Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 03/09/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Congratulating Wyclef Jean for being named the "Roving Ambassador" for Haiti.

3/9/2007--Introduced.

Congratulates Wyclef Jean for being named Roving Ambassador for Haiti.

Latest Action: 03/13/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Bill Text
Urging multilateral financial institutions to cancel completely and immediately Haiti's debts to such institutions, and for other purposes.

3/13/2007--Introduced.

Urges: (1) the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), the Inter-American Development Bank, and other multilateral financial institutions to cancel Haiti's debts to such institutions; and (2) the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct U.S. Executive Directors at such institutions to use U.S. influence to accomplish this goal.

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

Bill Text
To amend the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998.

1/12/2007--Introduced.

HRIFA Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998 to: (1) provide that determinations with respect to children shall be made using the age and status of an individual on October 21, 1998 (enactment date of the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998); (2) permit an application based upon child status to be filed by a parent or guardian if the child is present in the United States on such filing date; and (3) include document fraud among the grounds of inadmissibility which shall not preclude an otherwise qualifying Haitian alien from permanent resident status adjustment.

Permits new status adjustment applications to be filed for a limited time period.

Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish procedures for reopening status adjustment applications that are affected by amendments made by this Act.

Latest Action: 06/11/2007 - DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 418.

Bill Text
Recognizing and welcoming the delegation of Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Foreign Ministers from the Caribbean to Washington, D.C., and commending the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for holding the Conference on the Caribbean.

6/11/2007--Passed House 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.)

Recognizes the historic ties between the peoples of the United States and the Caribbean.

Commends the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for holding the Conference of the Caribbean, and welcomes the delegation of Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Foreign Ministers to Washington, DC.

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

Bill Text
To designate Haiti under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act in order to render nationals of Haiti eligible for temporary protected status under such section.

1/17/2007--Introduced.

Haitian Protection Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti as a country whose qualifying nationals may be eligible for temporary protected status.

Provides for: (1) an initial 18-month designation period; and (2) authorization for temporary travel abroad.

Latest Action: 01/31/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for voluntary contributions on a grant basis to the Organization of American States (OAS) to establish a Center for Caribbean Basin Trade and to establish a skills-based training program for Caribbean Basin countries. 1/31/2007--Introduced. Caribbean Basin Trade Enhancement Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of State to make a voluntary contribution (on a grant basis) to the Organization of American States to establish a: (1) Center for Caribbean Basin Trade; and (2) a skills-based training program for Caribbean Basin countries. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a thorough study and analysis should be undertaken to determine a permanent location of the Center; and (2) the skills-based program should focus on mid-level technical education and training for the workforce in Caribbean Basin countries, utilizing existing educational facilities, cooperative private sector and government entities, and Internet-based [...]

show full description
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: 09/23/2008 - Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

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: [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/07/2007 - Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S7271-7291, S7294-7296, S7298-7304, S7305-7308, S7309-7313, S7313-7322)

Bill Text
A bill to provide for comprehensive immigration reform and for other purposes. 5/9/2007--Introduced. Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 - Sets forth border security and enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) personnel and asset increases and enhancements; (2) a National Strategy for Border Security; (3) border security initiatives, including biometric data enhancements and a biometric entry-exit system, document integrity, and mandatory detention of aliens apprehended at or between ports of entry; (4) Central American gangs; (5) cooperation with Mexico; (6) National Guard support on the southern border; and (7) extension of the Western Hemisphere travel initiative. Border Law Enforcement Relief Act of 2007 - Authorizes a border relief grant program for a tribal, state, or local law enforcement agency in a county: (1) no more than 100 miles from a U.S. border with Canada or Mexico; or (2) more than 100 miles from any such border but which [...]

show full description

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 07/18/2008 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Leahy under authority of the order of the Senate of 01/04/2007. With written report No. 110-425.

Bill Text
An original bill making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 7/18/2008--Introduced. Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2009 - Makes FY2009 appropriations for the Department of State (Department) for: (1) administration of foreign affairs and diplomatic and consular programs; (2) the civilian stabilization initiative; (3) the Capital Investment Fund; (4) the Office of Inspector General; (5) educational and cultural exchange programs; (6) representation allowances; (7) protection of foreign missions and officials; (8) U.S. embassy security, construction, and maintenance; (9) emergencies in the diplomatic and consular service; (10) the repatriation loans program account; (11) the American Institute in Taiwan; (12) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (13) international organizations, peacekeeping, and [...]

show full description
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 [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 02/12/2008 - DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 909.

Bill Text
Commemorating the courage of the Haitian soldiers that fought for American independence in the "Siege of Savannah" and for Haiti's independence and renunciation of slavery.

2/12/2008--Passed House 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.)

Commemorates the courage of the Haitian soldiers who fought for American independence in the Siege of Savannah and for Haiti's independence and renunciation of slavery.

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: 10/09/2007 - DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 651.

Bill Text
Recognizing the warm friendship and expanding strategic relationship between the United States and Brazil, commending Brazil on successfully reducing its dependence on oil by finding alternative ways to satisfy its energy needs, and recognizing the importance of the March 9, 2007, United States-Brazil Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on biofuels cooperation. 10/9/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Recognizes: (1) that the United States and Brazil have arrived at the point of a strategic confluence of interests and urges President George W. Bush to continue to deepen the bilateral relationship between the two countries; and (2) Brazil's role as a leader in the Western Hemisphere and commends its leadership of the United Nations Stabilization Mission (MINUSTAH) in Haiti.Commends: (1) Brazil for successfully diversifying its energy resources and reducing its dependence on oil; and (2) joint efforts by the United States and Brazil [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/28/2008 - Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 721.

Bill Text
To authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2008, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act and title 18, United States Code, to combat the crime of alien smuggling and related activities, and for other purposes. 4/24/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 4 other summaries) Division A: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2008 - Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2008 - Title I: Authorization - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 for the Coast Guard for: (1) Coast Guard operation and maintenance, with a portion to be derived from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for certain purposes under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA purposes); (2) acquisition, construction, rebuilding, and improvement of aids to navigation, shore and offshore facilities, vessels, and aircraft, including related equipment (designating an amount for the Integrated Deepwater System Program and a Fund amount for OPA purposes); (3) Coast [...]

show full description