Latest Action: 09/23/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
A bill to address the impending humanitarian crisis and potential security breakdown as a result of the mass influx of Iraqi refugees into neighboring countries, and the growing internally displaced population in Iraq, by increasing directed accountable assistance to these populations and their host countries, facilitating the resettlement of Iraqis at risk, and for other purposes. 9/23/2008--Introduced. Iraqi Refugee and Internally Displaced Persons Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement, and Security Act of 2008 - Expresses the sense of Congress concerning Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons.Directs the Secretary of State, with respect to vulnerable populations in Iraq and with respect to countries containing a significant population of Iraqi refugees (including Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, and Iran), to provide such countries or appropriate international organizations and nongovernmental organizations with specified humanitarian assistance.Directs [...]

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Latest Action: 12/10/2008 - Motion to proceed to consideration of measure resumed in Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S10859)

Bill Text
A bill to advance America's priorities. 7/22/2008--Introduced. Advancing America's Priorities Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) establish a system to collect data on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and establish a registry for such data; (2) provide for an education and information campaign to promote stroke prevention; and (3) award grants for a pilot project to improve stroke patient outcomes by coordinating health care delivery through telehealth networks.Establishes programs for research, rehabilitation, and quality of life for people with paralysis.Provides for support services to women suffering from postpartum depression and who receive a positive diagnosis of Down syndrome or other prenatally or postnatally diagnosed conditions. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to states to provide vision care for children. Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to expand services for homeless youth [...]

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Latest Action: 07/17/2008 - Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6944-6945)

Bill Text
A resolution urging the Government of Turkey to respect the rights and religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Orthodox Christian Church.

7/17/2008--Introduced.

Declares that the government of Turkey should move expeditiously to meet the criteria set forth by the European Council in Copenhagen.

Calls on the European Union to focus on the elimination of all forms of discrimination in Turkey, particularly regarding the Ecumenical Patriarchate, while continuing negotiations on the accession of Turkey to the European Union.

Calls on Turkey to: (1) remove an obstacle in its U.S. relations by taking steps to provide the Patriarchate's full religious freedom; (2) recognize the right to the title of "Ecumenical Patriarch"; (3) grant the Patriarch appropriate international recognition and ecclesiastic succession; (4) grant the Patriarch the right to train clergy of all nationalities; and (5) respect the Patriarchate's property and human rights.

Latest Action: 07/16/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1485)

Bill Text
To address the impending humanitarian crisis and potential security breakdown as a result of the mass influx of Iraqi refugees into neighboring countries, and the growing internally displaced population in Iraq, by increasing directed accountable assistance to these populations and their host countries, facilitating the resettlement of Iraqis at risk, and for other purposes. 7/15/2008--Introduced. Iraqi Refugee and Internally Displaced Persons Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement, and Security Act of 2008 - Expresses the sense of Congress concerning Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons.Directs the Secretary of State, with respect to vulnerable populations in Iraq (including internally displaced persons) and with respect to countries containing a significant population of Iraqi refugees (including Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, and Iran), to provide such countries or appropriate international organizations and nongovernmental organizations with specified [...]

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Latest Action: 05/15/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
To direct the Secretary of State to submit a report outlining the steps taken and plans made by the United States to end Turkey's blockade of Armenia, and for other purposes.

5/15/2008--Introduced.

End the Turkish Blockade of Armenia Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the President and Secretary of State should call upon Turkey to comply with the long-standing U.S. position that Turkey should lift its ongoing blockade with Armenia.

Directs the Secretary to report on U.S. plans and steps taken to end such blockade.

Latest Action: 05/13/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Promoting global energy supply security through increased cooperation among the United States, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, by diversifying sources of energy, and implementing certain oil and natural gas pipeline projects for the safe and secure transportation of Eurasian hydrocarbon resources to world markets. 5/13/2008--Introduced. Commends Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Kazakhstan for their positive contributions to the East-West Energy Corridor and energy security in the region. Supports the newly-appointed Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy, and encourages his full engagement with the countries in the region, notably Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, and Kazakhstan. Calls on the Administration to engage actively with European allies and encourage the European Union to developed a unified stance on the Nabucco project and become more involved. Urges the Administration to actively engage in the region in its efforts to secure the necessary guarantees [...]

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Latest Action: 03/13/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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

Bill Text
To reassert the constitutional role of Congress in making long-term security commitments, to defer significant long-term security commitments to Iraq to the next Administration and Congress, and to maintain international legal authority and immunity for United States Armed Forces in Iraq by promoting the extension of the United Nations mandate. 3/13/2008--Introduced. Protect Our Troops and Our Constitution Act of 2008 - Prohibits funds from being used to: (1) establish or maintain any permanent or long-term U.S. military base or facility in Iraq; or (2) implement any agreement that is consistent with U.S. security commitments to Iraq under the Declaration of Principles or any agreement that provides "authority to fight" for U.S. Armed Forces engaged in combat operations other than for self-defense purposes, unless the agreement is an Article II treaty with respect to which the Senate has given its advice and consent to ratification or the agreement is approved by [...]

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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 [...]

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

Bill Text
A bill to authorize certain programs and activities in the Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Energy, and for other purposes. 2/8/2008--Introduced. National Forests, Parks, Public Land, and Reclamation Projects Authorization Act of 2008 - Authorizes specified programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy concerning, among other things, land conveyances, boundary adjustments, studies, memorials, commissions, and museums, national park natural resource protection, national trails and rivers, national heritage areas, and advanced energy technology transfer centers. Sets forth provisions concerning the Northern Mariana Islands. Makes amendments to various public laws, including the National Trails System Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1998, the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, the Oregon [...]

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Latest Action: 12/18/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Urging the United States Government to initiate a diplomatic surge to foster security and stability in the Middle East by engaging international stakeholders and governments throughout the region to curtail destabilizing influences, help prevent the spread of violence, address humanitarian concerns, and enhance prospects for security, political, and economic progress in Iraq.

12/18/2007--Introduced.

Recognizes the effort of local community leaders in Iraq to promote reconciliation.

Commends the United Nations for re-engaging in Iraq.

Urges: (1) diplomatic efforts to engage Iraq's neighbors to assist in securing Iraq's borders and to prevent terrorist organizations from destabilizing the region; (2) the nations and international bodies that have pledged donations to Iraq to fulfill those pledges; and (3) actions to address the needs of Iraqi displaced persons.

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

Bill Text
A bill to authorize certain programs and activities in the Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Energy, and for other purposes. 12/13/2007--Introduced. National Forests, Parks, Public Land, and Reclamation Projects Authorization Act of 2007 - Authorizes specified programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy concerning, among other things, land conveyances, boundary adjustments, studies, memorials, commissions, and museums, national park natural resource protection, national trails and rivers, national heritage areas, and advanced energy technology transfer centers. Sets forth provisions concerning the Northern Mariana Islands.Makes amendments to various public laws, including the National Trails System Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1998, the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, the Oregon [...]

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Latest Action: 11/05/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Condemning the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) for its ongoing terrorist attacks against Turkey and the Turkish people.

11/5/2007--Introduced.

Reaffirms: (1) the House of Representatives' support for United States-Turkish relations; and (2) U.S. support for Turkey's right to self-defense.

Condemns terrorist attacks by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) against the Turkish people.

Urges: (1) the Bush Administration to act to prevent the PKK from using bases in northern Iraq to attack Turkey; and (2) the national government of Iraq to remove the PKK from Iraqi territory.

Calls on the Kurdish regional government in northern Iraq to act against the PKK.

Latest Action: 10/29/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S13524)

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the importance of friendship and cooperation between the United States and Turkey.

10/29/2007--Introduced.

Reiterates support for the strategic alliance between the United States and Turkey.

Condemns the violent attacks conducted by the Kurdistan Workers' Party over the last two decades.

Urges Kurdish leaders in Iraq to deny safe harbor for terrorists.

Encourages the governments of Turkey and of Iraq to continue to work together to end the threat of terrorism.

Thanks Prime Minister Erdogan and the people and government of Turkey for: (1) assuming command of the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul, Afghanistan from July 2002 to January 2003, and from February 2005 to August 2005; (2) providing humanitarian and medical assistance in Afghanistan and in Iraq; and (3) their willingness to contribute to international peace, especially in the greater Middle East region.

Latest Action: 10/23/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Congratulating the government and people of Turkey as they celebrate Republic Day, and for other purposes.

10/23/2007--Introduced.

Recognizes Turkey as one of the most important strategic partners of the United States.

Commends the government and people of Turkey for strengthening its democracy and becoming a source of stability in its region.

Expresses appreciation for Turkey's efforts in the global war on terrorism.

Congratulates the government and people of Turkey as they celebrate Republic Day.

Latest Action: 10/23/2007 - Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Bill Text
To provide for the transfer of naval vessels to certain foreign recipients. 10/22/2007--Introduced. Naval Vessels Transfer Act of 2007 - Authorizes the President to transfer on a grant basis to: (1) Turkey, the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigates GEORGE PHILIP and SIDES; and (2) Lithuania, the OSPREY class minehunter coastal ships CORMORANT and KINGFISHER. Authorizes the President to transfer on a sale basis to: (1) Taiwan, the OSPREY class minehunter coastal ships ORIOLE and FALCON; and (2) Turkey, the OSPREY class minehunter coastal ship SHRIKE. States that: (1) the value of such vessels transferred on a grant basis shall not be counted against the aggregate value of excess defense articles transferred to countries in any fiscal year under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) transfer costs shall be charged to the recipient; and (3) to the maximum extent practicable, the country to which a vessel is transferred shall have necessary vessel [...]

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Latest Action: 11/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To address the impending humanitarian crisis and security breakdown as a result of the mass influx of Iraqi refugees into neighboring countries, and the growing internally displaced population in Iraq, by increasing directed accountable assistance to these populations and their host countries, increasing border security, and facilitating the resettlement of Iraqis at risk. 9/26/2007--Introduced. Iraqi Refugee and Internally Displaced Persons Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement, and Security Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of State, with respect to each country containing a significant population of Iraqi refugees or internally displaced persons including Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Lebanon, to provide bilateral assistance or funding to international aid organizations and nongovernmental organizations for humanitarian assistance, including adequate food, shelter, clean drinking water, sanitation, health care, education, and security. Directs th