Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/18/2008 - Vetoed by President. (text of veto message: CR H5535)

Bill Text
To provide for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes. 5/22/2008--Introduced. Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 - Provides for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through FY2012.Revises agricultural and related programs, including provisions respecting: (1) commodity programs; (2) conservation; (3) trade; (4) nutrition; (5) credit; (6) rural development; (7) research and related matters; (8) forestry; (9) energy; (10) horticulture and organic agriculture; (11) livestock; (12) crop insurance and disaster assistance; (13) socially disadvantaged and limited resource producers; and (14) miscellaneous programs.Directs the President to establish and maintain an importer declaration program with respect to the importation of softwood lumber and softwood lumber products.Establishes the Bill Emerson National Hunger [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
To authorize law enforcement and security assistance, and assistance to enhance the rule of law and strengthen civilian institutions, for Mexico and the countries of Central America, and for other purposes. 6/10/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act of 2008 - Title I: Assistance for Mexico - Subtitle A: Law Enforcement and Security Assistance - (Sec. 112) Authorizes the President to provide assistance for Mexico for: (1) counternarcotics and countertrafficking; (2) port, airport, and related security to assist in controlling the Mexico-U.S. and Mexico-Central America borders; (3) intelligence gathering operational technology; and (4) public security and law enforcement, including assistance to the National Council Against Addiction (CONADIC). (Sec. 114) Prohibits providing assistance to any armed forces of Mexico or law enforcement [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 07/24/2008 - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1362, Mr. Berman took from the Speaker's table H.R. 5501 with the Senate amendment thereto, and was recoginzed for a motion.

Bill Text
To authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to provide assistance to foreign countries to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, and for other purposes. 4/2/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Title I: Policy Planning and Coordination - (Sec. 101) Amends the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 (Act) to revise provisions concerning the comprehensive, five-year, global strategy to combat global HIV/AIDS. Directs the Coordinator of United States Government Activities to Combat HIV/AIDS Globally (Coordinator) to develop a five-year strategic plan for program monitoring, operations research, and impact evaluation research of U.S. HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria programs, including mother-to-child HIV transmission. [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 02/05/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1579-1580)

Bill Text
A resolution expressing support for the Transitional Federal Government of the Somali Republic.

2/5/2007--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of the Senate: (1) supporting the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of the Somali Republic; (2) recognizing Ethiopia, particularly Prime Minister Meles, and Kenya for their efforts toward pursuing peace in Somalia and support for the United States in the War on Terror; (3) that the United States should support multi-party talks to establish a national unity government in Somalia; (4) that U.S. assistance will better equip the TFG to face the challenges of restoring peace; (5) that the United States should promote foreign investment in Somalia; and (6) that the United States should aid the TFG to locate and free Somali-owned financial assets throughout the world, solicit support from other friendly countries, and encourage nongovernmental organizations to commit more resources to Somalia.

Latest Action: 02/12/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1868)

Bill Text
A resolution expressing support for the Transitional Federal Government of the Somali Republic.

2/12/2007--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of the Senate: (1) supporting the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of the Somali Republic; (2) recognizing Ethiopia, particularly Prime Minister Meles, and Kenya for their efforts toward pursuing peace in Somalia and support for the United States in the War on Terror; (3) that the United States should support multi-party talks to establish a national unity government in Somalia; (4) that U.S. assistance will better equip the TFG to face the challenges of restoring peace; (5) that the United States should promote foreign investment in Somalia; and (6) that the United States should aid the TFG to locate and free Somali-owned financial assets throughout the world, solicit support from other friendly countries, and encourage nongovernmental organizations to commit more resources to Somalia.

Latest Action: 01/09/2007 - Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent.

Bill Text
A bill to improve authorities to address urgent nonproliferation crises and United States nonproliferation operations.

1/8/2007--Introduced.

Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Act of 2007 - Amends the Soviet Nuclear Threat Reduction Act of 1991, the Cooperative Threat Reduction Act of 1993, and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 to repeal specified restrictions on the use of Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) program funds and activities.

Amends the Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support Act of 1992 to make specified funding requirements respecting independent countries of the former Soviet Union inapplicable to CTR programs.

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

Bill Text
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 [...]

show full description
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: 01/30/2007 - DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 24.

Bill Text
Establishing the House Democracy Assistance Commission for the One Hundred Tenth Congress. 1/30/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Establishes in the House of Representatives a House Democracy Assistance Commission to work with the parliaments of selected countries that have established or are developing democratic parliaments in order to: (1) enable House members, officers, staff, and congressional support agencies to provide advice and consultation to members and staff of the legislatures of partner countries; (2) enable members and staff of legislatures of partner countries to study the operations of the House and its support agencies; and (3) provide recommendations to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) regarding the provision of needed material assistance to such parliaments to improve the efficiency and transparency of their work. Requires the Commission to report annually to the Speaker [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/12/2007 - Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Biden without amendment. With written report No. 110-54.

Bill Text
A bill to increase cooperation on energy issues between the United States Government and foreign governments and entities in order to secure the strategic and economic interests of the United States, and for other purposes. 4/12/2007--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.) Energy Diplomacy and Security Act of 2007 - Defines "major energy producer" and "major energy consumer." Expresses the sense of Congress respecting energy diplomacy and security. States that the Secretary of State should seek immediately to establish: (1) strategic energy partnerships with the governments of major energy producers and major energy consumers, and with governments of other countries; (2) petroleum crisis response mechanisms with the governments of China and India; [...]

show full description

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/18/2008 - Vetoed by President. (text of veto message: CR H5535)

Bill Text
To provide for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes. 5/22/2008--Introduced. Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 - Provides for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through FY2012.Revises agricultural and related programs, including provisions respecting: (1) commodity programs; (2) conservation; (3) trade; (4) nutrition; (5) credit; (6) rural development; (7) research and related matters; (8) forestry; (9) energy; (10) horticulture and organic agriculture; (11) livestock; (12) crop insurance and disaster assistance; (13) socially disadvantaged and limited resource producers; and (14) miscellaneous programs.Directs the President to establish and maintain an importer declaration program with respect to the importation of softwood lumber and softwood lumber products.Establishes the Bill Emerson National Hunger [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
To authorize law enforcement and security assistance, and assistance to enhance the rule of law and strengthen civilian institutions, for Mexico and the countries of Central America, and for other purposes. 6/10/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act of 2008 - Title I: Assistance for Mexico - Subtitle A: Law Enforcement and Security Assistance - (Sec. 112) Authorizes the President to provide assistance for Mexico for: (1) counternarcotics and countertrafficking; (2) port, airport, and related security to assist in controlling the Mexico-U.S. and Mexico-Central America borders; (3) intelligence gathering operational technology; and (4) public security and law enforcement, including assistance to the National Council Against Addiction (CONADIC). (Sec. 114) Prohibits providing assistance to any armed forces of Mexico or law enforcement [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/24/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to strengthen sanctions against the Government of Syria, to enhance multilateral commitment to address the Government of Syria's threatening policies, to establish a program to support a transition to a democratically-elected government in Syria, and for other purposes. 4/24/2008--Introduced. Syria Accountability and Liberation Act - States that U.S. sanctions, controls, and regulations relating to Syria shall remain in effect until the President certifies that Syria has ceased support for terrorism, has dismantled biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons programs and has committed to combat their proliferation, respects the boundaries and sovereignty of all neighboring countries, and upholds human rights and civil liberties. Imposes specified trade, assistance, and military sanctions, as appropriate, on persons or countries that transfer goods or technology so as to contribute to Syria's biological, chemical, nuclear, or advanced conventional weapons programs.[...]

show full description
Latest Action: 03/12/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2008)

Bill Text
A bill to authorize the President to award grants to improve the capacity of nongovernmental organizations and individuals in foreign countries to provide appropriate mental disability and mental trauma care training, and for other purposes.

3/12/2008--Introduced.

International Mental Disability and Mental Trauma Care Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to award grants to nongovernmental organizations (including faith-based and community-based organizations) and individuals to: (1) provide training and technical expertise for foreign governments in the adoption of a national mental disability and mental trauma care framework; (2) initiate system reform of mental disability and mental trauma care; (3) provide training for disability and mental trauma care providers; or (4) provide direct, short-term emergency mental trauma assistance for the victims of humanitarian or political crises.