Latest Action: 09/08/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8134)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Small Business Act to extend the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, to increase the allocation of Federal agency grants for those programs, to add water, energy, transportation, and domestic security related research to the list of topics deserving special consideration, and for other purposes. 9/8/2008--Introduced. Strengthening Our Economy Through Small Business Innovation Act of 2008 - Amends the Small Business Act to extend: (1) the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program through FY2022; and (2) the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program through FY2023.Increases, for FY2009 and thereafter, the percentage allocation of a federal agency's annual extramural research and development budget that may be allocated to SBIR and STTR programs.Increases, for both the SBIR and STTR programs, the individual small business award levels for program participation at phase one and two [...]

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Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement.

Bill Text
To amend the Inspector General Act of 1978 to require annual reviews by Inspectors General of the operations, efficiency, and effectiveness of Federal programs. 7/29/2008--Introduced. Federal Agency Performance Review and Efficiency Act - Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to make it the principal duty and responsibility of each Inspector General to review annually the operations, efficiency, and effectiveness of all federal programs within his or her establishment and to report to Congress and the President any recommendations, along with proposed legislation, on whether an abolishment, reorganization, consolidation, or transfer of existing federal programs and agencies is necessary to: (1) reduce federal expenditures; (2) increase efficiency of government operations; (3) eliminate overlap and duplication in federal programs and offices; (4) abolish agencies or programs that no longer serve an important governmental purpose; and (5) identify reductions in amounts of [...]

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Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement.

Bill Text
To require the submission by the President of recommendations and proposed legislation to modernize, consolidate, reprioritize, and where necessary, terminate Federal programs, agencies, and activities.

7/29/2008--Introduced.

Federal Efficiency and Performance Act of 2008 - Requires the President to recommend to Congress, with proposed legislation, which existing federal programs and agencies should be modernized, consolidated, reprioritized, and where necessary, terminated in order to: (1) reduce federal expenditures; (2) increase efficiency and effectiveness of government operations; (3) eliminate overlap and duplication in federal programs and offices; (4) abolish agencies, programs, and activities that no longer serve an important governmental purpose; and (5) identify reductions in amounts of discretionary budget authority or direct spending that can be dedicated to federal deficit reduction.

Latest Action: 07/21/2008 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Kohl. With written report No. 110-426.

Bill Text
An original bill making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 7/21/2008--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.) Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 - Title I: Agricultural Programs - Appropriates FY2009 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) Office of Homeland Security; (6) Office of the Chief Information Officer; (7) Office of the Chief Financial Officer;[...]

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Latest Action: 07/17/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the estate tax as in effect in 2009, and for other purposes.

7/17/2008--Introduced.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) restore the unified credit against the estate and gift tax after 2009; (2) establish the amount of such credit at $3.5 million adjusted for inflation in calendar years after 2010; and (3) reduce the maximum estate and gift tax rate to 45%.

Expresses the sense of the Senate that any reduction in federal revenues resulting from this Act should be fully offset.

Latest Action: 06/26/2008 - Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdi

Bill Text
To prevent Members of Congress from receiving the automatic pay adjustment scheduled to take effect in 2009.

6/26/2008--Introduced.

Provides that no automatic pay adjustment shall be considered to have taken effect in FY2009 in the rates of basic pay for Members of Congress under the statutory pay system (thus eliminating the pay adjustment for Members for such fiscal year).

Expresses the sense of Congress that any savings resulting from the enactment of this Act should be dedicated to reducing the federal budget deficit.

Latest Action: 11/19/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management.

Bill Text
To provide a large-scale national effort to improve the state of our national security, economy and environment by providing market incentives to produce and deploy alternative energy solutions and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. 6/26/2008--Introduced. Apollo Energy Independence Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax incentives for energy conservation and production, including provisions to: (1) make permanent the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources and to include marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a resource for purposes of such credit; (2) make permanent the energy tax credit for solar energy, fuel cell, and microturbine property; (3) allow a new energy tax credit for combined heat and power system property; (4) provide for the issuance of new clean renewable energy bonds; (5) increase the tax credit for advanced nuclear power production; (6) make permanent the tax credits for residential energy efficient property,[...]

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Latest Action: 11/19/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research.

Bill Text
To reduce global greenhouse gas emissions through the creation of a domestic carbon market and international trade measures, and to direct the revenue therefrom to public interests. 6/19/2008--Introduced. Climate Market, Auction, Trust & Trade Emissions Reduction System Act of 2008, or the Climate MATTERS Act of 2008 - Declares the purpose of this Act to establish a federal program to reduce US greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions substantially enough by 2050 to avert the catastrophic impacts of global climate change. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish an international reserve GHG emission allowance program, whose allowance sales proceeds shall be used to mitigate the negative impacts of global climate change on disadvantaged communities in World Trade Organization (WTO) participant countries. Establishes the International Climate Change Commission to determine annually whether a WTO participant country has taken certain action to limit its GHG [...]

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Latest Action: 07/21/2008 - Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for a Federal employees program to authorize the use of leave by caregivers for family members of certain individuals performing military service, and for other purposes. 6/19/2008--Introduced. Military Family Support Act of 2008 - Directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish a program to authorize a caregiver (a federal employee at least 18 years of age capable of providing care to a child or other dependent family member of a member of the Armed Forces) to use: (1) any available sick leave for the provision of such care in the same manner as annual leave is used; and (2) any federal leave available to that caregiver as though that period of caregiving is a medical emergency. Requires the program to: (1) provide a process for reasonable notice of the need for leave; and (2) protect employees from discrimination or retaliation for the use of leave under this Act and provide the opportunity to appeal a denial of its use. Requires the [...]

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Latest Action: 07/16/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Bill Text
To provide for a Federal employees program to authorize the use of leave by caregivers for family members of certain individuals performing military service, and for other purposes. 6/19/2008--Introduced. Military Family Support Act of 2008 - Directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish a program to authorize a caregiver (a federal employee at least 18 years of age capable of providing care to a child or other dependent family member of a member of the Armed Forces) to use: (1) any available sick leave for the provision of such care in the same manner as annual leave is used; and (2) any federal leave available to that caregiver as though that period of caregiving is a medical emergency. Requires the program to: (1) provide a process for reasonable notice of the need for leave; and (2) protect employees from discrimination or retaliation for the use of leave under this Act and provide the opportunity to appeal a denial of its use. Requires the service [...]

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Latest Action: 06/05/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to exempt negative pressure wound therapy pumps and related supplies and accessories from the Medicare competitive acquisition program until the clinical comparability of such products can be validated.

6/5/2008--Introduced.

Medicare Wound Therapy Patient Protection Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exempt from the Medicare competitive acquisition program negative pressure wound therapy pumps and related supplies and accessories, until the Secretary of Health and Human Services can validate, using a panel of wound care clinical experts, the clinical comparability of all such products.

Expresses the sense of the Senate that this Act should be deficit neutral over the five-year period beginning on October 1, 2008, through appropriate offsets.

Latest Action: 06/17/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

Bill Text
To require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a "Charter Forest" demonstration project on all National Forest System lands in the State of Colorado in order to combat insect infestation, improve forest health, reduce the threat of wildfire, protect biological diversity, and enhance the social sustainability and economic productivity of the lands. 6/4/2008--Introduced. Colorado Charter Forest Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a demonstration project for National Forest System lands in Colorado ("covered lands") for the purposes of increasing community involvement in decision making regarding management and evaluating methods to improve the health and management of the lands.Requires establishment of: (1) an independent scientific panel to assess the ecological, social, and economic sustainability of the covered lands and prepare a monitoring plan; and (2) a community management council to advise on environmental, economic, and [...]

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Latest Action: 05/21/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Education and Labor, Rules, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions

Bill Text
To provide for the reform of health care, the Social Security system, the tax code for individuals and business, and the budget process. 5/21/2008--Introduced. Roadmap for America's Future Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable tax credit for health insurance coverage. Amends the Public Health Service Act to apply the laws of a health insurance issuer's primary state to individual health insurance coverage offered by the issuer in a secondary state. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to set forth rules governing association health plans. Establishes the Health Care Services Commission to enhance health care services and access to them, and the Office of the Forum for Quality and Effectiveness in Health Care. Terminates the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Independent Health Record Trust Act of 2008 - Directs the Federal Trade Commission to prescribe standards for independent [...]

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Latest Action: 05/21/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, the Budget, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall

Bill Text
To amend the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require that concurrent resolutions on the budget limit the growth of Federal spending to the mean of annual percentage growth of wages and gross domestic product (GDP) in the United States, and for other purposes. 5/21/2008--Introduced. Fiscal Integrity through Transparency (FIT) Act of 2008 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order in the House of Representatives or in the Senate to consider any budget resolution for any fiscal year if the percentage increase for the projected total outlays compared to the projected total outlays for the preceding fiscal year exceeds the allowable growth percentage, as determined according to a specified formula. Requires a super majority vote in either chamber to waive or suspend such prohibition. Requires federal departments and agencies to report annually to the Comptroller General, and federal intelligence departments and [...]

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Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and the Budget, 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 co

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to suspend the highway fuels taxes, to provide for a Joint Committee on Earmark Reform, and to prohibit earmarking for the remainder of the 110th Congress. 5/8/2008--Introduced. Gas Tax Relief and Earmark Moratorium Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend excise taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, and kerosene between May 26, 2008, and September 1, 2008. Reimburses the Highway Trust Fund for any reduction in revenues resulting from such suspension.Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer amounts from the general fund of the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund if the Secretary determines that the amount in such Fund is insufficient to meet anticipated payments for FY2009. Establishes a Joint Select Committee on Earmark Reform to study and report on the practices of Congress and the executive branch regarding earmarks in appropriations, tax, and tariff measures.Declares it not in order in [...]

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Latest Action: 11/19/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management.

Bill Text
To reduce subsidies for agricultural commodity programs.

5/5/2008--Introduced.

Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, in order to carry out title I of H.R. 2419 of the 110th Congress, as enrolled, to make such reductions in payment rates and loan rates otherwise applicable to commodity programs under such title and amendments made by that title as may be necessary to reduce obligations and expenditures of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) by $7 billion for each of FY2008-FY2012.

Latest Action: 06/03/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Bill Text
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to control spending.

4/30/2008--Introduced.

Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for any fiscal year (except for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding an amount that would cause outlays to have increased by a rate that exceeds growth in the U.S. economy over the period since 2007, unless Congress, by a two-thirds roll call vote of each chamber, authorizes a specific increase of outlays above this amount.

Directs the President, before each fiscal year, to transmit to Congress a proposed budget for such fiscal year and all ensuing fiscal years covered by it, in which total outlays do not exceed the outlays from the previous year after taking into account an increase to reflect such average growth.

Authorizes a waiver of these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect.

Latest Action: 04/10/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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 co

Bill Text
To establish the Bipartisan Earmark Reform Commission.

4/10/2008--Introduced.

Bipartisan Earmark Reform Commission Act of 2008 - Establishes the Bipartisan Earmark Reform Commission to: (1) develop a clear definition of what constitutes an earmark; and (2) report findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the President and Congress.

Requires the Majority Leaders of the House of Representatives and of the Senate to introduce (by request) the legislation recommended in the report.

Latest Action: 03/10/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select).

Bill Text
To rescind earmarks designated in the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008.

3/10/2008--Introduced.

Prohibits funds from being obligated or otherwise made available for an item (earmark) listed in the joint explanatory statement accompanying the conference report on H.R. 2082 (Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008) of the 110th Congress (H. Rept. 110-478) in compliance with Rule XXI (Restrictions on Certain Bills) of the Rules of the House of Representatives and Rule XLIV (Congressionally Directed Spending and Related Items) of the Standing Rules of the Senate, unless the President certifies that amounts would be obligated for such item without regard to its appearance in such statement. (Thus, rescinds earmarks designated in such Act.)

Latest Action: 01/28/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.

Bill Text
To amend title VII of the Social Security Act to require the President to transmit the annual budget of the Social Security Administration without revisions to Congress, and for other purposes. 1/23/2008--Introduced. Amends title XVIII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to: (1) require the Commissioner of Social Security to submit the annual budget of the Social Security Administration (SSA) directly to Congress and the President; (2) specify the general contents of the budget, including the amount of funds required to combat fraud committed by applicants and beneficiaries, the number of pending cases and the average processing time, as well as employment statistics for each hearing and field office; (3) prohibit the Commissioner from closing or otherwise limiting public access to an SSA field office until 180 days after submitting to specified congressional committees a detailed report outlining and justifying the process for selecting field offices to be closed [...]

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Latest Action: 01/28/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.

Bill Text
To authorize the Space Shuttle to be flown from 2010 through 2015, and to authorize appropriations for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for this purpose. 12/19/2007--Introduced. Spacefaring Priorities for America's Continued Exploration Act or SPACE Act - Prohibits the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from relying solely on the Russian government for astronaut transport or cargo resupply services, except for the current Soyuz emergency escape services for astronauts on the International Space Station. Authorizes appropriations to NASA for: (1) exploration systems; and (2) emergency funding for Columbia return-to-flight costs. Requires NASA to fly at least two space shuttle missions per year for crew transport, instead of Russian crew and cargo services, for the period 2010-2015, or until Orion is operational. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such operations. Requires NASA to report to Congress on the specific costs [...]

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Latest Action: 12/20/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.

Bill Text
To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to provide that annual Social Security account statements indicate, in estimating the level of projected benefits of eligible individuals, the effect on such benefits levels of benefit reductions which may be necessary, in the absence of future legislative remedies, by reason of anticipated insolvency of the Social Security Trust Funds. 12/17/2007--Introduced. More Transparent and Honest Communications with American Workers Reform Act of 2007 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act to revise requirements for estimates of potential old-age insurance benefits in Social Security account statements eligible individuals may request. Directs the Commissioner of Social Security, in any case in which the projections of future levels of receipts and disbursements of the Social Security Trust Funds indicate that the balance in the Funds may become insufficient to pay benefits in full when due, to indicate in benefits estimates [...]

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Latest Action: 10/25/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Rules.

Bill Text
Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that rescission bills always be considered under open rules every year, and for other purposes. 10/25/2007--Introduced. Cut the Unnecessary Tab Resolution, or CUT Resolution - Amends Rule XIII (Calendars and Committee Reports) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit the Committee on Rules from reporting a rule or order that would limit any amendment that would otherwise be in order to a rescission bill. Amends Rule X (Organization of Committees) to require the House Budget Committee, whenever a rescission bill passes the House, to reduce the applicable committee allocations by the total amount of resulting reductions in budget authority and outlays. Amends Rule XIII to require the Majority Leader to introduce a rescission bill by certain dates in each session. Makes any motion to discharge the committee from consideration of such a bill privileged 10 legislative days after its introduction,[...]

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Latest Action: 10/18/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for a 5-year SCHIP reauthorization for coverage of low-income children, an expansion of child health care insurance coverage through tax fairness, and a health care Federalism initiative, and for other purposes. 10/18/2007--Introduced. More Children, More Choices Act of 2007 - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require a state SCHIP plan to specify how it will achieve coverage for 90% of targeted low-income children. Prohibits SCHIP payment for children with family income above 250% of the applicable poverty line. Sets forth special rules for SCHIP payment for children with family income above 200% of the applicable poverty line. Provides for standardization of income determinations. Applies citizenship documentation requirements to SCHIP beneficiaries, and increases the federal matching rate for citizenship documentation enforcement under SSA title XIX (Medicaid) and [...]

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Latest Action: 11/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To provide for a 5-year SCHIP reauthorization for coverage of low-income children, an expansion of child health care insurance coverage through tax fairness, and a health care Federalism initiative, and for other purposes. 10/18/2007--Introduced. More Children, More Choices Act of 2007 - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require a state SCHIP plan to specify how it will achieve coverage for 90% of targeted low-income children. Prohibits SCHIP payment for children with family income above 250% of the applicable poverty line. Sets forth special rules for SCHIP payment for children with family income above 200% of the applicable poverty line. Provides for standardization of income determinations. Applies citizenship documentation requirements to SCHIP beneficiaries, and increases the federal matching rate for citizenship documentation enforcement under SSA title XIX (Medicaid) and SCHIP.[...]

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Latest Action: 10/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H11304-11307)

Bill Text
To amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to set a cap on allocated funds for earmarks. 10/3/2007--Introduced. Earmark Reform Act 2007 - Amends the Congressional Budget of 1974 to subdivide amounts allocated to the congressional appropriations committees into: (1) a specified total of new budget authority and outlays for earmarks in appropriations measures for the first fiscal year of the first concurrent budget resolution; and (2) an amount of total new budget authority and outlays for such earmarks for the first fiscal year of each ensuing budget resolution equal to 1% of total new budget authority and total outlays allocated to such committees. (Thus caps total earmarks at 1% of total new budget authority and total outlays allocated each fiscal year to such committees.) Makes it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, or amendment if its enactment would cause the applicable allocation of new budget authority [...]

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