Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 07/17/2008 - Conference held.

Bill Text
To establish consumer product safety standards and other safety requirements for children's products and to reauthorize and modernize the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 3/6/2008--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) CPSC Reform Act - (Sec. 3) Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to authorize appropriations: (1) to carry out the Act and any other provision of law the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is authorized or directed to carry out; (2) for the office of Inspector General; (3) to make capital improvements to the research, development, and testing facility of the CPSC; and (4) for research into safety issues related to the use of nanotechnology in consumer products. (Sec. 4) Requires the CPSC, subject to the availability of appropriations, to increase by at least 500 the number of its full-time employees and by at least 50 the number of its port-of-entry and overseas production facility inspectors. Requires [...]

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Latest Action: 01/18/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

Bill Text
To redesignate the Special Textile Negotiator of the United States Trade Representative as the Chief Textiles Negotiator and confer the rank of Ambassador upon that position, and for other purposes.

1/17/2007--Introduced.

Textile Negotiator Promotion Act - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to redesignate the Special Textile Negotiator of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) as the Chief Textiles Negotiator who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Makes it a function of the Chief Textiles Negotiator to conduct trade negotiations and enforce trade agreements regarding U.S. textile and apparel products and services.

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

Bill Text
A bill to clarify the rules of origin for certain textile and apparel products.

2/6/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Uruguay Round Agreements Act with respect to the rules of origin for certain textile and apparel products.

Makes such amendments applicable to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the date that is 15 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

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 clarify the rules of origin for certain textile and apparel products.

2/6/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Uruguay Round Agreements Act with respect to the rules of origin for certain textile and apparel products.

Makes such amendments applicable to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the date that is 15 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Latest Action: 02/20/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support.

Bill Text
To amend the Trade Act of 1974 to make certain modifications to the trade adjustment assistance program.

2/8/2007--Introduced.

American Competitiveness and Adjustment Act - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 with respect to: (1) trade adjustment assistance; (2) data collection; (3) industry-wide certifications; (4) trade adjustment assistance for farmers; (5) trade adjustment assistance for firms; and (6) trade adjustment assistance for service workers and firms and industries.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise and increase the health care tax credit.

Establishes in the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce an Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance.

Extends the trade adjustment assistance program through FY2012.

Latest Action: 02/23/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight.

Bill Text
To prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from procuring certain items directly related to the national security unless the items are grown, reprocessed, reused, or produced in the United States. 2/8/2007--Introduced. Berry Amendment Extension Act - Prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from procuring specified covered items directly related to national security interests (including clothing, tents, or natural fiber products) that are not grown, reprocessed, reused, or produced in the United States, except to the extent satisfactory quality and sufficient quantity of any such product cannot be procured as and when needed. Makes additional exceptions for: (1) procurements by vessels in foreign waters; (2) emergency procurements; and (3) purchases for amounts not greater than the simplified acquisition threshold ($100,000). Directs the Secretary to ensure that: (1) each member of DHS's acquisition workforce who regularly participates in textile [...]

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Latest Action: 09/26/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Bill Text
To enhance United States diplomatic efforts with respect to Iran by imposing additional economic sanctions against Iran, and for other purposes. 9/25/2007--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Iran Counter-Proliferation Act of 2007 - Title I: Support for Diplomatic Efforts Relating to Preventing Iran from Acquiring Nuclear Weapons - (Sec. 101) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should use diplomatic and economic means to resolve the Iranian nuclear problem; (2) the United States should continue to support efforts in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the U.N. Security Council to end Iran's uranium enrichment and nuclear weapons programs; (3) Security Council Resolution 1737 was a useful first step toward pressing Iran to end its nuclear weapons program; and (4) in light of Iran's continued defiance of the international community the Security Council should adopt additional measures against [...]

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Latest Action: 05/11/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Bill Text
To authorize appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2008, and for other purposes. 5/9/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 - Title I: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2008.Title II: Policy and Management Improvements - (Sec. 201) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) to replace provisions establishing within DHS a Directorate of Border and Transportation Security with provisions establishing a Directorate for Policy, headed by an Under Secretary for Policy, which shall include: (1) the Office of the Private Sector; (2) the Victim Assistance Officer; (3) the Tribal Security Officer; and (4) the Border Community Liaison Officer.Makes the Under Secretary for Policy the principal policy advisor to the Secretary [...]

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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: 04/08/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance pursuant to section 2103(c) of Public Law 107-210. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2745-2754)

Bill Text
A bill to implement the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. 4/8/2008--Introduced. United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act - Approves the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (the Agreement) entered into with the government of Colombia. Provides for the Agreement's entry into force upon certain conditions being met on or after January 1, 2009.Authorizes the President to proclaim actions, and other appropriate officers of the U.S. government to issue regulations, necessary to ensure appropriate implementation of any provision of this Act that takes effect on the date the Agreement enters into force.Provides for: (1) administration of dispute settlement proceedings; (2) arbitration of certain claims against the United States; and (3) specified tariff modifications. Prescribes requirements for: (1) enforcement of textile and apparel rules of origin; (2) actions for relief from imports benefiting from the [...]

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Latest Action: 04/10/2008 - Rule H. Res. 1092 passed House. (consideration: CR H2177-2190)

Bill Text
To implement the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. 4/8/2008--Introduced. United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act - Approves the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (the Agreement) entered into with the government of Colombia. Provides for the Agreement's entry into force upon certain conditions being met on or after January 1, 2009.Authorizes the President to proclaim actions, and other appropriate officers of the U.S. government to issue regulations, necessary to ensure appropriate implementation of any provision of this Act that takes effect on the date the Agreement enters into force.Provides for: (1) administration of dispute settlement proceedings; (2) arbitration of certain claims against the United States; and (3) specified tariff modifications. Prescribes requirements for: (1) enforcement of textile and apparel rules of origin; (2) actions for relief from imports benefiting from the Agreement;[...]

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Latest Action: 05/01/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
To require the Secretary of Labor to issue interim and final occupational safety and health standards regarding worker exposure to combustible dust, and for other purposes. 4/30/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Requires the Secretary of Labor, within 90 days, to promulgate an interim final standard regulating combustible dusts, which shall apply to manufacturing, processing, blending, conveying, repackaging, and handling of combustible particulate solids and their dusts (including organic dusts, plastics, sulfur, wood, rubber, furniture, textiles, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, fibers, dyes, coal, metals, and fossil fuels), but shall not apply to processes already covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) standard on grain facilities.Requires such standard to provide requirements for: (1) a hazard assessment [...]

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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: 07/17/2008 - Conference held.

Bill Text
To establish consumer product safety standards and other safety requirements for children's products and to reauthorize and modernize the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 3/6/2008--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) CPSC Reform Act - (Sec. 3) Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to authorize appropriations: (1) to carry out the Act and any other provision of law the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is authorized or directed to carry out; (2) for the office of Inspector General; (3) to make capital improvements to the research, development, and testing facility of the CPSC; and (4) for research into safety issues related to the use of nanotechnology in consumer products. (Sec. 4) Requires the CPSC, subject to the availability of appropriations, to increase by at least 500 the number of its full-time employees and by at least 50 the number of its port-of-entry and overseas production facility inspectors. Requires [...]

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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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Latest Action: 10/15/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To clarify and extend the commitment of the United States to pursue economic cooperation with Costa Rica and other nations in the Caribbean Basin, and for other purposes.

10/15/2007--Introduced.

U.S. and Costa Rica Trade Cooperation Act - Amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act to make permanent the extension of temporary duty-free treatment of certain textile and apparel articles manufactured in a beneficiary country (particularly, Costa Rica) and imported into the United States.

Latest Action: 04/29/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of Congress that the Museum of the American Quilter's Society, located in Paducah, Kentucky, should be designated as the "National Quilt Museum of the United States".

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.)

Expresses the sense of Congress that the Museum of the American Quilter's Society, located at 215 Jefferson Street in Paducah, Kentucky, should be designated as the "National Quilt Museum of the United States."