Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 07/30/2008 - Mr. Ellsworth moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

Bill Text
Honoring Edward Day Cohota, Joseph L. Pierce, and other veterans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent who fought in the United States Civil War.

5/17/2007--Introduced.

Recognizes the contributions made during the Civil War by soldiers of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. Honors the two most documented of those soldiers, Edward Day Cohota and Joseph L. Pierce, for their distinguished and dedicated service.

Latest Action: 05/18/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

Bill Text
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize grants for institutions of higher education serving Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

1/22/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to provide grants and related assistance to certain institutions of higher education that have an undergraduate enrollment that is at least 10% Asian American or Pacific Islander, for activities to improve their capacity to serve such students.

Requires applicants for such assistance to submit a five-year plan for improving the assistance they provide to such students.

Gives priority to eligible institutions that serve a significant percentage of low-income Asian American and Pacific Islander students.

Latest Action: 10/04/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
To establish a digital and wireless network technology program, and for other purposes. 9/4/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Program to assist eligible educational institutions in acquiring, and augmenting use of, digital and wireless networking technologies to improve the quality and delivery of educational services at such institutions. Defines as eligible institutions: (1) historically Black colleges or universities, (2) a Hispanic-, Alaskan Native-, or Native Hawaiian-serving institution; (3) a tribally controlled college or university; or (4) an institution with a sufficient enrollment of needy students as defined under the Higher Education Act of [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish an Office of Men's Health, and for other purposes. 1/31/2007--Introduced. Office of Men's Health Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Office of Men's Health within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Office, to collaborate with relevant federal agencies and offices to identify and report on men's health data, including health disparities for chronic diseases and health conditions related to men of color. Requires the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education to: (1) conduct conferences on men's health; (2) conduct public education campaigns to reduce health disparities relating to men's health; (3) evaluate the effectiveness of resources that focus on men's health; and (4) report on the gaps and problems that men of color have in utilizing [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/09/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To implement the recommendations of the Guam War Claims Review Commission. 5/8/2007--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on May 7, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act - (Sec. 2) Recognizes the great suffering and steadfast loyalty and courage of the people of Guam during the Japanese occupation of Guam in World War II. (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make the following payments for Guam World War II claims: (1) spouses, children or parents of compensable Guam decedents would be eligible for $25,000; (2) compensable Guam victims who were raped or suffered severe personal injury would be eligible for $15,000, those who were subjected to forced labor or suffered personal injury would be eligible for $12,000, and those who were subjected to forced march, internment, or hiding [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - By Senator Kennedy from Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions filed written report. Report No. 110-231.

Bill Text
A bill to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes. 7/24/2007--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Higher Education Amendments of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise HEA programs and to extend the authorization of appropriations for them through FY2013. Title I: General Provisions - (Sec. 101) Adds definitions of a critical foreign language, distance education, and poverty line. Provides that critical foreign languages are those contained on the list designated by the Secretary of Education in the Federal Register on August 5, 1985, but allows the Secretary to set language priorities according to the purposes of a specific program and national security, economic competitiveness, and educational needs. States that poverty line refers to the poverty line applicable to a family of the size involved. (Sec. 102) Revises [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/03/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
To authorize appropriations to provide for South Pacific exchanges.

5/3/2007--Introduced.

Authorizes FY2008-FY2009 appropriations for South Pacific exchanges under the educational and cultural exchange programs of the Department of State.

Latest Action: 05/03/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
To provide technical and other assistance to countries in the Pacific region through the United States Agency for International Development.

5/3/2007--Introduced.

Directs the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), upon request, to provide technical and other assistance to: (1) The Cook Islands; (2) The Federated States of Micronesia; (3) The Independent State of Samoa; (4) The Kingdom of Tonga; (5) Niue; (6) Papua New Guinea; (7) The Republic of Fiji; (8) The Republic of Kiribati; (9) The Republic of the Marshall Islands; (10) The Republic of Nauru; (11) The Republic of Palau; (12) The Republic of Vanuatu; (13) The Solomon Islands; and (14) Tuvalu.

Latest Action: 05/03/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
To authorize appropriations to provide Fulbright Scholarships for Pacific Island students.

5/3/2007--Introduced.

Pacific Islands Fulbright Scholarship Fund Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of State to review and report to Congress on the marginalization of Pacific Island students in the awarding of Fulbright Scholarships.

Requires the Secretary to establish an annual one-year program within the J. William Fulbright Educational Exchange program providing scholarships to Pacific Islands students for study in the United States pursuant to the terms of such Exchange program.

Latest Action: 05/08/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Bill Text
To amend the Public Health Service Act to prevent and cure diabetes and to promote and improve the care of individuals with diabetes for the reduction of health disparities within racial and ethnic minority groups, including the African-American, Hispanic American, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and American Indian and Alaskan Native communities. 5/8/2007--Introduced. Diabetes Prevention Access and Care Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to: (1) conduct, coordinate, and support research and other activities with respect to pre-diabetes and diabetes in minority populations; and (2) conduct and support programs to treat diabetes in minority populations. Requires the Director of NIH, through the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, to provide for: (1) health care professionals' mentoring; and (2) minority health professionals' participation in diabetes-focused [...]

show full description

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 05/06/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to prevent and cure diabetes and to promote and improve the care of individuals with diabetes for the reduction of health disparities within racial and ethnic minority groups, including the African-American, Hispanic American, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and American Indian and Alaskan Native communities. 5/6/2008--Introduced. Diabetes Prevention Access and Care Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to: (1) conduct, coordinate, and support research and other activities with respect to pre-diabetes and diabetes in minority populations; and (2) conduct and support programs to treat diabetes in minority populations.Requires the Director of NIH, through the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, to provide for: (1) health care professionals' mentoring; and (2) minority health professionals' participation in diabetes-focused [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/21/2008 - Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4402)

Bill Text
Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

5/21/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Recognizes that the incredible diversity of different racial and ethnic groups, including Asian American and Pacific Islander, is a source of strength for the United States.

Recognizes that the Asian American and Pacific Islander community is influential and crucial to the society and culture of the United States.

Reaffirms the commitment of the House of Representatives to the goals and ideals of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

Celebrates the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the United States.

Latest Action: 08/31/2008 - Cleared for White House.

Bill Text
To amend and extend the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes. 2/7/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2008 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise and reauthorize HEA programs. Title I: Title I Amendments - (Sec. 101) Revises the general definition of an institution of higher education (IHE) to include schools that: (1) admit students whose secondary education was conducted in a home school setting; (2) award degrees (not necessarily bachelor's degrees) that are acceptable for admission to a graduate or professional degree program; and (3) enroll students who will be dually or concurrently enrolled in a secondary school. Revises the definition of an IHE for purposes of title IV student assistance programs. Requires graduate medical schools located outside the country, that qualified as IHEs owing to their having a state-approved [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 09/06/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
To authorize appropriations to provide for South Pacific exchanges, provide technical and other assistance to countries in the Pacific region through the United States Agency for International Development, and authorize appropriations to provide Fulbright Scholarships for Pacific Island students. 9/5/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Pacific Island Economic and Educational Development Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations of $1 million for each of FY2008 and FY2009 for exchanges with Pacific Island countries carried out under the educational and cultural exchange programs of the Department of State. Authorizes the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), upon request, to provide technical and other assistance to Pacific Island countries, defined for the purposes of this Act as: (1) the Cook Islands; (2) the Federated States of Micronesia; (3) the Independent State of Samoa; (4) the Kingdom of Tonga; [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - By Senator Kennedy from Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions filed written report. Report No. 110-231.

Bill Text
A bill to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes. 7/24/2007--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Higher Education Amendments of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise HEA programs and to extend the authorization of appropriations for them through FY2013. Title I: General Provisions - (Sec. 101) Adds definitions of a critical foreign language, distance education, and poverty line. Provides that critical foreign languages are those contained on the list designated by the Secretary of Education in the Federal Register on August 5, 1985, but allows the Secretary to set language priorities according to the purposes of a specific program and national security, economic competitiveness, and educational needs. States that poverty line refers to the poverty line applicable to a family of the size involved. (Sec. 102) Revises [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 09/27/2007 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 601 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2008. 9/27/2007--Public Law.    (There are 5 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since the Conference Report was filed in the House on September 6, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) College Cost Reduction and Access Act - Title I: Grants to Students in Attendance at Institutions of Higher Education - (Sec. 101) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to repeal the formula for calculating an individual Pell grant which includes, in part, the sum of the student's tuition. (Thus eliminates the "tuition sensitivity provision" which curre