Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 05/01/2007 - Mr. Sires moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

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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 [...]

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Latest Action: 03/27/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3845)

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A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to equal rights for men and women.

3/27/2007--Introduced.

Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits denying or abridging equality of rights under the law by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Latest Action: 03/23/2007 - Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3723-3724 text as passed: CR S3723-3724)

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A resolution observing February 23, 2007, as the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire, honoring the distinguished life and legacy of William Wilberforce, and encouraging the people of the United States to follow the example of William Wilberforce by selflessly pursuing respect for human rights around the world. 3/23/2007--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.) Observes February 23, 2007, as the 200th anniversary of the ban of the slave trade in the British Empire. Recognizes the positive impact William Wilberforce had on renewing the culture of his day and ending the inhumane practice of human slavery. Commends to the people of the United States the example of William Wilberforce and his commitment to the values of human dignity and freedom. Encourages [...]

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

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A bill to empower women in Afghanistan, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Afghan Women Empowerment Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the protection of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan and their full participation in the reestablishment of democracy are essential to Afghanistan's reconstruction, and to achieve such reconstruction the U.S. government must commit resources to advance the rights of women throughout Afghanistan. Amends the Afghanistan Freedom Support Act of 2002 to revise the provisions respecting assistance to women and girls in Afghanistan. Extends funding authority. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) condition the provision of such assistance on the recipient adhering to international standards for women's rights and human rights; and (2) ensure that Afghan women-led nongovernmental organizations with demonstrated experience in delivering services to Afghan women and children [...]

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Latest Action: 05/09/2007 - Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

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Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Suffragists Day to promote awareness of the importance of the women suffragists who worked for the right of women to vote in the United States.

5/8/2007--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.)

Supports the goals and ideals of a National Suffragists Day to promote awareness of the women suffragists who worked for the right of U.S. women to vote.

Latest Action: 02/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight.

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Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Senate should ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

1/24/2007--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the full realization of the rights of women is vital to the development and well-being of people of all nations; and (2) the Senate should, therefore, give its advice and consent to the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

Latest Action: 04/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight.

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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 [...]

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Latest Action: 03/09/2007 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2988-2989; text as passed Senate: CR S2988-2989; text of measure as introduced: CR S2976)

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A resolution commending the Kingdom of Lesotho, on the occasion of International Women's Day, for the enactment of a law to improve the status of married women and ensure the access of married women to property rights.

3/9/2007--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.)

Acknowledges the observance of March 8, 2007, as International Women's Day.

Applauds the enactment of the Legal Capacity of Married Persons Act by the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Lauds the Kingdom of Lesotho for demonstrating its commitment to improve gender equity.

Commends the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) for developing and implementing policies to advance gender equity in the Kingdom of Lesotho and other countries eligible for MCC financial assistance.

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

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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: 02/28/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.

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To provide for the implementation of the recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. 8/3/2007--Public Law.    (There are 2 other summaries) Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 - Provides for implementation of recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission).Title I: Homeland Security Grants - (Sec. 101) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) to establish Homeland Security Grant Programs (consisting of an Urban Area Security Initiative and a State Homeland Security Grant Program). Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security (the Secretary) to award Program grants through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Provides that none of the provisions regarding grants to states and high-risk urban areas shall be construed to affect programs authorized under the Federal Fire Prevention [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/27/2008 - Hearing Held by Subcommittee on Research and Science Education Prior to Indroduction and Referral (05/08/2008)..

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To increase awareness of the existence of and to overcome gender bias in academic science and engineering through research and training, and for other purposes. 6/19/2008--Introduced. Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Act of 2008 - Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a policy for federal science agencies to carry out a program of workshops that educate specified federally funded researchers about methods that minimize the effects of gender bias in the evaluation of federal research grants and in the related academic advancement of the recipients of these grants. Requires the support of at least one workshop every two years among the federal science agencies in the major science and engineering disciplines.Authorizes federal science agencies to carry out such program by making grants to eligible organizations as described in this Act. Requires the Director to transmit a report [...]

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Latest Action: 06/12/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Science and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of t

Bill Text
To increase awareness of the existence of and to overcome gender bias in academic science and engineering through research and training, and for other purposes. 6/12/2008--Introduced. Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Act of 2008 - Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a policy for federal science agencies to carry out a program of workshops that educate specified federally funded researchers about methods that minimize the effects of gender bias in evaluation, including of federal research grants, for hiring, tenure, and promotion, and for selection for any other honor based on academic merit. Requires the support of at least one workshop every two years among the federal science agencies in the major science and engineering disciplines. Authorizes federal science agencies to carry out such program by making grants to eligible organizations as described in this Act. Requires [...]

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Latest Action: 04/30/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

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To combat international violence against women and girls. 4/30/2008--Introduced. International Violence Against Women Act of 2008 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish in the Department of State the Office of Women's Global Initiatives (which shall replace the Office of International Women's Issues) to coordinate U.S. government efforts respecting international women's issues. Establishes within the Department an Advisory Commission on International Violence Against Women. Directs the President to develop a comprehensive strategy to prevent violence against women and girls. Directs the Coordinator of the Women's Global Initiatives to ensure that foreign assistance programs incorporate measures to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls. Provides that U.S. training of foreign military and police forces incorporates training on prevention of violence against women and girls. Directs the Department and the [...]

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Latest Action: 12/14/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S15653)

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A resolution urging the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to overturn the sentence of the "Girl of Qatif".

12/14/2007--Introduced.

Welcomes the commitment of the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to reform its judicial system.

Condemns sexual violence in all forms.

Urges the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to: (1) address the problem of violence against women in Saudi society, to promote equal treatment of women in the country's legal system, and to ensure that victims of sexual violence are not punished for the crimes committed against them; and (2) overturn the sentence of the "Girl of Qatif."

Latest Action: 12/11/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

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Calling on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to take immediate actions to drop all charges against the Saudi rape victim known as the "Qatif Girl".

12/11/2007--Introduced.

Condemns the Saudi judiciary for convicting the "Qatif Girl" on the charge of being alone in a car with a man she is not related to, as well as for the inhumane punishment to which she was sentenced.

Calls on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to: (1) overturn the conviction and to drop all charges against the Saudi rape victim known as the "Qatif Girl" and (2) abolish such law as well as other laws that compromise women's freedom, dignity, and equality.

Expresses sympathy for the "Qatif Girl."

Latest Action: 12/11/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

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Condemning Saudi Arabia for sentencing a gang-rape victim to 200 lashes and 6 months in prison and calling for King Abdullah to overturn the verdict.

12/11/2007--Introduced.

Condemns rape as an inhumane act.

Supports rape victims' rights to seek legal action against their attackers.

Calls on Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah to overturn the verdict against the "Girl from Qatif" and set the victim free.

Calls on Saudi Arabia to undertake promised judicial reforms.

Latest Action: 04/24/2008 - Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Biden with amendments and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 110-331.

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A bill to require the President to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to further the United States foreign policy objective of promoting the reduction of global poverty, the elimination of extreme global poverty, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal of reducing by one-half the proportion of people worldwide, between 1990 and 2015, who live on less than $1 per day. 4/24/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Global Poverty Act of 2007 - Directs the President, through the Secretary of State, to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to further the U.S. foreign policy objective of promoting the reduction of global poverty, the elimination of extreme global poverty, and the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of reducing by one-half the proportion of people, between 1990 and 2015, who live on less than $1 per day. Requires the strategy to contain specific and measurable [...]

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Latest Action: 12/05/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14798-14799)

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A bill to require the President and the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator to establish a comprehensive and integrated HIV prevention strategy to address the vulnerabilities of women and girls in countries for which the United States provides assistance to combat HIV/AIDS, and for other purposes. 12/5/2007--Introduced. Protection Against Transmission of HIV for Women and Youth Act of 2007 - States that it shall be U.S. policy to: (1) pursue a global HIV prevention strategy that emphasizes the needs of married and unmarried women and girls and addresses the factors that lead to gender disparities in HIV infection rates; and (2) balance funding for HIV prevention methods. Directs the President to: (1) formulate and submit to the appropriate congressional committees, and make available to the public, a comprehensive and culturally appropriate global HIV prevention strategy that addresses the HIV vulnerability of married and unmarried women and girls and seeks to reduce [...]

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Latest Action: 12/04/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

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Supporting the goals and ideals of World AIDS Day.

12/4/2007--Introduced.

Recognizes the 20th anniversary of observing World AIDS Day. Commends the President and state and local governments for publicizing its importance and encouraging individuals to undergo HIV testing.

Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of such Day; (2) continued funding for prevention, care, treatment services, and research programs for persons living with HIV/AIDS in the United States and for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria; (3) providing universal access to comprehensive prevention, treatment, care, and support programs by 2010; and (4) efforts to address the factors that make populations vulnerable to HIV/AIDS by decreasing poverty, hunger, and childhood mortality and by empowering women.

Latest Action: 10/31/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13632-13633, S13639-13641)

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A bill to combat international violence against women and girls. 10/31/2007--Introduced. International Violence Against Women Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish in the Department of State the Office of Women's Global Initiatives (which shall replace the Office of International Women's Issues) to coordinate U.S. government efforts respecting international women's issues. Establishes within the Department an Advisory Commission on International Violence Against Women. Directs the President to develop a comprehensive strategy to prevent violence against women and girls. Directs the Coordinator of the Women's Global Initiatives to ensure that foreign assistance programs incorporate measures to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls. Provides that U.S. training of foreign military and police forces incorporates training on prevention of violence against women and girls. Directs the Department [...]

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