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Latest Action: 05/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Bill Text
To direct the Secretary of Labor to revise regulations concerning the recording and reporting of occupational injuries and illnesses under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Directs the Secretary of Labor to revise certain regulations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 so as to require site-controlling employers to keep a site log for all recordable injuries and illnesses occurring among all employees on the particular site, whether such employees are employed directly by the site-controlling employer or are employed by contractors or temporary help or employee leasing services.

Latest Action: 02/13/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1924-1925)

Bill Text
A concurrent resolution providing that any agreement relating to trade and investment that is negotiated by the executive branch with another country comply with certain minimum standards.

2/13/2007--Introduced.

Urges that any trade and investment agreement that is negotiated by the executive branch with foreign countries should comply with: (1) specified requirements applying to all countries; (2) specified requirements applying to only the United States; and (3) provisions providing special treatment for developing countries.

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

Bill Text
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt elementary and secondary schools from the fee imposed on employers filing petitions with respect to non-immigrant workers under the H-1B program.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt elementary and secondary schools from the fee imposed on employers filing petitions for temporary nonimmigrant workers under the H-1B (specialty occupations) visa program.

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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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Latest Action: 01/31/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1431)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax relief to active duty military personnel and employers who assist them, and for other purposes. 1/31/2007--Introduced. Active Duty Military Tax Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow certain small business owners (with 100 or fewer employees) and self-employed individuals a tax credit for wages paid to members of the Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces and to temporary replacement employees for such members while on active military duty; (2) treat differential wage payments made to members of the Ready Reserve as earned income for tax withholding and retirement plan purposes; (3) allow the rollover of military death gratuities to individual retirement accounts, health savings accounts, Archer medical savings accounts, and education savings accounts; (4) increase the standard tax deduction by $1,000 in 2007 and 2008 for members of the uniformed services on active duty for more than 30 [...]

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Latest Action: 04/10/2007 - Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Biden without amendment. With written report No. 110-50.

Bill Text
A bill to enhance the overseas stabilization and reconstruction capabilities of the United States Government, and for other purposes. 4/10/2007--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.) Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) States that the purpose of this Act is to provide for the development, as a core mission of the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), of an expert civilian response capability to carry out stabilization and reconstruction activities in a country or region that is in, or is in transition from, conflict or civil strife. (Sec. 5) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish assistance to help stabilize and reconstruct a country or region that [...]

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Latest Action: 03/01/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To amend section 218 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to modify the method of calculating the wages to be paid to H-2A workers.

2/8/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to specify an H-2A (agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature) worker's wage requirements as not less than: (1) the applicable state minimum wage; or (2) the prevailing wage level for the agricultural occupational classification in the county (or similar geographical area) of intended employment.

Latest Action: 03/26/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to extend the termination date for the exemption of returning workers from the numerical limitations for temporary workers.

3/26/2007--Introduced.

Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to extend through October 1, 2012, the annual cap exemption for returning H-2B aliens (temporary nonagricultural worker).

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/18/2008 - The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 110-862, by Mr. Price (NC).

Bill Text
Making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 9/18/2008--Introduced. Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2009 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2009 for: (1) the Offices of the Secretary, the Under Secretary for Management, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Information Officer, the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, and the Inspector General; (2) Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including for customs and border protection fencing, infrastructure, and technology; (3) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including for detention and removal operations (including to identify and remove aliens who have been convicted of a crime once they are judged deportable) and the Federal Protective Service; (4) the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including for screening operations and procurement and installation [...]

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Latest Action: 04/28/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To extend the returning worker exemption to the H-2B numerical limitation.

4/17/2008--Introduced.

Seasonal Workforce Assistance Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt certain returning H-2B aliens (temporary nonagricultural worker) from annual numerical limitations.

Latest Action: 04/14/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To modify certain requirements with respect to H-1B nonimmigrants. 3/13/2008--Introduced. Innovation Employment Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase the annual H-1B nonimmigrant visa (specialty occupation) cap from 65,000 to 130,000 starting in FY2008. Provides that for FY2010-FY2015 if the cap has been reached in the prior year the current cap would increase to the greater of 180,000 and the limitation applicable for the previous year increased by 20% percent. Exempts from H-1B caps an alien who has earned a master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher education in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and with respect to whom the petitioning employer requires such education as a condition for employment. Establishes a 20,000 annual cap for aliens who earned a master's or higher degree from an institution of higher education outside of the United States in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics [...]

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Latest Action: 04/14/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To increase the numerical limitation with respect to H-1B nonimmigrants for fiscal years 2008 and 2009.

3/14/2008--Introduced.

Strengthening United States Technology And Innovation Now Act or the SUSTAIN Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that the total number of aliens who may be issued H-1B nonimmigrant visas (specialty occupation) or otherwise acquire such status shall be 195,000 for FY2008 and FY2009.

Latest Action: 03/17/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To extend for one year the exemption of returning workers from the numerical limitations for H-2B temporary workers.

2/26/2008--Introduced.

Relief for America's Small and Seasonal Businesses Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt certain returning H-2B aliens (temporary nonagricultural worker) from annual numerical limitations during FY2008.

Latest Action: 02/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To extend for two years the exemption of returning workers from the numerical limitations for H-2B temporary workers.

2/6/2008--Introduced.

Giving Relief to Our Small Businesses Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt certain returning H-2B aliens (temporary nonagricultural workers) from annual numerical limitations during FY2008 or FY2009.

Latest Action: 01/31/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight.

Bill Text
To provide that the Secretary of Homeland Security may waive certain retirement provisions for reemployed annuitants in the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes. 12/19/2007--Introduced. Citizenship Processing Backlog Reduction Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive the application of provisions relating to annuities and pay on reemployment or any similar legal provision under a government retirement system on a case-by-case basis with respect to any annuitant who is reemployed on a temporary basis to: (1) process applications for naturalization filed from January 31-September 30, 2007; or (2) otherwise help the Secretary to reduce or eliminate the existing backlog of applications for naturalization.Provides that: (1) an annuitant as to whom such a waiver is in effect shall not be considered an employee for purposes of any government retirement system; and (2) no waiver under this Act may be granted after December 31, [...]

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Latest Action: 02/27/2008 - Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.

Bill Text
A bill to provide that the Secretary of Homeland Security may waive certain retirement provisions for reemployed annuitants in the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes. 12/11/2007--Introduced. Citizenship Processing Backlog Reduction Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive the application of provisions relating to annuities and pay on reemployment or any similar legal provision under a government retirement system on a case-by-case basis for an annuitant reemployed on a temporary basis if: (1) such waiver is necessary due to an emergency involving a direct threat to life or property or other unusual circumstances; or (2) the annuitant is employed in a position that provides assistance to the Secretary with a substantial backlog of naturalization petitions or assistance for processing petitions filed from January 31-July 30, 2007.Provides that an annuitant as to whom such a waiver is in effect shall not be considered an [...]

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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 [...]

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Latest Action: 08/31/2008 - Cleared for White House.

Bill Text
To establish consumer product safety standards and other safety requirements for children's products and to reauthorize and modernize the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 8/14/2008--Public Law.    (There are 4 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since the Conference Report was filed in the House on July 29, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 - Title I: Children's Product Safety - (Sec. 101) Treats as a banned hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) any children's product (a consumer product designed or intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger) containing more than specified amounts of lead. Allows alternate limits if the specified limits are not technologically feasible. Requires periodic review and, when technologically feasible, more stringent limits. Makes the limits inapplicable to any component that [...]

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