Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8015)

Bill Text
A resolution welcoming home Keith Stansell, Thomas Howes, and Marc Gonsalves, three citizens of the United States who were held hostage for over five years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) after their plane crashed on February 13, 2003.
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.[...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/08/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance pursuant to section 2103(c) of Public Law 107-210. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2745-2754)

Bill Text
A bill to implement the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. 4/8/2008--Introduced. United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act - Approves the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (the Agreement) entered into with the government of Colombia. Provides for the Agreement's entry into force upon certain conditions being met on or after January 1, 2009.Authorizes the President to proclaim actions, and other appropriate officers of the U.S. government to issue regulations, necessary to ensure appropriate implementation of any provision of this Act that takes effect on the date the Agreement enters into force.Provides for: (1) administration of dispute settlement proceedings; (2) arbitration of certain claims against the United States; and (3) specified tariff modifications. Prescribes requirements for: (1) enforcement of textile and apparel rules of origin; (2) actions for relief from imports benefiting from the [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/10/2008 - Rule H. Res. 1092 passed House. (consideration: CR H2177-2190)

Bill Text
To implement the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. 4/8/2008--Introduced. United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act - Approves the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (the Agreement) entered into with the government of Colombia. Provides for the Agreement's entry into force upon certain conditions being met on or after January 1, 2009.Authorizes the President to proclaim actions, and other appropriate officers of the U.S. government to issue regulations, necessary to ensure appropriate implementation of any provision of this Act that takes effect on the date the Agreement enters into force.Provides for: (1) administration of dispute settlement proceedings; (2) arbitration of certain claims against the United States; and (3) specified tariff modifications. Prescribes requirements for: (1) enforcement of textile and apparel rules of origin; (2) actions for relief from imports benefiting from the Agreement;[...]

show full description
Latest Action: 02/29/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To extend the Andean Trade Preference Act, and for other purposes. 2/29/2008--Public Law.    (There are 4 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on February 27, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Andean Trade Preference Extension Act of 2008 - Amends the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), as amended and expanded by Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA), to extend, through December 31, 2008, the ATPA program providing for the duty-free treatment of certain imported apparel articles assembled in one or more ATPDEA beneficiary countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru).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 December 27, 2014. Amends the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 to increase the amount [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 12/19/2007 - Received in the House.

Bill Text
A concurrent resolution condemning the kidnapping and hostage-taking of 3 United States citizens for over 4 years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and demanding their immediate and unconditional release. 12/19/2007--Passed 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.) Condemns: (1) the kidnappings of Keith Stansell, Thomas Howes, and Marc Gonsalves by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and calls for their immediate release; (2) FARC for the murder of Tom Janis and for its use of kidnapping for ransom, extortion, and drug trafficking, and for supporting and spreading terror within Colombia. Expresses sympathy to the hostages' relatives. Reconfirms that the U.S. government does not make concessions to terrorists. Reiterates that the U.S. government [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Condemning the kidnapping and hostage-taking of 3 United States citizens for over 4 years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and demanding their immediate and unconditional release.

11/15/2007--Introduced.

Condemns: (1) the kidnappings of Keith Stansell, Thomas Howes, and Marc Gonsalves by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and calls for their immediate release; (2) FARC for the murder of Tom Janis and for its use of kidnapping for ransom, extortion, and drug trafficking, and for supporting and spreading terror within Colombia.

Expresses sympathy to the hostages' relatives.

Reiterates that the U.S. government supports efforts to secure the hostages' safe return to the United States.

Latest Action: 08/03/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Recognizing the importance of addressing the plight of Afro-Colombians.

8/3/2007--Introduced.

Recognizes Afro-Colombians for their contributions to Columbia's economic, social, and cultural fabric.

Calls upon the government of Colombia to combat racial discrimination and human rights violations.

Urges the government of Colombia to: (1) demand politicians linked to para-politics scandals are investigated and brought to justice; and (2) implement a policy that ensures proper execution of assistance programs for Afro-Colombians and internally displaced communities.

Encourages the U.S. government to ensure that the previous consultation mechanism with Afro-Colombians and marginalized groups is applied in the free trade agreement negotiation and in Plan Colombia's implementation.

Latest Action: 07/12/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
To end the use of child soldiers in hostilities around the world, and for other purposes. 7/12/2007--Introduced. Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2007 - Defines "child soldier." Prohibits, with a national interest waiver, funds appropriated or otherwise made available for specified military and related areas from being obligated or otherwise made available to the government of a country identified by the Department of State as having governmental armed forces or government supported armed groups, including paramilitaries, militias, or civil defense forces, that recruit or use child soldiers. Directs the Secretary of State to notify any government so identified. Authorizes the President to reinstate assistance upon certifying to Congress that a government is implementing: (1) compliance measures; and (2) mechanisms to prohibit future use of child soldiers and to ensure that no children are recruited, conscripted, or otherwise compelled to serve [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/07/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
To end the use of child soldiers in hostilities around the world, and for other purposes. 6/7/2007--Introduced. Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2007 - Defines "child soldier." Prohibits, with a national interest waiver, funds appropriated or otherwise made available for specified military and related areas from being obligated or otherwise made available to the government of a country identified by the Department of State as having governmental armed forces or government supported armed groups, including paramilitaries, militias, or civil defense forces, that recruit or use child soldiers. Directs the Secretary of State to notify any government so identified. Authorizes the President to reinstate assistance upon certifying to Congress that a government is implementing: (1) compliance measures; and (2) mechanisms to prohibit future use of child soldiers and to ensure that no children are recruited, conscripted, or otherwise compelled to serve [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 07/11/2007 - DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 426.

Bill Text
Recognizing 2007 as the Year of the Rights of Internally Displaced Persons in Colombia, and offering support for efforts to ensure that the internally displaced people of Colombia receive the assistance and protection they need to rebuild their lives successfully. 7/11/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Colombian Catholic Church, and the Coalition for Human Rights and Internal Displacement should be commended for their initiative to declare the Year of the Rights of the Internally Displaced People in Colombia; (2) the government of Colombia and the international donor community should be encouraged to prioritize discussion of humanitarian assistance and internal displacement with the international donor community, especially within the context of the London-Cartagena Process; and (3) the government of the United States [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/25/2007 - Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Bill Text
Making emergency supplemental appropriations and additional supplemental appropriations for agricultural and other emergency assistance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes. 5/25/2007--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 - Title I: Supplemental Appropriations for Defense, International Affairs, and Other Security-Related Needs - Chapter 1 - Makes additional FY2007 appropriations to the Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, for commodities supplied in connection with dispositions abroad under Public Law 480 Title II Grants. Chapter 2 - Makes additional FY2007 appropriations to the Department of Justice, to remain available through FY2008, for general legal activities, U.S. Attorneys, the U.S. Marshals Service, the National Security Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/24/2007 - Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.

Bill Text
A bill to end the use of child soldiers in hostilities around the world, and for other purposes. 4/19/2007--Introduced. Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2007 - Defines "child soldier." Prohibits, with a national interest waiver, funds appropriated or otherwise made available for specified military and related areas from being obligated or otherwise made available to the government of a country identified by the Department of State as having governmental armed forces or government supported armed groups, including paramilitaries, militias, or civil defense forces, that recruit or use child soldiers. Directs the Secretary of State to notify any government so identified. Authorizes the President to reinstate assistance upon certifying to Congress that a government is implementing: (1) compliance measures; and (2) mechanisms to prohibit future use of child soldiers and to ensure that no children are recruited, conscripted, or otherwise compelled [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/30/2007 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To extend the authorities of the Andean Trade Preference Act until February 29, 2008. 6/30/2007--Public Law.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on June 27, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Amends the Andean Trade Preference Act to extend through February 29, 2008, the duty-free treatment or other preferential treatment for beneficiary countries (Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru) under the Act. Repeals certain provisions subjecting the extension of such treatment to such countries to certain conditions. Extends preferential treatment through FY2008 to apparel articles assembled in one or more beneficiary countries from regional fabrics or regional components, and other type apparel (brassieres) that are both cut and sewn or otherwise assembled in the United States, or one or more beneficiary countries, or both, with certain limitations. Amends [...]

show full description