Latest Action: 06/23/2008 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Mikulski. With written report No. 110-397.

Bill Text
An original bill making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, science, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 6/23/2008--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 -Makes appropriations for FY2009 for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, for science-related programs, and related agencies.Title I: Department of Commerce - Department of Commerce Appropriations Act, 2009 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Commerce for FY2009 for: (1) the International Trade Administration; (2) the Bureau of Industry and Security; (3) the Economic Development Administration; (4) the Minority Business Development Agency; (5) economic [...]

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Latest Action: 02/18/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support.

Bill Text
To improve outcomes for vulnerable children by investing in families, improving accountability in the child welfare system, and finding safe, stable, and permanent homes for foster children. 2/14/2008--Introduced. Investment in Kids' Instruction, Development and Support Act, or the Invest in KIDS Act - Amends part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to revise requirements for foster care and adoption assistance and for child welfare services. Authorizes a state foster care and adoption assistance plan, at state option, to include a child and family services component. Eliminates certain income eligibility requirements for foster care and adoption assistance. Authorizes: (1) Indian tribes to receive federal funds for such assistance; and (2) separate standards for foster family homes in which a foster parent is a relative of the foster child that protect the child's safety and provide for criminal records checks. Requires application to all children [...]

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Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
To reauthorize the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program, and for other purposes. 7/14/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to: (1) require state and local governments to implement a process for the collection of DNA samples from all felons in their prisons for inclusion in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); (2) allow use of grant funds for DNA analyses of samples from missing or unidentified persons; and (3) increase and extend the authorization of appropriations for such Act for FY2010-FY2014. (Sec. 3) Expresses the sense of Congress that as a result of the DNA analysis backlog violent crimes remain unsolved and wrongfully convicted individuals have not been determined to be innocent. Requires the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to the Attorney General [...]

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Latest Action: 12/05/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2008 through 2011 for the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, to enhance measures to combat trafficking in persons, and for other purposes. 12/4/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Title I: Combatting International Trafficking in Persons - (Sec. 101) Amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) to include the Secretary of Education on the Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of State to establish within the Department of State an Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking. (Current law authorizes such Office's establishment.) Revises responsibilities of the Director of the Office. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary should locate the Office at the Department of State (Department) headquarters [...]

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Latest Action: 09/24/2007 - Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S12004)

Bill Text
A resolution recognizing the 218th anniversary of the United States Marshals Service.

9/24/2007--Introduced.

Honors the U.S. Marshals Service on its 218th anniversary and commends Director John Clark for his service and leadership.

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

Bill Text
To amend title 18, United States Code, to protect individuals performing certain Federal and federally assisted functions, and for other purposes.

7/10/2007--Introduced.

Internet Police Protection Act of 2007- Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit knowingly making restricted personal information about a covered official publicly available through the Internet. Defines "covered official" to mean a federal officer or employee, a public safety officer for a public agency that receives federal financial assistance, or a U.S. court officer, juror, or magistrate judge.

Makes it a defense to a prosecution that: (1) the defendant is an Internet service provider and did not knowingly participate in the offense; or (2) the covered official gave permission to make such information publicly available.

Latest Action: 06/29/2007 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Mikulski. With written report No. 110-124.

Bill Text
An original bill making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, science, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. 6/29/2007--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for FY2008 for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, for science-related programs, and related agencies.Title I: Department of Commerce - Department of Commerce Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Commerce for FY2008 for: (1) the International Trade Administration; (2) the Bureau of Industry and Security; (3) the Economic Development Administration; (4) the Minority Business Development Agency;[...]

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Latest Action: 12/26/2007 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
Making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. 12/26/2007--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 - Division A: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Title I: Agricultural Programs - Appropriates FY2008 funds for the following Department of Agriculture (Department) programs and services: (1) Office of the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary); (2) Office of the Chief Economist; (3) National Appeals Division; (4) Office of Budget and Program Analysis; (5) Homeland Security Staff; (6) Office of the Chief Information Officer; (7) Office of the Chief Financial Officer; (8) Office of the Assistant Secretary for [...]

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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: 06/25/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide Federal penalties for attempting to kill, conspiring to kill, or killing police officers, firefighters, and other federally funded public safety officers.

5/10/2007--Introduced.

Sergeant Henry Prendes Memorial Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose penalties for killing, or attempting or conspiring to kill, a current or former federally-funded public safety officer engaged in official duties or on account of the performance of official duties.

Latest Action: 05/04/2007 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 133.

Bill Text
A bill making emergency war appropriations for American troops overseas, without unnecessary pork barrel spending and without mandating surrender or retreat in Iraq, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes. 5/3/2007--Introduced. Support Our Troops Act of 2007 - Makes emergency appropriations for FY2007 for the Global War on Terror, including for: (1) the Department of Agriculture for the Foreign Agricultural Service; and (2) the Department of Justice for salaries and expenses, the U.S. Marshals Service, the National Security Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Federal Prison System. Makes emergency appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD) for: (1) military personnel; (2) operation and maintenance; (3) the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund; (4) the Iraq Security Forces Fund; (5) the Iraq Freedom Fund; (6) the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat [...]

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Latest Action: 03/10/2008 - Resolution agreed to in Senate with amendments and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR 3/11/2008 S1890-1891)

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the sympathy of the Senate to the families of women and girls murdered in Guatemala, and encouraging the United States to work with Guatemala to bring an end to these crimes. 3/10/2008--Passed Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Expresses condolences to the families of women and girls murdered in Guatemala and recognizes the families' courage in seeking justice. Expresses the solidarity of the people of the United States with the people of Guatemala in the face of these tragic acts. Condemns the ongoing abductions and murders of women and girls in Guatemala. Urges the government of Guatemala to: (1) strengthen laws with respect to domestic violence and sexual harassment, improve the integrity of the prosecutorial and judicial systems, and provide the resources to enforce justice for crimes against women; and (2) hold accountable law enforcement and judicial officials who have failed to investigate [...]

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Latest Action: 05/29/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support.

Bill Text
Recognizing National Foster Care Month as an opportunity for Congress to improve the foster care system throughout the United States.

5/15/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Provides that, in recognition of National Foster Care Month, and in order to improve the foster care system throughout the United States, it is the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should ensure that improving the foster care system remains a top priority for both Congress and the Nation.

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

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a United Nations Emergency Peace Service capable of intervening in the early stages of a humanitarian crisis could save millions of lives, billions of dollars, and is in the interests of the United States.

3/5/2007--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should use its voice and vote at the United Nations to support the creation of a permanent United Nations Emergency Peace Service which should: (1) be able to act immediately in an emerging humanitarian crisis; and (2) be recruited from member nations with a single command structure able to provide an integrated service encompassing 12,000 to 18,000 civilian, police, judicial, military, and relief professionals.