Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.

Bill Text
To provide for the security of critical energy infrastructure.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Instructs the Secretary of Energy to report to Congress on the Secretary's review of the fuel supply plan components of state evacuation plans and the National Capitol region. Prescribes report contents.

Authorizes the Secretary, during any federally declared emergency or disaster, to provide direct assistance to private sector entities that operate critical energy infrastructure, including refineries.

Allows such assistance to include emergency preparation and recovery assistance, particularly power generation equipment, other protective or emergency recovery equipment, assistance to restore access to water, power, or other raw materials, and transportation and housing for critical employees.

Establishes in the Treasury the Critical Energy Assurance Account.

Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9-11)

Bill Text
A bill to enhance the security of the United States by reducing the dependence of the United States on foreign and unsustainable energy sources and the risks of global warming, and for other purposes.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

National Energy and Environmental Security Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that Congress should enact, and the President should sign, legislation to enhance the security of the United States by reducing its dependence on foreign and unsustainable energy sources and the risks of global warming by: (1) requiring reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases; (2) diversifying and expanding the use of secure, efficient, and environmentally-friendly energy supplies and technologies; (3) reducing the burdens on consumers of rising energy prices; (4) eliminating tax giveaways to large energy companies; and (5) preventing energy price gouging, profiteering, and market manipulation.

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; [...]

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Latest Action: 02/08/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1783-1784)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the scope of programs of education for which accelerated payments of educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill may be used, and for other purposes.

2/8/2007--Introduced.

Veterans Employment and Training Act of 2007 or VET Act - Authorizes the accelerated payment of basic educational assistance under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) basic educational assistance program for an individual entitled to such assistance who, during the period beginning on October 1, 2007, and ending on September 30, 2011, is enrolled in a VA-approved program of education lasting less than two years that leads to employment in one of the following sectors: (1) transportation; (2) construction; (3) hospitality; or (4) energy.

Latest Action: 04/12/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to extend the additional duty on ethanol, to require an investigation into certain ethanol imports, and for other purposes.

4/12/2007--Introduced.

Ethanol Tariff Extension and Caribbean Basin Initiative Investigation Act - Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend the tariff duty on ethanol through January 1, 2011.

Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a study, and report the results to Congress, on the source and quantity of ethanol imported into the United States from beneficiary countries designated under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act.

Latest Action: 07/30/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR 7/31/2007 H8859)

Bill Text
To require divestiture of current investments in Iran, to prohibit future investments in Iran, and to require disclosure to investors of information relating to such investments. 3/6/2007--Introduced. Directs the President to publish in the Federal Register a list of all U.S. and foreign entities that have invested more than $20 million in Iran's energy sector (including an itemization of individual investments of such entities) between August 5, 1996, and the date of such publication. Requires managers of federal and private pension plans or thrift savings plans and managers of mutual funds sold or distributed in the United States to: (1) notify investors that their funds are invested in entities included on the list; and (2) take immediate steps, upon notification or publication of such list, to divest all investments of such plans or funds in such entities. Prohibits, upon such publication, future investment in any entity included on the list by managers [...]

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Latest Action: 09/26/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Bill Text
To enhance United States diplomatic efforts with respect to Iran by imposing additional economic sanctions against Iran, and for other purposes. 9/25/2007--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Iran Counter-Proliferation Act of 2007 - Title I: Support for Diplomatic Efforts Relating to Preventing Iran from Acquiring Nuclear Weapons - (Sec. 101) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should use diplomatic and economic means to resolve the Iranian nuclear problem; (2) the United States should continue to support efforts in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the U.N. Security Council to end Iran's uranium enrichment and nuclear weapons programs; (3) Security Council Resolution 1737 was a useful first step toward pressing Iran to end its nuclear weapons program; and (4) in light of Iran's continued defiance of the international community the Security Council should adopt additional measures against [...]

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Latest Action: 05/21/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Bill Text
A bill to provide standards for renewable fuels and coal-derived fuels. 5/21/2007--Introduced. Clean, Affordable, and Domestic Fuels for Energy Security Act of 2007 - Instructs the President to promulgate regulations to ensure that aviation fuel, motor vehicle fuel, home heating oil, and boiler fuel sold or introduced into commerce in the United States on an annual average basis contains prescribed volumes of coal-derived fuel. Requires such coal-derived fuel to meet specified greenhouse gas emissions levels.Sets forth: (1) standards for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions levels; and (2) a calendar year schedule for the applicable volume of coal-derived fuels in billions of gallons. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Energy to guarantee loans up to 100% of principal and interest for projects that produce coal-derived fuel; (2) increase the authorization of appropriations for fossil energy research and development;[...]

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Latest Action: 10/02/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12428)

Bill Text
A bill to implement the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group.

6/5/2007--Introduced.

Iraq Study Group Recommendations Implementation Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress: (1) that the President should formulate a comprehensive plan to implement the Iraq Study Group recommendations; (2) respecting diplomatic efforts in Iraq; and (3) respecting redeployment of U.S. combat brigades not necessary for force protection and other specified duties by the first quarter of 2008.

States U.S. policy respecting: (1) security and military forces in Iraq; (2) strengthening the U.S. military; (3) police and criminal justice in Iraq; (4) the oil sector in Iraq; (5) improving assistance programs in Iraq; (6) budgetary preparation; and (7) conditions for continued U.S. assistance to Iraq based upon the government of Iraq meeting specified milestones.

Requires the President to report to Congress every 90 days respecting such policies' implementation.

Latest Action: 06/29/2007 - Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S8753-8755)

Bill Text
An original bill to ensure national security while promoting foreign investment and the creation and maintenance of jobs, to reform the process by which such investments are examined for any effect they may have on national security, to establish the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, and for other purposes. 6/13/2007--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.) Foreign Investment and National Security Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to revise provisions concerning presidential authority to review certain mergers, acquisitions, and takeovers to direct the President, acting through the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), and upon receiving written notification from any parties to a possible merger, acquisition [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/02/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4894)

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability. 6/2/2008--Introduced. Declares that: (1) preventing the government of Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability through economic, political, and diplomatic means is vital to U.S. national security; and (2) nothing in this resolution authorizes the use of force against Iran. Urges the President to use his authority to impose sanctions on: (1) Iranian banks engaged in proliferation activities or the support of terrorist groups; (2) international banks which conduct financial transactions with sanctioned Iranian banks; (3) energy companies with large investments in the Iranian petroleum or natural gas sector; and (4) all companies which do business with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Demands that the President lead an international effort to increase pressure on Iran to suspend its nuclear enrichment activities, including by banning the [...]

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Latest Action: 09/29/2008 - Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for energy production and conservation, to extend certain expiring provisions, to provide individual income tax relief, and for other purposes. 9/23/2008--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 3 other summaries) Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend and modify expiring provisions related to energy production and conservation and to provide for revenue enhancements.Title I: Energy Production Incentives - Subtitle A: Renewable Energy Incentives - (Sec. 101) Extends the tax credit for the production of electricity from renewable resources: (1) through 2009 for wind and refined coal facilities; and (2) through 2010 for closed and open-loop biomass, geothermal or solar energy, small irrigation power, landfill gas, trash combustion, and hydropower facilities. Modifies tax credit rules for refined coal, trash, and biomass [...]

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Latest Action: 04/28/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for research into the development of energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy technologies and to foster the introduction of energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy technologies into the marketplace, with the goal of reducing United States oil imports. 4/28/2008--Introduced. National Energy Efficiency Development Act - Establishes the National Energy Efficiency Development Administration, headed by an Administrator who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the consent of the Senate, to increase the efficiency of the production and use of energy in all sectors of the economy and reduce U.S. imports of oil by 50% by 2020. Establishes in the Administration: (1) a Policy Advisory Committee; (2) an Office of Administration (to include an Energy Efficiency Economics Division, an Education Division, and the position of General Counsel); (3) an Office of Policy, Research, and Development; and (4) an Office of Market Transformation.[...]

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Latest Action: 04/03/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 623.

Bill Text
A bill to protect the liberty and property of all Americans. 4/2/2008--Introduced. Land and Liberty Protection Act of 2008 - Protecting Americans from Violent Crime Act of 2008 - Bars the promulgation and enforcement of regulations that prohibit individuals from possessing firearms in units of the National Park System and the National Wildlife Refuge System. Government Real Estate Accountability and Transparency Act of 2008 - Requires the submission of annual reports detailing the amount of land that is owned by the federal government and the costs of maintaining that land. No Trespassing Act of 2008 - Bars the Secretary of the Interior from approving a management plan for a National Heritage Area unless the local coordinating entity of the proposed Area notifies the individuals who reside or own property in that Area. Prohibits any National Park Service (NPS) employee or member of the local coordinating entity of a National Heritage Area from entering private [...]

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Latest Action: 04/03/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 625.

Bill Text
A bill to ensure that there are no adverse effects of a National Heritage Area designation to local communities and home owners.

4/2/2008--Introduced.

Do No Harm Act of 2008 - Prohibits a National Heritage Area designation from taking effect until the President certifies that it will not cause an adverse impact within the proposed Area on: (1) agricultural or livestock production; (2) energy exploration and production; (3) critical infrastructure, including the placement and maintenance of electric transmission and distribution lines, and natural gas pipelines; and (4) the affordability of housing.

Requires that the total deferred maintenance backlog in each state in which a proposed Area is located be not greater than $50 million.

Latest Action: 12/31/2007 - Became Public Law No: 110-174.

Bill Text
An original bill to authorize State and local governments to divest assets in companies that conduct business operations in Sudan, to prohibit United States Government contracts with such companies, and for other purposes. 12/31/2007--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 12, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Defines specified terms. (Sec. 3) Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. government should support a state or local government decision to divest from or prohibit the investment of state or local assets in a person determined to pose a financial or reputational risk. Authorizes a state or local government to divest state or local assets or prohibit investment of state or local assets in persons that are conducting or have direct investments in business [...]

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Latest Action: 09/25/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Bill Text
To authorize a competitive grant program to assist members of the National Guard and Reserve and former and current members of the Armed Forces in securing employment in the private sector, and for other purposes. 8/3/2007--Introduced. Hire a Hero Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the federal government should support private sector employment initiatives for military personnel to help ensure that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces have access to gainful employment. Authorizes the Chief of the National Guard Bureau (Chief) to award grants to nonprofit organizations to assist the following individuals in securing employment in the private sector: (1) a member of the National Guard or reserve; (2) a member of the Armed Forces who is nearing separation, discharge, or release; and (3) a former member of the Armed Forces. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Chief, in awarding such grants, should consider organizations that partner with [...]

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Latest Action: 08/02/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Bill Text
A bill to authorize a competitive grant program to assist members of the National Guard and Reserve and former and current members of the Armed Forces in securing employment in the private sector, and for other purposes. 8/2/2007--Introduced. Hire a Hero Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the federal government should support private sector employment initiatives for military personnel to help ensure that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces have access to gainful employment. Authorizes the Chief of the National Guard Bureau (Chief) to award grants to nonprofit organizations to assist the following individuals in securing employment in the private sector: (1) a member of the National Guard or reserve; (2) a member of the Armed Forces who is nearing separation, discharge, or release; and (3) a former member of the Armed Forces. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Chief, in awarding such grants, should consider organizations that partner [...]

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Latest Action: 08/03/2007 - Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 110-308.

Bill Text
To enhance availability of critical energy information. 8/3/2007--Reported to House 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.) Directs the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration to establish and submit to Congress: (1) a five-year plan to enhance the quality and scope of the data collection necessary to ensure the scope, accuracy, and timeliness of the information needed for efficient functioning of energy markets and related financial operations; and (2) an assessment of state-level data needs, including a plan to address such needs. Requires the Administrator to: (1) establish guidelines to ensure the quality, comparability, and scope of state energy data required to provide a comprehensive, accurate energy profile; (2) share company-level data collected at the state level with the [...]

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