Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/24/2008 - Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for greater responsibility in lending and expanded cancellation of debts owed to the United States and the international financial institutions by low-income countries, and for other purposes. 10/16/2007--Introduced. Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation of 2007 - Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to direct the Secretary of the Treasury, within the Paris Club of Official Creditors, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), and other international financial institutions, to: (1) provide for debt cancellation of eligible low-income countries (as defined by this Act) to such institutions and to the United States; (2) provide for establishment of frameworks for creditor transparency and responsible lending; and (3) provide that such debt cancellation is not conditioned on harmful economic or environmental conditions.Directs the Government [...]

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Latest Action: 07/24/2007 - Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should address the ongoing problem of untouchability in India. 7/23/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Expresses the sense of Congress that, as the leaders of the United States and the Republic of India have expressed commitment to the values of human freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, it is in U.S. interests to address the treatment of the Dalits and Tribals in India by: (1) raising the issue of caste discrimination and untouchability; (2) encouraging the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to ensure that the needs of Dalit organizations are incorporated in project development; (3) ensuring that projects that positively impact Dalit and Tribal communities, especially Dalit women, are developed; (4) ensuring that cooperative research programs targeting rural health care, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and rural technology contain proper focus on the [...]

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Latest Action: 02/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.

Bill Text
To establish the Independent Commission on the 2004 Coup d'Etat in the Republic of Haiti.

1/9/2007--Introduced.

Establishes in the legislative branch the Independent Commission on the 2004 Coup d'Etat in the Republic of Haiti.

Directs the Commission to examine the U.S. government's role in the February 2004 coup d'etat in the Republic of Haiti.

Terminates the Commission 60 days after submission of its final report to Congress and the President.

Latest Action: 06/20/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Commending the Middle East Investment Initiative.

6/20/2007--Introduced.

Commends the Middle East Investment Initiative (MEII) and its contributors for their vision and initiative.

Expresses the House of Representatives' belief that improved economic activity can help bring about regional stability and peace.

Encourages the participation and contributions of individuals, institutions, and foreign governments in supporting the MEII.

Pledges support for the MEII and other efforts to stimulate the economy of the Palestinian people.

Latest Action: 01/22/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
To prohibit the application of certain restrictive eligibility requirements to foreign nongovernmental organizations with respect to the provision of assistance under part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

1/22/2007--Introduced.

Global Democracy Promotion Act - Declares that foreign nongovernmental organizations: (1) shall not be ineligible for assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 solely on the basis of health or medical services (including counseling and referral services) provided by them with non-U.S. government funds if such services do not violate the laws of the country in which they are being provided, and would not violate U.S. federal law if provided in the United States; and (2) shall not be subject to requirements relating to the use of non-U.S. government funds for advocacy and lobbying activities other than those that apply to U.S. nongovernmental organizations receiving such assistance.

Latest Action: 04/12/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology.

Bill Text
To lift the trade embargo on Cuba, and for other purposes. 1/22/2007--Introduced. Free Trade With Cuba Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal the embargo on trade with Cuba. Prohibits the exercise by the President with respect to Cuba of certain authorities conferred by the Trading With the Enemy Act and exercised on July 1, 1977, as a result of a specified national emergency. Declares that any prohibition on exports to Cuba under the Export Administration Act of 1979 shall cease to be effective. Authorizes the President to impose export controls with respect to Cuba and exercise certain authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act only on account of an unusual and extraordinary threat to U.S. national security that did not exist before enactment of this Act. Repeals: (1) the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992; (2) the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996; (3) the prohibition under the Food Security Act of 1985 [...]

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

Bill Text
To establish a Department of Peace and Nonviolence. 2/5/2007--Introduced. Department of Peace and Nonviolence Act - Establishes a Department of Peace and Nonviolence, which shall be headed by a Secretary of Peace and Nonviolence appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Sets forth the mission of the Department, including to: (1) hold peace as an organizing principle; (2) endeavor to promote justice and democratic principles to expand human rights; and (3) develop policies that promote national and international conflict prevention, nonviolent intervention, mediation, peaceful resolution of conflict, and structured mediation of conflict. Establishes in the Department the Intergovernmental Advisory Council on Peace and Nonviolence, which shall provide assistance and make recommendations to the Secretary and the President concerning intergovernmental policies relating to peace and nonviolent conflict resolution. Transfers to the Department [...]

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Latest Action: 04/08/2008 - Committee on Finance. Hearings held.

Bill Text
A bill to impose sanctions on Iran and on other countries for assisting Iran in developing a nuclear program, and for other purposes. 3/22/2007--Introduced. Iran Counter-Proliferation Act of 2007 - Amends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to expand the definitions of "petroleum resources" and "person."Expresses the sense of Congress concerning: (1) a variety of existing and proposed sanctions against Iran; and (2) mechanisms to assure a supply of nuclear fuel for peaceful means.Subjects Russia to specified nuclear energy cooperation prohibitions unless the President certifies to Congress that: (1) Russia has suspended all nuclear assistance and transfers of advanced conventional weapons and missiles to Iran; or (2) Iran has verifiably dismantled all nuclear enrichment-related and reprocessing-related programs. Subjects Iran to specified economic sanctions unless the President certifies to Congress that Iran has verifiably dismantled all nuclear enrichment-related [...]

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Latest Action: 03/28/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4054)

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Secretary of State to work with the Government of Brazil and other foreign governments to develop partnerships that will strengthen diplomatic relations and energy security by accelerating the development of biofuels production, research, and infrastructure to alleviate poverty, create jobs, and increase income, while improving energy security and protecting the environment. 3/28/2007--Introduced. United States-Brazil Energy Cooperation Pact of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of State to establish the Western Hemisphere Energy Cooperation Forum which should seek to: (1) strengthen relationships between the United States and other countries of the Western Hemisphere through cooperation on energy issues; and (2) enhance cooperation between major energy producers and major energy consumers in the Western Hemisphere, particularly among the governments of Brazil, Canada, Mexico, the United States, and Venezuela. Directs the U.S. government to seek to implement: [...]

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Latest Action: 06/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Bill Text
To establish a living wage, jobs for all policy for all peoples in the United States and its territories, and for other purposes. 2/14/2007--Introduced. A Living Wage, Jobs for All Act - Declares that Congress affirms the basic economic rights and responsibilities under the 1944 "Economic Bill of Rights," while updating and extending it to include: (1) certain rights to decent jobs, income security for individuals unable to work for pay, a decent living for farm families, freedom from monopolies, decent housing, adequate health services, Social Security in old age, sickness, accidental injury, and unemployment, and education and work training; and (2) certain other rights relating to collective bargaining, a safe working environment, information on trends in pollution sources and products and processes that affect the well-being of workers throughout the world, voting and campaigning, and personal security. Requires corporations registered with the Securities and Exchange [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 04/24/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to strengthen sanctions against the Government of Syria, to enhance multilateral commitment to address the Government of Syria's threatening policies, to establish a program to support a transition to a democratically-elected government in Syria, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 04/24/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee

Bill Text
To require funding under the Iraq Security Forces Fund to be provided in the form of loans and to require the Government of Iraq to provide matching funds under the Commanders' Emergency Response Program to be used for agreed-upon purposes which enable military commanders in Iraq to respond to urgent humanitarian relief and reconstruction requirements.
Latest Action: 04/16/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2434-2440)

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that any funding provided by the United States to the Government of Iraq for reconstruction, training for Iraqi security forces, and fuel for United States operations in Iraq should be provided in the form of loans.

4/16/2008--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) U.S. funding to the government of Iraq for reconstruction, training for Iraqi security forces, and fuel for U.S. operations in Iraq should be provided as loans; and (2) the U.S. government should work with the government of Iraq to ensure that the government of Iraq obligates its own budget surplus for reconstruction projects before U.S. reconstruction aid is obligated.

Latest Action: 04/15/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that future Iraq reconstruction should be paid for by the Government of Iraq.

4/15/2008--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that funding for future Iraq reconstruction initiatives and training of Iraqi security forces should come from Iraqi revenues, and if the government of Iraq cannot properly allocate and spend its revenues, U.S. reconstruction and security training funding should be provided to Iraq as a loan.

Latest Action: 04/08/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2756)

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that funding provided by the United States to the Government of Iraq in the future for reconstruction and training for security forces be provided as a loan to the Government of Iraq.

4/8/2008--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of the Senate that U.S. funding to the government of Iraq for reconstruction and training for security forces after the date on which the Senate agrees to this resolution be provided as a loan.

Latest Action: 04/03/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
To authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to provide assistance to foreign countries to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, and for other purposes. 4/2/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Title I: Policy Planning and Coordination - (Sec. 101) Amends the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 (Act) to revise provisions concerning the comprehensive, five-year, global strategy to combat global HIV/AIDS. Directs the Coordinator of United States Government Activities to Combat HIV/AIDS Globally (Coordinator) to develop a five-year strategic plan for program monitoring, operations research, and impact evaluation research of U.S. HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria programs, including mother-to-child HIV transmission. [...]

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Latest Action: 12/06/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the juri

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the Congress with regard to the world's freshwater resources. 12/6/2007--Introduced. Asserts that: (1) water management priorities should reflect the goals of safeguarding and sustaining water resources; (2) U.S. executive directors of international financial institutions should not approve loans that require increased cost recovery or water privatization or public-private partnerships that would result in significant increases in consumer water fees or in other ways restrict affordable access to water; and (3) federal policies should ensure that sources of water pollution are adequately regulated and those responsible held accountable for the pollution they cause.Affirms: (1) that water should not be treated as a private commodity where this would limit or deny public access to freshwater resources; (2) that Congress firmly commits itself to meet the Millennium Development Goals; and (3) that access to international loans and debt reduction [...]

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Latest Action: 06/24/2008 - Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for greater responsibility in lending and expanded cancellation of debts owed to the United States and the international financial institutions by low-income countries, and for other purposes. 10/16/2007--Introduced. Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation of 2007 - Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to direct the Secretary of the Treasury, within the Paris Club of Official Creditors, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), and other international financial institutions, to: (1) provide for debt cancellation of eligible low-income countries (as defined by this Act) to such institutions and to the United States; (2) provide for establishment of frameworks for creditor transparency and responsible lending; and (3) provide that such debt cancellation is not conditioned on harmful economic or environmental conditions.Directs the Government [...]

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Latest Action: 01/11/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology.

Bill Text
Regarding ending World Bank disbursements to Iran until the International Atomic Energy Agency certifies the compliance of the Islamic Republic of Iran with Resolutions 1696 and 1747 of the United Nations Security Council and the terms of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

10/16/2007--Introduced.

Urges the Board of Directors of the World Bank to request a policy review of current disbursements to the Islamic Republic of Iran and to end these disbursements until the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) certifies Iran's compliance with U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1696 and 1747 and the terms of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

Urges the Security Council to order the World Bank to end disbursements to Iran if the Board of Directors fails to take such action.

Latest Action: 02/04/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Bill Text
To express United States foreign policy with respect to, and to strengthen United States advocacy on behalf of, individuals persecuted and denied their rights in foreign countries on account of gender, and for other purposes. 10/2/2007--Introduced. International Women's Freedom Act of 2007 - Establishes within the Department of State an Office of International Women's Rights to be headed by an Ambassador at Large for International Women's Rights. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) establish a women's rights Internet site; and (2) maintain prisoner lists and issue briefs on women's rights concerns. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to include instruction on the internationally recognized rights of women and the various aspects and manifestations of violations of women's rights in Foreign Service officer training. Establishes the United States Commission on International Women's Rights. (Terminates the Commission 12 years after the date of the initial [...]

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