Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 02/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Europe.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of Congress that the people of the United States should grieve for the loss of life that defined the Third Reich and celebrate the continued education efforts for tolerance and justice, reaffirming the commitment of the United States to the fight against intolerance and prejudice in any form, and honoring the legacy of transparent procedure, government accountability, the rule of law, the pursuit of justice, and the struggle for universal freedom and human rights. 1/5/2007--Introduced. Expresses the sense of Congress that the people of the United States should grieve for the loss of life that defined the Third Reich and celebrate the continued education efforts for tolerance and justice. States that: (1) the United States reaffirms its commitment to the fight against intolerance and prejudice; (2) Congress urges all members of the international community to honor those individuals of all races, creeds, and colors who were killed by the Nazis; and [...]

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Latest Action: 03/26/2007 - Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3779)

Bill Text
Permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust.

3/26/2007--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.)

Authorizes the use of the Capitol rotunda on April 19, 2007, for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust.

Latest Action: 02/27/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

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Expressing the sense of Congress that the global use of child soldiers is unacceptable and that the international community should find remedies end this practice.

2/27/2007--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the global use of child soldiers is unacceptable and that the international community should find remedies to end this practice.

Latest Action: 01/17/2007 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S707-708 text as passed Senate: CR S707-708 text of measure as introduced: CR S703)

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A resolution expressing support for democratic forces in Serbia and encouraging the people of Serbia to remain committed to a democratic path. 1/17/2007--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.) Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the United States should be committed to a strong relationship with a democratic Serbia as Serbia moves toward its goals of membership in the European Union (EU) and cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO); (2) the inclusion of Serbia in the NATO Partnership for Peace Program was a critical step in bringing Serbia closer to the Euro-Atlantic Alliance; (3) Serbia will now have the opportunity to enact defense reforms and apply for a Membership Action Plan for NATO; (4) Serbia should continue its reform progress; (5) Serbia should move quickly to fulfill its [...]

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Latest Action: 04/25/2007 - DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 125.

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Expressing deep concern over the use of civilians as "human shields" in violation of international humanitarian law, including Hezbollah's tactic of embedding its forces among civilians to use them as human shields during the summer of 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and the State of Israel.

4/25/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Condemns the use of innocent civilians as human shields, including Hezbollah's recent use of this brutal and illegal tactic during the 2006 summer conflict with Israel.

Calls on: (1) responsible nations to condemn the use of civilians as human shields as a violation of international humanitarian law; and (2) responsible nations and experts in the area of international humanitarian law to focus particular attention on the use of human shields in violation of international humanitarian law and make recommendations for its prevention.

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

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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: 07/30/2007 - DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 121.

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Government of Japan should formally acknowledge, apologize, and accept historical responsibility in a clear and unequivocal manner for its Imperial Armed Forces' coercion of young women into sexual slavery, known to the world as "comfort women", during its colonial and wartime occupation of Asia and the Pacific Islands from the 1930s through the duration of World War II. 7/30/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the government of Japan should: (1) formally acknowledge, apologize, and accept historical responsibility for its Imperial Armed Force's coercion of young women into sexual slavery (comfort women) during its colonial and wartime occupation of Asia and the Pacific Islands from the 1930s through the duration of World War II; (2) have this official and public apology presented by the Prime Minister [...]

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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: 02/06/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

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A bill to promote stabilization and reconstruction efforts in Somalia, to establish a Special Envoy for Somalia to strengthen United States support to the people of Somalia in their efforts to establish a lasting peace and form a democratically elected and stable central government, and for other purposes. 2/6/2007--Introduced. Somalia Stabilization and Reconstruction Act of 2007 - States that it is U.S. policy to support efforts by the people of Somalia to achieve peace, economic growth, and democracy, and to eradicate extremism and terrorism from their country and region. Directs the President to: (1) appoint a Special Envoy for Somalia to coordinate U.S. involvement in the region and to ensure that the U.S. government remains informed of and engaged in efforts to resolve the instability in Somalia; and (2) instruct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to work with the appropriate U.N. agencies, regional organizations, nongovernmental organizations,[...]

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

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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 [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/10/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to ensure that the courts of the United States may provide an impartial forum for claims brought by United States citizens and others against any railroad organized as a separate legal entity, arising from the deportation of United States citizens and others to Nazi concentration camps on trains owned or operated by such railroad, and by heirs and survivors of such persons. 9/10/2008--Introduced. Grants U.S. district courts original jurisdiction over any civil action for damages for personal injury or death that: (1) arose from the deportation of persons to Nazi concentration camps between January 1, 1942, and December 31, 1944; and (2) is brought by or on behalf of such person against a railroad that owned or operated the trains on which the persons were deported and that was organized as a separate legal entity.Provides that: (1) no law limiting the jurisdiction of the U.S. courts shall preclude any such action; and (2) no such action shall be barred because [...]

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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.

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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--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.) 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;[...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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Latest Action: 03/12/2008 - Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Bill Text
Permitting the use of the Rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust.

3/11/2008--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.)

Authorizes the use of the Capitol rotunda on May 1, 2008, for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust.

Latest Action: 09/16/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Bill Text
A bill to terminate the authority of the President to waive, with regard to Iraq, certain provisions under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 unless certain conditions are met. 9/15/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Justice for Victims of Torture and Terrorism Act - Terminates the authority of the President to grant the government of Iraq immunity from actions by victims of terrorism seeking compensation for injuries caused by officials, employees, or agents of the government of Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War when such government was classified as a state sponsor of terrorism, unless the President certifies to Congress that Iraq has adequately settled specified claims of U.S. soldiers and civilians held in Iraq as POWs and hostages and subject to state-sponsored torture and terrorism. Provides an exception to the termination of such authority if the President certifies that: (1) Iraq has not compensated [...]

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Latest Action: 11/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Bill Text
To restore the Constitution's checks and balances and protections against government abuses as envisioned by the Founding Fathers. 10/15/2007--Introduced. American Freedom Agenda Act of 2007 - Repeals the Military Commissions Act of 2006. Authorizes the President to establish military commissions for the trial of war crimes only in places of active hostilities against the United States where an immediate trial is necessary to preserve fresh evidence or to prevent local anarchy. Prohibits the President from detaining any individual indefinitely as an unlawful enemy combatant absent proof by substantial evidence that the individual has directly engaged in active hostilities against the United States. Prohibits the detention of any U.S. citizen as an unlawful enemy combatant. Entitles any individual detained as an enemy combatant by the United States to petition for a writ of habeas corpus. Prohibits any civilian or military tribunal of the United [...]

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Latest Action: 10/29/2007 - DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 726.

Bill Text
Calling on the President of the United States and the international community to take immediate steps to respond to and prevent acts of rape and sexual violence against women and girls in Darfur, Sudan, eastern Chad and the Central African Republic. 10/29/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Calls upon the President to develop within the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) a Women and Girls of Darfur Initiative to improve assistance to victims and potential victims of rape and sexual violence in Darfur, Sudan, eastern Chad, and the Central African Republic. Calls upon the Secretary General of the United Nations, the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), the Arab League, and other nations to take steps to ensure that a fully funded and fully equipped U.N.-AU peacekeeping force (UNAMID) is deployed to Darfur, including [...]

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Latest Action: 01/14/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.

Bill Text
To ensure that the courts of the United States may provide an impartial forum for claims brought by United States citizens and others against any railroad organized as a separate legal entity, arising from the deportation of United States citizens and others to Nazi concentration camps on trains owned or operated by such railroad, and by the heirs and survivors of such persons. 10/1/2007--Introduced. Grants U.S. district courts original jurisdiction over any civil action for damages for personal injury or death that: (1) arose from the deportation of persons to Nazi concentration camps between January 1, 1942, and December 31, 1944; and (2) is brought by or on behalf of such person against a railroad that owned or operated the trains on which the persons were deported and that was organized as a separate legal entity.Provides that: (1) no law limiting the jurisdiction of the U.S. courts shall preclude any such action; and (2) no such action shall be barred because a [...]

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Latest Action: 09/25/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the continuing effects of the genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

9/25/2007--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives: (1) regarding the continuing effects of the genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina; and (2) that Bosnia and Herzegovina should begin the process of adopting a new constitution that is based on democracy and civic representation and that fully eliminates ethno-territorial arrangements.