Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 11/08/2007 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to comprehensively reform immigration law, and for other purposes. 1/31/2007--Introduced. Save America Comprehensive Immigration Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to provide increased protections and eligibility for family-sponsored immigrants. Directs the Secretary of State to establish a Board of Family-based Visa Appeals within the Department of State. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to deny a family-based immigration petition by a U.S. petitioner for an alien spouse or child if: (1) the petitioner is on the national sex offender registry for a conviction that resulted in more than one year's imprisonment; (2) the petitioner has failed to rebut such information within 90 days; and (3) granting the petition would put a spouse or child beneficiary in danger of sexual abuse. Directs the Secretary to establish the Task Force to Rescue Immigrant Victims of [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5530)

Bill Text
To enhance ecosystem protection and the range of outdoor opportunities protected by statute in the Skykomish River valley of the State of Washington by designating certain lower-elevation Federal lands as wilderness, and for other purposes. 6/28/2007--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.) Wild Sky Wilderness Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Designates certain lands in the Skykomish River valley, Washington, as the Wild Sky Wilderness, to be managed by the Secretary of Agriculture. (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to establish a trail plan. Authorizes the use of helicopter access to construct and maintain a joint Forest Service-Snohomish County telecommunications repeater site to provide improved communication for safety, health, and emergency purposes. Allows the continued use of floatplanes [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 07/24/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
A bill to require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a study on the operation of helicopters over Long Island, New York and for other purposes.

7/24/2007--Introduced.

Requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct a study and report to Congress on the helicopter operations over Long Island, New York, including regarding: (1) the effect of helicopter traffic on residential areas; and (2) the feasibility of diverting helicopters from residential areas, creating specific helicopter air lanes, and establishing helicopter altitude limits. Exempts helicopters performing operations for accredited news organizations, law enforcement, or emergency services from any limitations or restrictions.

Latest Action: 06/25/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection.

Bill Text
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate high threat helicopter flight areas and to provide special rules for screening of passengers and property to be transported on passenger helicopters operating to or from such areas and for helicopters flights in such areas, and for other purposes. 6/6/2007--Introduced. High Threat Helicopter Flight Area Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to designate an area at high risk for an attack by one or more terrorists as a high threat helicopter flight area. Directs the Secretary to provide screening of all passengers and property transported from a high threat flight helicopter area on a passenger helicopter equivalent to that provided for passengers and property carried aboard a domestic passenger aircraft. Requires the Secretary to develop a plan for acquiring and training personnel, including acquiring equipment, to provide such screening. Directs the Secretary of Transportation [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/28/2007 - Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 240.

Bill Text
Making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. 6/27/2007--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and related agencies for FY2008. Title I: Department of the Interior - Makes appropriations for FY2008 to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for: (1) land and resource management; (2) construction; (3) land acquisition; (3) Oregon and California grant lands; (4) range improvements; (5) service charges, deposits, and forfeitures with respect to public lands; (6) miscellaneous trust funds; and (7) wildland fire management (including transfer of funds). Appropriates funds for FY2008 to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 08/03/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
To restructure the Coast Guard Integrated Deepwater Program, and for other purposes. 7/31/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Integrated Deepwater Program Reform Act - Prohibits the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating from using a private sector entity as a lead systems integrator for future Integrated Deepwater Systems Program (Program) procurements. Allows completion of existing delivery and task orders. Allows the Secretary to obtain assistance from federal agencies and, by grant, contract, or cooperative agreement, from private sector entities. Directs the Secretary, subject to exception, to use full and open competition for certain Deepwater Program acquisitions. Imposes other Program requirements, including certain required contract terms, development of a life cycle cost estimate, and assignment of a separate contract officers. (Sec. 3) Requires the Coast Guard commandant to appoint or designate [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 02/07/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1715-1716)

Bill Text
A bill to enhance ecosystem protection and the range of outdoor opportunities protected by statute in the Skykomish River valley of the State of Washington by designating certain lower-elevation Federal lands as wilderness, and for other purposes. 2/7/2007--Introduced. Wild Sky Wilderness Act of 2007 - Designates certain lands in the Skykomish River valley, Washington, as the Wild Sky Wilderness, to be managed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Directs the Secretary to establish a trail plan. Authorizes the use of helicopter access to construct and maintain a joint Forest Service-Snohomish County telecommunications repeater site to provide improved communication for safety, health, and emergency purposes. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire lands in the Wild Sky Wilderness by purchase, donation, or exchange, with priority to be given to specified Priority Acquisition Lands. Requires the boundaries of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and the Wild Sky Wilderness [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
A bill to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, to implement further the Act approving the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes. 5/8/2008--Public Law.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 - Title I: Forest Service Authorizations - (Sec. 101) Designates certain lands in the Skykomish River Valley, Washington, as the Wild Sky Wilderness, to be managed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Directs the Secretary to establish a trail plan. Authorizes the use of helicopter access to construct and maintain a joint [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
To authorize law enforcement and security assistance, and assistance to enhance the rule of law and strengthen civilian institutions, for Mexico and the countries of Central America, and for other purposes. 6/10/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act of 2008 - Title I: Assistance for Mexico - Subtitle A: Law Enforcement and Security Assistance - (Sec. 112) Authorizes the President to provide assistance for Mexico for: (1) counternarcotics and countertrafficking; (2) port, airport, and related security to assist in controlling the Mexico-U.S. and Mexico-Central America borders; (3) intelligence gathering operational technology; and (4) public security and law enforcement, including assistance to the National Council Against Addiction (CONADIC). (Sec. 114) Prohibits assistance to any armed forces of Mexico or law enforcement unit [...]

show full description

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
To authorize law enforcement and security assistance, and assistance to enhance the rule of law and strengthen civilian institutions, for Mexico and the countries of Central America, and for other purposes. 6/10/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act of 2008 - Title I: Assistance for Mexico - Subtitle A: Law Enforcement and Security Assistance - (Sec. 112) Authorizes the President to provide assistance for Mexico for: (1) counternarcotics and countertrafficking; (2) port, airport, and related security to assist in controlling the Mexico-U.S. and Mexico-Central America borders; (3) intelligence gathering operational technology; and (4) public security and law enforcement, including assistance to the National Council Against Addiction (CONADIC). (Sec. 114) Prohibits assistance to any armed forces of Mexico or law enforcement unit [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
A bill to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, to implement further the Act approving the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes. 5/8/2008--Public Law.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 - Title I: Forest Service Authorizations - (Sec. 101) Designates certain lands in the Skykomish River Valley, Washington, as the Wild Sky Wilderness, to be managed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Directs the Secretary to establish a trail plan. Authorizes the use of helicopter access to construct and maintain a joint [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 07/24/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
A bill to require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a study on the operation of helicopters over Long Island, New York and for other purposes.

7/24/2007--Introduced.

Requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct a study and report to Congress on the helicopter operations over Long Island, New York, including regarding: (1) the effect of helicopter traffic on residential areas; and (2) the feasibility of diverting helicopters from residential areas, creating specific helicopter air lanes, and establishing helicopter altitude limits. Exempts helicopters performing operations for accredited news organizations, law enforcement, or emergency services from any limitations or restrictions.

Latest Action: 08/03/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
To restructure the Coast Guard Integrated Deepwater Program, and for other purposes. 7/31/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Integrated Deepwater Program Reform Act - Prohibits the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating from using a private sector entity as a lead systems integrator for future Integrated Deepwater Systems Program (Program) procurements. Allows completion of existing delivery and task orders. Allows the Secretary to obtain assistance from federal agencies and, by grant, contract, or cooperative agreement, from private sector entities. Directs the Secretary, subject to exception, to use full and open competition for certain Deepwater Program acquisitions. Imposes other Program requirements, including certain required contract terms, development of a life cycle cost estimate, and assignment of a separate contract officers. (Sec. 3) Requires the Coast Guard commandant to appoint or designate [...]

show full description