Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 01/05/2007 - Considered as unfinished business.

Bill Text
Adopting the Rules of the House of Representatives for the One Hundred Tenth Congress. 1/5/2007--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.) Title I: Adoption of Rules of One Hundred Ninth Congress - (Sec. 101) Adopts the Rules of the House of Representatives for the 109th Congress as the Rules for the 110th Congress, with amendments. Title II: Ethics - (Sec. 202) Amends Rule XXIII (Code of Official Conduct) to prohibit Members, with the intent to influence on the basis of partisan political affiliation an employment decision or practice of private entities, from: (1) taking or withholding, or offering or threatening to to take or withhold, an official act; or (2) influencing, or offering or threatening to influence, the official act of another. (Sec. 203) Amends Rule [...]

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Latest Action: 03/29/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on the Budget.

Bill Text
Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2008 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2009 through 2012. 3/29/2007--Introduced. Sets forth the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2008, including the appropriate budgetary levels for FY2009-FY2012. Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts, for FY2008-FY2012, with respect to: (1) federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits (on-budget); (5) debt subject to limit; and (6) debt held by the public. Lists the appropriate levels of new budget authority and outlays for specified major functional categories for FY2008-FY2012. Sets forth reconciliation instructions for the Committees on: (1) Agriculture; (2) Armed Services; (3) Education and Labor: (4) Energy and Commerce; (5) Financial Services; (6) Foreign Affairs; (7) the Judiciary; (8) Natural Resources; (9) Transportation and Infrastructure;[...]

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Latest Action: 01/09/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act of 2006 to extend the date for the President to determine if Haiti meets certain requirements, and for other purposes.

1/9/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act, as amended by the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act of 2006, to extend the date by which the President must determine whether Haiti is meeting specified political, economic, social, and security requirements in order for Haiti to qualify for preferential trade provisions under such Act.

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

Bill Text
To amend the Rules of the House of Representatives to provide for enforcement of clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives.

6/12/2007--Introduced.

Amends Rule XXI (Restrictions on Certain Bills) of the Rules of the House of Representatives with respect to a point of order against consideration of legislation reported by a committee (or a related amendment) which does not list congressional earmarks or limited tax or tariff benefits (and the name of the requesting Member), or a statement that the proposition contains none.

Declares that, as disposition of such a point of order, the Chair shall put the question of consideration with respect to the measure, and it shall be debatable for 10 minutes by the Member initiating the point of order and for 10 minutes by an opponent. Declares further, however, that the question shall otherwise be decided without intervening motion except one that the House adjourn.

Latest Action: 02/15/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to extend certain trade preferences to certain least-developed countries, and for other purposes. 2/15/2007--Introduced. Tariff Relief Assistance for Developing Economies Act of 2007 or TRADE Act of 2007 - Authorizes the President to designate Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Maldives, Nepal, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Yemen, and Sri Lanka or their successor political entities (TRADE Act of 2007 countries) as beneficiary TRADE Act of 2007 countries eligible to receive duty-free treatment for certain articles that are the growth, product, or manufacture of such countries, if after receiving the advice of the International Trade Commission (ITC) the President determines that such articles are not import-sensitive in the context of imports from such countries. Conditions such designation upon eligibility requirements of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Trade [...]

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Latest Action: 02/20/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

Bill Text
To amend the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act of 2006 to extend the date for the President to determine if Haiti meets certain requirements, and for other purposes.

2/12/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act, as amended by the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act of 2006, to extend the date by which the President must determine whether Haiti is meeting specified political, economic, social, and security requirements in order for Haiti to qualify for preferential trade provisions under such Act.

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: 09/26/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
To require the President to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to further the United States foreign policy objective of promoting the reduction of global poverty, the elimination of extreme global poverty, and the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of reducing by one-half the proportion of people worldwide, between 1990 and 2015, who live on less than $1 per day.

9/25/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Global Poverty Act of 2007 - Directs the President, through the Secretary of State, to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to further the U.S. foreign policy objective of promoting the reduction of global poverty, the elimination of extreme global poverty, and the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of reducing by one-half the proportion of people worldwide who live on less than $1 per day.

Sets forth reporting requirements.

Latest Action: 05/24/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to impose tariff-rate quotas on certain casein and milk protein concentrates.

5/24/2007--Introduced.

Milk Import Tariff Equity Act - Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to impose tariff-rate quotas (quantitative import limits) and provide various duty rates on certain casein, caseinates, milk protein concentrate, and other casein derivatives and glues imported into the United States (except imports from Mexico).

Authorizes the President to: (1) enter into a trade agreement with a foreign country to grant new concessions as compensation in order to maintain the general level of reciprocal and mutually advantageous concessions; and (2) proclaim any necessary modification or continuance of any existing duty, or continuance of existing duty-free or excise treatment, or any quantitative limitation. Sets forth certain limits on the reduction of duties on such products.

Latest Action: 06/30/2007 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To extend the authorities of the Andean Trade Preference Act until February 29, 2008. 6/30/2007--Public Law.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on June 27, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Amends the Andean Trade Preference Act to extend through February 29, 2008, the duty-free treatment or other preferential treatment for beneficiary countries (Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru) under the Act. Repeals certain provisions subjecting the extension of such treatment to such countries to certain conditions. Extends preferential treatment through FY2008 to apparel articles assembled in one or more beneficiary countries from regional fabrics or regional components, and other type apparel (brassieres) that are both cut and sewn or otherwise assembled in the United States, or one or more beneficiary countries, or both, with certain limitations. Amends [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 07/30/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
To establish an earned import allowance program under Public Law 109-53, and for other purposes.

7/22/2008--Introduced.

Amends the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish an earned import allowance program, which shall provide earned import allowance certificates to any producer or entity controlling production of eligible apparel articles in an eligible country, based on specified elements.

Declares that eligible apparel articles wholly assembled in an eligible country and imported directly from an eligible country shall enter the United States free of duty, without regard to the source of the fabric or yarns from which the articles are made, if such apparel articles are accompanied by an earned import allowance certificate that reflects the amount of credits equal to the total square meter equivalents of fabric in such apparel articles.

Latest Action: 06/18/2008 - Vetoed by President. (text of veto message: CR H5535)

Bill Text
To provide for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes. 5/22/2008--Introduced. Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 - Provides for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through FY2012.Revises agricultural and related programs, including provisions respecting: (1) commodity programs; (2) conservation; (3) trade; (4) nutrition; (5) credit; (6) rural development; (7) research and related matters; (8) forestry; (9) energy; (10) horticulture and organic agriculture; (11) livestock; (12) crop insurance and disaster assistance; (13) socially disadvantaged and limited resource producers; and (14) miscellaneous programs.Directs the President to establish and maintain an importer declaration program with respect to the importation of softwood lumber and softwood lumber products.Establishes the Bill Emerson National Hunger [...]

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Latest Action: 03/13/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to provide duty-free treatment for certain goods from designated Reconstruction Opportunity Zones in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and for other purposes. 3/13/2008--Introduced. Afghanistan and Pakistan Reconstruction Opportunity Zones Act of 2008 - Declares the purposes of this Act, including to stimulate economic activity and development in Afghanistan and the border region of Pakistan in an effort to combat violent extremism. Authorizes the President to: (1) designate an area within Afghanistan or Pakistan as a Reconstruction Opportunity Zone, provided such country meets certain eligibility requirements; and (2) proclaim duty-free treatment for certain articles (including certain textile and apparel articles as well as non-textile or non-apparel articles) that are imported into the United States from a designated zone within such country, provided certain requirements are met. Specifies rules of origin for such articles.Prohibits duty-free treatment for [...]

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Latest Action: 02/29/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To extend the Andean Trade Preference Act, and for other purposes. 2/29/2008--Public Law.    (There are 4 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on February 27, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Andean Trade Preference Extension Act of 2008 - Amends the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), as amended and expanded by Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA), to extend, through December 31, 2008, the ATPA program providing for the duty-free treatment of certain imported apparel articles assembled in one or more ATPDEA beneficiary countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru).Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to extend certain customs fees for the processing of merchandise entered into the United States through December 27, 2014. Amends the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 to increase the amount [...]

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Latest Action: 01/17/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To amend the African Growth and Opportunity Act with respect to lesser developed countries. 1/17/2008--Introduced. Amends the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to add Mauritius as a lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African country (LDC) for purposes of the application of preferential treatment to apparel articles wholly assembled, or knit-to-shape and wholly assembled, or both, in one or more LDCs, regardless of the country of origin of the fabric or the yarn used to make such articles, that are imported into the United States. Repeals provisions granting preferential treatment for imported apparel articles produced in LDCs of yarn or fabric that is produced in beneficiary sub-Saharan countries and determined to be available in commercial quantities for use by LDCs. Provides for the liquidation or reliquidation (refund of duties) for such articles entered into the United States on or after October 1, 2005, and before the 15th day after enactment of this [...]

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Latest Action: 01/15/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Rules.

Bill Text
Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to strengthen the earmark point of order. 1/15/2008--Introduced. Additional Earmark Disclosure Resolution - Amends rule XXI (Restrictions on Certain Bills) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to make it out of order to consider a conference report unless the accompanying joint explanatory statement includes: (1) a list of congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, and limited tariff benefits (and the name of any requesting Member or Senator) that were not committed to the conference committee by either House, not in a report on such bill, or not in a report of a Senate committee on a companion measure; or (2) a statement that the proposition contains no congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits. Makes it out of order also to consider an amendment between the Houses to a bill or joint resolution unless the proponent has caused to be printed in the Congressional Record before [...]

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Latest Action: 04/24/2008 - Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Biden with amendments and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 110-331.

Bill Text
A bill to require the President to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to further the United States foreign policy objective of promoting the reduction of global poverty, the elimination of extreme global poverty, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal of reducing by one-half the proportion of people worldwide, between 1990 and 2015, who live on less than $1 per day. 4/24/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Global Poverty Act of 2007 - Directs the President, through the Secretary of State, to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to further the U.S. foreign policy objective of promoting the reduction of global poverty, the elimination of extreme global poverty, and the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of reducing by one-half the proportion of people, between 1990 and 2015, who live on less than $1 per day. Requires the strategy to contain specific and measurable [...]

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Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to modify the tariffs on certain footwear.

11/15/2007--Introduced.

Affordable Footwear Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the elimination of duty on certain imported footwear would provide significant benefit to U.S. consumers, particularly lower-income families.

Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide for the duty-free treatment of certain footwear (including children's shoes) made of rubber or plastics that are imported into the United States.

Amends the Caribbean Basic Economic Recovery Act to provide footwear imported directly from Haiti into the United States with the same preferential treatment that is provided to certain imported footwear under the Dominican Republic-Central American-United States Free Trade Agreement.

Latest Action: 10/23/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to modify the tariffs on certain footwear.

10/23/2007--Introduced.

Affordable Footwear Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the elimination of duty on certain imported footwear would provide significant benefit to U.S. consumers, particularly lower-income families.

Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide for the duty-free treatment of certain footwear (including children's shoes) made of rubber or plastics that are imported into the United States.

Amends the Caribbean Basic Economic Recovery Act to provide footwear imported directly from Haiti into the United States with the same preferential treatment that is provided to certain imported footwear under the Dominican Republic-Central American-United States Free Trade Agreement.

Latest Action: 03/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology.

Bill Text
To provide for an additional trade preference program for least developed countries, and for other purposes. 10/18/2007--Introduced. New Partnership for Development Act of 2007 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the President to provide for the duty-free treatment of articles (without quantitative limitation) from qualified beneficiary countries that have been designated: (1) a least developed country (except Myanmar and Sudan); and (2) a sub-Saharan African country. (Effectively, providing an additional trade preference program for least developed countries.) Prohibits designation of a country as a qualified beneficiary country, and terminates such country's eligibility for preferential treatment, if it has: (1) not adopted and enforced certain human rights and fair labor practices; (2) failed to make progress to eliminate trade barriers and to establish a market-based economy and the rule of law; and (3) engaged in gross violations of internationally-recognized [...]

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