Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 10/02/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To reauthorize the sound recording and film preservation programs of the Library of Congress, and for other purposes. 6/4/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Library of Congress Sound Recording and Film Preservation Programs Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000 to authorize appropriations through FY2016 for: (1) Library of Congress activities for the maintenance and preservation of sound recordings that are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant; and (2) the National Recording Preservation Foundation to accept and administer private gifts to promote and ensure the preservation and public accessibility of the nation's sound recording heritage held at the Library of Congress and other public and nonprofit archives.Revises the standards for removal by the Librarian of Congress of a member of the Library's National Recording Preservation Board.Allows board members [...]

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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: 02/07/2007 - Mr. Davis (IL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

Bill Text
Recognizing and honoring Benny Parsons and expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives to his family on his death.

2/7/2007--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.)

Recognizes Benny Parsons as one of the greatest race car drivers ever to participate in the sport of auto racing and recognizes his many contributions to the nation.

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 [...]

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Latest Action: 06/19/2007 - Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

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Noting the disturbing pattern of killings of numerous independent journalists in Russia since 2000, and urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to authorize cooperation with outside investigators in solving those murders. 6/18/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Recalls the essential role that transparency and the free flow of information play in creating democratic institutions and civil society. Recognizes the vital contribution made by independent journalists in Russia in bringing transparency and a free flow of information to readers after decades of Communist censorship and repression. Notes the disturbing trend of murders of independent journalists in Russia over the last decade. Encourages the President of the United States to offer Russian President Vladimir Putin and other officials of the Russian government law enforcement investigative assistance to help identify and bring to justice those responsible [...]

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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: 02/27/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Bill Text
Commending Vice President Al Gore on his well-deserved recognition for the Academy Award-winning documentary, "An Inconvenient Truth".

2/27/2007--Introduced.

Congratulates former Vice President Al Gore on the Academy Award for Best Documentary Film given to An Inconvenient Truth. Commends director Davis Guggenheim and producers Lawrence Bender and Laurie David. Recognizes Al Gore's role in making climate change one of the major issues of the 110th Congress.

Expresses the hope that Congress and the President will enact meaningful climate change legislation.

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;[...]

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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 [...]

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

Bill Text
A bill to expedite review by the Supreme Court of the warrantless electronic surveillance program of the National Security Agency.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Foreign Surveillance Expedited Review Act - Provides standing for civil actions for declaratory and injunctive relief to persons who refrain from electronic communications through fear of being subject to warrantless electronic surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 07/30/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7790-7791)

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on the deterioration of respect for privacy and human rights in the People's Republic of China before the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. 7/30/2008--Introduced. Calls upon the government of the People's Republic of China to: (1) rescind the order requiring hotels to allow the Public Security Bureau to install hardware and software on the hotel networks; and (2) refrain from targeting individuals who visit websites related to politics or human rights or who express opinions related to politics or human rights in electronic communication.Expresses concern over the deterioration of respect for human rights in China leading up to the Beijing Olympics and for the safety and privacy of international visitors and journalists traveling to China for the Olympics.Notes that the behavior of the Chinese government violates several international conventions to which China is a signatory, violates its commitments to the International [...]

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Latest Action: 07/23/2008 - Became Public Law No: 110-282.

Bill Text
A bill to designate a portion of United States Route 20A, located in Orchard Park, New York, as the "Timothy J. Russert Highway".

7/15/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Designates the portion of U.S. Route 20A located in Orchard Park, New York, between Abbot Road and California Road, as the "Timothy J. Russert Highway."

Latest Action: 06/20/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Bill Text
To designate a portion of United States Route 20A, located in Orchard Park, New York, as the "Timothy J. Russert Highway".

6/19/2008--Introduced.

Designates the portion of U.S. Route 20A located in Orchard Park, New York, between Abbot Road and California Road, as the "Timothy J. Russert Highway."

Latest Action: 10/02/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To reauthorize the sound recording and film preservation programs of the Library of Congress, and for other purposes. 6/4/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Library of Congress Sound Recording and Film Preservation Programs Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000 to authorize appropriations through FY2016 for: (1) Library of Congress activities for the maintenance and preservation of sound recordings that are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant; and (2) the National Recording Preservation Foundation to accept and administer private gifts to promote and ensure the preservation and public accessibility of the nation's sound recording heritage held at the Library of Congress and other public and nonprofit archives.Revises the standards for removal by the Librarian of Congress of a member of the Library's National Recording Preservation Board.Allows board members [...]

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Latest Action: 04/29/2008 - Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3549-3550; text as passed Senate: CR S3549-3550)

Bill Text
A resolution commemorating the life and work of Dith Pran.

4/29/2008--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.)

Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) Dith Pran is a modern day hero and an exemplar of what it means to be a citizen of the United States and a citizen of the world; (2) the United States owes a debt of gratitude to Dith Pran for his tireless work to prevent genocide and violations of fundamental human rights; and (3) teachers throughout the United States should spread Dith Pran's message by educating their students about his life, the genocide in Cambodia, and the collective responsibility of all people to prevent modern-day atrocities and human rights abuses.

Latest Action: 05/06/2008 - Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3088-3089)

Bill Text
Honoring the memory of Dith Pran by remembering his life's work and continuing to acknowledge and remember the victims of genocides that have taken place around the globe.

5/6/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Honors the life and legacy of Dith Pran: (1) for his commitment to raising awareness about the atrocities that took place under the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia; and (2) by remembering his life's work and continuing to acknowledge and remember the victims of genocides that have taken place around the world.

Latest Action: 04/09/2008 - Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent Vote.

Bill Text
A resolution condemning the violence in Tibet and calling for restraint by the Government of the People's Republic of China and the people of Tibet. 4/9/2008--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.) Condemns the violence in Tibet and calls for restraint by the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the people of Tibet. Calls for: (1) a dialogue between the government of China and His Holiness the Dalai Lama on religious and cultural autonomy for Tibet within China; and (2) release of peaceful protesters. Calls on the PRC to: (1) respect the right of the people of Tibet to speak of the Dalai Lama and possess his photograph; (2) respect basic human rights; (3) allow international journalists free access to China; and (4) provide a full accounting of the March [...]

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Latest Action: 03/12/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Condemning the dismissal of the Supreme Court in Pakistan and calling for their reinstatement by the Government of Pakistan.

3/12/2008--Introduced.

Commends members of the legal profession in Pakistan as well as opposition politicians, human rights activists, and independent journalists for their opposition to Chief Justice Chaudhry's removal, their leadership in defending the Constitution of Pakistan, and promoting the rule of law.

Calls on the government of Pakistan to restore to their offices Chief Justice Chaudhry and all Supreme Court and high court justices and other members of the legal profession.

Latest Action: 03/10/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

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Honoring Mr. Myron Cope for his 35 years of service to southwest Pennsylvania and as the voice of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

3/10/2008--Introduced.

Honors Myron Cope for his 35 years of service as the voice of the Pittsburgh Steelers and recognizes his significant contributions to help those suffering from autism and his positive impact on the Pittsburgh community.

Latest Action: 04/23/2008 - Mr. Davis (IL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

Bill Text
Expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives on the death of William F. Buckley, Jr.

4/23/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Honors the life of William F. Buckley, Jr., for his lifetime commitment to journalism, his devotion to the free exchange of ideas, and his gentlemanly and well-respected contributions to political discourse.

Mourns the loss of William F. Buckley, Jr., and expresses the condolences of the House of Representatives to his family, his friends, and his colleagues.