Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Dodd. With written report No. 110-443.

Bill Text
An original bill to impose sanctions with respect to Iran, to provide for the divestment of assets in Iran by State and local governments and other entities, to identify locations of concern with respect to transshipment, reexportation, or diversion of certain sensitive items to Iran, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 07/07/2008 - Committee on Finance. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Baucus. With written report No. 110-408. Additional views filed.

Bill Text
An original bill to impose sanctions on Iran and for other purposes. 7/7/2008--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.) Iran Sanctions Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Expresses the sense of Congress concerning a variety of existing and proposed sanctions against Iran. (Sec. 4) States that nothing in this Act shall be construed as authorizing the President to use military force against Iran. (Sec. 5) Defines specified terms. (Sec. 6) Amends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to expand the definition of "person" to include: (1) a financial institution, insurer, underwriter, guarantor, or any other business organization, including any foreign subsidiary, parent, or affiliate of one of the foregoing; and (2) an export credit agency that is a governmental entity operating [...]

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Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - By Senator Baucus from Committee on Finance filed written report. Report No. 110-444.

Bill Text
A joint resolution approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003.

7/23/2008--Reported to Senate 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.)

Approves the renewal of certain import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003.

Latest Action: 07/30/2008 - Became Public Law No: 110-287.

Bill Text
Approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. 7/24/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on July 23, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Approves the renewal of certain import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. 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 October 7, 2017. Amends the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 to increase the amount of any corporate estimated tax installment otherwise due by a corporation with assets of not less than $1 billion for the third quarter of 2013 by 0.25% of such amount. Deems this resolution a renewal resolution which shall take effect upon its enactment [...]

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Latest Action: 05/22/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to prohibit the importation of certain products that contain or are derived from columbite-tantalite or cassiterite mined or extracted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and for other purposes. 5/22/2008--Introduced. Conflict Coltan and Cassiterite Act of 2008 - Directs the President to develop, and submit to Congress, a list of groups (including army units) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that commit serious human rights or international humanitarian law violations or crimes under international law.Prohibits the importation of products from the DRC that contain or are derived from columbite-tantalite or cassiterite, including such products that are mined or produced and benefit such groups, until the President certifies to Congress that such violations and crimes have ceased. Makes it unlawful for a person to violate such prohibition. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for such violations, including seizure and forfeiture [...]

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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 [...]

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Latest Action: 05/22/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee co

Bill Text
Amending the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to reinsert the trade title contained in the conference report to accompany H.R. 2419 of the 110th Congress (Report 110-627).

5/22/2008--Introduced.

Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to reinsert the trade title contained in the conference report to accompany H.R. 2419 of the 110th Congress (Report 110-627).

Latest Action: 07/08/2008 - Returned to the Calendar. Calendar No. 742.

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases, and for other purposes. 5/20/2008--Introduced. Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish: (1) a federal greenhouse gas (GHG) registry, for which certain facilities must report information regarding fossil fuels and GHGs produced and consumed; and (2) specified quantities of GHG emission allowances, which decline for each of 2012 to 2050. Requires the Administrator to establish a GHG emission allowance transfer system for the following: (1) facilities that use more than 5,000 tons of coal in a year; (2) facilities in the natural gas sector; (3) facilities that produce or entities that import petroleum- or coal-based fuel the combustion of which will emit group I GHGs; (4) facilities that produce or entities that import, in any year, more than [...]

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Latest Action: 04/24/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to strengthen sanctions against the Government of Syria, to enhance multilateral commitment to address the Government of Syria's threatening policies, to establish a program to support a transition to a democratically-elected government in Syria, and for other purposes. 4/24/2008--Introduced. Syria Accountability and Liberation Act - States that U.S. sanctions, controls, and regulations relating to Syria shall remain in effect until the President certifies that Syria has ceased support for terrorism, has dismantled biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons programs and has committed to combat their proliferation, respects the boundaries and sovereignty of all neighboring countries, and upholds human rights and civil liberties. Imposes specified trade, assistance, and military sanctions, as appropriate, on persons or countries that transfer goods or technology so as to contribute to Syria's biological, chemical, nuclear, or advanced conventional weapons programs.[...]

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Latest Action: 04/24/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to ensure the safety of seafood and seafood products being imported into the United States. 4/24/2008--Introduced. Imported Seafood Safety Enhancement Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) issue an order refusing admission into the United States of all imports of seafood or seafood products originating from a country or exporter which the Secretary determines do not meet food safety requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or which are not likely to meet food safety requirements of any other federal law; and (2) notify all U.S. ports of entry of such refusal within five days. Requires shipments denied admission to be clearly marked "Refused Entry by the United States Government." Requires the importer of such a rejected shipment headed for its country of origin to notify the appropriate authority of such country of the reasons admission was refused before the shipment may be released to the importer.[...]

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Latest Action: 04/22/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

Bill Text
To improve the protections afforded under Federal law to consumers from contaminated seafood by directing the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program, in coordination with other appropriate Federal agencies, to strengthen activities for ensuring that seafood sold or offered for sale to the public in or affecting interstate commerce is fit for human consumption. 4/9/2008--Introduced. Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to establish a program to strengthen federal activities for ensuring that commercially distributed seafood meets federal food quality and safety requirements. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement to strengthen cooperation on seafood safety, including regarding testing, inspections of foreign facilities, technical assistance of foreign facilities, establishing a distribution chain tracking system, and labeling. Directs the Secretary [...]

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Latest Action: 06/05/2008 - Mr. Spratt brought up conference report H. Rept. 110-659 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 1214.

Bill Text
An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2009 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2008 and 2010 through 2013. 5/20/2008--Conference report filed in House.    (There are 4 other summaries) Sets forth the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2009, including the appropriate budgetary levels for FY2008 and FY2010-FY2013. Title I: Recommended Levels and Amounts - (Sec. 101) Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts, for FY2008-FY2013, with respect to: (1) federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits (on-budget); (5) debt subject to limit; and (6) debt held by the public. (Sec. 102) Lists the appropriate levels of new budget authority, outlays, and administrative expenses for Social Security, U.S. Postal Service discretionary administrative expenses, and specified major functional [...]

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Latest Action: 07/15/2008 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-420.

Bill Text
A bill to improve the protections afforded under Federal law to consumers from contaminated seafood by directing the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program, in coordination with other appropriate Federal agencies, to strengthen activities for ensuring that seafood sold or offered for sale to the public in or affecting interstate commerce is fit for human consumption. 7/15/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to establish a program, consistent with U.S. international obligations, to strengthen federal activities for ensuring that commercially distributed seafood meets federal food quality and safety requirements. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement to strengthen cooperation on seafood safety, including regarding examining and testing seafood imports, inspections of [...]

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Latest Action: 03/07/2008 - S.AMDT.4143 Amendment SA 4143, previously agreed to, was modified by Unanimous Consent.

Bill Text
A bill to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission to provide greater protection for children's products, to improve the screening of noncompliant consumer products, to improve the effectiveness of consumer product recall programs, and for other purposes. 2/25/2008--Introduced. CPSC Reform Act - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to authorize appropriations to carry out the Act and for other purposes. Creates or modifies provisions relating to personnel and Commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), public disclosure of information, and rulemaking procedures. Requires third party certification of, and provides for tracking and record keeping regarding, children's products. Modifies provisions relating reporting of substantial product hazards and corrective action plans. Requires manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and importers to identify each other. Modifies provisions relating to prohibited acts, penalties,[...]

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Latest Action: 02/07/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S787)

Bill Text
A bill to require certain semiautomatic pistols manufactured, imported, or sold by Federal firearms licensees to be capable of microstamping ammunition.

2/7/2008--Introduced.

Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit firearm licensees from manufacturing, importing, or transferring a semiautomatic pistol that is not capable of microstamping ammunition. Deems a pistol capable of microstamping ammunition if: (1) a microscopic array of characters that identify the make, model and serial number of the pistol is etched into the breech face and firing pin of the pistol; and (2) when ammunition is fired from the pistol, the characters are copied from the breech face and firing pin onto the cartridge case of the ammunition.

Latest Action: 02/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To require certain semiautomatic pistols manufactured, imported, or sold by Federal firearms licensees to be capable of microstamping ammunition.

2/7/2008--Introduced.

National Crime Gun Identification Act - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit firearm licensees from manufacturing, importing, or transferring a semiautomatic pistol that is not capable of microstamping ammunition. Deems a pistol capable of microstamping ammunition if: (1) a microscopic array of characters that identify the make, model and serial number of the pistol is etched into the breech face and firing pin of the pistol; and (2) when ammunition is fired from the pistol, the characters are copied from the breech face and firing pin onto the cartridge case of the ammunition.

Latest Action: 12/19/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Bill Text
To amend the Consumer Product Safety Act to increase the civil penalties for certain violations relating to children's products containing lead. 12/19/2007--Introduced. Sanctions to Eliminate Products Unsafe to the Public Act of 2007 or the STEP UP Act of 2007 - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to require every manufacturer (and any related private labeler) of an article for use by a child under 60 months of age which is subject to a consumer product safety standard or a rule under any Act administered by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) declaring a consumer product a banned hazardous product to certify, based on testing conducted by a nongovernmental independent third party, that the product conforms to such standard or is not a banned hazardous product. Bars importation of such articles lacking independent third party certification. Increases the civil penalties for violations of a consumer product safety standard involving lead in a children's [...]

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Latest Action: 12/19/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to authorize the shipment of prescription drugs between the States and the Virgin Islands.

12/19/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to exempt prescription drugs that have been shipped directly from a state to the U.S. Virgin Islands from restrictions on importation of exported drugs.