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Latest Action: 12/19/2007 - Received in the House.

Bill Text
A concurrent resolution condemning the kidnapping and hostage-taking of 3 United States citizens for over 4 years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and demanding their immediate and unconditional release. 12/19/2007--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.) Condemns: (1) the kidnappings of Keith Stansell, Thomas Howes, and Marc Gonsalves by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and calls for their immediate release; (2) FARC for the murder of Tom Janis and for its use of kidnapping for ransom, extortion, and drug trafficking, and for supporting and spreading terror within Colombia. Expresses sympathy to the hostages' relatives. Reconfirms that the U.S. government does not make concessions to terrorists. Reiterates that the U.S. government [...]

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Latest Action: 03/29/2007 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4223; text as passed Senate: CR S4223; text of measure as introduced: CR S4216)

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate condemning the seizure by the Government of Iran of 15 British naval personnel in Iraqi territorial waters, and calling for their immediate, safe, and unconditional release.

3/29/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Condemns the government of Iran's seizure of 15 British naval personnel from Iraqi territorial waters as a provocative and illegal act and calls for their immediate and unconditional release.

Latest Action: 04/18/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4699)

Bill Text
A resolution demanding the return of the USS Pueblo to the United States Navy.

4/18/2007--Introduced.

Demands the return of the USS Pueblo to the U.S. Navy.

Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To provide for payment of certain claims against the Government of Iran. 1/10/2007--Introduced. States that: (1) it is U.S. policy to seek justice for American victims of terrorism and to hold terrorists and their state-sponsors accountable for their actions; and (2) any provision of the Algiers Accords, entered into with Iran on January 19, 1981, that purports to bar a U.S. citizen from prosecuting any claim in any U.S. court or to limit the jurisdiction of any U.S. court is hereby abrogated and deemed nonapplicable. Directs the the Secretary of the Treasury to begin payments to a common fund to be: (1) established and administered by the certified class representatives for the former American hostages in Iran and their survivors (case number 1:00CV03110 (EGS) of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia); and (2) funded from the liquidation of blocked Iranian assets and from amounts in the Iran Foreign Military Sales Fund account (Foreign Military Sales [...]

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Latest Action: 04/26/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5174-5175)

Bill Text
A bill to abolish the death penalty under Federal law.

1/31/2007--Introduced.

Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2007 - Repeals death penalty provisions for a wide range of homicide-related offenses under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the federal criminal code, the Controlled Substances Act, and other statutes relating to aircraft hijacking, espionage and treason, and offenses punished under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Prohibits the sentencing to death or execution of any person for any violation of federal law after the enactment of this Act. Commutes death penalties imposed prior to the enactment of this Act to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Latest Action: 01/23/2008 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S215; text as passed Senate: CR S215; text of measure as introduced: CR S210)

Bill Text
A resolution seeking the return of the USS Pueblo to the United States Navy.

1/23/2008--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Resolves that the Senate desires the return of the USS Pueblo to the United States Navy and would welcome its return as a goodwill gesture from the North Korean people.

Latest Action: 01/15/2008 - The Chair laid before the House the veto message from the President.

Bill Text
To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. 12/6/2007--Conference report filed in House.    (There are 4 other summaries) National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 - Division A: Department of Defense Authorizations - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund, and other procurement. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 for: (1) defense-wide procurement; and (2) National Guard and reserve equipment. Subtitle [...]

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Latest Action: 12/17/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
A bill to require periodic reports on claims related to acts of terrorism against Americans perpetrated or supported by the Government of Libya. 10/18/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.) Directs the Secretary of State to report to the appropriate congressional committees (as defined in this Act) every 180 days respecting unresolved claims by U.S. nationals against the government of Libya for personal injury or death caused by acts of torture, extrajudicial killing, aircraft sabotage, hostage taking, or the aiding of such acts by Libyan agents. Requires: (1) such reports to include information on the status of negotiations between the government of Libya and U.S. claimants and a description of U.S. government actions to encourage Libya's resolution of such claims; and [...]

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Latest Action: 08/02/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10793)

Bill Text
A bill to provide justice for victims of state-sponsored terrorism. 8/2/2007--Introduced. Justice for Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act - Amends the federal judicial code to expand the rights of victims of state-sponsored terrorism by: (1) denying foreign states that support terrorism immunity from the jurisdiction of U.S. courts for cases involving personal injury or death related to the terrorist activities of its officials, employees, or agents; (2) allowing certain nationals of the United States, members of the Armed Forces, and federal employees or contractors a private cause of action against a foreign state designated as a state sponsor of terrorism; (3) making foreign states vicariously liable for the actions of their officials, employees, or agents; (4) limiting appeals in cases against foreign states involving terrorist-related injuries; and (5) establishing a pending lien against property of a foreign state sponsor of terrorism upon the initiation of legal [...]

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Latest Action: 01/28/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To provide for the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, as previously enrolled, with certain modifications to address the foreign sovereign immunities provisions of title 28, United States Code, with respect to the attachment of property in certain judgements against Iraq, the lapse of statutory authorities for the payment of bonuses, special pays, and similar benefits for members of the uniformed services, and for other purposes. 1/28/2008--Public Law.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on January 16, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 - Division A: Department of Defense Authorizations - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8015)

Bill Text
A resolution welcoming home Keith Stansell, Thomas Howes, and Marc Gonsalves, three citizens of the United States who were held hostage for over five years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) after their plane crashed on February 13, 2003.
Latest Action: 01/23/2008 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S215; text as passed Senate: CR S215; text of measure as introduced: CR S210)

Bill Text
A resolution seeking the return of the USS Pueblo to the United States Navy.

1/23/2008--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Resolves that the Senate desires the return of the USS Pueblo to the United States Navy and would welcome its return as a goodwill gesture from the North Korean people.

Latest Action: 01/28/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To provide for the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, as previously enrolled, with certain modifications to address the foreign sovereign immunities provisions of title 28, United States Code, with respect to the attachment of property in certain judgements against Iraq, the lapse of statutory authorities for the payment of bonuses, special pays, and similar benefits for members of the uniformed services, and for other purposes. 1/28/2008--Public Law.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on January 16, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 - Division A: Department of Defense Authorizations - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for [...]

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Latest Action: 12/19/2007 - Received in the House.

Bill Text
A concurrent resolution condemning the kidnapping and hostage-taking of 3 United States citizens for over 4 years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and demanding their immediate and unconditional release. 12/19/2007--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.) Condemns: (1) the kidnappings of Keith Stansell, Thomas Howes, and Marc Gonsalves by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and calls for their immediate release; (2) FARC for the murder of Tom Janis and for its use of kidnapping for ransom, extortion, and drug trafficking, and for supporting and spreading terror within Colombia. Expresses sympathy to the hostages' relatives. Reconfirms that the U.S. government does not make concessions to terrorists. Reiterates that the U.S. government [...]

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Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Condemning the kidnapping and hostage-taking of 3 United States citizens for over 4 years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and demanding their immediate and unconditional release.

11/15/2007--Introduced.

Condemns: (1) the kidnappings of Keith Stansell, Thomas Howes, and Marc Gonsalves by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and calls for their immediate release; (2) FARC for the murder of Tom Janis and for its use of kidnapping for ransom, extortion, and drug trafficking, and for supporting and spreading terror within Colombia.

Expresses sympathy to the hostages' relatives.

Reiterates that the U.S. government supports efforts to secure the hostages' safe return to the United States.

Latest Action: 09/10/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To provide compensation for United States citizens taken hostage by terrorists or state sponsors of terrorism. 8/3/2007--Introduced. Authorizes the President to compensate a U.S. national, or his or her estate, who: (1) has a claim pending in U.S. court