Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 05/03/2007 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To establish the SouthEast Crescent Authority, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Southeast Crescent Authority Act of 2007 - Establishes a Southeast Crescent Authority for all parts of the following southeastern states not eligible for assistance from the Appalachian Regional Commission or the Delta Regional Authority: Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. Directs the Authority to perform various functions, including: (1) formulating plans and programs to spur economic development, and approving grants to states and public and nonprofit entities toward that end; (2) establishing priorities in a development plan for the region; (3) supporting local development districts, and creating them where they do not exist; and (4) encouraging private investment in the region. Permits the Authority to request and receive federal, state and local government personnel as employees. States that Authority grants [...]

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Latest Action: 01/24/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to support the establishment or expansion and operation of programs using a network of public and private community entities to provide mentoring for children in foster care. 1/24/2007--Introduced. Foster Care Mentoring Act of 2007 - Amends title IV part B (Child-Welfare Services) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to states to support the establishment or expansion and operation of programs using networks of public and private community entities to provide mentoring for children in foster care. Authorizes a grant award directly to a political subdivision if the subdivision serves a substantial number of foster care youth. Prescribes program implementation guidelines, including: (1) application requirements; (2) training; (3) screening; (4) educational requirements; (5) federal and nonfederal share of funds for the program; (6) considerations in awarding grants; and (7) use of funds. Sets forth a [...]

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Latest Action: 02/06/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Bill Text
A bill to establish the SouthEast Crescent Authority, and for other purposes. 2/6/2007--Introduced. Southeast Crescent Authority Act of 2007 - Establishes a Southeast Crescent Authority for all parts of the following southeastern states not eligible for assistance from the Appalachian Regional Commission or the Delta Regional Authority: Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. Directs the Authority to perform various functions, including: (1) formulating plans and programs to spur economic development, and approving grants to states and public and nonprofit entities toward that end; (2) establishing priorities in a development plan for the region; (3) supporting local development districts, and creating them where they do not exist; and (4) encouraging private investment in the region. Permits the Authority to request and receive federal, state and local government personnel as employees. States that Authority [...]

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Latest Action: 10/02/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H11074)

Bill Text
To redeploy United States Armed Forces from Iraq and to establish a new direction for United States policy toward Iraq. 1/24/2007--Introduced. New Direction for Iraq Act of 2007 - Prohibits Department of Defense (DOD) funds from being obligated or expended to increase the number of U.S. Armed Forces serving in Iraq so that the total number serving in Iraq at any time exceeds the number serving in Iraq as of the date of the enactment of this Act unless the increase is specifically authorized by Congress. Directs the Secretary of Defense to begin the redeployment of U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq within 30 days of enactment of this Act, which shall be completed in the shortest appropriate time frame. (Expresses the sense of Congress that the shortest appropriate time frame should be no longer than one year.) Prohibits: (1) permanent or long-term U.S. military installations in Iraq; and (2) U.S. actions to control Iraqi oil reserves. Provides for assistance [...]

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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: 07/31/2008 - Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity Discharged.

Bill Text
To amend the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to consolidate the housing assistance programs for homeless persons under title IV of such Act, and for other purposes. 2/6/2007--Introduced. Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2007 - Amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to consolidate housing assistance programs for homeless persons. Requires the establishment of a community homeless assistance planning board for a geographic area to lead a collaborative planning process to design, execute, and evaluate programs, policies, and practices to prevent and end homelessness. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to designate an entity to be a community board if it has engaged in local homeless housing and services planning and has applied for federal funding for homeless assistance prior to enactment of this Act. Instructs the Secretary to make available technical assistance to governmental [...]

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Latest Action: 03/29/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4207-4208)

Bill Text
A bill to promote healthy communities. 3/29/2007--Introduced. Healthy Communities Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Advisory Committee on Environmental Health to review environmental health data and studies to: (1) assess the impact of federal laws, policies, and practices on environmental health and justice; and (2) identify and recommend ways to change or ensure compliance with federal laws, address gaps in federal environmental health research, and prevent or mitigate harm from federal policies, programs, and practices that may adversely affect environmental health or justice. Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prepare a biennial Environmental Health Report Card for the nation and for each state. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish the Health Action Zone Program to award grants to at-risk communities [...]

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Latest Action: 04/24/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4034-4035)

Bill Text
To provide for health care for every American and to control the cost and enhance the quality of the health care system. 2/27/2007--Introduced. American Health Security Act of 2007 - Establishes the State-Based American Health Security Program to provide every U.S. resident who is a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful resident alien with health care services. Requires each participating state to establish a state health security program. Eliminates benefits under: (1) titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act; (2) the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program; and (3) the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). Requires each state health security program to prohibit the sale of health insurance in that state that duplicates benefits provided under the program. Establishes the American Health Security Standards Board to: (1) develop policies,[...]

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Latest Action: 04/19/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4777-4778)

Bill Text
A bill to reduce hunger in the United States.

4/19/2007--Introduced.

Hunger-Free Communities Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture conduct a study of hunger in the United States and develop recommendations on reducing domestic hunger.

Directs the Secretary to make: (1) hunger-free communities collaborative grants to eligible public food program service providers or nonprofit organizations; (2) hunger-free communities infrastructure grants to eligible emergency feeding organizations; and (3) hunger-free communities training and technical assistance grants to eligible national or regional nonprofit organizations. (States that such grants' federal share shall not exceed 80%.)

Sets forth grant priorities.

Latest Action: 05/03/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5596-5599)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to encourage and support parent, family, and community involvement in schools, to provide needed integrated services and comprehensive supports to children, and to ensure that schools are centers of communities, for the ultimate goal of assisting students to stay in school, become successful learners, and improve academic achievement. 5/3/2007--Introduced. Keeping Parents and Communities Engaged Act or the Keeping Pace Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to award grants to states for competitive subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) that receive school improvement funds under part A of title I of the Act to enable such LEAs to assist public elementary and secondary schools hire and maintain Parent and Community Outreach Coordinators responsible for improving family and community involvement in such schools. Requires [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 07/24/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to strengthen communities through English literacy, civic education, and immigrant integration programs. 7/24/2008--Introduced. Strengthening Communities Through Education and Integration Act of 2008 - Amends the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (the Act) to allow state leadership activities grants to be used to: (1) provide technical assistance to faith and community-based organizations desiring grants under the Act; and (2) study the effectiveness of distance learning or self-study programs for English language learners. Directs the National Institute for Literacy to disseminate information regarding integrated English literacy and civics education programs. Makes such programs eligible for assistance under the Secretary of Education's national leadership activities program. Requires the Secretary to award grants to states for integrated English literacy and civics education programs, with each state's grant amount tied to the size and growth [...]

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Latest Action: 07/24/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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 commi

Bill Text
To strengthen communities through English literacy, civics, education, and immigrant integration programs. 7/24/2008--Introduced. Strengthening Communities Through Education and Integration Act of 2008 - Amends the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (the Act) to allow state leadership activities grants to be used to: (1) provide technical assistance to faith and community-based organizations desiring grants under the Act; and (2) study the effectiveness of distance learning or self-study programs for English language learners. Directs the National Institute for Literacy to disseminate information regarding integrated English literacy and civics education programs. Makes such programs eligible for assistance under the Secretary of Education's national leadership activities program. Requires the Secretary to award grants to states for integrated English literacy and civics education programs, with each state's grant amount tied to the size and growth of their [...]

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Latest Action: 05/22/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Bill Text
A resolution designating June 2008 as "National Internet Safety Month".

5/22/2008--Passed 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.)

Designates June 2008 as National Internet Safety Month.

Recognizes that the month provides an opportunity to learn more about Internet dangers and the importance of being safe and responsible online.

Commends national and community organizations for promoting Internet danger awareness and providing information and training that develops critical thinking and decision-making skills needed to use the Internet safely.

Calls on Internet safety organizations, law enforcement, educators, community leaders, parents, and volunteers to increase their efforts to raise the level of awareness for the need for online safety in the United States.

Latest Action: 04/02/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2356-2357)

Bill Text
A bill to require a pilot program on the use of community-based organizations to ensure that veterans receive the care and benefits they need, and for other purposes.

4/2/2008--Introduced.

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of using community-based organizations to ensure that veterans receive needed care and benefits by: (1) increasing the coordination of providers of health care and benefits for veterans to assist veterans transitioning from military service to civilian life; (2) increasing the availability of high-quality medical and mental health services to transitioning veterans; and (3) providing assistance to families to help them adjust to such veterans in their transition.

Latest Action: 12/13/2007 - Referred to House Energy and Commerce

Bill Text
To direct each Federal agency to establish an Environmental Justice Office, and for other purposes. 12/13/2007--Introduced. Environmental Justice Access and Implementation Act of 2007 - Requires specified federal agencies to establish an Office of Environmental Justice pursuant to Executive Order 12898 (concerning federal actions to address environmental justice in minority and low-income populations).Defines "environmental justice" as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, educational level, or income in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations. Requires the inclusion of minority and low-income populations with health vulnerabilities and exposure to certain environmental conditions in criteria for defining an environmental justice community. Requires federal agencies to integrate the environmental justice strategy developed under Executive [...]

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Latest Action: 12/06/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Bill Text
To increase the expertise and capacity of community-based organizations involved in economic development activities and key community development programs.

12/6/2007--Introduced.

Community Economic Development Expertise Enhancement Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to increase the capacity and expertise of qualifying community-based economic development organizations.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct an assessment of such organizations' capability needs; and (2) establish the Advisory Council on Community Economic Development.

Directs the President to include with each annual budget request a report regarding federal financial support for community economic development.