Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 07/07/2008 - Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6354-6356)

Bill Text
A bill to provide needed housing reform and for other purposes. 4/10/2008--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 - Title I: FHA Modernization Act of 2008 - FHA Modernization Act of 2008 - Subtitle A: Building American Homeownership - Building American Homeownership Act of 2008 - (Sec. 112) Amends the National Housing Act (NHA) to revise mortgage insurance eligibility requirements. Alters the respective formulas to increase the percentages of the maximum principal loan obligations applicable to family residences located in: (1) the United States; and (2) Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, or the Virgin Islands. Prohibits the maximum principal loan obligation from exceeding 100% of the appraised value of the property. (Sec. 113) Increases from 3% to 3.5% of the appraised value of a property the mortgagor's required cash (or equivalent) investment (downpayment). Prohibits any funds for such [...]

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Latest Action: 05/22/2008 - Veto message received in Senate. Ordered held at the desk.

Bill Text
To provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes.

5/22/2007--Introduced.

Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007 - Extends and revises agricultural and related programs respecting: (1) commodities; (2) sugar; (3) dairy; (4) conservation; (5) exports and trade assistance; (6) food stamps and nutrition; (7) agricultural credit; (8) rural development; (9) rural electrification; (10) agricultural research; (11) forestry; (12) energy; (13) specialty crops; and (14) livestock.

Latest Action: 06/03/2008 - Received in the House.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 to reauthorize that Act, and for other purposes. 12/7/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Title I: Block Grants and Grant Requirements - (Sec. 101) Amends the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) to expand the authority of Indian tribes to: (1) carry out self-determined housing activities for tribal communities programs; (2) access federal sources of supply on the same basis as employees of an executive agency; and (3) follow tribal preference in contracting and employment.(Sec. 102) Revises reporting requirements for Indian tribes receiving grants under NAHASDA and the standards for review of Indian housing plans by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).(Sec. 104) Disregards [...]

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Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Bill Text
To amend the Social Security Act to enhance the social security of the Nation by ensuring adequate public-private infrastructure and to resolve to prevent, detect, treat, intervene in, and prosecute elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and for other purposes. 3/29/2007--Introduced. Elder Justice Act - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish an Elder Justice program under title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services). Establishes within the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) an Elder Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC). Establishes the Advisory Board on Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation. Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to establish stationary and mobile forensic centers, to develop forensic expertise regarding, and provide services relating to, elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Directs the Secretary to provide incentives for individuals to train for, seek, and maintain [...]

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

Bill Text
A bill to provide Federal coordination and assistance in preventing gang violence.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Mynisha's Law - Authorizes any local or tribal government to submit an application to the Attorney General for designation as a Comprehensive Gang Prevention and Relief Area.

Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish criteria for reviewing such applications; and (2) establish an Interagency Gang Prevention Task Force. Directs the Task Force to: (1) coordinate government activities to create a comprehensive gang prevention response, focusing on early childhood intervention, at-risk youth intervention, literacy, employment, community policing, and comprehensive community-based programs such as Operation Cease Fire; (2) coordinate with local and regional gang prevention efforts; and (3) prioritize the needs of such Areas for funding under specified federal community assistance and grant programs.

Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S149-150)

Bill Text
A bill to expand access to affordable health care and to strengthen the health care safety net and make health care services more available in rural and underserved areas. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Access to Affordable Health Care Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) tax credits to small businesses for qualified employee health insurance expenses; (2) tax credits for qualified health insurance; (3) deductions for long-term care premiums; and (4) tax credits for individuals with long-term care needs. Requires the Secretary of Labor to award grants to states to assist in planning, developing, and operating qualified small employer purchasing groups for health insurance. Directs the Small Business Administration to award grants to states, local governments, and nonprofit organizations to provide health insurance information to small employers. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to award demonstration grants for [...]

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Latest Action: 01/18/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support.

Bill Text
To extend for 1 year the availability of supplemental social services block grant funding.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Extends through FY2008 the availability of certain supplemental social services block grant funding under title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act.

Latest Action: 05/18/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

Bill Text
To amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to increase the availability and affordability of quality child care services by creating incentives for older individuals to join the child care workforce, and for other purposes. 1/17/2007--Introduced. Seniors Offering Quality Child Care Act of 2007 - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (CCDBGA) to: (1) increase the portion of funds states must use for activities to improve the quality of child care services; (2) include among such activities examining methods to increase recruitment, retention, and compensation of child care workers age 55 and older; and (3) exempt allowances, earnings, and payments to such older individuals under CCDBGA from consideration as income in determining eligibility for and amount of income transfer and in-kind aid under any federal or federally assisted program based on need. Amends the Social Security Act to exempt compensation for child caregiving [...]

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Latest Action: 02/28/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Bill Text
To facilitate the provision of assistance by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the cleanup and economic redevelopment of brownfields. 2/27/2007--Passed 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.) Brownfields Redevelopment Enhancement Act - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants (without certain otherwise-required loan guarantees) to eligible public entities and Indian tribes to assist in the environmental cleanup and economic development of brownfield sites including mine-scarred lands. Prohibits: (1) providing or using such grants in a manner that reduces the financial responsibility of any nongovernmental party that is responsible or potentially responsible for contamination on any [...]

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Latest Action: 03/07/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to provide States with the option to expand or add coverage of pregnant women under the Medicaid and State children's health insurance programs, and for other purposes. 3/7/2007--Introduced. Prevent Prematurity and Improve Child Health Act of 2007 - Amends titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to give states new options to cover: (1) low-income pregnant women; and (2) low-income legal immigrant pregnant women and children under Medicaid and SCHIP. Extends coverage under Medicaid of prescription drugs and counseling services to tobacco cessation medications to help pregnant women enrolled in the program quit using tobacco. Requires coverage of tobacco cessation counseling services for pregnant women, and exempts such services from cost-sharing charges. Gives states the option under Medicaid to: (1) provide family planning [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 12/19/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Bill Text
To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide grants for community-based mental health infrastructure improvement. 12/19/2007--Introduced. Community-Based Mental Health Infrastructure Improvements Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible entities for the construction or modernization of facilities to provide mental health and behavioral health services to individuals. Defines an "eligible entity" as: (1) a state that is the recipient of a Community Mental Health Services Block Grant and a Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant under such Act; or (2) an Indian tribe or a tribal organization. Includes among grant application requirements assurances that facilities will be used for not less than 10 years for community-based mental health or substance abuse services for those who cannot pay for such services. Permits a grant recipient to request permission to [...]

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Latest Action: 12/12/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Bill Text
A bill to provide $1,000,000,000 in emergency Community Development Block Grant funding for necessary expenses related to the impact of foreclosures on communities. 12/12/2007--Introduced. Community Foreclosure Assistance Act of 2007 - Makes appropriations for additional emergency Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) assistance to states, metropolitan cities, and urban counties to carry out CDBG programs under the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1974: (1) for necessary expenses related to the impact of housing foreclosures, and other related economic and community development activities; and (2) to provide foreclosure-based rental assistance for individual renters in the form of relocation assistance. Prohibits the direct or indirect provision of such funds, except for certified housing counseling services, to an individual homeowner for foreclosure prevention purposes, including refinancing assistance, loans, or any other form of financial assistance. [...]

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Latest Action: 12/13/2007 - Star Print ordered on on the bill.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for programs that reduce the need for abortion, help women bear healthy children, and support new parents. 12/4/2007--Introduced. Pregnant Women Support Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to increase public awareness of resources available to pregnant women to carry their pregnancy to term and new parents. Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary to make grants for the purchase of ultrasound equipment for examinations of pregnant women. Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a health insurance issuer offering individual coverage from imposing a preexisting condition exclusion or a waiting period or otherwise discriminating against a woman on the basis that she is pregnant. Provides for continuation coverage for newborns. Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to allow states to extend health care coverage [...]

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Latest Action: 11/16/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14630)

Bill Text
A bill to provide for affordable housing relief, and for other purposes. 11/16/2007--Introduced. Government Sponsored Enterprise Mission Improvement Act, or the GSE Mission Improvement Act - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to modify requirements for annual reports to specified congressional committees by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development on the activities of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) (enterprises). Requires the contents of such reports to: (1) identify the extent to which the enterprises are involved in mortgage purchases and secondary market activities involving subprime loans; and (2) compare the characteristics of subprime loans purchased and securitized by the enterprises to their other loans. Revises requirements for the establishment by the Secretary of housing goals to emphasize single-family housing goals and a multifamily [...]

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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: 10/17/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12996)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide grants for community-based mental health infrastructure improvement. 10/17/2007--Introduced. Community-Based Mental Health Infrastructure Improvements Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible entities for the construction or modernization of facilities to provide mental health and behavioral health services to individuals. Defines an "eligible entity" as: (1) a state that is the recipient of a Community Mental Health Services Block Grant and a Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant under such Act; or (2) an Indian tribe or a tribal organization. Includes among grant application requirements assurances that facilities will be used for not less than 10 years for community-based mental health or substance abuse services for those who cannot pay for such services. Permits a grant recipient to request permission [...]

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Latest Action: 10/17/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to provide for child care workforce development initiatives, and for other purposes.

10/17/2007--Introduced.

Quality Child Care for America Act - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for child care workforce development initiatives.

Provides for funds to state and local governments and Indian tribes to carry out one or more specified child care workforce development initiatives.

Requires a state plan to specify the activities that it will provide through any particular workforce development initiative.

Latest Action: 10/17/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to provide for child care workforce development initiatives, and for other purposes.

10/17/2007--Introduced.

Quality Child Care for America Act - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for child care workforce development initiatives.

Provides for funds to state and local governments and Indian tribes to carry out one or more specified child care workforce development initiatives.

Requires a state plan to specify the activities that it will provide through any particular workforce development initiative.

Latest Action: 11/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To provide for evidence-based and promising practices related to juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang activity prevention and intervention to help build individual, family, and community strength and resiliency to ensure that youth lead productive, safe, healthy, gang-free, and law-abiding lives. 10/16/2007--Introduced. Youth Prison Reduction through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention, Support, and Education Act or the Youth PROMISE Act - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to establish a PROMISE Advisory Panel to assist the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in: (1) assessing and developing standards and evidence-based practices to prevent juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang activity; and (2) collecting data in designated geographic areas to assess the needs and existing resources for juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang activity prevention and intervention. Authorizes the Administrator [...]

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Latest Action: 10/04/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To provide for the expansion of Federal programs to prevent and manage vision loss, and for other purposes. 10/4/2007--Introduced. Vision Preservation Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the nation must have a full-scale integrated public health strategy to comprehensively address vision loss and its causes.Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to expand and intensify programs to increase awareness of vision problems. Directs the Secretary to expand and intensify: (1) activities to establish a solid scientific base of knowledge on the prevention, control, and rehabilitation of vision problems and related disabilities; (2) research within CDC on the prevention and management of vision loss; and (3) programs targeted to prevent [...]

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