive speculation, price distortion, or disruption of delivery or the cash settlement process; and (3) apply necessary recordkeeping [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/12/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5627-5628)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to prevent price manipulation and excessive speculation and to increase transparency with respect to energy trading on foreign exchanges conducted within the United States. 6/12/2008--Introduced. Close the London Loophole Act of 2008 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to authorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), in the case of a registered entity located within the United States, and subject to CFTC jurisdiction, which trades on a foreign board of trade, exchange, or market located outside the United States, to: (1) enforce criminal prosecution of violations, including manipulation or attempted manipulation, the making of false statements, and willful violations of this Act; (2) require a person to limit, reduce, or liquidate any position to prevent or reduce the threat of price manipulation, excessive speculation, price distortion, or disruption of delivery or the cash settlement process; and (3) apply necessary [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 07/28/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To hold the surviving Nazi war criminals accountable for the war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity they committed during World War II, by encouraging foreign governments to more efficiently prosecute and extradite wanted criminals. 5/20/2008--Introduced. World War II War Crimes Accountability Act of 2008 - Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the United States should encourage extradition and prosecution of the remaining Nazi war criminals; (2) the Simon Wiesenthal Center should be commended for its historic work in bringing to light the atrocities of the Holocaust and in advancing justice for Nazi war criminals through Operation: Last Chance; and (3) the Office of Special Investigation of the Department of Justice is advancing U.S. foreign policy by bringing wanted World War II criminals to justice and should be commended for its actions. Directs the Attorney General, in evaluating the effect on U.S. law enforcement and security interests for purposes [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/12/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4030)

Bill Text
A bill to hold the surviving Nazi war criminals accountable for the war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity they committed during World War II, by encouraging foreign governments to more efficiently prosecute and extradite wanted criminals. 5/12/2008--Introduced. World War II War Crimes Accountability Act of 2008 - Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the United States should encourage extradition and prosecution of the remaining Nazi war criminals; (2) the Simon Wiesenthal Center should be commended for its historic work in bringing to light the atrocities of the Holocaust and in advancing justice for Nazi war criminals through Operation: Last Chance; and (3) the Office of Special Investigation of the Department of Justice is advancing U.S. foreign policy by bringing wanted World War II criminals to justice and should be commended for its actions. Directs the Attorney General, in evaluating the effect on U.S. law enforcement and security interests [...]

show full description