Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 05/17/2007 - Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 155.

Bill Text
A resolution honoring the accomplishments and legacy of Cesar Estrada Chavez.

5/17/2007--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.)

Recognizes the accomplishments and example of Cesar Estrada Chavez, pledges to promote his legacy, and encourages the people of the United States to commemorate his legacy and to always remember his rallying cry, "Si, se puede!"

Latest Action: 01/05/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that all workers deserve fair treatment and safe working conditions, and honoring Dolores Huerta for her commitment to the improvement of working conditions for farm worker families and the rights of women and children.

1/5/2007--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that all workers deserve fair treatment and safe working conditions.

Honors Dolores Huerta for her commitment to the improvement of working conditions for farm worker families and the rights of women and children.

Latest Action: 03/28/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3188)

Bill Text
Urging the establishment and observation of a legal public holiday in honor of Cesar E. Chavez.

1/18/2007--Introduced.

Recognizes the accomplishments and example of Cesar E. Chavez, founder of the National Farm Workers of America. Calls for: (1) establishment of a legal public holiday in his honor; and (2) public schools to provide classroom instruction on his life and work.

Latest Action: 07/01/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
A bill to revise the short title of the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006.

7/1/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on February 15, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Amends the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 to change the short title to the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, Cesar E. Chavez, Barbara C. Jordan, William C. Velasquez, and Dr. Hector P. Garcia Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006.

Latest Action: 01/10/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S361-363)

Bill Text
A bill to improve agricultural job opportunities, benefits, and security for aliens in the United States and for other purposes. 1/10/2007--Introduced. Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2007 or the AgJOBS Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to confer "blue card status" upon an alien who: (1) has performed agricultural employment in the United States for at least 863 hours or 150 work days during the 24-month period ending on December 31, 2006; (2) applied for such status during the 18-month application period beginning on the first day of the seventh month that begins after the date of enactment of this Act; (3) is otherwise admissible to the United States; and (4) has not been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor, an element of which involves bodily injury, threat of serious bodily injury, or harm to property in excess of $500. Directs the Secretary to adjust a blue card alien (and spouse and minor children) to permanent [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5530)

Bill Text
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of sites associated with the life of Cesar Estarada Chavez and the farm labor movement. 7/10/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Cesar Estrada Chavez Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to complete a special resource study to determine: (1) appropriate methods for preserving and interpreting certain sites in Arizona, California, and other states that are significant to the life of Cesar Estrada Chavez and the farm labor movement in the western United States; and (2) whether any of the sites meets the criteria for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or designation as a national historic landmark. Directs the Secretary, in conducting such study, to: (1) consider the criteria for the study of areas for potential inclusion in the National Park System; and (2) consult with the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation, the United Farm [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To improve agricultural job opportunities, benefits, and security for aliens in the United States, and for other purposes. 1/10/2007--Introduced. Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2007 or the AgJOBS Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to confer "blue card status" upon an alien who: (1) has performed agricultural employment in the United States for at least 863 hours or 150 work days during the 24-month period ending on December 31, 2006; (2) applied for such status during the 18-month application period beginning on the first day of the seventh month that begins after the date of enactment of this Act; (3) is otherwise admissible to the United States; and (4) has not been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor, an element of which involves bodily injury, threat of serious bodily injury, or harm to property in excess of $500. Directs the Secretary to adjust a blue card alien (and spouse and minor children) to permanent resident [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 01/30/2008 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Bill Text
A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of sites associated with the life of Cesar Estrada Chavez and the farm labor movement.

1/17/2007--Introduced.

Cesar Estrada Chavez Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to complete a special resource study to determine: (1) appropriate methods for preserving and interpreting certain sites in Arizona, California, and other states that are significant to the life of Cesar Estrada Chavez and the farm labor movement in the western United States; and (2) whether any of the sites meets the criteria for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or designation as a national historic landmark.

Latest Action: 01/18/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S766-767)

Bill Text
A bill to improve agricultural job opportunities, benefits, and security for aliens in the United States and for other purposes. 1/18/2007--Introduced. Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2007 or the AgJOBS Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to confer "blue card status" upon an alien who: (1) has performed agricultural employment in the United States for at least 863 hours or 150 work days during the 24-month period ending on December 31, 2006; (2) applied for such status during the 18-month application period beginning on the first day of the seventh month that begins after the date of enactment of this Act; (3) is otherwise admissible to the United States; and (4) has not been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor, an element of which involves bodily injury, threat of serious bodily injury, or harm to property in excess of $500. Directs the Secretary to adjust a blue card alien (and spouse and minor children) to permanent [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 02/07/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Bill Text
A bill to provide emergency agricultural disaster assistance for agricultural producers, manufacturers, and workers in the State of California. 2/7/2007--Introduced. Emergency Farm Assistance Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to provide assistance: (1) to producers of specialty crops in disaster counties that suffered losses in 2005 or 2006; (2) to citrus producers in disaster counties that suffered losses in 2007; (3) to producers of other specialty crops in disaster counties that suffered losses in 2007; (4) to dairy producers in disaster counties that suffered losses in 2006; and (5) for livestock indemnity payments to producers in disaster counties that incurred losses in 2006 or 2007, or both. Directs the Secretary to make grants to California for an expedited disaster assistance program to qualified small businesses that suffered losses during the 2005, 2006, or 2007 crop year as a result of weather-related agricultural losses to the [...]

show full description

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 04/10/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to provide emergency relief for United States businesses and industries currently employing temporary foreign workers and for other purposes. 4/10/2008--Introduced. Global Competitiveness Act of 2008 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to extend the annual cap exemption for returning H-2B aliens (temporary nonagricultural workers). Revises H-1B nonimmigrant visa (specialty occupation) provisions regarding: (1) recapture of unused visas (including a recapture fee); (2) visa increases and increases for exemptions from numerical limitations for aliens with higher education degrees; (3) increased employer petition fees; (4) employer restrictions on outsourcing, advertising, and hiring; and (5) enforcement, information sharing, and labor application penalty increases. Amends the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000 regarding: (1) recapture of unused employment-based immigrant visas and redistribution to specified employment [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
A bill to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, to implement further the Act approving the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes. 5/8/2008--Public Law.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 - Title I: Forest Service Authorizations - (Sec. 101) Designates certain lands in the Skykomish River Valley, Washington, as the Wild Sky Wilderness, to be managed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Directs the Secretary to establish a trail plan. Authorizes the use of helicopter access to construct and maintain a joint [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5530)

Bill Text
A bill to authorize certain programs and activities in the Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Energy, and for other purposes. 2/8/2008--Introduced. National Forests, Parks, Public Land, and Reclamation Projects Authorization Act of 2008 - Authorizes specified programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy concerning, among other things, land conveyances, boundary adjustments, studies, memorials, commissions, and museums, national park natural resource protection, national trails and rivers, national heritage areas, and advanced energy technology transfer centers. Sets forth provisions concerning the Northern Mariana Islands. Makes amendments to various public laws, including the National Trails System Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1998, the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, the Oregon [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5530)

Bill Text
A bill to authorize certain programs and activities in the Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Energy, and for other purposes. 12/13/2007--Introduced. National Forests, Parks, Public Land, and Reclamation Projects Authorization Act of 2007 - Authorizes specified programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy concerning, among other things, land conveyances, boundary adjustments, studies, memorials, commissions, and museums, national park natural resource protection, national trails and rivers, national heritage areas, and advanced energy technology transfer centers. Sets forth provisions concerning the Northern Mariana Islands.Makes amendments to various public laws, including the National Trails System Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1998, the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, the Oregon [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 11/02/2007 - Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Harkin. With written report No. 110-220. Additional views filed.

Bill Text
An original bill to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes.

11/2/2007--Introduced.

Food and Energy Security Act of 2007 - Revises agricultural and related programs and provisions respecting: (1) producer income; (2) conservation; (3) trade; (4) nutrition; (5) credit; (6) rural development and investment; (7) research and related matters; (8) forestry; (9) energy; (10) livestock marketing; and (11) agricultural security.

Latest Action: 01/31/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism.

Bill Text
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to strengthen enforcement of the immigration laws, to enhance border security, and for other purposes. 11/1/2007--Introduced. Border Enforcement, Employment Verification, and Illegal Immigration Control Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to: (1) take all appropriate actions, including development of a national border strategy, to maintain operational control over the U.S. international land and maritime borders; (2) report on cross-border security agreements with Mexico and Canada; (3) provide for biometric data enhancements; (4) increase port of entry inspection personnel; (5) report on the airspace security mission's impact on the National Capital Region; (6) reimburse private owners along the border for certain property damage; (7) establish at least one Border Patrol unit for the Virgin Islands; (8) report on Central American gang travel across the U.S.-Mexico border; and (9) deploy radiation portal [...]

show full description