Latest Action: 07/15/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdicti

Bill Text
To require the payment of compensation to members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees of the United States who were forced to perform slave labor by the Imperial Government of Japan or by corporations of Japan during World War II, or the surviving spouses of such members, and for other purposes.

7/15/2008--Introduced.

Directs the Secretary of Defense to pay (subject to the availability of appropriated funds) a specified amount of compensation to those members of the Armed Forces and U.S. civilian employees, or to the surviving spouses of such members and employees, who were captured by Japan and who were used as slave labor during World War II.

Latest Action: 06/10/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to require the payment of compensation to members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees of the United States who were forced to perform slave labor by the Imperial Government of Japan or by corporations of Japan during World War II, or the surviving spouses of such members, and for other purposes.

6/10/2008--Introduced.

Directs the Secretary of Defense to pay (subject to the availability of appropriated funds) a specified amount of compensation to those members of the Armed Forces and U.S. civilian employees, or to the surviving spouses of such members and employees, who were captured by Japan and who were used as slave labor during World War II.

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

Bill Text
Expressing the grave concern of the House of Representatives for Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran's continued actions to undermine the legitimate Lebanese Government of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, and their systematic violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1559, 1680, 1701, and 1747. 5/15/2008--Introduced. Demands that U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1559, 1680, 1701, and 1747 concerning Lebanon be implemented. Calls for the immediate election of a Lebanese president in accordance with the Lebanese constitution. Expresses: (1) support for the legitimate government of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and the extension of its authority throughout Lebanon; (2) support for a democratic Lebanon; (3) support for United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) troops; (4) concern that the international community's failure to live up to its commitments to stop Hezbollah's rearmament could once again lead to war; and (5) commitment to the release of the abducted [...]

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Latest Action: 07/17/2008 - Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Bill Text
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. 7/16/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) 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; (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, Navy, and Air Force; (7) Coast Guard; (8) Departments of State, the Treasury, Energy, and Justice; (9) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); (10) Drug Enforcement Administration [...]

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Latest Action: 06/03/2008 - Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 758.

Bill Text
To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide for the protection of child custody arrangements for parents who are members of the Armed Forces deployed in support of a contingency operation, and for other purposes. 5/22/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 - Division A: Department of Defense Authorizations - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for FY2009 for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement. (Sec.[...]

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Latest Action: 03/17/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To amend the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 and title 18, United States Code, to include waterboarding in the definition of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment and in the definition of torture, and for other purposes.

2/14/2008--Introduced.

Amends the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 and the federal criminal code to include waterboarding (simulated drowning) within the definitions of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, and torture.

Includes individuals under the custody or physical control of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) within the protection against cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by the government.

Latest Action: 05/22/2008 - Considered as unfinished business.

Bill Text
Recognizing the courage and sacrifice of those members of the United States Armed Forces who were held as prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict and calling for a full accounting of the 1,729 members of the Armed Forces who remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam conflict.

5/22/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Expresses gratitude for, and urges states, localities, and all Americans to honor the courage and sacrifice of, members of the Armed Forces, including Samuel R. Johnson of Texas, who were held as prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict.

Declares that the House of Representatives will continue to press for a full accounting of the 1,729 members of the Armed Forces and 34 U.S. citizens who remain unaccounted for from that conflict.

Honors all members of the Armed Forces who have fought and died in the defense of freedom.

Latest Action: 03/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology.

Bill Text
To grant the Congressional Gold Medal to a group of soldiers from World War II.

2/7/2008--Introduced.

Authorizes the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to collectively honor the American soldiers who were prisoners of war in Bataan, Philippines, during World War II, in recognition of their personal sacrifice and service to their country. Provides for the Medal's display at the Smithsonian Institution.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the Medal should be made available for display elsewhere, particularly at locations associated with the prisoners of war at Bataan.

Latest Action: 09/16/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Bill Text
A bill to terminate the authority of the President to waive, with regard to Iraq, certain provisions under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 unless certain conditions are met. 9/15/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Justice for Victims of Torture and Terrorism Act - Terminates the authority of the President to grant the government of Iraq immunity from actions by victims of terrorism seeking compensation for injuries caused by officials, employees, or agents of the government of Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War when such government was classified as a state sponsor of terrorism, unless the President certifies to Congress that Iraq has adequately settled specified claims of U.S. soldiers and civilians held in Iraq as POWs and hostages and subject to state-sponsored torture and terrorism. Provides an exception to the termination of such authority if the President certifies that: (1) Iraq has not compensated [...]

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Latest Action: 02/01/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Bill Text
Honoring the heroic service and sacrifice of the 350 American soldiers detained at the Nazi camp at Berga during World War II.

12/18/2007--Introduced.

Recognizes and expresses appreciation for the courageous and loyal contributions made by the American soldiers detained in Berga, Germany, during World War II and encourages the people of the United States to recognize their service and loyalty.

Latest Action: 12/13/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction

Bill Text
To require the videotaping of strategic interrogations and certain other interactions between detainees and members of the Armed Forces, intelligence operatives, and contractors, and for other purposes. 12/13/2007--Introduced. Detainee Interrogation Recording Act of 2007 - Requires the President to take such actions as are necessary, in accordance with specified laws and treaties, to ensure the videotaping of each strategic interrogation and other pertinent interaction between detainees or prisoners under the effective control of the U.S. and members of the Armed Forces, U.S. intelligence operatives, or U.S. contractors. Directs the President to provide for the appropriate classification of videotapes or recordings made under that requirement. Requires such videotapes to be made available, under seal if appropriate, to both prosecution and defense attorneys to the extent that they are material to any military or civilian criminal proceeding. Defines strategic interrogation [...]

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Latest Action: 12/10/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S15077-15078)

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that certain benchmarks must be met before certain restrictions against the Government of North Korea are lifted, and that the United States Government should not provide any financial assistance to North Korea until the Secretary of State makes certain certifications regarding the submission of applications for refugee status. 12/10/2007--Introduced. States that restrictions imposed on the government of North Korea as a result of its being determined to be a government that has repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism should not be lifted until benchmarks have been met respecting: (1) missile or nuclear technology transfers; (2) cessation of terrorist activities and support of terrorist groups and terrorist activities; (3) counterfeiting of U.S. currency; (4) release of South Korean POWs, Japanese nationals, and Kim Donk-Shik; and (5) Bureau 39's closure. States that the U.S. government should not provide [...]

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Latest Action: 12/03/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Bill Text
To modify certain provisions of law relating to torture.

11/8/2007--Introduced.

American Anti-Torture Act of 2007 - Amends the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 to prohibit any person in the custody or control of the United States (under current law, the Department of Defense) from being subject to any treatment or technique of interrogation not authorized by and listed in the U.S. Army Field Manual on Intelligence Interrogation.

Makes such prohibition inapplicable with respect to any person in the custody or control of the United States (under current law, the Department of Defense) pursuant to a U.S. criminal or immigration law.

Latest Action: 09/25/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
To provide for the continuation of restrictions against the Government of North Korea unless the President certifies to Congress that the Government of North Korea has met certain benchmarks.

9/25/2007--Introduced.

North Korean Counterterrorism and Nonproliferation Act - Provides for the continuation of restrictions against the government of North Korea unless the President certifies to Congress that North Korea has met certain benchmarks respecting: (1) missile or nuclear technology transfers; (2) support of terrorist groups and terrorist activities, (3) counterfeiting of U.S. currency, (4) release of South Korean POWs, Japanese journalists, and Kim Donk-Shik; and (5) Bureau 39's closure.

Latest Action: 09/10/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Bill Text
To establish the National Commission on Detainee Treatment.

7/31/2007--Introduced.

National Commission on Detainee Treatment Act of 2007 - Establishes the National Commission on Detainee Treatment to: (1) conduct a comprehensive review of matters relating to the capture, custody, judicial proceedings, and repatriation of suspected unlawful enemy combatants; and (2) prepare and submit to Congress and the President a final report on Commission recommendations, findings, and conclusions.

Latest Action: 07/16/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Bill Text
To repeal and modify certain provisions of law relating to the review of the detention of enemy combatants.

6/13/2007--Introduced.

Amends federal law concerning the detention of suspected enemy combatants to: (1) repeal a provision that denies any court or judge jurisdiction to consider a writ of habeas corpus filed on behalf of an alien detained by the United States who has been determined to have been properly detained as an enemy combatant or is awaiting such determination; (2) repeal provisions of the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 concerning limitations on the review of decisions of combatant status review tribunals on the propriety of detention of suspected enemy combatants; and (3) revise generally provisions concerning the limited review of military commission procedures and actions.

Latest Action: 09/27/2007 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 601 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2008. 9/27/2007--Public Law.    (There are 5 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since the Conference Report was filed in the House on September 6, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) College Cost Reduction and Access Act - Title I: Grants to Students in Attendance at Institutions of Higher Education - (Sec. 101) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to repeal the formula for calculating an individual Pell grant which includes, in part, the sum of the student's tuition. (Thus eliminates the "tuition sensitivity provision" which currently prohibits maximum Pell grant awards to students attending low-tuition institutions of higher education (IHEs) even if their income is low enough otherwise to qualify for the maximum award.) Authorizes and appropriates $11 million for FY2008 [...]

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Latest Action: 05/23/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6560-6561)

Bill Text
A bill to require the closure of the Department of Defense detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and for other purposes.

5/23/2007--Introduced.

Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility Closure Act of 2007 - Directs the President to close the Department of Defense (DOD) detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Prohibits (with exceptions) the use of funds appropriated for FY2007 or FY2008 for such facility or for the detention at such facility of any foreign national who was detained there on or after March 31, 2007.

Latest Action: 05/08/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E979-980)

Bill Text
To require the President to close the Department of Defense detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and for other purposes. 5/8/2007--Introduced. Requires the President to close the Department of Defense (DOD) detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Requires all current detainees there to be: (1) transferred to a military or civilian detention facility in the United States (U.S. facility) and charged with a violation of U.S. or international law and tried before a regularly-constituted court; (2) transferred to a U.S. facility without being charged if the detainee may be held as an enemy combatant or pursuant to other legal authority; (3) transferred to an international tribunal operating under authority of the United Nations (UN) with jurisdiction to hold trials; (4) transferred to their country of citizenship or a different country for further legal process, provided that such country provides adequate assurances that the individual will not be subject to [...]

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Latest Action: 12/11/2007 - Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.

Bill Text
A bill to require the President to close the Department of Defense detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and for other purposes. 4/30/2007--Introduced. Requires the President to close the Department of Defense (DOD) detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Requires all current detainees there to be: (1) transferred to a military or civilian detention facility in the United States (U.S. facility) and charged with a violation of U.S. or international law and tried before a regularly-constituted court; (2) transferred to a U.S. facility without being charged if the detainee may be held as an enemy combatant or pursuant to other legal authority; (3) transferred to an international tribunal operating under authority of the United Nations (UN) with jurisdiction to hold trials; (4) transferred to their country of citizenship or a different country for further legal process, provided that such country provides adequate assurances that the individual will not be subject [...]

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