Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 04/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.

Bill Text
Calling on the Government of Venezuela to uphold the human rights and civil liberties of the people of Venezuela. 1/31/2007--Introduced. Expresses support for the people of Venezuela in their daily struggle for freedom, democratic self-governance, and the establishment of the rule of law. Calls on the government of Venezuela to: (1) abide by its obligations under international human rights treaties and international humanitarian law to ensure the rights of all individuals, irrespective of their political views; and (2) end killings, torture, and ill treatment by the police and military. Encourages: (1) the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR) to monitor the human rights situation in Venezuela; and (2) the President and the Secretary of State to assist democracy and human rights activists and the nonviolent democratic opposition in Venezuela. Expresses support for the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) for his [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/18/2007 - Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
Condemning the recent violent actions of the Government of Zimbabwe against peaceful opposition party activists and members of civil society. 4/17/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the state-sponsored violence taking place in Zimbabwe represents a serious violation of fundamental human rights and the rule of law and should be condemned by all responsible governments, civic organizations, religious leaders, and international bodies; and (2) the government of Zimbabwe has not lived up to its commitments as a signatory to the Constitutive Act of the African Union and African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights. Condemns: (1) the government of Zimbabwe's violent suppression of political and human rights; (2) government harassment and intimidation of lawyers attempting to carry out their professional obligations to their clients and repeated failure by police to comply with court decisions;[...]

show full description
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: 06/28/2007 - Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Biden with an amendment and with an amended preamble. Without written report.

Bill Text
Calling on the League of Arab States and each Member State individually to acknowledge the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan and to step up their efforts to stop the genocide in Darfur.

6/28/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries)

Urges the League of Arab States and each member State to: (1) declare the systematic torture, rape, and displacement of Darfurians a genocide; and (2) pass a resolution to support and accept a United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force, as agreed to by all parties to the Abuja Communique on November 30, 2006, enforce the ceasefire, protect civilians, and ensure access to humanitarian assistance in Darfur.

Urges the League of Arab States work with the United Nations, the African Union, and the United States Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan, Andrew Natsios, to bring about peace and stability to Darfur, the refugee camps, and along the Chadian border.

Latest Action: 06/26/2007 - Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8519-8520; text as passed Senate: CR S8519-8520)

Bill Text
A concurrent resolution condemning the recent violent actions of the Government of Zimbabwe against peaceful opposition party activists and members of civil society. 6/26/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the state-sponsored violence taking place in Zimbabwe represents a serious violation of fundamental human rights and the rule of law and should be condemned by all responsible governments, civic organizations, religious leaders, and international bodies; and (2) the government of Zimbabwe has not lived up to its commitments as a signatory to the Constitutive Act of the African Union and African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights. Condemns: (1) the government of Zimbabwe's violent suppression of political and human rights; (2) the harassment and [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/18/2007 - Returned to the Calendar. Calendar No. 20.

Bill Text
An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2007 for the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Intelligence Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes. 1/24/2007--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.) Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 - Title I: Intelligence Activities - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for FY2007 for the conduct of intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the: (1) Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI); (2) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); (3) Department of Defense (DOD); (4) Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA); (5) National Security Agency (NSA); (6) Departments of [...]

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

Bill Text
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: 09/17/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11563)

Bill Text
A bill to provide for the effective prosecution of terrorists and guarantee due process rights. 2/13/2007--Introduced. Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007 - Amends federal provisions concerning the prosecution of unlawful enemy combatants by U.S. military commissions to, among other things: (1) repeal the authority for civilian trial (prosecution) counsel in a commission proceeding, but authorize civilian military defense counsel; (2) exclude statements made by coercion; (3) authorize the Secretary of Defense to make exceptions to commission procedures and rules of evidence as required by unique circumstances of military or intelligence operations during hostilities; (4) provide for self-representation by the accused, while requiring assistance by military defense counsel; (5) authorize the military judge to order trial counsel to disclose to defense counsel the sources, methods, or activities in which witnesses or evidence against the accused was obtained; (6) require [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 03/12/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 to authorize assistance for domestic and foreign programs and centers for the treatment of victims of torture, and for other purposes. 3/12/2007--Introduced. Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Amends the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 to authorize appropriations for FY2008-FY2009 to: (1) the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide grants to programs in the United States to cover the costs of services provided by domestic treatment centers in the rehabilitation of victims of torture (including treatment of the physical and psychological effects of torture), social and legal services, and research and training of health care providers outside of treatment centers or programs to enable them to provide such services; (2) the President for grants to treatment centers and programs in foreign countries that carry out projects and activities specifically designed to treat victims of torture [...]

show full description
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 [...]

show full description

Latest Legislation - View All

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 - 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 [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 09/26/2008 - Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to impose criminal penalties on individuals who assist aliens who have engaged in genocide, torture, or extrajudicial killings to enter the United States.

6/19/2008--Introduced.

Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to impose criminal penalties on an individual who assists an alien to enter the United States who has engaged in Nazi persecution or participated in genocide, torture, or extrajudicial killings.

Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Secure and Safe Detention and Asylum Act)

Bill Text
A bill to provide safeguards against faulty asylum procedures, to improve conditions of detention for detainees, and for other purposes. 6/11/2008--Introduced. Secure and Safe Detention and Asylum Act - Sets forth provisions regarding procedures and standards applicable to aliens detained in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody and the conditions of such custody, which shall address: (1) fair and humane treatment; (2) solitary confinement limitations; (3) investigation of grievances; (4) access to telephones and legal assistance; (5) detainee transfers; (6) translation capabilities; (7) medical care; (8) vulnerable populations; (9) standards for non-criminal detainees; (10) personnel training; and (11) reporting of detainee deaths.Establishes in DHS: (1) an Office of Detention Oversight; and (2) a detention alternatives program under which detainees may be released under enhanced supervision.Provides for: (1) legal orientation for immigration and asylum [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/19/2008 - Considered as unfinished business.

Bill Text
Condemning postelection violence in Zimbabwe and calling for a peaceful resolution to the current political crisis. 6/19/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Condemns the campaign of violence and harassment in Zimbabwe conducted by the ruling party and its supporters in the police and military against members of the opposition and other civilians. Calls on the government of Zimbabwe to create an environment conducive to a peaceful transition of power. Encourages the political parties to commit to forming a government that reflects the will of the Zimbabwean people and promotes national unity. Urges the international community, under the leadership of the United Nations, the African Union (AU), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), to deploy monitors to ensure that the presidential runoff election reflects the will of the Zimbabwean people. Commends: (1) the people of Zimbabwe for their [...]

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
Latest Action: 05/13/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, 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 conc

Bill Text
Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. 5/13/2008--Introduced. Clean Global War on Terror Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes emergency supplemental FY2008 appropriations for specified activities related to the war on terror, international affairs, and national defense matters to the Departments of Agriculture (including food relief to certain foreign countries), of Justice, of Defense (military, including funds for Afghan and Iraqi security forces), of Defense (military construction), and of State (including international peacekeeping activities). Rescinds certain funds made available in: (1) the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 for the Defense Health Program; and (2) the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 for the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund. Makes additional supplemental appropriations [...]

show full description