Latest Action: 09/25/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to encourage, enhance, and integrate Silver Alert plans throughout the United States, to authorize grants for the assistance of organizations to find missing adults, and for other purposes. 9/25/2008--Introduced. National Silver Alert Act - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish a national Silver Alert communications network within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to assist regional and local search efforts for missing seniors; (2) assign a DOJ officer to serve as the Silver Alert Coordinator to coordinate the network with states; and (3) award grants to states for support of Silver Alert plans and the network. Defines "missing senior" as any individual who is reported as missing to or by a law enforcement agency and who meets state requirements for designation as a missing senior. Directs the Coordinator to: (1) establish minimum standards for the issuance and dissemination of alerts issued through the network; and (2) make available to states,[...]

show full description
Latest Action: 09/27/2008 - Mr. Oberstar moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

Bill Text
To restructure the Coast Guard Integrated Deepwater Program, and for other purposes. 9/27/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Title I: Integrated Deepwater Program - Integrated Deepwater Program Reform Act of 2008 - (Sec. 102) Prohibits the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating from using a private sector entity as a lead systems integrator (LSI) for Integrated Deepwater Program (IDP) acquisitions, subject to stated exceptions. Requires the Secretary and the IDP LSI, subject to exception, to use full and open competition for any IDP acquisition for which an outside contractor is used. Prohibits an LSI and any tier 1 subcontractor from having a financial interest in a subcontractor below the tier 1, subject to exception. (Sec. 103) Requires any IDP contract, delivery order, or task order to require, among other things, that: (1) IDP procurement certifications be conducted by the Secretary or [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 11/19/2008 - By Senator Lieberman from Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs filed written report. Report No. 110-525.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 44, United States Code, to authorize grants for Presidential Centers of Historical Excellence. 9/11/2008--Introduced. Presidential Historical Records Preservation Act of 2008 - Authorizes appropriations for the National Historical Publications and Records Commission for FY2010.Requires the Archivist of the United States, with the recommendation of the Commission, to make grants to eligible entities on a competitive basis to promote the historical preservation of, and public access to, historical records and documents relating to any President who does not have a presidential archival depository currently managed and maintained by the federal government pursuant to the Presidential Libraries Act of 1955. Defines eligible entities as specified tax-exempt organizations or state or local governments.Prohibits the use of grants for the maintenance, operating costs, or construction of any facility to house the historical records or documents.Prohibits [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 10/01/2008 - Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman without amendment. Without written report.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 44, United States Code, to enhance information security of the Federal Government, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 09/08/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 944.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for the investigation of certain unsolved civil rights crimes, and for other purposes. 8/1/2008--Introduced. Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2008 - Directs the Attorney General to designate a Deputy Chief in the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ). Makes the Deputy Chief responsible for investigating and prosecuting violations of criminal civil rights statutes in which the alleged violation occurred before January 1, 1970 and resulted in death. Directs the Attorney General to designate a Supervisory Special Agent in the Civil Rights Unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the DOJ to investigate violations of criminal civil rights statutes that occurred before January 1, 1970, and resulted in a death. Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to state or local law enforcement agencies for the investigation and prosecution of such cases. Amends the Crime Control [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8017-8019)

Bill Text
A bill to provide for the investigation of certain unsolved civil rights crimes, and for other purposes. 7/28/2008--Introduced. Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2008 - Directs the Attorney General to designate a Deputy Chief in the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ). Makes the Deputy Chief responsible for investigating and prosecuting violations of criminal civil rights statutes in which the alleged violation occurred before January 1, 1970 and resulted in death. Directs the Attorney General to designate a Supervisory Special Agent in the Civil Rights Unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the DOJ to investigate violations of criminal civil rights statutes that occurred before January 1, 1970, and resulted in a death. Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to state or local law enforcement agencies for the investigation and prosecution of such cases. Amends the Crime Control [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 07/29/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7639-7640)

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the Senate has lost confidence in the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Stephen L. Johnson, that the Administrator should resign his position immediately, and that the Department of Justice should open an investigation into the veracity of his congressional testimony regarding the California waiver decision and pursue any prosecutorial action the Department determines to be warranted.

7/29/2008--Introduced.

Declares that the Senate has lost confidence in the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Stephen L. Johnson, and calls for his immediate resignation.

Urges the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the veracity of his congressional testimony regarding the California waiver decision and to pursue any prosecutorial action warranted.

Latest Action: 06/23/2008 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Byrd. With written report No. 110-396.

Bill Text
An original bill making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security 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.)Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2009 - Title I: Department of Homeland Security Departmental Management and Operations - Makes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2009 for the Offices of the Secretary, the Under Secretary for Management, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Information Officer, the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, and the Inspector General.Title II: Security, Enforcement, and Investigations - Makes appropriations for FY2009 for: (1) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/18/2008 - Committee on Finance. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Bill Text
A joint resolution waiving certain provisions of the Trade Act of 1974 relating to the appointment of a Deputy United States Trade Representative.

6/18/2008--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.)

Authorizes the President, acting by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint Deanna Tanner Okun as Deputy United States Trade Representative (USTR), notwithstanding certain provisions of the Trade Act of 1974 prohibiting appointment as a Deputy USTR of any person who has represented, aided, or advised a foreign entity in any trade negotiation, or trade dispute, with the United States.

Latest Action: 05/21/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for the coordination of the Nation's science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education initiatives.

5/21/2008--Introduced.

Enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Act of 2008 - Requires the President to establish, in the Office of Science and Technology Policy, a Committee on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education (STEM education) within the National Science and Technology Council.

Establishes an Office of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education in the Department of Education, to be administered by an Assistant Secretary. Requires the Assistant Secretary to conduct an annual evaluation of the STEM education programs administered by the department.

Requires the Secretary of Education to award a grant to establish a voluntary State Consortium on STEM Education and a grant to the National Science Digital Library to establish a National STEM Education Research Repository.

Latest Action: 05/22/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Bill Text
To amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals, and for other purposes. 5/22/2008--Introduced. Veterans' Medical Personnel Recruitment and Retention Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to appoint personnel for health care positions within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) not specifically listed as authorized categories for appointment, as long as the Secretary provides prior notification to the congressional veterans' committees and the Office of Management and Budget. Requires newly-appointed nurses to serve a probationary period. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) appoint nurse assistants; and (2) waive required pay offsets for federal annuitants reemployed in VA health care positions. Sets the minimum rate of basic pay for appointees to certain positions in the Office of the [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/03/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education.

Bill Text
To provide for the coordination of the Nation's science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education initiatives.

5/21/2008--Introduced.

Enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Act of 2008 - Requires the President to establish, in the Office of Science and Technology Policy, a Committee on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education (STEM education) within the National Science and Technology Council.

Establishes an Office of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education in the Department of Education, to be administered by an Assistant Secretary. Requires the Assistant Secretary to conduct an annual evaluation of the STEM education programs administered by the department.

Requires the Secretary of Education to award a grant to establish a voluntary State Consortium on STEM Education and a grant to the National Science Digital Library to establish a National STEM Education Research Repository.

Latest Action: 05/20/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4488-4489)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to improve the educational awards provided for national service, and for other purposes. 5/20/2008--Introduced. AmeriCorps: Together Improving Our Nation Act or the ACTION Act - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to alter the formula for determining the amount of the national service educational award to base the award on the average cost of attending a four-year institution of higher education, rather than a portion of a veteran's basic educational assistance allowance. Excludes the national service educational award from an individual's gross income for tax purposes. Permits the Corporation for National and Community Service to support a national service program that is carried out by another federal agency and implements the priorities of such agency. Makes Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation a Cabinet position. Raises the Officer's compensation to Level I of the [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 10/02/2008 - Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for retirement equity for Federal employees in nonforeign areas outside the 48 contiguous States and the District of Columbia, and for other purposes. 10/1/2008--Passed Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act of 2008 or the Non-Foreign AREA Act of 2008 - Revises federal employee locality-based comparability payments provisions to include U.S. territories and possessions, including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, within a pay locality. Sets forth maximum rates of pay for Senior Executive Service (SES) personnel in such areas.Revises the calculation of allowances based on living costs and conditions of environment for pay of employees stationed outside the continental United States or in Alaska to apply it only to areas designated as of December 31, 2008. Provides a formula for adjustment of such rate using a transition schedule [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 10/02/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To encourage, enhance, and integrate Silver Alert plans throughout the United States, to authorize grants for the assistance of organizations to find missing adults, and for other purposes. 9/17/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 8, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Title I: Silver Alert Communications Network - National Silver Alert Act - (Sec. 102) Defines "missing senior" as any individual who is reported to, or identified by, a law enforcement agency as a missing person and who meets state requirements for designation as a missing senior.(Sec. 103) Directs the Attorney General to establish a national Silver Alert Communications Network within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to assist regional and local search efforts for missing seniors.(Sec. 104) Directs the Attorney General to [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/23/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.

Bill Text
To rebalance the United States energy portfolio, to increase and utilize the Nation's domestic energy resources and supply, to strengthen energy security and independence, and for other purposes. 5/8/2008--Introduced. Main Street U.S.A. Energy Security Act of 2008 - Refinery Permit Process Schedule Act - Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), upon request of a state governor, to provide financial assistance to hire additional personnel with expertise in federal refinery authorizations. Directs the President to: (1) appoint a federal coordinator to implement a federal refinery authorization; and (2) designate certain closed military installations as potentially suitable refinery construction sites. Sets forth an oil and gas leasing program on the Coastal Plain of Alaska. Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act of 2008 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to revise the outer Continental Shelf leasing program.[...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Select Committee on Intelligence. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Rockefeller. With written report No. 110-333. Additional and Minority views filed.

Bill Text
An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes. 5/8/2008--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.)Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 - Title I: Budget and Personnel Authorizations - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for FY2009 for the conduct of intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the: (1) Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI); (2) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); (3) Department of Defense (DOD); (4) Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA); (5) National Security Agency (NSA); (6) Departments of the Army,[...]

show full description
Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Bill Text
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance the information security of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes. 7/30/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Homeland Security Network Defense and Accountability Act of 2008 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to delegate to the Department's Chief Information Officer (CIO) authority for the development, approval, implementation, integration, and oversight of DHS policies, procedures, activities, funding, and systems relating to information management and information infrastructure. Lists CIO qualifications (including at least five years of executive leadership and management experience in information technology and information security) and functions (including establishing an incident response team).(Sec. 3) Directs the CIO to establish, oversee the deployment of, and [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 09/18/2008 - Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Akaka with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 110-473. Supplemental views filed.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals, and for other purposes. 9/18/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2008 - Title I: Department Personnel Matters - (Sec. 101) Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to appoint personnel for health care positions within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) not specifically listed in authorized classes for appointment, as long as the Secretary provides prior notification to the congressional veterans committees and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Requires, before submitting notification, the Secretary to solicit comments from any labor organization representing employees in any such class and include such comments in such notification. [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 09/27/2008 - Hearing Held by Subcommittee on Research and Science Education Prior to Introduction and Referral (03/11/2008)..

Bill Text
To authorize activities for support of nanotechnology research and development, and for other purposes. 6/5/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Revises the 21st Century Nanotechology Research and Development Act with regard to strategic plans developed pursuant to the National Nanotechnology Program (the Program). Modifies annual reporting requirements with regard to the Program. Requires agencies participating in the Program to support the activities of committees involved in the setting of standards for nanotechnology. Allows such agencies to reimburse the travel costs of scientists and engineers who participate in the activities of such committees. Revises requirements with respect to the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office. Requires the Office to be supported by funds from each agency participating in the Program. Sets forth annual [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/28/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 720.

Bill Text
A bill to reauthorize and improve the financing and entrepreneurial development programs of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes. 4/24/2008--Introduced. SBA Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to reauthorize for FY2008-FY2010 certain small business assistance programs of the Small Business Administration (SBA), including: (1) the microloan program (loans made to very small businesses for start-up, expansion, or equipment); (2) section 7(a) loans (SBA-guaranteed general business loans); (3) certified development company (CDC) financings; (4) assistance to small businesses affected by a Department of Defense base closure or realignment or the termination of a defense contract or subcontract; (5) the Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME); and (6) small business disaster loans. Revises or adds provisions concerning the microloan program, including: (1) increased loan amounts; and (2) making [...]