Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 10/03/2008 - Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 110-910.

Bill Text
To ensure that implementation of proposed regulations under subchapter IV of chapter 53 of title 31, United States Code, does not cause harm to the payments system, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S134)

Bill Text
A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Army to acquire land for the purposes of expanding Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, and for other purposes.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to acquire land near Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site for the purpose of expanding the Site.

Prohibits any acquisition that would require the exercise of eminent domain by a federal or state entity.

Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S105-106)

Bill Text
A bill to foster the development of minority-owned small businesses. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Minority Entrepreneurship Development Act of 2007 - Amends the Small Business Act to establish within the Small Business Administration (SBA) an Office of Minority Small Business Development to, among other things, formulate, execute, and promote SBA policies and programs that provide assistance to small businesses owned and controlled by minorities. Authorizes the SBA Administrator to make grants to eligible educational institutions: (1) to assist in establishing an entrepreneurship curriculum for undergraduate or graduate studies; and (2) for the placement of a small business development center on the campus of the institution. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to eligible associations and organizations to: (1) assist in establishing the technical capacity to provide online or distance learning for businesses seeking to contract with the federal government; [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S91-92)

Bill Text
A bill to provide increased rail transportation security. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Rail Security Act of 2007 - Directs the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to conduct a vulnerability assessment of freight and passenger rail transportation, and develop specific prioritized recommendations for improving rail security. Directs the Assistant Secretary to conduct a study on requiring security screening for passengers, baggage, and cargo on passenger trains. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to Amtrak for fire and life-safety improvements and infrastructure upgrades to tunnels on the Northeast Corridor. Directs Amtrak to submit to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) a plan to address the needs of families of passengers involved in rail passenger accidents. Authorizes the Assistant Secretary to award grants to Amtrak for certain system-wide Amtrak, freight,[...]

show full description
Latest Action: 01/09/2007 - Star Print ordered on the bill.

Bill Text
A bill to require the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation to use dynamic economic modeling in addition to static economic modeling in the preparation of budgetary estimates of proposed changes in Federal revenue law. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Expresses the sense of Congress that it is necessary to ensure that Congress is presented with reliable information from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Joint Committee on Taxation as to the dynamic macroeconomic feedback effects to changes in federal law and the probable behavioral responses of taxpayers, businesses, and other parties to such changes. Requires the Joint Committee and CBO, using among other methods dynamic estimating techniques, to prepare fiscal estimates of each proposed change in federal revenue law on the basis of assumptions that estimate the probable behavioral responses of personal and business taxpayers and other relevant entities to such change and its dynamic macroeconomic [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 03/01/2007 - By Senator Inouye from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 110-29.

Bill Text
A bill to provide improved rail and surface transportation security. 2/15/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Surface Transportation and Rail Security Act of 2007 - Title I: Improved Rail Security - (Sec. 101) Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and other appropriate agencies, to establish a task force to complete a risk assessment of freight and passenger rail transportation. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, based on the assessment, to develop specific prioritized recommendations for improving rail security. Requires the development of plans for: (1) the federal government to provide adequate security support for freight and intercity passenger railroads at high threat levels of alert; (2) coordinating existing and planned rail security initiatives undertaken [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 03/29/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on the Budget.

Bill Text
Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2008 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2009 through 2012. 3/29/2007--Introduced. Sets forth the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2008, including the appropriate budgetary levels for FY2009-FY2012. Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts, for FY2008-FY2012, with respect to: (1) federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits (on-budget); (5) debt subject to limit; and (6) debt held by the public. Lists the appropriate levels of new budget authority and outlays for specified major functional categories for FY2008-FY2012. Sets forth reconciliation instructions for the Committees on: (1) Agriculture; (2) Armed Services; (3) Education and Labor: (4) Energy and Commerce; (5) Financial Services; (6) Foreign Affairs; (7) the Judiciary; (8) Natural Resources; (9) Transportation and Infrastructure;[...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/13/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7625-7626)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, and for other purposes. 1/16/2007--Introduced. Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to set forth provisions concerning global warming pollution emissions. Directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) set milestones to reduce the aggregate net levels of emissions (authorizes EPA to establish market-based programs to achieve such reduction); (2) require each fleet of automobiles sold by a manufacturer beginning in model year 2016 to meet emission standards; (3) contract with the National Academy of Sciences to study the potential contribution of the non-highway portion of the transportation sector towards meeting the emission reduction goal; (4) require that electric generation units meet an emission standard that is not higher than the emission rate of a new combined cycle natural gas generating unit; and (5) establish a low-carbon generation trading program. [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/25/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Encouraging increased cooperation between the United States and the European Union to strengthen the transatlantic market.

4/25/2007--Introduced.

Supports the United States and the European Union (EU) in their commitment to launching discussions at the April 2007 United States-European Union summit on improving regulatory cooperation.

Calls on U.S. and European regulatory agencies to reduce regulatory barriers across the Atlantic.

Urges the United States and the EU to conduct a study of existing obstacles to creating a transatlantic market.

Encourages the U.S. and EU business and labor communities to work with the U.S. Congress and the European Parliament, as well as European national parliaments, to reduce regulatory barriers and strengthen the transatlantic economic partnership.

Latest Action: 09/25/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12067)

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the degradation of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea and welcoming cooperation between the peoples of Israel, Jordan, and Palestine.

9/25/2007--Introduced.

Calls the world's attention to the serious degradation of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea.

Applauds the cooperative manner with which the governments of Israel and Jordan, as well as the Palestinian Authority (PA) have worked to address the declining water level and quality of the Dead Sea and other water-related challenges in the region.

Expresses hopes that the spirit of cooperation manifested in the search for a solution to the Dead Sea water crisis might serve as a model for addressing the degradation of the Jordan River, as well as a model of peace and cooperation for the upcoming meetings in Washington between Israel and the PA.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 10/03/2008 - Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 110-910.

Bill Text
To ensure that implementation of proposed regulations under subchapter IV of chapter 53 of title 31, United States Code, does not cause harm to the payments system, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 07/08/2008 - Returned to the Calendar. Calendar No. 742.

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases, and for other purposes. 5/20/2008--Introduced. Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish: (1) a federal greenhouse gas (GHG) registry, for which certain facilities must report information regarding fossil fuels and GHGs produced and consumed; and (2) specified quantities of GHG emission allowances, which decline for each of 2012 to 2050. Requires the Administrator to establish a GHG emission allowance transfer system for the following: (1) facilities that use more than 5,000 tons of coal in a year; (2) facilities in the natural gas sector; (3) facilities that produce or entities that import petroleum- or coal-based fuel the combustion of which will emit group I GHGs; (4) facilities that produce or entities that import, in any year, more than [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/07/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3899-3900)

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a National Neurotechnology Initiative, and for other purposes. 5/7/2008--Introduced. National Neurotechnology Initiative Act - Defines "neurotechnology" to mean the science and technology that allows an individual to analyze, understand, treat, and heal the brain and nervous system.Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a National Neurotechnology Initiative, under which the Secretary shall: (1) establish goals, priorities, and metrics for evaluation for federal neurotechnology research, development, and commercialization; (2) increase the investment in federal research, development, and translational programs in neurotechnology to achieve such goals; and (3) increase interagency coordination.Requires the Secretary to establish the National Neurotechnology Coordination Office and the National Neurotechnology Advisory Council.Requires the Director [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a National Neurotechnology Initiative, and for other purposes. 5/7/2008--Introduced. National Neurotechnology Initiative Act - Defines "neurotechnology" to mean the science and technology that allows an individual to analyze, understand, treat, and heal the brain and nervous system.Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a National Neurotechnology Initiative, under which the Secretary shall: (1) establish goals, priorities, and metrics for evaluation for federal neurotechnology research, development, and commercialization; (2) increase the investment in federal research, development, and translational programs in neurotechnology to achieve such goals; and (3) increase interagency coordination.Requires the Secretary to establish the National Neurotechnology Coordination Office and the National Neurotechnology Advisory Council.Requires the Director of the [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 03/17/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

Bill Text
To provide for competitive development and operation of high-speed rail corridor projects.

3/14/2008--Introduced.

Directs the Secretary of Transportation to solicit proposals for projects for the financing, design, construction, and operation of an initial high-speed rail system between Washington, DC, and New York City, New York (Northeast Corridor).

Requires the Secretary to: (1) determine whether a proposal is feasible; and (2) establish a commission for each corridor for which one or more feasible proposals are submitted.

Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the results of an economic development study of Amtrak's Northeast Corridor service.

Latest Action: 03/11/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Bill Text
To condition further increases in the minimum wage applicable to American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands on a determination by the Secretary of Labor that such increases will not have an adverse impact on the economies of American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 1/29/2008--Introduced. Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 to condition further increases in the federal minimum wage applicable to the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa on a determination by the Secretary of Labor that such increases will not have an adverse impact on any further increases on living standards and rates of employment in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. Requires the Secretary to make the determinations each year 60 days before the scheduled increase in such minimum wage and to publish it in the Federal [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 12/13/2007 - Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Bill Text
To amend chapter 6 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Regulatory Flexibility Act), to ensure complete analysis of potential impacts on small entities of rules, and for other purposes. 12/12/2007--Introduced. Small Business Regulatory Improvement Act - Revises the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Defines the "economic impact" of a rule to include any direct or indirect economic effects on small entities. Requires initial regulatory flexibility analyses of a proposed rule to contain a detailed statement describing the type of small entities to which the proposed rule will apply.Revises provisions requiring the publication by each agency of a plan for the periodic review of its rules that have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities to determine whether they should be continued, changed, or rescinded, including to: (1) limit to two years the amount of time the period for reviewing an agency's regulations may be extended;[...]

show full description
Latest Action: 12/06/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
A bill to require the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary Commerce to submit reports to Congress on the commercial and passenger vehicle traffic at certain points of entry, and for other purposes.

12/6/2007--Introduced.

Border Wait Times Study Act - Directs: (1) the Secretary of Transportation to study, and report the results to Congress on, the traffic patterns of commercial and passenger vehicles that enter and exit U.S. international land ports along the northern and southern borders; and (2) the Secretary of Commerce to study, and report the results to Congress on, the negative economic impact, if any, on U.S. wait times at such ports.

Latest Action: 12/07/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Bill Text
To require the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress reports on the commercial and passenger vehicle traffic at certain points of entry, and for other purposes.

12/6/2007--Introduced.

Border Wait Times Study Act - Directs: (1) the Secretary of Transportation to study, and report the results to Congress on, the traffic patterns of commercial and passenger vehicles that enter and exit U.S. international land ports along the northern and southern borders; and (2) the Secretary of Commerce to study, and report the results to Congress on, the negative economic impact, if any, on U.S. wait times at such ports.

Latest Action: 11/16/2007 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S14658-14659; text as passed Senate: CR S14659; text of measure as introduced: CR S14643-14644)

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the degradation of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea and welcoming cooperation between the peoples of Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority. 11/16/2007--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.) Calls the world's attention to the serious degradation of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea. Applauds the cooperative manner with which the governments of Israel and Jordan, as well as the Palestinian Authority (PA) have worked to address the declining water level and quality of the Dead Sea and other water-related challenges in the region. Supports efforts to assess the environmental, social, health, and economic impacts, costs, and feasibility of a Red Sea-Dead Sea pipeline in comparison to alternative proposals. [...]

show full description