Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 01/22/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H794)

Bill Text
To amend title 5, United States Code, to deny Federal retirement benefits to individuals convicted of certain offenses, and for other purposes.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Prohibits an individual (or a survivor or beneficiary thereof) from receiving federal annuity or retired pay if such individual is convicted, indicted, or has outstanding charges against him under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for specified offenses concerning: (1) bribery, graft, or conflicts of interest related to public officials and witnesses, Members of Congress, government officers or employees, or obtaining appointive public office; (2) embezzlement or theft of public money, property, or records; (3) the solicitation or use of gifts; (4) fraud and false statements or entries; (5) perjury; (6) subornation of perjury; or (7) false declarations before a grand jury or court.

Refunds annuity contributions and deposits, excluding interest earned, to a convicted individual.

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

Bill Text
To improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and for other purposes. 1/5/2007--Introduced. NICS Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to require: (1) the head of each federal agency that has records relating to persons for whom receipt of a firearm would violate federal or state law to provide that information to the Attorney General for inclusion in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS); (2) the agency, upon being made aware that the basis under which a record was made available no longer applies, to correct the record and notify the Attorney General; and (3) the Secretary of Homeland Security to make available to the Attorney General records relevant to a determination that a person is disqualified from possessing or receiving a firearm and information about a change in such person's status for removal from NICS, where appropriate.Directs the Attorney General to make grants to: (1) states [...]

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Latest Action: 01/12/2007 - Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdi

Bill Text
To amend title 5, United States Code, to deny Federal retirement benefits to individuals convicted of certain offenses, and for other purposes.

1/12/2007--Introduced.

Congressional Pension Accountability Act - Prohibits a Member of Congress, or a survivor or beneficiary, from receiving an annuity or retired pay if such Member is: (1) convicted of bribery of public officials and witnesses, conspiracy either to commit any offense against the United States or to defraud the United States, perjury, or subornation of perjury; or (2) indicted or has outstanding charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Defines "Member of Congress" as the Vice President, a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives, a Delegate to the House of Representatives, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.

Latest Action: 01/17/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
To amend the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 to require that, in order to determine that a democratically elected government in Cuba exists, the government extradite to the United States convicted felon William Morales and all other individuals who are living in Cuba in order to escape prosecution or confinement for criminal offenses committed in the United States.

1/17/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 to require, in order to determine that a democratically elected Cuban government exists, the government of Cuban to prove its respect for the democratic rule of law by ceasing to provide a safe harbor to individuals who have been legally indicted or convicted of serious criminal offenses, including convicted felon William Morales and all other individuals who have fled from the United States to Cuba for the sole purpose of avoiding U.S. prosecution or confinement.

Latest Action: 01/07/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To amend title 18, United States Code, to protect judges, prosecutors, witnesses, victims, and their family members, and for other purposes. 1/7/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) Court Security Improvement Act of 2007 - Title I: Judicial Security Improvements and Funding - (Sec 101) Amends the federal judicial code to require the Director of the U.S. Marshals Service to consult with the Judicial Conference of the United States (Judicial Conference) on a continuing basis regarding the security requirements for the U.S. judicial branch.(Sec. 102) Authorizes the U.S. Marshals Service to provide for the security of the U.S. Tax Court.(Sec. 103) Authorizes additional amounts in FY2007-FY2011 for: (1) hiring deputy U.S. Marshals to provide security for judicial officers and U.S. attorneys; and (2) the Office of Protective Intelligence to provide secure computer systems.(Sec. 104) Amends the Ethics in Government Act [...]

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Latest Action: 03/19/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To amend title 18, United States Code, to protect federally funded public safety officers.

2/16/2007--Introduced.

Justice for Public Safety Officers Act - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit and impose enhanced criminal penalties for: (1) killing (or attempting or conspiring to kill) a federally protected safety officer (or former officer) while such officer is engaged in official duties or on the account of the performance of such duties; and (2) interstate or foreign flight to avoid prosecution, custody, or confinement for killing a federally protected safety officer.

Defines "federally protected safety officer" as a public safety officer for a public agency that receives annual federal assistance of more than $10,000. Includes within the definition of "federally protected safety officer" judicial officers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, chaplains, and members of a rescue squad or ambulance crew.

Latest Action: 06/28/2007 - Cloture on the bill not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 46 - 53. Record Vote Number: 235. (consideration: CR S8650-8651; text: CR S8650)

Bill Text
A bill to provide for comprehensive immigration reform and for other purposes. 6/18/2007--Introduced. Establishes specified benchmarks which must be met before the guest worker and legalization programs under this Act may be initiated respecting: (1) operational control of the the border with Mexico; (2) Border Patrol increases; (3) border barriers, including vehicle barriers, fencing, radar, and aerial vehicles; (4) detention capacity for illegal aliens apprehended crossing the U.S.-Mexico border; (5) workplace enforcement, including an electronic employment verification system; and (6) Z-visa (as established by this Act) alien processing.Establishes in the Treasury the Immigration Security Account to assist the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in meeting benchmark requirements.Sets forth border security and enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) personnel and asset increases and enhancements, including Shadow Wolves units; (2) a National [...]

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Latest Action: 01/08/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and for other purposes. 1/8/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 19, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 - Title I: Transmittal of Records - (Sec. 101) Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to: (1) authorize the Attorney General to obtain electronic versions of information from federal agencies on persons disqualified from receiving firearms; (2) require federal agencies to provide such information to the Attorney General, not less frequently than quarterly; and (3) require federal agencies to update, correct, modify, or remove obsolete records and notify the Attorney General of such actions to keep the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) up to date. Requires the Attorney General to submit [...]

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Latest Action: 01/08/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S236-237)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to deny Federal retirement benefits to individuals convicted of certain offenses, and for other purposes.

1/8/2007--Introduced.

Congressional Pension Accountability Act - Prohibits a Member of Congress, or a survivor or beneficiary, from receiving an annuity or retired pay if such Member is: (1) convicted of bribery of public officials and witnesses, conspiracy either to commit any offense against the United States or to defraud the United States, perjury, or subornation of perjury; or (2) indicted or has outstanding charges for such offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Latest Action: 08/10/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To protect children from sex offenders.

7/24/2007--Introduced.

Protecting America's Children Act of 2007 - Prohibits the Attorney General from providing funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to states or local governments that fail to certify that their laws provide adequate protection against the pre-trial release of individuals charged with certain violent or serious sex crimes (e.g., kidnapping and sexual abuse or exploitation of a child) and who pose a serious risk of fleeing, obstructing justice, or threatening, injuring, or intimidating a potential witness, judge, magistrate, or juror.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/25/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To provide an exception to certain mandatory minimum sentence requirements for a law enforcement officer who uses, carries, or possesses a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence committed while pursuing or apprehending a suspect.

6/25/2008--Introduced.

Amends the federal criminal code to allow an exception to the minimum sentencing requirement for a crime of violence while using, carrying, or possessing a firearm for a law enforcement officer who committed the offense during or in relation to the pursuit of an individual whom the officer reasonably believed committed a crime of violence.

Latest Action: 06/17/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5821-5822)

Bill Text
A bill to assist law enforcement agencies in locating, arresting, and prosecuting fugitives from justice. 6/17/2008--Introduced. Capture Arrest and Transport Charged Fugitives Act of 2008 - Amends the Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000 to authorize appropriations through FY2015 for establishing new Regional Fugitive Task Forces and for hiring criminal investigators and providing training for such Task Forces. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) provide transportation services to state and local governments for the extradition of fugitives through the U.S. Marshal Service Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation Service; (2) make grants to states for the extradition of fugitives to other states for prosecution; and (3) make grants to states for establishing or upgrading information and identification technologies for serious misdemeanor and felony warrants. Makes state compliance with felony and serious misdemeanor warrant reporting requirements a condition [...]

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Latest Action: 09/18/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with amendments. Without written report.

Bill Text
A bill to encourage the entry of felony warrants into the NCIC database by States and provide additional resources for extradition. 9/18/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Fugitive Information Networked Database Act of 2008 or the FIND Act - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to states for use by states or Indian tribes to develop and implement or upgrade secure electronic warrant management systems for the preparation, submission, and validation of state felony warrants that are compatible and interoperable with the National Crime Information Center Database (NCIC Database). Provides for set asides of grant funds to hire additional personnel to validate warrants entered into the NCIC Database and for Indian tribal governments. Requires grant applicants to submit to the Attorney General: (1) a plan to develop and implement, or to upgrade, electronic warrant management systems; (2) a report on active felony warrants;[...]

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Latest Action: 04/28/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To reauthorize the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, and for other purposes.

4/10/2008--Introduced.

Child Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 to extend through FY2011 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) the Sex Offender Management Assistance (SOMA) program; (2) assistance to states for apprehending sex offenders who violate sex offender registration requirements; (3) grants to combat sexual abuse of children; (4) the Fugitive Safe Surrender Program; (5) the pilot program for monitoring sex offenders; and (6) the Jessica Lunsford Address Verification Grant Program. Extends reporting requirements for the last two of such programs.

Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend through FY2011 the authorization of appropriations for grants: (1) to assist states in enforcing sex offender registration requirements; and (2) for juvenile sex offender treatment.

Latest Action: 01/14/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Bill Text
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to establish and protect the rights of victims of violent crimes.

12/6/2007--Introduced.

Constitutional Amendment - Grants victims of violent crime the rights: (1) to reasonable and timely notice of any public proceeding involving the crime and of any release or escape of the accused; (2) to not be excluded from such public proceeding and reasonably to be heard at public release, plea, sentencing, reprieve, and pardon proceedings; and (3) to adjudicative decisions that consider the victim's safety, interest in avoiding unreasonable delay, and just and timely claims to restitution from the offender. Prohibits any restriction of such rights except as dictated by a substantial interest in public safety or the administration of criminal justice, or by other compelling necessity.

Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Bill Text
To amend various laws imposing criminal penalties to double the maximum penalty for illegal aliens who commit those crimes, and for other purposes. 10/16/2007--Introduced. Non-Citizen Enforcement Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to increase the number of Border Patrol agents by at least 2,000 in each post-FY2010 fiscal year year until effective control of the border has been achieved through the Secure Border Initiative. Empowers state or local officers and employees to arrest an alien unlawfully present in the United States who has been ordered removed in abstentia. Provides for such aliens' listing on the absconder category of the national criminal information center database. Increases funding for the state criminal alien assistance program (SCAAP). Subject an individual unlawfully present in the United States to criminal penalties. Increases penalties for firearms possession and controlled substance distribution violations [...]

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Latest Action: 08/10/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To protect children from sex offenders.

7/24/2007--Introduced.

Protecting America's Children Act of 2007 - Prohibits the Attorney General from providing funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to states or local governments that fail to certify that their laws provide adequate protection against the pre-trial release of individuals charged with certain violent or serious sex crimes (e.g., kidnapping and sexual abuse or exploitation of a child) and who pose a serious risk of fleeing, obstructing justice, or threatening, injuring, or intimidating a potential witness, judge, magistrate, or juror.

Latest Action: 06/28/2007 - Cloture on the bill not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 46 - 53. Record Vote Number: 235. (consideration: CR S8650-8651; text: CR S8650)

Bill Text
A bill to provide for comprehensive immigration reform and for other purposes. 6/18/2007--Introduced. Establishes specified benchmarks which must be met before the guest worker and legalization programs under this Act may be initiated respecting: (1) operational control of the the border with Mexico; (2) Border Patrol increases; (3) border barriers, including vehicle barriers, fencing, radar, and aerial vehicles; (4) detention capacity for illegal aliens apprehended crossing the U.S.-Mexico border; (5) workplace enforcement, including an electronic employment verification system; and (6) Z-visa (as established by this Act) alien processing.Establishes in the Treasury the Immigration Security Account to assist the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in meeting benchmark requirements.Sets forth border security and enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) personnel and asset increases and enhancements, including Shadow Wolves units; (2) a National [...]

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Latest Action: 03/19/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To amend title 18, United States Code, to protect federally funded public safety officers.

2/16/2007--Introduced.

Justice for Public Safety Officers Act - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit and impose enhanced criminal penalties for: (1) killing (or attempting or conspiring to kill) a federally protected safety officer (or former officer) while such officer is engaged in official duties or on the account of the performance of such duties; and (2) interstate or foreign flight to avoid prosecution, custody, or confinement for killing a federally protected safety officer.

Defines "federally protected safety officer" as a public safety officer for a public agency that receives annual federal assistance of more than $10,000. Includes within the definition of "federally protected safety officer" judicial officers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, chaplains, and members of a rescue squad or ambulance crew.