Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Model Senate Bill Book 2014-15
Model Senate Bill Book 2014-15
Senate
2014 2015
Brevard Public
Schools
Senate Opening
President:
President:
Please rise and remain standing until after the Oath of Office
President:
President:
Oath of Office:
The following oath or affirmation required by the Constitution and prescribed by law shall be taken and
subscribed to by each senator in open senate before entering upon his duties.
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States
against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I
take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and
faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.
President:
President:
I declare this session of the 113th CONGRESS come to order. The clerk will now call
the roll.
President:
President:
What is the will of the Senate?
Majority Leader: I request that the Senate recess to Caucus until the regularly scheduled session.
President:
Without objection, so ordered.
6:45 p.m.
7:00
Friday, January 30
8:30 am
8:45
Coffee
Morning Session (Roll Call, Memorials, Testimonials, New Bills)
9:00
Committee Chairmen should not adjourn their committee for lunch until the time listed below:
Finance/Budget
Commerce
HGSA
Judiciary
HELP
Foreign Relations
11:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
11:15 a.m.
11:15 a.m.
11:15 a.m.
Pages and Secretaries should go with their committees. Committees are encouraged to eat in their
committee rooms or outside- but please return all trays to the cafeteria and trash to receptacles. If you eat
in the cafeteria, please finish as quickly as you can and then adjourn to a committee room or patio area to
relax and chat. This will make room for the building employees.
12 Noon
12:30 p.m.
1:00
2:30
Senate Recesses
2:45
ThefollowingoathoraffirmationrequiredbytheConstitutionandprescribed
bylawshallbetakenandsubscribedtobyeachSenatorinopenSenatebefore
enteringuponhisduties.
"I,_(saySenatorsname)____,dosolemnlyswearoraffirmthatI
will support and defend the Constitution of the United States
against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true
faithandallegiancetothesame;thatIwilltakethisobligation
freely,withoutanymentalreservationorpurposeofevasion;and
thatIwillwellandfaithfullydischargethedutiesoftheofficeon
whichIamabouttoenter;sohelpmeGod.
II.
AquorumshallconsistofamajorityoftheSenatorsdulychosenandsworn
in.If,atanytimeduringthedailysessionsaquestionshallberaisedbyany
Senatorastothepresenceofaquorum,thePresidingOfficershalldirectthe
Secretarytocalltherollandshallannouncetheresult,andtheseproceedings
shallbewithoutdebate.
III.
ThePresidingOfficershallenforceorderwheneverdemonstrationsor
confusioninthe chamberorgallerycallsforit.Hemaydosoonhisown
initiative,withoutanypointoforderbeingmadebyaSenator.
IV.
CloturemaybeinvokeduponanymeasurebythepresentationtotheClerkof
theSenateofamotionwiththesignaturesoftenSenators.Anaffirmative
voteof3/5'sisrequiredforpassage.Onceamotionofcloturehasbeen
passed,ittakestenminutesbeforethemotionisputintoeffect.AllSenators
whohavenotspokenonthequestionswillbepermittedoneminutefor
debate.
V.
WhenaSenatordesirestospeak,heshouldholduphisdesknameplateuntil
heisrecognizedbythePresidingOfficer.TherecognizedSenatorshallhave
thefloorforthetimespecifiedbytheSpeaker.TheClerkshallkeepthetime
andwhentheallottedtimehaselapsed,theSenatorwilltakehisseat
immediately.
VI.
NoSenatorshallinterruptanotherSenatorwithouthisconsent.Toobtain
consent,heshallfirstaddressthePresidingOfficerinthefollowingmanner:
SenatorA:"Mr.Chairman,willtheSenatoryield?"
PresidingOfficer"WilltheSenatoryield?"
SenatorB"Yes."SenatorAthenproceedstospeak.
"No."SenatorAreturnstohisseat.
BecausethetimeallottedeachSenatorisveryshort,pleasedon'tinterrupta
Senator.
ASenatormayavoidinterruptionsbytellingthePresidingOfficerthathewillyieldto
questionsafterheisfinishedspeaking.
RememberthatcourtesyisoftheupmostimportanceintheSenate.
Senatorswillusuallyyieldtooneanotherfreely.Pleasetrytoobservethis
ruleofetiquette.
VII.
Exceptforthefloorleadership,noSenatorshallspeaktwiceuponanyone
questionindebateonthesameday,exceptbypermissionoftheSenatewhich
shallbedeterminedwithoutdebate.
VIII.
AllmotionsshallbereducedtowritingifdesiredbythePresidingOfficeror
byanySenator,andshallbereadbeforeitisdebated.
IX.
Anymotionmaybewithdrawnormodifiedbythemoveratanytimebefore
decision,amendment,ororderingoftheyeasandnays.
X.
NoSenatorshallreferoffensivelytoanyStateoftheUnion.
XI.
NoSenatorshalladdressafellowSenatorbyname.
XII.
NoSenatorindebateshall,directlyorindirectly,speakofanotherSenatoror
hisconductinamannerunworthyorunbecomingtoaSenator.
XIII.
NoSenatorshallcaucusontheflooroftheSenateduringdebate.
XIV. AnySenator,whointheopinionofthePresidingOfficer,transgressesthe
rulesoftheSenateshallbecalledtoorderbyamotionoftheChairoranother
Senator.AnySenatorcalledtoordermayappealtherulingoftheChair,
whichshallbeopentodebate.
TheChairmanofeachcommitteehasalreadybeenselected.
2.
Theschoolthatwasassignedbillsbeforeyourcommitteehasselected
oneortwostudentstocomeandgiveyouanoverviewofsomeofthebills.Thisis
youropportunitytobecomefamiliarwiththebill.Takeafewminutesandcaucus
withinyourpartyanddiscussanyquestionsyoumightaskthewitnesses.The
studentswhogiveyoutheoverviewshouldnotbequestionedatthispointabout
howtheyfeelaboutthebill.Theywillreturnlatertoprovidethatinformation.A
scheduleofwitnessesforprefiledbillshasbeenprovidedtothechairperson.
Witnessesshouldbenotifiedastothetimeandplacetheyaretoappear.Abillis
nottobevotedonuntilallwitnesseshavetestified.
3.
Theuseofcommitteewitnessesisanimportantfacetofcommittee
procedure.
Sponsors,cosponsorsandotherSenatorscouldappeartotestifyonproposed
legislation.TheChairmanshouldintroduceeachwitnesstothecommitteeby
askingthemtopresenttheircredentialsordescribetheirexpertiseorinterestin
thebill.Afterthewitnesshasfinishedtestifying,theChairmanandcommittee
shouldthankthewitnessfortheirtimeandinterest.
4.
Asbillsarediscussed,revisedandamended,theymustbereportedoutof
committeeeitherfavorablyorunfavorably.Anunfavorablereportkillsthebill
anditwillnotappearonthecalendar.Themajorityandminorityleadershipand
theClerkwillthenplacethesebillsontheagendafortheSenateSession.
5.
Attheconclusionofthecommitteehearings,theChairwillcompletetheCaucus
ReportformtobegiventotheMajorityLeaderorWhip.Anyamendmentsthat
werepassedforabillshouldbeattachedtotheCaucusReport.
6.
Itissuggestedforefficiencyandeffectivenessthecommitteeagreestouse
Robert'sRulesofOrder(NewlyRevised),throughouttheirmeetings.
7.
IftheChairmanwishestospeak,hepassesthegaveltoanothercommittee
member,gainsrecognitionfromtheChairman,andmakeshisremarksonan
equalbasisastherestofthecommittee.HethenresumestheChairatanytime
hedesires.
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
1.
ThePresidingOfficer'sduties:Tocallthemeetingtoorder,toconductthe
businessoftheassembly,andtoenforcerules.
2.
TogainrecognitionfromthePresidingOfficer:Whileincommittee,raise
yourplacardtogainrecognitionfromtheChair.OntheSenatefloor,raiseyour
nameplacardandawaitrecognitionfromtheChair..Youarenotallowedtospeak
untiltheChairhasrecognizedyou.Generally,he/shewillsay,"Senator
_______________,forwhatpurposedoyourise?".
3.
Howtoplaceamotiononthefloor:
Gainrecognitionfromthechair;then
stateyourmotionbysaying,"Imovethat............"
4.
Howtosecondamotion:Simplycallouttheword"second".Youneednotrise
orhaverecognitionfromthechair.
5.
Howtoamendamotion:Gainrecognition;thensay,"Imovetoamendthe
motionby____________________.
6.
Howtostopramblingorextendeddebate:Movethepreviousquestion,vote
immediatelyonallmotionsbeforethehouse.Thiswillincludethemainmotion
andanysubsidiarymotions.
7.
Howtoexercisepersonalprivilege:Risewithoutrecognition,interrupta
speakerifnecessary,andsay"Mr.Chairman,personalprivilege!"TheChairwill
say"Stateyourprivilege."Youmayaskwhateverhappenstobeyourprivilege.
(complainaboutheat,noise,airconditioning,etc.)
8.
Howtocallfordivision:Withoutrisingtogainrecognition,simplycallout
"Division".Thismeansyouwantthevotingonameasuretobetakenbyashow
ofhandsorbyaskingmemberstostandtoindicatetheirvote.Thisisusually
calledwhenavoicevotehasbeentakenwhichwassocloseitwashardto
determinewhatthevoteactuallywas.
9.
Whatdoes"question"meanwhenitiscalledout?"Thismeanstheperson
whocallsoutquestionisreadytovote.Itisnotcompulsorythatthemotionbe
puttovote,howeveritgenerallyisifseveralpeoplecallthequestion.
10.
Howdoyouknowwhatorderofbusinesstofollow?Theassemblyagrees
upontheorderofbusiness.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 5
To reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act of 1994
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Reid (for himself, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Schumer, Ms. Stabenow, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr.
Udall of New Mexico was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
introduced the following bill
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act of 1994
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SENSE OF THE SENATE.
It is the sense of the Senate that Congress should-(1) reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (42
U.S.C. 13925 et seq.) (referred to in this section as
``VAWA''), a landmark bipartisan bill that has dramatically
improved the national response to domestic and sexual violence;
(2) renew the commitment of the United States to providing
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 6
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. LEVIN, Mrs. FEINSTEIN,) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
A BILL
To restore and enhance the national security of the United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Restoring America's Power Act of 2011'.
SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that Congress should enact, and the President should sign,
legislation to restore and enhance the national security of the United States by-(1) strengthening America's military capabilities and recognizing the service of United
States troops and the commitment of their families by ensuring our Armed Forces receive
proper training and equipment prior to deployment, support and medical care when they
return home, and adequate dwell time between deployments;
(2) addressing the threat posed by Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups with a
comprehensive military, intelligence, homeland security and diplomatic strategy and
refocusing on Afghanistan and Pakistan as the United States transitions in Iraq;
(3) defeating extremist ideology by increasing the effectiveness of United States
intelligence, diplomatic, and foreign assistance capabilities; restoring the United States
standing in the world and strengthening alliances; and addressing transnational
humanitarian and development challenges; and
(4) reducing the threat posed by unsecured nuclear materials and other weapons of mass
destruction (WMD) and effectively addressing the security challenges posed by Iran and
North Korea.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 15
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. VITTER introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
A BILL
To prohibit the regulation of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States until China,
India, and Russia implement similar reductions.
1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. CARBON DIOXIDE REDUCTIONS
IN CHINA, INDIA, AND RUSSIA. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency or the head of any other Federal
agency shall not regulate carbon dioxide emissions until the date on which the Secretary
of Commerce certifies in writing that each of the
Peoples Republic of China, the Republic of India, and Russia have initiated measures
that require carbon dioxide emission reductions that are substantially similar to the
carbon dioxide emission reductions proposed for the United States.
113TH CONGRESS
2nd SESSION
S. 21
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Rockefeller (for himself, Mr. Carper, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Levin, Ms. Mikulski, Mr.
Whitehouse, and Mr. Coons) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
A BILL
To secure the United States against cyber attack, to improve communication and
collaboration between the private sector and the Federal Government, to enhance
American competitiveness and create jobs in the information technology industry, and to
protect the identities and sensitive information of American citizens and businesses.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Cybersecurity and American Cyber Competitiveness Act
of 2013'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The country's leading officials in business, intelligence, and defense affairs agree
that malicious state, terrorist, and criminal actors exploiting vulnerabilities in information
and communications networks and gaps in cybersecurity pose one of the most serious and
rapidly growing threats to both the national security and the economy of the United
States.
(2) With information technology now the backbone of the United States economy, a
critical element of United States national security infrastructure and defense systems, the
primary foundation of global communications, and a key enabler of most critical
infrastructure, nearly every single United States citizen is touched by cyberspace and is
threatened by cyber attacks.
(3) Malicious actors in cyberspace have already caused significant damage to the
United States Government, the United States economy, and United States citizens, and
the threat continues to grow.
(4) In its 2009 Cyberspace Policy Review, the White House concluded, `Ensuring
that cyberspace is sufficiently resilient and trustworthy to support U.S. goals of economic
growth, civil liberties and privacy protections, national security, and the continued
advancement of democratic institutions requires making cybersecurity a national
priority.'.
(5) Leading experts in the private sector and the government agree that the United
States should establish a new model of public-private collaboration, which fits the
realities of the 21st century, to secure the country against cyber attack.
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that Congress should enact, and the President should sign,
bipartisan legislation to improve communication and collaboration between the private
sector and the Federal Government to secure the United States against cyber attack, to
enhance the competitiveness of the United States and create jobs in the information
technology industry, and to protect the identities and sensitive information of United
States citizens and businesses by-(1) enhancing the security and resiliency of public and private communications and
information networks against cyber attack by nation-states, terrorists, and cyber
criminals;
(2) establishing mechanisms for sharing cyber threat and vulnerability information
between the government and the private sector;
(3) developing a coherent public-private system to improve the capability of the
United States to assess cyber risk and prevent, detect, and robustly respond to cyber
attacks against United States critical infrastructure, such as the electric grid, the financial
sector, and telecommunications networks;
(4) promoting research and development investments in the United States
information technology sector that create and maintain good, well-paying jobs in the
United States and help to enhance the economic competitiveness and cybersecurity of the
United States;
(5) promoting cybersecurity and information technology training to develop the
country's next generation of cyber professionals;
(6) preventing and mitigating identity theft and guarding against abuses or breaches
of personally identifiable information;
(7) enhancing United States diplomatic capacity and public-private international
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 81
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. ISAKSON (for himself, Mr. NELSON of Nebraska, Mr. JOHANNS, Mr. BURR,
Mr. WICKER, Mr. BARRASSO, Mr. LEE, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. ENZI, Mr. JOHNSON
of Wisconsin, Mr. PAUL, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. THUNE, and Mr. GRAHAM) introduced
the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
A BILL
To direct unused appropriations for Senate Official Personnel and Office Expense
Accounts to be deposited in the Treasury and used for deficit reduction or to reduce the
Federal debt.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. REQUIRING AMOUNTS REMAINING IN
SENATE OFFICIAL PERSONNEL AND OFFICE EXPENSE ACCOUNTS TO BE
USED FOR DEFICIT REDUCTION OR TO REDUCE THE FEDERAL DEBT. (a) IN
GENERAL.Notwithstanding any other provi6 sion of law, any amounts appropriated
for the Senate Official Personnel and Office Expense Accounts for the United States
Senate for a fiscal year which remain after all payments are made under such accounts for
the year shall be deposited in the Treasury and used for deficit reduction, except that in
the case of a fiscal year for which there is no Federal budget deficit, such amounts shall
be used to reduce the Federal debt (in such manner as the Secretary of the Treasury
considers appropriate). 1(b) REGULATIONS.The Committee on Rules and
Administration shall promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this
section. (c) EFFECTIVE DATE.This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year
2012 and each succeeding fiscal year.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 91
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Wicker; Mr. Alexander; Mr. Barrasso; Mr. Blunt; Mr. Boozman; Mr. Burr; Mr. Coats;
Mr. Coburn; Mr. Enzi; Mr. Grassely; Mr. Hooeven; Mr. Inhoffe; Mr. Johanns; Mr.
Johnson; Mr. Moran; Mr. Paul; Mr Risch; Mr. Thune; Mr. Vitter) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Senate Judiciary
A BILL
To Life at Conception Act - Declares that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution
is vested in each human being beginning at the moment of fertilization, cloning, and other
moment at which an individual comes into being.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Life at Conception Act'.
SEC. 2. RIGHT TO LIFE.
To implement equal protection for the right to life of each born and preborn
human person, and pursuant to the duty and authority of the Congress,
including Congress' power under article I, section 8, to make necessary and
proper laws, and Congress' power under section 5 of the 14th article of
amendment to the Constitution of the United States, the Congress hereby
declares that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each
human being.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act:
(1) HUMAN PERSON; HUMAN BEING- The terms `human person'
and `human being' include each and every member of the species homo
sapiens at all stages of life, including, but not limited to, the moment of
fertilization, cloning, and other moment at which an individual member
of the human species comes into being.
(2) STATE- The term `State' used in the 14th article of amendment to
the Constitution of the United States and other applicable provisions of
the Constitution includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico, and each other territory or possession of the United
States.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 106
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. VITTER introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To require that all individuals convicted of a felony under State law provide a DNA
sample.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `DNA Felony Collection Act of 2009'.
SEC. 2. DNA COLLECTION.
(a) In General- The Attorney General of the United States shall enter into an agreement
with each State under which the State shall-(1) collect a DNA sample from each individual convicted of a felony under the laws of
the State; and
(2) include the results of a DNA analysis of each DNA sample collected under paragraph
(1) in an index of DNA analysis records maintained by the State or by the Federal
Government.
(b) Definitions- In this section-(1) the terms `DNA analysis' and `DNA sample' have the meanings given those term in
section 3(c) of the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C.
14135a(c)); and
(2) the term `State' means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any possession of the United
States.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 183
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for fairness
in hospital payments under the Medicare program.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mrs. McCaskill (for herself and Mr. Coburn) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for fairness
in hospital payments under the Medicare program.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Hospital Payment Fairness Act of 2013''.
SEC. 2. SUNSET OF MEDICARE HOSPITAL PAYMENT PROVISION.
Section 3141 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww
note) is amended by inserting ``and before October 1, 2013,'' after ``October 1, 2010,''.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 198
To require a report on the designation of Boko Haram as a foreign terrorist organization,
and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. RISCH (for himself, Mr. CHAMBLISS, Mr. COBURN, Mr. BURR, Mr. RUBIO, Mr.
MORAN, Ms. AYOTTE, and Mr. COATS) introduced the following bill; which was read
twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
A BILL
To require a report on the designation of Boko Haram as a foreign terrorist organization,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States
of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Boko Haram Terrorist Designation Act of 2013'.
SEC. 2. REPORT ON DESIGNATION OF BOKO HARAM AS A FOREIGN
TERRORIST ORGANIZATION.
(a) Findings- Congress finds the following:
(1) On August 26, 2011, a vehicle borne explosive device (VBIED) was
detonated after being driven into the lobby of a United Nations facility
in Abuja, Nigeria. At least 21 people died as a result of the explosion,
and the Islamist militant organization commonly called `Boko Haram'
claimed responsibility.
(2) On December 25, 2011, a series of bombs were detonated across
northern Nigeria. Some of these attacks killed worshippers attending
Christmas Day services, and killed an estimated total of 41 people.
Boko Haram claimed responsibility.
(3) From their inception, Boko Haram has killed hundreds of innocent
civilians and has continually enhanced its lethality, pledging to continue
its use of terrorist tactics. In a July 2010 statement, Boko Haram's
leader, Abubakar Shekau, issued support to al Qaeda and made
threatening remarks to the United States.
(4) On January 31, 2012, in testimony before Congress, Director of
National Intelligence James Clapper included Boko Haram in his
worldwide threat assessment, stating, `There are also fears that Boko
Haram--elements of which have engaged al-Qa'ida in the Islamic
Maghreb (AQIM)--is interested in hitting Western targets, such as the
U.S. Embassy and hotels frequented by Westerners.'.
(5) On February 23, 2012, United States Ambassador to Nigeria
Terrence P. McCulley indicated Boko Haram's danger was expanding.
He said, `We've seen an increase in sophistication, we've seen increased
lethality. We saw at last a part of the group has decided it's in their
interest to attack the international community.'.
(6) On February 27, 2012, at a conference held by the African Society
of the National Summit on Africa, former United States Ambassador to
Nigeria Howard F. Jeter described Boko Haram by saying, `It is a
terrorist group. If you kill 28 innocent people worshipping in a church,
it is a terrorist group.'.
(7) The Foreign Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, a major United States ally, publicly refers to Boko
Haram as the `main terrorist threat in Nigeria'.
(b) Report(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall, in consultation with
the intelligence community, submit to the appropriate congressional
committees-(A) a detailed report on whether the Nigerian organization
named `People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's
Teachings and Jihad' (commonly known as `Boko Haram' and by
other aliases, including Ansaru and Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna
Lidda'awati Wal-Jihad), meets the criteria for designation as a
foreign terrorist organization under section 219 of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189); and
(B) if the Secretary of State determines that Boko Haram does
not meet such criteria, a detailed justification as to which criteria
have not been met.
(2) FORM- The report required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in
unclassified form, but may include a classified annex if appropriate.
(3) DEFINITIONS- In this subsection:
(A) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES- The
term `appropriate congressional committees' means-(i) the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs, the Committee on Armed
Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the
Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and
(ii) the Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee
on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs,
and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of
the House of Representatives.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 203
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. BEGICH introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
A BILL
To direct the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to
institute research into the special circumstances associated with oil spill prevention and
response in Arctic waters, including assessment of impacts on Arctic marine mammals
and other wildlife, marine debris research and removal, and risk assessment, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Responsible Arctic Energy Development Act of 2011'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds that-(1) Alaska is the only Arctic State in the United States;
(2) Alaska contributes 17 percent of the oil production of the United States, and the Arctic
region of the State of Alaska is believed to hold considerable reserves of oil and natural
gas needed for the future energy security of the United States;
(3) the marine mammals and other fish and wildlife resources of the Arctic are-(A) critical to meet the subsistence needs of indigenous residents of Alaska;
(B) a source of significant nonconsumptive use and nonuse value to the United States;
and (C) vulnerable to the impacts of oil and gas exploration and production;
(4) the Arctic and the natural resources of the Arctic are particularly vulnerable to the
impacts of oil spills due to the uniqueness of and limited access to the region, including-(A) remote location that makes oil spill emergency response capabilities slower and more
difficult;(B) cold temperatures and ice cover that slow the natural degradation and
dissipation of spilled oil; and(C) increased susceptibility of Arctic wildlife that are highly
dependent on insulation, which would be greatly decreased by oil cover;
(5) Alaska lacks the essential geospatial framework for safe navigation, accident
prevention, and oil spill response capabilities that are available to the rest of the United
States;
(6) existing Federal research and science advisory programs focused on the
environmental and socioeconomic impacts of oil and gas development in the Arctic
would benefit from-(A) a more cohesive, coordinated, and integrated approach; and
(B) better coordination with State, local, and private-sector Arctic research programs; and
(7) oil spill from the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of
Mexico has highlighted the need for stronger oil spill prevention and response research
and planning for future development on the outer Continental Shelf of the United States.
SEC. 3. RESEARCH AND ACTION TO CONDUCT OIL SPILL PREVENTION.
(a) In General- The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and in collaboration with the heads of
other agencies with appropriate Arctic science expertise, shall direct research and take
action to improve the ability of the United States to conduct oil spill prevention, response,
and recovery in Arctic waters.
(b) Inclusions- Research and action under this section shall include the prioritization of
resources--(1) to address-(A) ecological baselines and environmental sensitivity indexes;
(B) identification of ecological important areas, critical habitats, and migratory behaviors;
(C) the development of oil spill trajectory models in Arctic marine conditions;
(D) the collection of observational data essential for response strategies in the event of an
oil spill during both open water and ice-covered seasons, including data relating to oil
spill trajectory models that include data on-(i) currents;(ii) winds;(iii) weather;(iv) waves;
and (v) ice forecasting;
(E) the development of a robust operational monitoring program during the open water
and ice-covered seasons;
(F) improvements in technologies and understanding of cold water oil recovery and
restoration; and
(G) the integration of local and traditional knowledge into oil recovery research studies;
and(2) to establish a robust geospatial framework for safe navigation and oil spill
response through increased--(A) hydrographic and bathymetric surveying, mapping, and
navigational charting;
(B) geodetic positioning; and
(C) monitoring of tides, sea levels, and currents in the Arctic.
SEC. 5. ARCTIC MARITIME READINESS AND OIL SPILL PREVENTION.
(a) In General- The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall assess and take action to
reduce the risk and improve the capability of the United States to respond to a maritime
disaster in the United States Beaufort and Chukchi Seas.
(b) Matters To Be Addressed- The assessment and actions referred to in subsection (a)
shall include the prioritization of resources to address-(1) oil spill prevention and response capabilities and infrastructure;
(2) the coordination of contingency plans and agreements with other agencies and
departments of the United States, industry, and foreign governments to respond to an
Arctic oil spill;
(3) the expansion of search and rescue capabilities, infrastructure, and logistics, including
improvements of the Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System;
(4) the provisional designation of places of refuge;
(5) the evaluation and enhancement of navigational infrastructure;
(6) the evaluation and enhancement of vessel monitoring, tracking, and automated
identification systems and navigational aids and communications infrastructure for safe
navigation and marine accident prevention in the Arctic;
(7) shipping traffic risk assessments for the Bering Strait and the Chukchi and Beaufort
Seas; and
(8) the integration of local and traditional knowledge and concerns into prevention and
response strategies.
SEC. 11. FUNDING FOR RESCUE, REHABILITATION, AND RECOVERY OF
MARINE SPECIES.
Section 5006 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2736) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
`(e) Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Recovery of Marine Species- Amounts in the Fund shall
be available to the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, without further appropriation or fiscal year limitation, to sustain
nationwide rescue, rehabilitation, and recovery capabilities for marine mammals, marine
birds, and sea turtles injured by oil pollution, in an amount not to exceed $20,000,000
annually.'.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 224
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself, and Mr. CHAMBLISS) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to the offense of stalking.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Stalkers Act of 2011'.
SEC. 2. STALKING.
(a) In General- Section 2261A of title 18, United States Code, is amended to read as
follows:
`Sec. 2261A. Stalking
`(a) In General- It shall be unlawful for any person, with the intent to kill, physically
injure, harass, intimidate, or place under surveillance with the intent to kill, physically
injure, harass, or intimidate another person, to-`(1) travel in interstate or foreign commerce or within the special maritime and territorial
jurisdiction of the United States, or enter or leave Indian country; and
`(2) in the course of, or as a result of, the travel, entering, or leaving described in
paragraph (1)--`(A) cause or attempt to cause bodily injury or serious emotional distress
to another person; or
`(B) engage in conduct that would be reasonably expected to cause another person
serious emotional distress.
`(b) Course of Conduct- It shall be unlawful for any person, with intent to kill, physically
injure, harass, or intimidate another person, to engage in a course of conduct-`(1) that uses the mail, any interactive computer service, or any other facility of interstate
or foreign commerce; and
(2) that--(A) causes or attempts to cause bodily injury or significant emotional distress to
another person; or
`(B) occurs in circumstances where the conduct would be reasonably expected to cause
another person significant emotional distress.(c) Penalties`(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph (2), any person who violates
subsection (a) or (b) shall be punished as provided for an offense under section 2261.
`(2) EXCEPTION- The otherwise applicable maximum term of imprisonment for a
violation of subsection (a) or (b) shall be increased by 5 years if--
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 225
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself, Mr. CORNYN, and Mr. LEAHY) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To permit the disclosure of certain information for the purpose of missing child
investigations.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Access to Information About Missing Children Act of
2011'.
SEC. 2. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION RELATING TO A MISSING OR
EXPLOITED CHILD.
(a) In General- Chapter 110 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the
end the following:
`Sec. 2260B. Disclosure of information relating to a missing or exploited child
`(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as provided under
subsection (d), pursuant to and upon the grant of an ex parte order by a Federal district
court judge or magistrate under subsection (b), any information held by any Federal
agency with respect to an individual shall be open (but only to the extent necessary as
provided in such order) to inspection by, or disclosure to, officers or employees of any
Federal agency-`(1) who are personally and directly engaged in an investigation, judicial or
administrative proceeding, or Federal grand jury proceeding pertaining to the
enforcement of a Federal criminal statute relating to the case of a missing or exploited
child; or
`(2) who seek such an order on behalf of a State or local law enforcement agency under
subsection (c).
`(b) Application for Order- A Federal officer seeking an ex parte order under this section
shall submit an application to a Federal district court judge or magistrate and upon such
application, the judge or magistrate may grant the order if the judge or magistrate
determines on the basis of the facts submitted by the Federal officer that--(1) there is
reasonable cause to believe, based upon information believed to be reliable, that an act of
kidnapping or exploitation of a minor has been committed;
`(2) there is reasonable cause to believe that the information sought is or may be relevant
to a matter relating to the commission of the act;
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 310
To jump-start economic recovery through the formation and growth of new businesses,
and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. MORAN (for himself, Mr. WARNER, Mr. COONS, and Mr. BLUNT) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
A BILL
To jump-start economic recovery through the formation and growth of new businesses,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the `Startup Act 3.0'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Achieving economic recovery will require the formation and growth of
new companies.
(2) Between 1980 and 2005, companies less than 5 years old accounted for
nearly all net job creation in the United States.
(3) New firms in the United States create an average of 3,000,000 jobs per
year.
(4) To get Americans back to work, entrepreneurs must be free to
innovate, create new companies, and hire employees.
SEC. 3. CONDITIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS FOR
IMMIGRANTS WITH AN ADVANCED DEGREE IN A STEM FIELD.
(a) In General- Chapter 2 of title II of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1181 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 216A the following:
`SEC. 216B. CONDITIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS FOR ALIENS
WITH AN ADVANCED DEGREE IN A STEM FIELD.
`(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Secretary of
Homeland Security may adjust the status of not more than 50,000 aliens who have
earned a master's degree or a doctorate degree at an institution of higher education
in a STEM field to that of an alien conditionally admitted for permanent residence
and authorize each alien granted such adjustment of status to remain in the United
States-`(1) for up to 1 year after the expiration of the alien's student visa under
section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) if the alien is diligently searching for an
opportunity to become actively engaged in a STEM field; and
`(2) indefinitely if the alien remains actively engaged in a STEM field.
`(b) Application for Conditional Permanent Resident Status- Every alien applying
for a conditional permanent resident status under this section shall submit an
application to the Secretary of Homeland Security before the expiration of the
alien's student visa in such form and manner as the Secretary shall prescribe by
regulation.
`(c) Ineligibility for Federal Government Assistance- An alien granted conditional
permanent resident status under this section shall not be eligible, while in such
status, for-`(1) any unemployment compensation (as defined in section 85(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986); or
`(2) any Federal means-tested public benefit (as that term is used in
section 403 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1613)).
`(d) Removal of Condition- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall remove the
conditional basis of an alien's conditional permanent resident status under this
section on the date that is 5 years after the date such status was granted if the alien
maintained his or her eligibility for such status during the entire 5-year period.
SEC. 4. IMMIGRANT ENTREPRENEURS.
(a) Qualified Alien Entrepreneurs(1) ADMISSION AS IMMIGRANTS- Chapter 1 of title II of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
`SEC. 210A. QUALIFIED ALIEN ENTREPRENEURS.
`(a) Admission as Immigrants- The Secretary of Homeland Security, in
accordance with the provisions of this section and section 216A, may issue a
conditional immigrant visa to not more than 75,000 qualified alien entrepreneurs.
`(b) Application for Conditional Permanent Resident Status- Every alien applying
for a conditional immigrant visa under this section shall submit an application to
the Secretary of Homeland Security in such form and manner as the Secretary
shall prescribe by regulation.
SEC. 6. CAPITAL GAINS TAX EXEMPTION FOR STARTUP COMPANIES.
(a) Permanent Full Exclusion(1) IN GENERAL- Subsection (a) of section 1202 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
`(a) Exclusion- In the case of a taxpayer other than a corporation, gross income
shall not include 100 percent of any gain from the sale or exchange of qualified
small business stock held for more than 5 years.'.
SEC. 7. RESEARCH CREDIT FOR STARTUP COMPANIES.
(a) In General(1) IN GENERAL- Section 41 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
`(i) Treatment of Credit to Qualified Small Businesses`(1) IN GENERAL- At the election of a qualified small business, the
payroll tax credit portion of the credit determined under subsection (a)
shall be treated as a credit allowed under section 3111(f) (and not under
this section).
`(2) PAYROLL TAX CREDIT PORTION- For purposes of this subsection,
the payroll tax credit portion of the credit determined under subsection (a)
for any taxable year is so much of such credit as does not exceed
$250,000.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 390
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. WEBB (for himself and Mrs. MCCASKILL) introduced the following bill; which
was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs
A BILL
To ensure that the right of an individual to display the Service Flag on residential
property not be abridged.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled ,SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Blue Star/Gold Star Flag Act of 2011'.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) The term `Service Flag' means a service flag
for purposes of section 901 of title 36, United States Code.(2) The terms `condominium
association' and `cooperative association' have the meanings given such terms under
section 604 of Public Law 96-399 (15 U.S.C. 3603). (3) The term `residential real estate
management association' has the meaning given such term under section 528 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 528). (4) The term `member'--(A) as used
with respect to a condominium association, means an owner of a condominium unit (as
defined under section 604 of Public Law 96-399 (15 U.S.C. 3603)) within such
association;(B) as used with respect to a cooperative association, means a cooperative
unit owner (as defined under section 604 of Public Law 96-399 (15 U.S.C. 3603)) within
such association; and(C) as used with respect to a residential real estate management
association, means an owner of a residential property within a subdivision, development,
or similar area subject to any policy or restriction adopted by such association.
SEC. 3. RIGHT TO DISPLAY THE SERVICE FLAG.
A condominium association, cooperative association, or residential real estate
management association may not adopt or enforce any policy, or enter into any
agreement, that would restrict or prevent a member of the association from displaying the
Service Flag on residential property within the association with respect to which such
member has a separate ownership interest or a right to exclusive possession or use.
SEC. 4. LIMITATIONS. Nothing in this Act shall be considered to permit any display
or use that is inconsistent with--(1) any regulations prescribed by the Secretary of
Defense regarding rules or customs pertaining to the proper display or use of the Service
Flag; or(2) any reasonable restriction pertaining to the time, place, or manner of
displaying the Service Flag necessary to protect a substantial interest of the condominium
association, cooperative association, or residential real estate management association.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 402
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. King (for himself, Mr. WEBB, Ms. COLLINS, and Mr. KERRY) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
A BILL
To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the award of a military service
medal to members of the Armed Forces who served honorably during the Cold War, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States
of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Cold War Service Medal Act of 2014'.
SEC. 2. COLD WAR SERVICE MEDAL.
(a) Medal Authorized(1) IN GENERAL- Chapter 57 of title 10, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
`Sec. 1136. Cold War Service Medal
`(a) Medal Authorized- The Secretary concerned may issue a service medal, to
be known as the `Cold War Service Medal', to persons eligible to receive the
medal under subsection (c).
`(b) Design- The Cold War Service Medal shall be of an appropriate design
approved by the Secretary of Defense, with ribbons, lapel pins, and other
appurtenances.
`(c) Eligible Persons- A person eligible to be issued the Cold War Service
Medal is any person-`(1) who-`(A) served on active duty in the Armed Forces for not less than
24 consecutive months during the Cold War;
`(B) was deployed as a member of the Armed Forces outside the
continental United States for a period of at least 30 days during
the Cold War; or
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 431
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. PRYOR (for himself and Mr. BOOZMAN) introduced the following bill; which was
read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
A BILL
To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the 225th
anniversary of the establishment of the Nation's first Federal law enforcement agency, the
United States Marshals Service.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `United States Marshals Service 225th Anniversary
Commemorative Coin Act'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. The Congress hereby finds as follows:
(1) The United States Marshals, the first Federal law enforcement officers in America,
were established under section 27 of the Act of Congress entitled `Chapter XX- An Act to
Establish the Judicial Courts of the United States' and enacted on September 24, 1789
(commonly referred to as the `Judiciary Act of September 24, 1789'), during the 2nd
Session of the 1st Congress, and signed into law by the 1st President of the United States,
George Washington.
(2) George Washington had carefully considered the appointments to the Judicial Branch
long before the enactment of the Judiciary Act of September 24, 1789, and nominated the
first 11 United States Marshals on September 24, and the remaining two Marshals on
September 25, 1789. The Senate confirmed all 13 on September 26, 1789, 2 days after the
Judiciary Act was signed into law.
(3) In 1969, by order of the Department of Justice, the United States Marshals Service
was created, and achieved Bureau status in 1974. The United States Marshals Service has
had major significance in the history of the United States, and has directly contributed to
the safety and preservation of this Nation, by serving as an instrument of civil authority
used by all 3 branches of the United States Government.
(4) One of the original 13 United States Marshals, Robert Forsyth of Georgia, a 40-year
old veteran of the Revolutionary War, was the first civilian official of the United States
Government, and the first of many United States Marshals and deputies, to be killed in
the line of duty when he was shot on January 11, 1794, while trying to serve civil
process.
(5) The United States Marshals Service Commemorative Coin will be the first
commemorative coin to honor the United States Marshals Service.
(6) The United States should pay tribute to the Nation's oldest Federal law enforcement
agency, the United States Marshals Service, by minting and issuing commemorative
coins, as provided in this Act.
(7) A commemorative coin will bring national and international attention to the lasting
legacy of this Nation's oldest Federal law enforcement agency.
(8) The proceeds from a surcharge on the sale of such commemorative coins will assist
the financing of national museums and charitable organizations.
(ii) REVERSE- The reverse of the half dollar clad coins issued under this Act shall bear
an image consistent with the role that the United States Marshals played in a changing
Nation, as they were involved in some of the most pivotal social issues in American
history. The image should show the ties that the Marshals have to the United States
Constitution, with themes including-(I) the Whiskey Rebellion and the rule of law;
(II) slavery and the legacy of inequality; and
(III) the struggle between labor and capital.
(4) REALISTIC AND HISTORICALLY ACCURATE DEPICTIONS- The images for the
designs of coins issued under this Act shall be selected on the basis of the realism and
historical accuracy of the images and on the extent to which the images are reminiscent
of the dramatic and beautiful artwork on coins of the so-called `Golden Age of Coinage'
in the United States, at the beginning of the 20th Century, with the participation of such
noted sculptors and medallic artists as James Earle Fraser, Augustus Saint-Gaudens,
Victor David Brenner, Adolph A. Weinman, Charles E. Barber, and George T. Morgan.
(b) Selection- The design for the coins minted under this Act shall be-(1) selected by the Secretary, after consultation with the Director of the United States
Marshals Service and the Commission of Fine Arts; and
(2) reviewed by the Citizens Coin Advisory Committee.
SEC. 5. ISSUANCE OF COINS. (a) Quality of Coins- Coins minted under this Act shall
be issued in proof quality and uncirculated quality. (b) Mint Facility- Only 1 facility of
the United States Mint may be used to strike any particular combination of denomination
and quality of the coins minted under this Act. (c) Commencement of Issuance- The
Secretary may issue coins, to the public, minted under this Act beginning on or after
January 1, 2015, except for a limited number to be issued prior to such date to the
Director of the United States Marshals Service and employees of the Service for display
and presentation during the 225th Anniversary celebration. (d) Termination of Minting
Authority- No coins may be minted under this Act after December 31, 2015.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 463
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. BEGICH (for himself, and Mr. CARPER) introduced the following bill; which was
read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
A BILL
To amend part B of title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to
promote effective STEM teaching and learning.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Effective STEM Teaching and Learning Act of 2011'.
SEC. 2. EFFECTIVE STEM TEACHING AND LEARNING.
`(a) Program Authorization- The Secretary shall use funds made available to carry out
this part for a fiscal year to award grants, on a competitive basis, to State educational
agencies or to State educational agencies in partnership with appropriate outside entities
(such as nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education) in States that have
adopted and are implementing high-quality mathematics standards (and additional
standards, such as science standards, at the discretion of the Secretary) that build toward
college and career readiness, to carry out activities in order to improve the teaching and
learning in--(1) mathematics or science, or both, in preschool through grade 12; and
(2) at the discretion of the State educational agency, technology or engineering or both in
preschool through grade 12.(b) Length of Grants(1) IN GENERAL- Grants awarded under subsection (a) shall be for not more than 3
years.
(2) EXTENSION- The Secretary may extend a grant awarded under subsection (a) for an
additional 2 years if the grantee-(A) is achieving the intended outcomes of the grant; and
(B) shows improvement against baseline measures on performance indicators established
by the Secretary.
`(2) ACTIVITIES- A State educational agency that receives a capacity-building grant
may use the grant funds to carry out 1 or more of the activities which may include
cooperating with industry, museums, institutions of higher education, philanthropic
organizations, community-based organizations, or other community partners with STEM
expertise, to become more competitive for a grant under subsection (a) in future years.
`(1) the quality of the application, including the State educational agency's plan for
making publicly available findings, results (including interim results), and outcomes of
the project in a timely manner and in formats that are easily understood and accessible;
`(2) the extent to which the State educational agency has demonstrated a process for
giving priority to applicants that have plans that are evidence-based or that have a plan in
place to evaluate rigorously the effectiveness of their projects;
`(3) the quality of the applicant's plan to cooperate with industry experts, museums,
institutions of higher education, research centers, or other community partners with
STEM expertise, in-`(A) preparing and assisting teachers in effectively integrating STEM content across
grades and disciplines;
`(B) providing effective and relevant instruction; and
`(C) offering applied learning opportunities for all students; and
`(4) the quality of the applicant's plan for preparing more students for advanced study and
careers in STEM, including by addressing the needs of, and barriers faced by, student
groups that are underrepresented in STEM, including women and girls, underrepresented
minorities, students with disabilities, and English language learners.
113T
H
CO
NG
RES
To prohibit the use of drones to kill citizens of the United StatesSwithin the United
States.
2ND
SESS
S. 505
ION
Mr. CRUZ (for himself, Mr. PAUL, and Mr. LEE) introduced the following bill; which
was read the twice and referred to the committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs
A BILL
To prohibit the use of drones to kill citizens of the United States within the United
States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DRONES.
(a) D EFINITIONS .In this section
(1) the term drone means an unmanned aircraft (as defined in section 331 of
the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note));
(2) the term serious bodily injury has the meaning given that term in section
1365 of title 18, United States Code; and
(3) the term United States as used in a territorial sense, has the meaning
given that term in section 5 of title 18, United States Code.
(b) P ROHIBITION .The Federal Government may not use a drone to kill a citizen
of the United States who is located in the United States. The prohibition under this
subsection shall not apply to an individual who poses an imminent threat of death or
serious bodily injury to another individual. Nothing in this section shall be construed to
suggest that the Constitution would otherwise allow the killing of a citizen of the United
States in the United States without due process of law.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 507
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Sen Rockefeller, John D., IV, Sen Blumenthal, Richard, Sen Casey, Robert P. Jr., Sen
Gillibrand, Kirsten E., Sen Schumer, Charles E. introduced the following bill; which was
read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
A BILL
To provide for increased Federal oversight of prescription opioid treatment and assistance
to States in reducing opioid abuse, diversion, and deaths.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
S
This Act may be cited as the Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment
Act of 2013.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
1
(a) In General- The Administrator shall award grants to States and nonprofit
entities for the purpose of conducting culturally sensitive consumer education about
opioid abuse, including methadone abuse. Such education shall include information on
the dangers of opioid abuse, how to prevent opioid abuse including through safe disposal
of prescription medications and other safety precautions, and detection of early warning
signs of addiction.(b) Eligibility- To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a),
an entity shall--
(c) Priority- In awarding grants under this section, the Administrator shall give
priority to applicants that are States or communities with a high incidence of abuse of
methadone and other opioids, and opioid-related deaths.(d) Evaluations- The
Administrator shall develop a process to evaluate the effectiveness of activities carried
out by grantees under this section at reducing abuse of methadone and other opioids.(e)
Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2016..
SEC. 5. MORATORIUM ON METHADONE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS.
(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, during the period
beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on the date described in
subsection (b), no individual or entity may prescribe or otherwise dispense a 40-mg
diskette of methadone unless such prescription or dispensation is consistent with the
methadone 40-mg diskette policy of the Drug Enforcement Administration as in effect on
the date of enactment of this Act, except that such prohibition shall extend to hospitals
unless such hospitals provide for direct patient supervision with respect to such
methadone.(b) Ending Date of Moratorium- The moratorium under subsection (a) shall
cease to have force and effect-(1) on the date that the Controlled Substances Clinical Standards
Commission publishes in the Federal Register dosing guidelines for all
forms of methadone, in accordance with section 506D(b)(1)(A) of the
Public Health Service Act (as added by section 7); and(2) if, as part of
such dosing guidelines, such Commission finds that 40-mg diskettes of
methadone are safe and clinically appropriate.
SEC. 6. OPERATION OF OPIOID TREATMENT PROGRAMS.
Section 303 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 823) is amended by
adding at the end the following:(i)(1) An opioid treatment program that is registered
under this section, and that closes for business on any weekday or weekend day,
including a Federal or State holiday, shall comply with the requirements of this
subsection.(2) The program shall make acceptable arrangements for each patient who is
restricted, by Federal regulation or guideline or by the determination of the program
medical director, from having a take home dose of a controlled substance related to the
treatment involved, to receive a dose of that substance under appropriate supervision
during the closure.(3) The Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration shall issue a notice that references regulations on acceptable
arrangements under this subsection, or shall promulgate regulations on such acceptable
arrangements.
Part A of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290aa et seq.), as
(a) Model Opioid Treatment Program Mortality Report(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than July 1, 2012, the Secretary, acting
through the Administrator, shall require that a Model Opioid Treatment Program
Mortality Report be completed and submitted to the Administrator for each individual
who dies while receiving treatment in an opioid treatment program.(2) REQUIREMENT
OF STATES THAT RECEIVE FUNDING FOR THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
MONITORING PROGRAM- As a condition for receiving funds under section 399O,
each State shall require that any individual who signs a death certificate where an opioid
drug is detected in the body of the deceased, or where such drug is otherwise associated
with the death, report such death to the Administrator by submitting a Model Opioid
Treatment Program Mortality Report described in paragraph (3). Such report shall be
submitted to the Administrator on or before the later of-(A) 90 days after the date of signing the death certificate; or(B)
as soon as practicable after the date on which the necessary postmortem and toxicology
reports become available to such individual, as required by the Secretary.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 528
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mrs. GILLIBRAND (for herself, Mr. CARDIN, Mr. CARPER, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, and
Mr. WHITEHOUSE) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to
the Committee on Commerce, Science and Technology.
A BILL
To provide driver safety grants to States with graduated driver licensing laws that meet
certain minimum requirements.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the `Safe
Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act of 2011' or the `STANDUP Act'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following:
(1) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported that-(A) motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death of Americans between 15 and 20
years of age;
(B) between 1999 and 2009, more than 90,000 Americans were killed in motor vehicle
crashes involving drivers between 15 and 20 years of age, an average of 155 deaths per
week;
(C) drivers between 16 and 20 years of age have a fatality rate that is 4 times higher than
the rate for drivers between 25 and 70 years of age; and
(D) teenage drivers who are 16 years of age have a motor vehicle crash rate that is almost
10 times higher than the crash rate for drivers between 30 and 60 years of age.
(2) The National Transportation Safety Board found that during the most recent 10-year
period--(A) teen drivers comprised less than 7 percent of the driving population and
accounted for more than 13 percent of drivers involved in all deadly crashes; and(B)
more than 20 percent of all highway fatalities occurred in crashes that involved teen
drivers.
(3) Analysis by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute shows that--(A)
teenage drivers comprise approximately 40 percent of the fatalities in motor vehicle
crashes in which they are involved; and (B) the other 60 percent of the fatalities in those
crashes are-(i) passengers who were riding in the vehicle with the teen driver;
(ii) drivers and passengers in other vehicles involved in a crash with the teen driver's
vehicle; and (iii) pedestrians.
(4) According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety-(A) the chance that a vehicle driven by a 16- or 17-year-old will be involved in an
accident--(i) doubles when there are 2 other teens in the vehicle; and
(ii) quadruples when there are 4 teens in the vehicle;
(B) States with strong nighttime driving restrictions experience lower fatal crash rates
among drivers ages 15 to 17 years old; and
(C) a higher age requirement for licensing teen drivers is correlated with a lower number
of fatal crashes per capita.
(5) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that distraction caused
by cellular phones is significant enough to degrade driver performance, and is
particularly dangerous for inexperienced drivers between 15 and 20 years of age.
(6) That National Transportation Safety Board has found that although only 20 percent of
driving by teenage drivers occurs at night, more than 50 percent of the motor vehicle
crash fatalities involving teenage drivers occur at night.
(7) According to a 2007 report from the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M
University-(A) teenage drivers in rural areas are less likely to be aware of the risks and dangers
associated with driving, placing them at higher risk of involvement in crashes;
(B) teen drivers are more likely than other drivers--(i) to drive with other teenage
passengers;(ii) to drive late at night;(iii) to exceed the speed limit;
(iv) to use cell phones while driving; and (v) to fail to use seat belts while driving.
(8) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that although 23 percent
of the population of the United States lives in rural areas, 57 percent of all traffic fatalities
occur on rural roads, underscoring the elevated crash risk for teen drivers in rural areas.
(9) The American Academy of Pediatrics has found evidence that the area of the brain
responsible for planning, impulse control, and executive decisionmaking does not fully
mature until a person is between 20 and 25 years of age, placing teen drivers at greater
risk of being involved in an accident.
(10) The Journal of the American Medical Association reports that after Michigan and
North Carolina adopted comprehensive graduated driver licensing systems in 1997,
crashes involving 16-year-old drivers decreased by 25 percent in Michigan and by 27
percent in North Carolina.
(11) According to the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State, teen driving deaths dropped
by over 40 percent in Illinois in the first full year following the 2007 implementation of a
stronger graduated driver licensing law.
(12) The National Transportation Safety Board reports that over 40 States and the District
of Columbia have implemented some type of 3-stage graduated driver licensing system.
However, most States have not yet enacted all of the lifesaving safety features of
graduated driver licensing laws recommended by the National Transportation Safety
Board and supported by research to protect the lives of teenage and novice drivers.
(13) A 2010 national survey by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety indicates that-(A) parents of teens favor graduated driver licensing laws that are as strict or stricter than
those that currently exist in any State;
(B) 2/3 of parents of teens believe that young drivers should begin learning to drive at 16
years of age or older;
(C) more than 1/2 of parents of teens believe that the minimum licensing age should be
17 years of age or older;
(D) 90 percent of parents of teens support a restriction on unsupervised nighttime driving;
(E) more than 75 percent of parents of teens believe that the restriction on unsupervised
nighttime driving should begin at 10 p.m. or earlier;
(F) 89 percent of parents of teens support restrictions on teen passengers; and
(G) more than 75 percent of parents of teens believe that teen drivers should not be
permitted to more than 1 teen passenger in their vehicle.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 555
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. FRANKEN (for himself, Mr. HARKIN, Mrs. MURRAY, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr.
MERKLEY, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. BENNET, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. UDALL of
Colorado, Ms. MIKULSKI, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. BINGAMAN, Mr.
WHITEHOUSE, Mr. CARDIN, Mrs. BOXER, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. MENENDEZ,
Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. WYDEN, Mr. BEGICH, Mr. CASEY, Ms. CANTWELL, Mr.
BROWN, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Mr. REED, and Mr. COONS) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions
A BILL
To end discrimination based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity
in public schools, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Student Non-Discrimination Act.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) Findings- The Congress finds the following:
(1) Public school students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (referred to in
this Act as `LGBT'), or are perceived to be LGBT, or who associate with LGBT people,
have been and are subjected to pervasive discrimination, including harassment, bullying,
intimidation, and violence, and have been deprived of equal educational opportunities, in
schools in every part of the Nation.
(2) While discrimination, including harassment, bullying, intimidation, and violence, of
any kind is harmful to students and to the education system, actions that target students
based on sexual orientation or gender identity represent a distinct and especially severe
problem.
(3) Numerous social science studies demonstrate that discrimination, including
harassment, bullying, intimidation, and violence, at school has contributed to high rates
of absenteeism, dropping out, adverse health consequences, and academic
underachievement, among LGBT youth.
(4) When left unchecked, discrimination, including harassment, bullying, intimidation,
and violence, in schools based on sexual orientation or gender identity can lead, and has
led, to life-threatening violence and to suicide.
(5) Public school students enjoy a variety of constitutional rights, including rights to
equal protection, privacy, and free expression, which are infringed when school officials
1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d-4a) to the operations of public entities under paragraph (2)(B) of
such section.
(5) PUBLIC SCHOOL- The term `public school' means an elementary school (as the
term is defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965)
that is a public institution, and a secondary school (as so defined) that is a public
institution.
(6) SEXUAL ORIENTATION- The term `sexual orientation' means homosexuality,
heterosexuality, or bisexuality.
(7) STUDENT- The term `student' means an individual who is enrolled in a public school
or who, regardless of official enrollment status, attends classes or participates in the
programs or activities of a public school or educational agency.
(b) Rule- Consistent with Federal law, in this Act the term `includes' means `includes but
is not limited to'.
SEC. 4. PROHIBITION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION.
(a) In General- No student shall, on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or
gender identity of such individual or of a person with whom the student associates or has
associated, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to
discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
(b) Harassment- For purposes of this Act, discrimination includes harassment of a student
on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity of such student or
of a person with whom the student associates or has associated.
(c) Retaliation Prohibited(1) PROHIBITION- No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the
benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination, retaliation, or reprisal under any program or
activity receiving Federal financial assistance based on the person's opposition to conduct
made unlawful by this Act.
(2) DEFINITION- For purposes of this subsection, `opposition to conduct made unlawful
by this Act' includes-(A) opposition to conduct reasonably believed to be made unlawful by this Act;
(B) any formal or informal report, whether oral or written, to any governmental entity,
including public schools and educational agencies and employees of the public schools or
educational agencies, regarding conduct made unlawful by this Act or reasonably
believed to be made unlawful by this Act;
(C) participation in any investigation, proceeding, or hearing related to conduct made
unlawful by this Act or reasonably believed to be made unlawful by this Act; and
(D) assistance or encouragement provided to any other person in the exercise or
enjoyment of any right granted or protected by this Act,
if in the course of that expression, the person involved does not purposefully provide
information known to be false to any public school or educational agency or other
governmental entity regarding conduct made unlawful, or reasonably believed to be made
unlawful, by this Act.
SEC. 7. STATE IMMUNITY.
(a) State Immunity- A State shall not be immune under the 11th Amendment to the
Constitution from suit in Federal court for a violation of this Act.
(b) Waiver- A State's receipt or use of Federal financial assistance for any program or
activity of a State shall constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity, under the 11th
Amendment or otherwise, to a suit brought by an aggrieved individual for a violation of
section 4.
(c) Remedies- In a suit against a State for a violation of this Act, remedies (including
remedies both at law and in equity) are available for such a violation to the same extent
as such remedies are available for such a violation in the suit against any public or private
entity other than a State.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 576
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. HARKIN introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
A BILL
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to improve standards for
physical education.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the `Fitness Integrated with
Teaching Kids Act' or the `FIT Kids Act'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States.
(2) Obesity-related diseases cost the United States economy more than $117,000,000,000
every year.
(3) The prevalence of overweight children between the ages of 6 and 11 years increased
from 4.0 percent in 1971-1974 to 17.5 percent in 2001-2004, and the prevalence of
overweight adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 years increased from 6.1 percent
to 17.0 percent.
(4) More than 9,000,000 children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 19 years are
considered overweight on the basis of being in the 95th percentile or higher of BMI
values in the 2000 CDC growth chart for the United States.
(5) If children do not become more active and healthy, one-third of all children born in
2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives.
(6) Of all United States deaths from major chronic disease, 23 percent are linked to
sedentary lifestyles that now begin at childhood.
(7) Adolescents who are overweight have a 70-80 percent chance of becoming
overweight adults, increasing their risk for chronic disease, disability, and death.
(8) A recent study showed that plaque build-up in the neck arteries of children who are
obese or those with high cholesterol is similar to those levels seen in middle-aged adults.
(9) A decline in physical activity has contributed to the unprecedented epidemic of
childhood obesity.
(10) The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that children engage in
60 minutes or more of physical activity each day.
(11) In a 2005 Government Accountability Office report on key strategies to include in
programs designed to target childhood obesity, `increasing physical activity' was
identified as the most important component in any such program.
(12) Part of the decline in physical activity has been in our Nation's schools, where
physical education programs have been cut back in the past 2 decades.
(13) The national standard for physical education frequency is 150 minutes per week in
elementary school and 225 minutes per week in middle school and high school.
(14) Only 3.8 percent of elementary school, 7.9 percent of middle school, and 2.1 percent
of high schools provide daily physical education or its equivalent for the entire school
year, and 22 percent of schools do not require students to take any physical education at
all.
(15) Among children ages 9 to 13, 61.5 percent do not participate in any organized
physical activity during out-of-school hours.
(16) Regular physical activity is associated with a healthier, longer life and a lower risk
of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and some cancers.
(17) Research suggests a strong correlation between children's fitness and their academic
performance as measured by grades in core subjects and standardized test scores.
(18) Approximately 81 percent of adults believe daily physical education should be
mandatory in schools.
SEC. 6. NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL STUDY.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education
shall enter into a contract with the National Research Council of the National Academy of
Sciences to-(1) examine and make recommendations regarding-(A) various means that may be employed to incorporate physical activity into Head Start
and childcare settings, elementary, middle, and high school settings, and before- and
after-school programs; and
(B) innovative and effective ways to increase physical activity for all students;
(2) study the impact of health, level of physical activity, and amount of physical
education on students' ability to learn and maximize performance in school; and
(3) study and provide specific recommendations for-(A) effectively measuring the progress of students, at the school level, in improving their
health and well-being, including improving their-(i) knowledge, awareness, and behavior changes, related to nutrition and physical
activity;
(ii) cognitive development, and fitness improvement, in physical education;
(iii) knowledge of lifetime physical activity and health promotion;
(iv) decrease in obesity; and
(v) levels on overall health indicators; and
(B) effectively measuring the progress of students, at the school level, in increasing
physical activity.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 604
To recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, to relocate to Jerusalem the United States
Embassy in Israel, and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. HELLER (for himself, Mr. KIRK, Mr. INHOFE, and Mr. CORNYN) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
A BILL
To recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, to relocate to Jerusalem the United States
Embassy in Israel, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Jerusalem Embassy and Recognition Act of 2013'.
SEC. 2. RECOGNITION OF JERUSALEM AS THE CAPITAL OF ISRAEL AND
RELOCATION OF THE UNITED STATES EMBASSY TO JERUSALEM.
(a) Statement of Policy- It is the policy of the United States to recognize
Jerusalem as the undivided capital of the State of Israel, both de jure and de facto.
(b) Sense of Congress- It is the sense of Congress that-(1) Jerusalem must remain an undivided city in which the rights of every
ethnic and religious group are protected as they have been by Israel since
1967;
(2) every citizen of Israel should have the right to reside anywhere in the
undivided city of Jerusalem;
(3) the President and the Secretary of State should publicly affirm as a
matter of United States policy that Jerusalem must remain the undivided
capital of the State of Israel;
(4) the President should immediately implement the provisions of the
Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-45) and begin the
process of relocating the United States Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem;
and
(5) United States officials should refrain from any actions that contradict
United States law on this subject.
(c) Amendment of Waiver Authority- The Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 (Public
Law 104-45) is amended--
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 634
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. SCHUMER (for himself, Mr. WYDEN, Mr. FRANKEN, Mr. NELSON of Florida,
Mr. RUBIO, and Mrs. GILLIBRAND) introduced the following bill; which was read
twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To ensure that the courts of the United States may provide an impartial forum for claims
brought by United States citizens and others against any railroad organized as a separate
legal entity, arising from the deportation of United States citizens and others to Nazi
concentration camps on trains owned or operated by such railroad, and by the heirs and
survivors of such persons.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Holocaust Rail Justice Act'.
SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS. Congress finds as follows:
(1) During World War II, more than 75,000 Jews and thousands of other persons were
deported from France to Nazi concentration camps, on trains operated for profit by the
Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Franc.AE9ais (in this Act referred to as `SNCF'),
including deportations to Auschwitz and Buchenwald. Numerous citizens and residents of
the United States were among those who were on the trains or had relatives on the trains.
United States servicemen who were pilots shot down over France were also among the
persons deported on the SNCF trains to Nazi concentration camps.
(2) United States citizens and others have sought redress against SNCF by filing a class
action suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The
named plaintiffs and class members include United States Army Air Force pilots and
United States citizens.
(3) The complaint filed alleges that SNCF, a separate corporate entity that remained
independent during World War II, operated the deportation trains for a profit, as ordinary
commercial transactions. SNCF remained under French civilian control throughout World
War II and is alleged to have collaborated willingly with the German Nazi regime.
(4) The complaint alleges that SNCF provided the necessary rolling stock, scheduled the
departures, and supplied the employees to operate the trains bound for the concentration
camps. SNCF allegedly charged an ordinary passenger coach fare for the deportations,
calculated per person and per kilometer, and considered these trains as ordinary
commercial activities. The plaintiffs further contend that SNCF herded as many people as
possible into each car, requiring passengers of all ages and sexes, including the elderly
and young children, to stand throughout the trip of several days' duration, with no
provision for food or water and no sanitary facilities. The complaint further alleges that
SNCF cleaned the trains after each trip, removing the corpses of persons who perished
during transit due to the execrable conditions of the train cars. The destination was in
each case a camp in which the deportees were to be exterminated, worked to death, or
made to suffer terrible and inhuman conditions.
(5) The complaint contends that SNCF's actions violated the Principles of the Nuremberg
Tribunal, 1950, relating to crimes under international law (earlier recognized by the
Martens Clause of the Hague Convention IV of 1907), and aided and abetted the
commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity. SNCF has not denied its actions
and has never disgorged the money that it was paid for the deportations or otherwise
compensated the deportees or their heirs.
(6) SNCF's records concerning the deportation trains have not been made available to the
plaintiffs, and SNCF archives concerning its wartime activities are not accessible to the
general public.
(7) SNCF moved to dismiss the lawsuit on a claim of sovereign immunity under the
foreign sovereign immunities provisions of title 28, United States Code (28 U.S.C. 1330
and 1602 et seq.), even though it is one of the 500 largest corporations in the world, earns
hundreds of millions of dollars from its commercial activities in the United States, and is
not accorded sovereign immunity under the laws of France. SNCF's motion to dismiss the
lawsuit was granted by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New
York. Plaintiffs appealed the decision, their appeal was granted, and the case was
remanded for further proceedings. Subsequently, in light of Republic of Austria v.
Altmann, 541 U.S. 677 (2004), in November 2004, on remand, the Court of Appeals for
the Second Circuit recalled its prior mandate and determined that SNCF was entitled to
immunity and affirmed the dismissal of the complaint. The Second Circuit stated that `the
railroad's conduct at the time lives on in infamy' but concluded that `the evil actions of
the French national railroad's former private masters in knowingly transporting thousands
to death camps during World War II are not susceptible to legal redress in Federal court
today.'.
(8) This lawsuit, which arises from the unique historical facts of the deportation of
persons to Nazi concentration camps, presents issues of substantial importance to citizens
and veterans of the United States. Many of those who have sought redress against SNCF
are elderly and would have difficulty traveling outside the United States in order to
pursue their claims elsewhere. The courts of the United States are and should be a proper
forum for this lawsuit. The Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976, which had not
been enacted at the time of SNCF's actions during World War II, was not intended to bar
suit against the SNCF.
SEC. 3. ACCESS TO UNITED STATES COURTS FOR HOLOCAUST
DEPORTEES.
(a) Jurisdiction of District Courts- The United States district courts shall have original
jurisdiction, without regard to the amount in controversy, of any civil action for damages
for personal injury or death that-(1) arose from the deportation of persons to Nazi
concentration camps during the period beginning on January 1, 1942, and ending on
December 31, 1944; and (2) is brought by any such person, or any heir or survivor of
such person, against a railroad that--
(A) owned or operated the trains on which the persons were so deported; and
(B) was organized as a separate legal entity at the time of the deportation, whether or not
any of the equity interest in the railroad was owned by a foreign state.
SEC. 4. REPORTING.
In furtherance of international education relating to the Holocaust and historic and
continuing anti-Semitism in Europe and throughout the world, the Secretary of State shall
submit to the Congress a one-time report, outlining the status of access to wartime
records and archives concerning the wartime activities of any railroad organized as a
separate legal entity that engaged in the deportation of persons to Nazi concentration
camps during the period beginning on January 1, 1942, and ending on December 31,
1944.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 640
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. CARPER introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Foreign Relations
A BILL
To underscore the importance of international nuclear safety cooperation for operating
power reactors, encouraging the efforts of the Convention on Nuclear Safety, supporting
progress in improving nuclear safety, and enhancing the public availability of nuclear
safety information.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Furthering International Nuclear Safety Act of 2011'.
SEC. 2. PURPOSES. The purposes of this Act are as follows:
(1) To recognize the paramount importance of international nuclear safety cooperation for
operating power reactors.
(2) To further the efforts of the Convention on Nuclear Safety as a vital international
forum on nuclear safety.
(3) To support progress in improving nuclear safety for countries that currently have or
are considering the development of a civilian nuclear power program.
(4) To enhance the public availability of nuclear safety information.
SEC. 4. UNITED STATES EFFORTS TO FURTHER INTERNATIONAL
NUCLEAR SAFETY.
The President shall instruct the United States official serving as the delegate to the
meetings of the Convention on Nuclear Safety pursuant to Article 24 of the Convention to
use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States, while recognizing that these
efforts by parties are voluntary, to encourage, where appropriate-(1) parties to more systematically assess where and how they have made progress in
improving safety, including where applicable through the incorporation of performance
metric tools;
(2) parties to increase the number of national reports they make available to the public by
posting them to a publicly available Internet Web site of the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA);
(3) parties to expand public dissemination of written answers to questions raised by other
parties about national reports by posting the information to a publicly available Internet
Web site of the IAEA;
(4) the IAEA to further its support of the Convention, upon request by a party and where
funding is available, by-(A) providing assistance to parties preparing national reports;
(B) providing additional assistance to help prepare for and support meetings, including
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 670
To amend title 18, United States Code, to protect pain-capable unborn children, and for
other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
November 7, 2013
Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mr. MCCONNELL, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. THUNE, Mr.
BARRASSO, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. MORAN, Mr. PORTMAN, Mr. SCOTT, Mr. HATCH,
Mr. GRASSLEY, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. CRUZ, Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. VITTER,
Mr. HOEVEN, Mr. JOHANNS, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. CHAMBLISS, Mr.
MCCAIN, Mr. ENZI, Mr. RISCH, Mr. COATS, Mr. COBURN, Mr. BURR, Mr.
JOHNSON of Wisconsin, Mr. COCHRAN, Mr. WICKER, Mr. ISAKSON, Mrs.
FISCHER, Mr. SHELBY, Mr. FLAKE, Ms. AYOTTE, Mr. SESSIONS, and Mr. LEE)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to protect pain-capable unborn children, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act'.
SEC. 2. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.
Congress finds and declares the following:
(1) Pain receptors (nociceptors) are present throughout the unborn child's
entire body and nerves link these receptors to the brain's thalamus and
subcortical plate by no later than 20 weeks after fertilization.
(2) By 8 weeks after fertilization, the unborn child reacts to touch. After
20 weeks, the unborn child reacts to stimuli that would be recognized as
painful if applied to an adult human, for example, by recoiling.
(3) In the unborn child, application of such painful stimuli is associated
with significant increases in stress hormones known as the stress response.
`(10) WOMAN- The term `woman' means a female human being whether
or not she has reached the age of majority.'.
(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 74 of
title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
item:
`1532. Pain-capable unborn child protection.'.
(c) Chapter Heading Amendments(1) CHAPTER HEADING IN CHAPTER- The chapter heading for
chapter 74 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking
`PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTIONS' and inserting `ABORTIONS'.
(2) TABLE OF CHAPTERS FOR PART I- The item relating to chapter 74
in the table of chapters at the beginning of part I of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by striking `Partial-Birth Abortions' and inserting
`Abortions'.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 689
In The Senate of the United States
Mr. MERKLEY introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
A BILL
To promote the oil independence of the United States, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Energy Security Act of 2011'.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) ADMINISTRATOR- The term `Administrator' means the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(2) COUNCIL- The term `Council' means the National Energy Security
Council established by section 4.
(3) NATIONAL ENERGY SECURITY PROGRAM- The term `national
energy security program' means the national energy security program
established by section 3.
(4) NATIONAL OIL INDEPENDENCE GOAL- The term `national oil
independence goal' means the national oil independence goal established
under section 3(c).
(5) NATIONAL OIL INDEPENDENCE PLAN- The term `national oil
independence plan' means the national oil independence plan established
under section 3(d).
SEC. 3. NATIONAL ENERGY SECURITY PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment- There is established in the Executive Office of the President
the national energy security program.
(b) Mission- The mission of the national energy security program shall be to
coordinate the activities and policies of the Federal Government to ensure, to the
maximum extent practicable, that the United States meets-(1) goals for reducing oil dependence, oil imports, and oil consumption;
and
(2) other energy policy goals, including goals for--
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 726
To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide health care practitioners in rural areas
with training in preventive health care, including both physical and mental care, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Schatz (for himself and Ms. Hirono) introduced the following bill; which was read
twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide health care practitioners in rural areas
with training in preventive health care, including both physical and mental care, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Rural Preventive Health Care
Training Act of 2013''.
SEC. 2. PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE TRAINING.
Part D of title VII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 294
et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 754 the following:
``SEC. 754A. PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE TRAINING.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make grants to, and enter into
contracts with, eligible applicants to enable such applicants to
provide preventive health care training, in accordance with subsection
(c), to health care practitioners practicing in rural areas. Such
training shall, to the extent practicable, include training in health
care to prevent both physical and mental disorders before the initial
occurrence of such disorders. In carrying out this subsection, the
Secretary shall encourage, but may not require, the use of
interdisciplinary training project applications.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 769
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Harkin (for himself) and Mr. ISAKSON introduced the following bill; which was
read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to assess the
feasibility and advisability of using service dogs for the treatment or rehabilitation of
veterans with physical or mental injuries or disabilities, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the
`VETSDogsActof2011.
(a) Findings- Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The United States owes a profound debt to those who have served the United States
honorably in the Armed Forces.
(2) Disabled veterans suffer from a range of physical and mental injuries and disabilities.
(3) In 2008, the Army reported the highest level of suicides among its soldiers since it
began tracking the rate 28 years before 2009.
(4) A scientific study documented in the 2008 Rand Report entitled `Invisible Wounds of
War' estimated that 300,000 veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi
Freedom currently suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
(5) Veterans have benefitted in multiple ways from the provision of service dogs.
(6) The Department of Veterans Affairs has been successfully placing guide dogs with
the blind since 1961.
(7) Thousands of dogs around the country await adoption.
(b) Program Required- Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall commence a three-year pilot program to assess the
benefits, feasibility, and advisability of using service dogs for the treatment or
rehabilitation of veterans with physical or mental injuries or disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder.
(c) Partnerships(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program by partnering with
nonprofit organizations that-(A) have experience providing service dogs to individuals with injuries or disabilities;
(B) do not charge fees for the dogs, services, or lodging that they provide; and
(C) are accredited by a generally accepted industry-standard accrediting institution.
(2) REIMBURSEMENT OF COSTS- The Secretary shall reimburse partners for costs
relating to the pilot program as follows:
(A) For the first 50 dogs provided under the pilot program, all costs relating to the
provision of such dogs.
(B) For dogs provided under the pilot program after the first 50 dogs provided, all costs
relating to the provision of every other dog.
(d) Participation(1) IN GENERAL- As part of the pilot program, the Secretary shall provide a service
dog to a number of veterans with physical or mental injuries or disabilities that is greater
than or equal to the greater of-(A) 200; and
(B) the minimum number of such veterans required to produce scientifically valid results
with respect to assessing the benefits and costs of the use of such dogs for the treatment
or rehabilitation of such veterans.
(2) COMPOSITION- The Secretary shall ensure that-(A) half of the participants in the pilot program are veterans who suffer primarily from a
mental health injury or disability; and
(B) half of the participants in the pilot program are veterans who suffer primarily from a
physical injury or disability.
(e) Study- In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall conduct a scientifically
valid research study of the costs and benefits associated with the use of service dogs for
the treatment or rehabilitation of veterans with physical or mental injuries or disabilities.
The matters studied shall include the following:
(1) The therapeutic benefits to such veterans, including the quality of life benefits
reported by the veterans partaking in the pilot program.
(2) The economic benefits of using service dogs for the treatment or rehabilitation of
such veterans, including-(A) savings on health care costs, including savings relating to reductions in
hospitalization and reductions in the use of prescription drugs; and
(B) productivity and employment gains for the veterans.
(3) The effectiveness of using service dogs to prevent suicide.
(f) Reports(1) ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY- After each year of the pilot program,
the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the findings of the Secretary with
respect to the pilot program.
(2) FINAL REPORT BY THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES- Not later than
180 days after the date of the completion of the pilot program, the National Academy of
Sciences shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the pilot program.
113thCONGRESS
2ndSession
S.774
INTHESENATEOFTHEUNITEDSTATES
Mr.Walshintroducedthefollowingbill;whichwasreadtwiceandreferredtothe
CommitteeonFinance.
ABILL
ToappropriatefundsforpayandallowancesandsupportformembersoftheArmed
Forces,theirfamilies,andotherpersonnelcriticaltonationalsecurityduringafunding
gap.
BeitenactedbytheSenateandHouseofRepresentativesoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica
inCongressassembled,SECTION1.SHORTTITLE.
ThisActmaybecitedasthe`EnduringSupportforDefendersofFreedomandTheir
FamiliesAct'.
SEC.2.APPROPRIATIONSFORPAYANDALLOWANCESANDSUPPORT
FORMEMBERSOFTHEARMEDFORCES,THEIRFAMILIES,AND
CERTAINOTHERPERSONNELCRITICALTONATIONALSECURITY
DURINGAFUNDINGGAP.
(a)InGeneralDuringafundinggapimpactingtheArmedForcesandtheDepartment
ofHomelandSecurity,theSecretaryoftheTreasuryshallmakeavailabletothe
SecretaryofDefenseandtheSecretaryofHomelandSecurity,outofanyamountsin
thegeneralfundoftheTreasurynototherwiseappropriated,amountsasfollows:
(1)SuchamountsastheSecretaryofDefenseandtheSecretaryofHomelandSecurity
determinetobenecessarytocontinuetoprovidepayandallowances(without
interruption)tothefollowing:
(A)MembersanddependentsoftheArmy,theNavy,theAirForce,theMarineCorps,
theCoastGuard,includingreservecomponentsthereof,andtheU.S.CustomsandBorder
Protection,whoperformactiveserviceduringthefundinggap.
(B)AtthediscretionoftheSecretaryofDefenseandtheSecretaryofHomelandSecurity,
suchcivilianpersonneloftheDepartmentofDefenseandtheDepartmentofHomeland
Securitywhoareprovidingsupporttothepersonnelreferredtoinparagraph(1)asthe
Secretariesconsiderappropriate.
(C)AtthediscretionoftheSecretaryofDefenseandtheSecretaryofHomelandSecurity,
suchpersonnelofcontractorsoftheDepartmentofDefenseandtheDepartmentof
HomelandSecuritywhoareprovidingdirectsupporttothepersonnelreferredtoin
paragraph(1)astheSecretariesconsiderappropriate.
(2)AtthediscretionoftheSecretaryofDefenseandtheSecretaryHomelandSecurity,
suchamountsastheSecretariesdeterminetobenecessarytocontinuecarryingout
programs(andthepayandallowancesofpersonnelcarryingoutsuchprograms)that
providedirectsupporttothemembersoftheArmedForcesandtheDepartmentof
HomelandSecurity,includingprogramsasfollows:
(A)Programsforthesupportoffamilies,includingchildcareandfamilysupport
services.
(B)SuchprogramsoftheDepartmentofDefensefortheprovisionofmedicaltreatment
astheSecretaryofDefenseconsidersappropriate,includingprogramsfortheprovision
ofrehabilitativeservicesandcounselingforcombatinjuries(including,butnotlimitedto,
PostTraumaticStressDisorder(PTSD)andTraumaticBrainInjury(TBI)).
(b)FundingGapDefinedInthissection,theterm`fundinggap'meansanyperiodof
timeafterthebeginningofafiscalyearforwhichinterimorfullyearappropriationsfor
thepersonnelandotherapplicableaccountsoftheArmedForcesandtheDepartmentof
HomelandSeucrityforthatfiscalyearhavenotbeenenacted.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 787
To require agencies to set forth reasons for determining that a proposed regulatory action
is significant.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. ROBERTS introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
A BILL
To require agencies to set forth reasons for determining that a proposed regulatory action
is significant.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Restoring Integrity to our Government Act'.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act-(1) the term `agency' means any authority of the United States that is-(A) an agency as defined under section 3502(1) of title 44, United
States Code; and
(B) shall include an independent regulatory agency as defined
under section 3502(5) of title 44, United States Code;
(2) the term `regulation'-(A) means an agency statement of general applicability and future
effect, which the agency intends to have the force and effect of law,
that is designed to implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy
or to describe the procedure or practice requirements of an agency;
and
(B) shall not include-(i) a regulation issued in accordance with the formal
rulemaking provisions of sections 556 and 557 of title 5,
United States Code;
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 803
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. McCain introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
A BILL
To introduce a measure in order to combat illegal immigration along Mexican Border
States and to strengthen border protection in order to protect American interests.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to deploy at least 6,000 National
Guard personnel to perform operations in the Southwest Border region.
2. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to increase, by September 30,
2016, the number of Border Patrol agents stationed in the Region by 5,000.
3. Directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to enhance border
enforcement preparedness and operational readiness through Operation Stonegarden.
4. Directs the Secretary to: (1) construct, as needed, additional Border Patrol stations in
the Region to provide operational support in rural, high-trafficked areas; (2) upgrade
existing Border Patrol forward operating bases and establish new bases as needed; (3)
complete the construction of a permanent checkpoint near Tubac, Arizona, and deploy
additional temporary roving checkpoints in the Region.
5. Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to
direct the Secretary to: (1) complete the required 700 mile southwest border fencing by
December 31, 2011; and (2) construct double- and triple-layer fencing at appropriate
locations in the Region
113thCONGRESS
2ndSession
S.813
INTHESENATEOFTHEUNITEDSTATES
Mr.WHITEHOUSEintroducedthefollowingbill;whichwasreadtwiceandreferredto
theCommitteeonHomelandSecurityandGovernmentalAffairs
ABILL
Topromotepublicawarenessofcybersecurity.
BeitenactedbytheSenateandHouseofRepresentativesoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica
inCongressassembled,SECTION1.SHORTTITLE.ThisActmaybecitedasthe
`CyberSecurityPublicAwarenessActof2011'.
SEC.2.FINDINGS.
(a)Congressfindsthefollowing:
(1)Informationtechnologyiscentraltotheeffectiveness,efficiency,andreliabilityofthe
industryandcommercialservices,ArmedForcesandnationalsecuritysystems,andthe
criticalinfrastructureoftheUnitedStates.
(2)Cybercriminals,terrorists,andagentsofforeignpowershavetakenadvantageofthe
connectivityoftheUnitedStatestoinflictsubstantialdamagetotheeconomicand
nationalsecurityinterestsoftheNation.
(3)Thecybersecuritythreatissophisticated,relentless,andmassive,exposingall
consumersintheUnitedStatestotheriskofsubstantialharm.
(4)BusinessesintheUnitedStatesarebearingenormouslossesasaresultofcriminal
cyberattacks,deprivingbusinessesofhardearnedprofitsthatcouldbereinvestedin
furtherjobproducinginnovation.
(5)HackerscontinuouslyprobethenetworksofFederalandStateagencies,theArmed
Forces,andthecommercialindustrialbaseoftheArmedForces,andalreadyhavecaused
substantialdamageandcompromisedsensitiveandclassifiedinformation.
(6)Severecybersecuritythreatswillcontinue,andwilllikelygrow,astheeconomyof
theUnitedStatesgrowsmoreconnected,criminalsbecomeincreasinglysophisticatedin
effortstostealfromconsumers,industries,andbusinessesintheUnitedStates,and
terroristsandforeignnationscontinuetousecyberspaceasameansofattackagainstthe
nationalandeconomicsecurityoftheUnitedStates.
(7)Publicawarenessofcybersecuritythreatsisessentialtocybersecuritydefense.Only
awellinformedpublicandCongresscanmakethedecisionsnecessarytoprotect
consumers,industries,andthenationalandeconomicsecurityoftheUnitedStates.
(8)Asof2011,thelevelofpublicawarenessofcybersecuritythreatsisunacceptably
low.Onlyatinyportionofrelevantcybersecurityinformationisreleasedtothepublic.
InformationaboutattacksonFederalGovernmentsystemsisusuallyclassified.
Informationaboutattacksonprivatesystemsisordinarilykeptconfidential.Sufficient
mechanismsdonotexisttoprovidemeaningfulthreatreportstothepublicinunclassified
andanonymizedform.
SEC.3.CYBERINCIDENTSAGAINSTGOVERNMENTNETWORKS.
(a)DepartmentofHomelandSecurityNotlaterthan180daysafterthedateofenactment
ofthisAct,andannuallythereafter,theSecretaryofHomelandSecurityshallsubmitto
Congressareportthat
(1)summarizesmajorcyberincidentsinvolvingnetworksofexecutiveagencies(as
definedinsection105oftitle5,UnitedStatesCode),exceptfortheDepartmentof
Defense;
(2)providesaggregatestatisticsonthenumberofbreachesofnetworksofexecutive
agencies,thevolumeofdataexfiltrated,andtheestimatedcostofremedyingthe
breaches;and
(3)discussestheriskofcybersabotage.
(b)DepartmentofDefenseNotlaterthan180daysafterthedateofenactmentofthis
Act,andannuallythereafter,theSecretaryofDefenseshallsubmittoCongressareport
that
(1)summarizesmajorcyberincidentsagainstnetworksoftheDepartmentofDefenseand
themilitarydepartments;
(2)providesaggregatestatisticsonthenumberofbreachesagainstnetworksofthe
DepartmentofDefenseandthemilitarydepartments,thevolumeofdataexfiltrated,and
theestimatedcostofremedyingthebreaches;and
(3)discussestheriskofcybersabatoge.
(c)FormofReportsEachreportsubmittedunderthissectionshallbeinunclassified
form,butmayincludeaclassifiedannexasnecessarytoprotectsources,methods,and
nationalsecurity.
SEC.4.PROSECUTIONFORCYBERCRIME.
(a)InGeneralNotlaterthan180daysafterthedateofenactmentofthisAct,the
AttorneyGeneralandtheDirectoroftheFederalBureauofInvestigationshallsubmitto
Congressreports
(1)describinginvestigationsandprosecutionsbytheDepartmentofJusticerelatingto
cyberintrusionsorothercybercrimestheprecedingyear,including
(A)thenumberofinvestigationsinitiatedrelatingtosuchcrimes;
(B)thenumberofarrestsrelatingtosuchcrimes;
(C)thenumberanddescriptionofinstancesinwhichinvestigationsorprosecutions
relatingtosuchcrimeshavebeendelayedorpreventedbecauseofaninabilityto
extraditeacriminaldefendantinatimelymanner;and
(D)thenumberofprosecutionsforsuchcrimes,including
(i)thenumberofdefendantsprosecuted;
(ii)whethertheprosecutionsresultedinaconviction;
(iii)thesentenceimposedandthestatutorymaximumforeachsuchcrimeforwhicha
defendantwasconvicted;and
(iv)theaveragesentenceimposedforaconvictionofsuchcrimes;
(2)identifyingthenumberofemployees,financialresources,andotherresources(suchas
technologyandtraining)devotedtotheenforcement,investigation,andprosecutionof
cyberintrusionsorothercybercrimes,includingthenumberofinvestigators,prosecutors,
andforensicspecialistsdedicatedtoinvestigatingandprosecutingcyberintrusionsor
othercybercrimes;and
(3)discussinganyimpedimentsunderthelawsoftheUnitedStatesorinternationallaw
toprosecutionsforcyberintrusionsorothercybercrimes.
(b)UpdatesTheAttorneyGeneralandtheDirectoroftheFederalBureauof
InvestigationshallannuallysubmittoCongressreportsupdatingthereportssubmitted
undersection(a)atthesametimetheAttorneyGeneralandDirectorsubmitannual
reportsundersection404ofthePrioritizingResourcesandOrganizationforIntellectual
PropertyActof2008(42U.S.C.3713d).
SEC.5.ASSISTANCEPLANFORSIGNIFICANTPRIVATECYBER
INCIDENTS.
(a)InGeneralNotlaterthan180daysafterthedateofenactmentofthisAct,and
annuallythereafter,theSecretaryofHomelandSecurityshallsubmittoCongressareport
thatdescribespoliciesandproceduresforFederalagenciestoassistaprivatesectorentity
inthedefendingoftheinformationnetworksoftheprivatesectorentityagainstcyber
threatsthatcouldresultinlossoflifeorsignificantharmtothenationaleconomyor
nationalsecurity.
(b)FormofReportsEachreportsubmittedunderthissectionshallbeinunclassified
form,butmayincludeaclassifiedannexasnecessarytoprotectsources,methods,
proprietaryorsensitivebusinessinformation,andnationalsecurity.
113TH CONGRESS
2nd SESSION
S. 815
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Portman, Ms. Ayotte, Mr. Heller, Mr. Hatch, and Mr. McCain introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions.
certain employment actions from being considered unlawful with respect to volunteers who
receive no compensation. Prohibits a covered entity from granting preferential treatment or
implementing quotas on the basis of such actual or perceived orientation or identity. Limits the
claims authorized to be brought under this Act to disparate treatment claims (thereby specifying
that disparate impact claims are not provided for under this Act). Places the burden of proof on
the complaining party to establish such an unlawful employment practice by demonstrating that
sexual orientation or gender identity was a motivating factor for any employment practice, even
though other factors also motivated the practice.
SECTION 2. Prohibits a covered entity from discriminating against an individual who: (1)
opposed such an unlawful employment practice; or (2) made a charge, testified, assisted, or
participated in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this Act.
SECTION 3. Makes this Act inapplicable to corporations, associations, educational institutions
or institutions of learning, or societies exempt from the religious discrimination provisions of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964 (thereby establishing a religious employer's exemption). Prohibits a
federal agency, or any state or local agency that receives federal funding or financial assistance,
from: (1) penalizing or withholding licenses, permits, certifications, accreditation, contracts,
grants, guarantees, tax-exempt status, or any benefits or exemptions from an exempt religious
employer; or (2) prohibiting a religious employer from participating in programs or activities
sponsored by such agency. Prohibits the religious employer's exemption and related requirements
from invalidating any other federal, state, or local law or regulation that otherwise applies to a
religious employer.
SECTION 4. Makes this Act inapplicable to the relationship between the United States and
members of the Armed Forces. Declares that this Act does not repeal or modify any federal, state,
territorial, or local law creating a special right or preference concerning employment for a
veteran.
SECTION 5. Prohibits this Act from being construed to: (1) prohibit an employer from requiring
an employee to adhere to reasonable dress or grooming standards, or (2) require the construction
of new or additional facilities.
SECTION 6. Prohibits the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the
Secretary of Labor from compelling collection or requiring production of statistics from covered
entities on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity pursuant to this Act.
SECTION 7. Provides for the administration and enforcement of this Act, including by giving
the EEOC, Librarian of Congress, Attorney General (DOJ), and U.S. courts the same enforcement
powers as they have under specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Government
Employee Rights Act of 1991, Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, and other laws granting
rights and protections to certain applicants and employees. Prohibits an individual who files
claims alleging an unlawful employment practice under this Act in addition to alleging an
unlawful employment practice because of sex under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 from receiving
double recovery under both Acts. Authorizes the court, in a case in which sexual orientation or
gender identity was proven to be a motivating factor but the respondent then demonstrates that
the same action would have been taken in the absence of the impermissible motivating factor, to
grant declaratory relief, injunctive relief, and attorney's fees and costs demonstrated to be directly
attributable only to the pursuit of the claim. Prohibits the court, in such an instance, from
awarding damages or issuing an order requiring any admission, reinstatement, hiring, promotion,
or payment.
SECTION 8. Allows actions and proceedings, subject to exception, against the United States and
the states. Declares that a state's receipt or use of federal financial assistance for specified
programs or activities constitutes a waiver of sovereign immunity to a suit brought by an
employee or applicant for employment of that program or activity. Prohibits punitive damages
from being available in actions and proceedings against states or the United States and limits
compensatory damages in such cases to the extent specifically authorized.
SECTION 9. Permits a decision-maker (other than the Attorney General) in an action or
administrative proceeding under this Act to allow the prevailing party (other than the EEOC or
the United States) a reasonable attorney's fee (including expert fees) as part of the costs, to the
same extent as is permitted under specified civil and employee rights laws. Requires the EEOC
and the United States to be liable for costs to the same extent as a private person.
113TH CONGRESS
2nd SESSION
S. 816
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Merkley introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
A BILL
To prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender
identity.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SEC. 2. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are-(1) to address the history and persistent, widespread pattern of discrimination,
including unconstitutional discrimination, on the bases of sexual orientation and
gender identity by private sector employers and local, State, and Federal
Government employers;
(b) Veterans' Preferences- This title does not repeal or modify any Federal, State,
territorial, or local law creating a special right or preference concerning
employment for a veteran.
SEC. 8. CONSTRUCTION.
(a) Dress or Grooming Standards- Nothing in this Act shall prohibit an employer
from requiring an employee, during the employee's hours at work, to adhere to
reasonable dress or grooming standards not prohibited by other provisions of
Federal, State, or local law, provided that the employer permits any employee
who has undergone gender transition prior to the time of employment, and any
employee who has notified the employer that the employee has undergone or is
undergoing gender transition after the time of employment, to adhere to the same
dress or grooming standards as apply for the gender to which the employee has
transitioned or is transitioning.
(b) Additional Facilities Not Required- Nothing in this Act shall be construed to
require the construction of new or additional facilities.
SEC. 11. STATE AND FEDERAL IMMUNITY.
(a) Abrogation of State Immunity- A State shall not be immune under the 11th
Amendment to the Constitution from a suit brought in a Federal court of
competent jurisdiction for a violation of this Act.
(b) Waiver of State Immunity(1) IN GENERAL(A) WAIVER- A State's receipt or use of Federal financial
assistance for any program or activity of a State shall constitute a
waiver of sovereign immunity, under the 11th Amendment to the
Constitution or otherwise, to a suit brought by an employee or
applicant for employment of that program or activity under this Act
for a remedy authorized under subsection (d).
(B) DEFINITION- In this paragraph, the term `program or activity'
has the meaning given the term in section 606 of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d-4a).
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE- With respect to a particular program or activity,
paragraph (1) applies to conduct occurring on or after the day, after the
date of enactment of this Act, on which a State first receives or uses
Federal financial assistance for that program or activity.
(c) Remedies Against State Officials- An official of a State may be sued in the
official capacity of the official by any employee or applicant for employment who
has complied with the applicable procedures of section 10, for equitable relief that
is authorized under this Act. In such a suit the court may award to the prevailing
party those costs authorized by section 722 of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C.
1988).
(d) Remedies Against the United States and the States- Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Act, in an action or administrative proceeding against the United
States or a State for a violation of this Act, remedies (including remedies at law
and in equity, and interest) are available for the violation to the same extent as the
remedies are available for a violation of title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
(42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.) by a private entity, except that-(1) punitive damages are not available; and
(2) compensatory damages are available to the extent specified in section
1977A(b) of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1981a(b)).
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 847
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. CRAPO (for himself and Mr. RISCH) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation
A BILL
To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow the
importation of polar bear trophies taken in sport hunts in Canada
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 892
To amend the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 to impose
sanctions with respect to certain transactions in foreign currencies, and for other
purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. KIRK (for himself, Mr. MANCHIN, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. NELSON, and Mr.
CORNYN) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Finance
A BILL
To amend the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 to impose
sanctions with respect to certain transactions in foreign currencies, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Iran Sanctions Loophole Elimination Act of 2013'.
SEC. 2. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN
TRANSACTIONS IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES.
(a) Imposition of Sanctions- Subtitle B of title II of the Iran Threat Reduction and
Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8721 et seq.) is amended by inserting
after section 220 the following:
`SEC. 220A. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN
TRANSACTIONS IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES.
`(a) In General- The President-`(1) shall prohibit the opening, and prohibit or impose strict conditions on
the maintaining, in the United States of a correspondent account or a
payable-through account by a foreign financial institution that is a person
described in subsection (b); and
`(2) may impose sanctions pursuant to the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) with respect to any other
person described in subsection (b).
113th CONGERESS
2nd Session
S.942
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Casey (for himself, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Leahy, Mr.
Harkin, Mrs. Murray, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Franken, and
Mr. Murphy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
A BILL
To eliminate discrimination and promote women's health and economic security by
ensuring reasonable workplace accommodations for workers
whose ability to perform the functions of a job are limited by
pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Pregnant Workers Fairness Act''.
SEC. 2. NONDISCRIMINATION WITH REGARD TO REASONABLE
ACCOMMODATIONS
RELATED TO PREGNANCY.
It shall be an unlawful employment practice for a covered entity
to-(1) not make reasonable accommodations to the known
limitations related to the pregnancy, childbirth, or related
medical conditions of a job applicant or employee, unless such
covered entity can demonstrate that the accommodation would
impose an undue hardship on the operation of the business of
such covered entity;
(2) deny employment opportunities to a job applicant or
employee, if such denial is based on the need of the covered
entity to make reasonable accommodations to the known
limitations related to the pregnancy, childbirth, or related
medical conditions of an employee or applicant;
(3) require a job applicant or employee affected by
pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions to accept
an accommodation that such applicant or employee chooses not to
accept; or
(4) require an employee to take leave under any leave law
or policy of the covered entity if another reasonable
accommodation can be provided to the known limitations related
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 981
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, and Mr. BLUMENTHAL) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Commerce, Science and Transportation.
A BILL
To direct the Federal Trade Commission to prescribe rules prohibiting
deceptive advertising of abortion services, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Stop Deceptive Advertising for
Women's Services Act of 2013''.
SEC. 2. PROHIBITION OF DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING OF ABORTION
SERVICES.
(a) Conduct Prohibited.-(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Federal Trade Commission shall
promulgate rules to prohibit, as an unfair and deceptive act or
practice, any person from advertising with the intent to
deceptively create the impression that-(A) such person is a provider of abortion services
if such person does not provide abortion services; and
(B) such person is not a provider of abortion
services if such person does provide abortion services.
(2) Rulemaking.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, the Commission shall promulgate a rule under this
subsection in accordance with section 553 of title 5, United
States Code.
(b) Enforcement.-(1) Unfair or deceptive acts or practices.--A violation of
a rule promulgated under subsection (a)(1) shall be treated as
a violation of a rule defining an unfair or deceptive act or
practice described under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal
Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)).
(2) Powers of commission.-(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
(C), the Federal Trade Commission shall enforce this
Act in the same manner, by the same means, and with the
same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all
applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade
Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) were incorporated
into and made a part of this Act.
(B) Privileges and immunities.--Except as provided
in subparagraph (C), any person who violates this Act
shall be subject to the penalties and entitled to the
privileges and immunities provided in the Federal Trade
Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.).
(C) Nonprofit organizations.--The Federal Trade
Commission shall enforce this Act with respect to an
organization that is not organized to carry on business
for its own profit or that of its members as if such
organization were a person over which the Commission
has authority pursuant to section 5(a)(2) of the
Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45(a)(2)).
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Advertise.--The term ``advertise'' means offering of
goods or services to the public, regardless of whether such
goods or services are offered for payment or result in a
profit.
(2) Abortion services.--The term ``abortion services''
means providing surgical and non-surgical procedures to
terminate a pregnancy, or providing referrals for such
procedures.
(3) Person.--The term ``person'' has the meaning given such
term in section 551(2) of title 5, United States Code.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 1008
To prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security from implementing proposed policy
changes that would permit passengers to carry small, non-locking knives on aircraft.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. SCHUMER (for himself, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. MENENDEZ, and Ms.
MURKOWSKI) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
A BILL
To prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security from implementing proposed policy
changes that would permit passengers to carry small, non-locking knives on aircraft.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Keep Knives Out of Our Skies Act'.
SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY CHANGE TO
PERMIT SMALL, NON-LOCKING KNIVES ON AIRCRAFT.
(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, on and after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security may not
implement any change to the prohibited items list of the Transportation Security
Administration that would permit passengers to carry small, non-locking knives
through passenger screening checkpoints at airports, into sterile areas at airports,
or on board passenger aircraft.
(b) Prohibited Items List Defined- In this section, the term `prohibited items list'
means the list of items passengers are prohibited from carrying as accessible
property or on their persons through passenger screening checkpoints at airports,
into sterile areas at airports, and on board passenger aircraft pursuant to section
1540.111 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on January 1,
2013).
113T
H
CO
S. 1014
NG
RES
To reduce sports-related concussions in youth, and for other
S purposes.
2ND
SESS
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESION
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico (for himself and Mr. ROCKEFELLER) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
A BILL
To reduce sports-related concussions in youth, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the Youth Sports Concussion Act.
SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that
(1) scientific advancements and a greater understanding of the issues that affect
the health and safety of young athletes are key to reducing sports-related
concussions in youth;
(2) the National Academies should complete, and make available to the public,
its report on sports-related concussions in youth not later than January 31, 2014;
(3) the Consumer Product Safety Commission should review the National
Academies' report for any matter that may impact products under the Commission's
jurisdiction;
(4) if protective equipment manufacturers choose to adopt voluntary consumer
product safety standards based on the National Academies' report and any related
Consumer Product Safety Commission recommendations, the voluntary standards
should include mechanisms to ensure substantial compliance by covered entities;
and
(5) the Federal Trade Commission should review the National Academies'
report for any matter that may inform efforts to protect consumers from unfair or
deceptive practices in or affecting commerce.
SEC. 3. THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES' REPORT ON SPORTS-RELATED
CONCUSSIONS IN YOUTH.
(a) R EVIEW .The Consumer Product Safety Commission
(1) shall review the National Academies' report on sports-related concussion in
youth not later than 5 months after the completion of such report; and
(2) may make recommendations to protective equipment manufacturers
regarding whether voluntary standards should be adopted
(A) to reduce the risk of sports-related injury for youth athletes wearing
protective equipment;
(B) to improve the safety of reconditioned protective equipment; and
(C) to modify protective equipment warning labels.
(b) S AFETY S TANDARDS .
(1) LEAD TIME FOR A VOLUNTARY STANDARD.If, not later than 1
year after the completion of the National Academies' report, no voluntary standard is
adopted based on the National Academies' report and any related Consumer Product
Safety Commission recommendations, the Consumer Product Safety Commission
may initiate a proceeding to promulgate a consumer product safety rule in
accordance with section 553 of title 5, United States Code.
(2) NET EFFECT.A rule issued under this subsection must have the net
effect of improving safety.
(3) CONFORMITY WITH EXISTING LAW.A rule issued under this
subsection shall be considered a consumer product safety standard issued by the
Commission under section 9 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2058).
SEC. 4. FALSE OR MISLEADING CLAIMS WITH RESPECT TO ATHLETIC
SPORTING ACTIVITY EQUIPMENT.
(a) U NLAWFUL A CTIVITY .It is unlawful for any person to sell, or offer for sale,
in interstate commerce, or import into the United States for the purpose of selling or
offering for sale, any item or equipment intended, designed, or offered for use by an
individual engaged in any athletic sporting activity, whether professional or amateur, for
which the seller or importer, or any person acting on behalf of the seller or importer,
makes any false or misleading claim with respect to the safety benefits of such item.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 1023
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. CORKER (for himself, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. BLUNT, and Mrs. HAGAN)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the heads of other relevant
Federal departments and agencies, to conduct an interagency review of and report on
ways to increase the competitiveness of the United States in attracting foreign direct
investment.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Global Investment in American Jobs Act of 2013'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) It remains an urgent national priority to improve economic growth and
create new jobs.
(2) National security requires economic strength and global engagement.
(3) Businesses today have a wide array of choices when considering where
to invest, expand, or establish new operations.
(4) Administrations of both parties have consistently reaffirmed the need
to maintain an open investment climate as a key to domestic economic
prosperity and security.
(5) The United States has historically been the largest worldwide recipient
of foreign direct investment but has seen its share decline in recent years.
(6) The United States faces increasing competition from other countries as
they work to recruit investment from global companies.
(7) Foreign direct investment can benefit the economy and workforce of
every State and Commonwealth in the United States.
(8) According to the latest Federal statistics, the United States subsidiaries
of companies headquartered abroad contribute to the United States
economy in a variety of important ways, including by-(A) providing jobs for nearly 5,600,000 people in the United States
with compensation that is often higher than the national private-
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 1028
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. CORNYN introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Finance
A BILL
To increase transparency regarding debt instruments of the United States held by foreign
governments, to assess the risks to the United States of such holdings, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States
of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Foreign-Held Debt Transparency and Threat
Assessment Act'.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(2) DEBT INSTRUMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES- The term
`debt instruments of the United States' means all bills, notes, and bonds
issued or guaranteed by the United States or by an entity of the United
States Government, including any Government-sponsored enterprise.
SEC. 3. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) On March 16, 2006, the United States Senate debated and then
narrowly passed legislation, H.J. Res. 47, to increase the statutory limit
on the public debt of the United States. In a statement published in the
Congressional Record, then-Senator Barack Obama opposed the
legislation and stated, `The fact that we are here today to debate raising
America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the
U.S. Government can't pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend
on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our
Government's reckless fiscal policies.'. Then-Senator Obama went on to
say that `Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and
internationally. Leadership means that `the buck stops here'. Instead,
Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 1049
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. McCain (for himself, Mr. BARRASSO, Mr. BURR, Mr. COBURN, and Mr.
ROBERTS) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Finance
A BILL
To lower health premiums and increase choice for small businesses.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the `Small Business Health Relief Act of
2011'.
(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--MAKING COVERAGE AFFORDABLE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Sec. 101. Protecting American jobs and wages.
Sec. 102. Increasing flexibility for small businesses.
Sec. 103. Increasing choices for Americans.
Sec. 104. Protecting patients from higher premiums.
Sec. 105. Ensuring affordable coverage.
TITLE II--INCREASING CONSUMER CONTROL
Sec. 201. Repeal of the restriction on over-the-counter medicines.
Sec. 202. Repeal of the annual cap.
TITLE III--ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO KEEP COVERAGE THEY LIKE
Sec. 301. Allowing individuals to keep the coverage they have if they like
it.
TITLE I--MAKING COVERAGE AFFORDABLE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
SEC. 101. PROTECTING AMERICAN JOBS AND WAGES.
Sections 1513 and 1514 and subsections (e), (f), and (g) of section 10106 of the
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) and the
amendments made by such sections and subsections are repealed and the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 shall be applied and administered as if such provisions and
amendments had never been enacted.
SEC. 102. INCREASING FLEXIBILITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.
Section 1302(c)(2) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law
111-148) is repealed.
SEC. 103. INCREASING CHOICES FOR AMERICANS.
(a) Qualified Health Plan Coverage Satisfied by High Deductible Health Plan
With Health Savings Account- Section 1302(e) of the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18022(e)) is amended to read as follows:
`(e) High Deductible Health Plan With Health Savings Account- A health plan not
providing a bronze, silver, gold, or platinum level of coverage shall be treated as
meeting the requirements of subsection (d) with respect to any plan year for any
enrollee if the plan meets the requirements for a high deductible health plan under
section 223(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and such enrollee has
established a health savings account (as defined in section 223(d)(1) of such
Code) in relation to such plan.'.
(b) Conforming Amendments(1) Subparagraph (C) of section 1312(d)(3) of the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18032(d)(3)) is amended by striking `,
except' and all that follows through `1302(e)(2)'.
(2) Subparagraph (A) of section 36B(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as added by section 1401(a) of the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) is amended by striking `,
except' and all that follows through `such Act'.
(3) Subparagraph (B) of section 1334(c)(1) of the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18054(c)(1)) is amended by striking `and
catastrophic coverage'.
SEC. 104. PROTECTING PATIENTS FROM HIGHER PREMIUMS.
Section 9010 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111148), as amended by section 10905 of such Act, is repealed
SEC. 105. ENSURING AFFORDABLE COVERAGE.
Section 2701(a)(1)(A)(iii) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300(a)(1)
(A)(iii)), as added by section 1201 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act (Public Law 111-148), is amended by striking `, except' and all that follows
through `2707(c))'.
TITLE II--INCREASING CONSUMER CONTROL
SEC. 201. REPEAL OF THE RESTRICTION ON OVER-THE-COUNTER
MEDICINES.
Section 9003 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111148) and the amendments made by such section are repealed; and the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 shall be applied as if such section, and amendments, had
never been enacted.
SEC. 202. REPEAL OF THE ANNUAL CAP.
Sections 9005 and 10902 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
(Public Law 111-148) and section 1403 of the Health Care and Education
Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152) and the amendments made by
such sections are repealed.
TITLE III--ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO KEEP COVERAGE THEY LIKE
SEC. 301. ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO KEEP THE COVERAGE THEY HAVE IF
THEY LIKE IT.
(a) In General- Section 1251(a)(2) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act (42 U.S.C. 18011) is amended-(1) by striking `Except as provided in paragraph (3),' and inserting the
following:
`(A) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraphs (3) and
(4),'; and
Mr. PORTMAN introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Finance
A BILL
To authorize States to use assistance provided under the Hardest Hit Fund program of the
Department of the Treasury to demolish blighted structures, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Neighborhood Safety Act of 2013'.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 1123
To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to curb waste, fraud, and abuse
in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
____________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Carper (for himself, Mr. Coburn, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Coons, Ms.Klobuchar, Ms.
Landrieu, Mrs. McCaskill, Mr. Warner, Ms. Ayotte, Mr.Enzi, Mr. Isakson, and Mr.
Corker) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
_____________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to curb waste, fraud, and
abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled,
113thCONGRESS
2ndSession
S.1169
INTHESENATEOFTHEUNITEDSTATES
Mr.NELSONofNebraskaintroducedthefollowingbill;whichwasreadtwiceand
referredtotheCommitteeonForeignRelations
ABILL
Toprovideforbenchmarkstoevaluateprogressbeingmadetowardthegoalof
transitioningsecurityresponsibilitiesinAfghanistantotheGovernmentofAfghanistan.
BeitenactedbytheSenateandHouseofRepresentativesoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica
inCongressassembled,SECTION1.SHORTTITLE.ThisActmaybecitedasthe
`AfghanResponsibilityforAfghanSecurityAct'.
SEC.2.FINDINGS.Congressmakesthefollowingfindings:
(1)October7,2011,willmarkthe10yearanniversaryofthestartofOperationEnduring
FreedominAfghanistan.
(2)MilitaryoperationsinAfghanistanhavecostUnitedStatestaxpayersmorethan
$300,000,000,000todate.
(3)AsofJune6,2011,1,599membersoftheUnitedStatesArmedForceshavelosttheir
livesinsupportofOperationEnduringFreedominAfghanistanandmorethan11,000
havebeenwounded.
(4)OnDecember1,2009,ataspeechattheUnitedStatesMilitaryAcademyatWest
Point,NewYork,PresidentBarackObamastatedthattheUnitedStateswouldbeginthe
transferofUnitedStatesArmedForcesoutofAfghanistaninJuly2011withthepaceof
reductionstobebaseduponconditionsontheground.
(5)IntheDecember2010AfghanistanPakistanAnnualReview,PresidentObama
reaffirmedthatthecoregoaloftheUnitedStatesstrategyinAfghanistanistodisrupt,
dismantle,anddefeatalQaeda.
(6)InJanuary2010,participantsattheLondonConferencepledgedtodevelopaplanfor
phasedtransitiontoAfghansecuritylead.TheNorthAtlanticTreatyOrganization
(NATO)andforeignministersoftheconstituentelementsoftheInternationalSecurity
AssistanceForce(ISAF)endorsedtheJointFrameworkforTransitioninApril2010,and
PresidentObamaandPresidentKarzaiofAfghanistancommittedtotheprocessinaMay
2010jointstatement.
(7)AttheKabulConferenceinJuly2010,theinternationalcommunityexpressedits
supportfortheobjectiveofPresidentKarzaithattheAfghanistanNationalSecurity
Forces(ANSF)shouldleadandconductallmilitaryoperationsinallprovincesin
Afghanistanbytheendof2014,supportthatwaslaterreaffirmedbyNorthAtlantic
TreatyOrganizationandInternationalSecurityAssistanceForcemembernationsatthe
LisbonSummitinNovember2010.
(8)OnMay1,2011,insupportofthegoaltodisrupt,dismantle,anddefeatalQaeda,
PresidentObamaauthorizedaUnitedStatesoperationthatkilledOsamabinLaden,
leaderofalQaeda.WhiletheimpactofhisdeathonalQaedaremainstobeseen,
SecretaryofDefenseRobertGatescalledthedeathofbinLadena`gamechanger'ina
speechonMay6,2011.
SEC.3.BENCHMARKSTOEVALUATETHEPROGRESSBEINGMADE
TOWARDTHETRANSITIONOFSECURITYRESPONSIBILITIESFOR
AFGHANISTANTOTHEGOVERNMENTOFAFGHANISTAN.
(a)BenchmarksRequiredThePresidentshallestablish,andmayupdatefromtimeto
time,acomprehensivesetofbenchmarkstoevaluateprogressbeingmadetoward
thetransitionofsecurityresponsibilitiesinAfghanistantotheGovernmentof
Afghanistan.
(b)SubmittaltoCongressThePresidentshallincludethemostcurrentsetof
benchmarksestablishedpursuanttosubsection(a)witheachreportonprogress
towardsecurityandstabilityinAfghanistanthatissubmittedtoCongressunder
sections1230and1231oftheNationalDefenseAuthorizationActforFiscalYear
2008(PublicLaw110181;122Stat.385,390).
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 1235
To restrict any State or local jurisdiction from imposing a new discriminatory tax on cell
phone services, providers, or property.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. WYDEN (for himself, Mr. TOOMEY, Mr. PRYOR, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. HELLER, Ms.
AYOTTE, and Mrs. SHAHEEN) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Finance
A BILL
To restrict any State or local jurisdiction from imposing a new discriminatory tax on cell
phone services, providers, or property.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Wireless Tax Fairness Act of 2013'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) It is appropriate to exercise congressional enforcement authority under
section 5 of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States
and Congress' plenary power under article I, section 8, clause 3 of the
Constitution of the United States (commonly known as the `commerce
clause') in order to ensure that States and political subdivisions thereof do
not discriminate against providers and consumers of mobile services by
imposing new selective and excessive taxes and other burdens on such
providers and consumers.
(2) In light of the history and pattern of discriminatory taxation faced by
providers and consumers of mobile services, the prohibitions against and
remedies to correct discriminatory State and local taxation in section 306
of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (49
U.S.C. 11501) provide an appropriate analogy for congressional action,
and similar Federal legislative measures are warranted that will prohibit
imposing new discriminatory taxes on providers and consumers of mobile
services and that will assure an effective, uniform remedy.
SEC. 3. MORATORIUM.
(a) In General- No State or local jurisdiction shall impose a new discriminatory
tax on or with respect to mobile services, mobile service providers, or mobile
service property, during the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of
this Act.
(b) Definitions- In this Act:
(1) MOBILE SERVICE- The term `mobile service' means commercial
mobile radio service, as such term is defined in section 20.3 of title 47,
Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment of this
Act, or any other service that is primarily intended for receipt on,
transmission from, or use with a mobile telephone or other mobile device,
including but not limited to the receipt of a digital good.
(2) MOBILE SERVICE PROPERTY- The term `mobile service property'
means all property used by a mobile service provider in connection with
its business of providing mobile services, whether real, personal, tangible,
or intangible (including goodwill, licenses, customer lists, and other
similar intangible property associated with such business).
(3) MOBILE SERVICE PROVIDER- The term `mobile service provider'
means any entity that sells or provides mobile services, but only to the
extent that such entity sells or provides mobile services.
(4) NEW DISCRIMINATORY TAX- The term `new discriminatory tax'
means a tax imposed by a State or local jurisdiction that is imposed on or
with respect to, or is measured by, the charges, receipts, or revenues from
or value of--
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 1236
To repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and ensure respect for State regulation of
marriage.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mrs. FEINSTEIN introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and ensure respect for State regulation of
marriage.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
113thCONGRESS
2ndSession
S.1245
INTHESENATEOFTHEUNITEDSTATES
Mr.BLUNT(forhimselfandMr.LEVIN)introducedthefollowingbill;which
wasreadtwiceandreferredtotheCommitteeonForeignRelations
ABILL
ToprovidefortheestablishmentoftheSpecialEnvoytoPromoteReligiousFreedomof
ReligiousMinoritiesintheNearEastandSouthCentralAsia.
1BeitenactedbytheSenateandHouseofRepresentativesoftheUnitedStatesof
AmericainCongressassembled,SECTION1.SHORTTITLE.
4ThisActmaybecitedastheNearEastandSouthCentralAsiaReligiousFreedom
Actof2011.
SEC.2.SPECIALENVOYTOPROMOTERELIGIOUSFREEDOMOF
RELIGIOUSMINORITIESINTHENEAREASTANDSOUTHCENTRAL
ASIA.
(a)APPOINTMENT.ThePresidentmayappointaSpecialEnvoyToPromote
ReligiousFreedomofReligiousMinoritiesintheNearEastandSouthCentralAsia(in
thisActreferredtoastheSpecialEnvoy)withintheDepartmentofState.TheSpecial
Envoyshallhavetherankofambassadorandshallholdtheofficeatthepleasureofthe
President.
(b)QUALIFICATIONS.TheSpecialEnvoyshouldbeapersonofrecognized
distinctioninthefieldofhumanrightsandreligiousfreedom.
SEC.3.DUTIES.(a)INGENERAL.TheSpecialEnvoyshallcarryoutthefollowing
duties:
(1)Promotingtherightofreligiousfreedomofreligiousminoritiesinthecountriesof
theNearEastandthecountriesofSouthCentralAsia,denouncingtheviolationofsuch
right,andrecommendingappropriateresponsesbytheUnitedStatesGovernmentwhen
suchrightisviolated.(2)Monitoringandcombatingactsofreligiousintoleranceand
incitementtargetedagainstreligiousminoritiesinthecountriesoftheNearEastandthe
countriesofSouthCentralAsia.(3)Workingtoensurethattheuniqueneedsofreligious
minoritycommunitiesinthecountriesoftheNearEastandthecountriesofSouthCentral
Asiaareaddressed,includingtheeconomicandsecurityneedsofsuchcommunities.
(4)WorkingwithforeigngovernmentsofthecountriesoftheNearEastandthecountries
ofSouthCentralAsiatoaddresslawsthatarediscriminatorytowardreligiousminority
communitiesinsuchcountries.(5)Coordinatingandassistinginthepreparationofthat
portionofthereportrequiredbysections116(d)and502B(b)oftheForeignAssistance
Actof1961(22U.S.C.2151n(d)and2304(b))relatingtothenatureandextentof
religiousfreedomofreligiousminoritiesinthecountriesoftheNearEastandthe
countriesofSouthCentralAsia.Coordinatingandassistinginthepreparationofthat
portionofthereportrequiredbysection102(b)oftheInternationalReligiousFreedom
Actof1998(22U.S.C.6412(b))relatingtothenatureandextentofreligiousfreedomof
religiousminori20
tiesinthecountriesoftheNearEastandthecountriesofSouthCentralAsia.
(b)COORDINATION.Incarryingoutthedutiesundersubsection(a),theSpecial
Envoyshall,tothemaximumextentpracticable,coordinatewiththeAssistantSecretary
ofStateforPopulation,RefugeesandMigration,theAmbassadoratLargefor
InternationalReligiousFreedom,theUnitedStatesCommissiononInternational
ReligiousFreedom,andotherrelevantFederalagenciesandofficials.
SEC.4.DIPLOMATICREPRESENTATION.SubjecttothedirectionofthePresident
andtheSecretaryofState,theSpecialEnvoyisauthorizedtorepresenttheUnitedStates
inmattersandcasesrelevanttoreligiousfreedominthecountriesoftheNearEastand
thecountriesofSouthCentralAsiain(1)contactswithforeigngovernments,
intergovernmentalorganizations,andspecializedagenciesoftheUnitedNations,the
OrganizationofSecurityandCooperationinEurope,andotherinternational
organizationsofwhichtheUnitedStatesisamember;and(2)multilateralconferences
andmeetingsrelevanttoreligiousfreedominthecountriesoftheNearEastandthe
countriesofSouthCentralAsia.
SEC.5.CONSULTATIONS.TheSpecialEnvoyshallconsultwithdomesticand
internationalnongovernmentalorganizationsandmultilateralorganizationsand
institutions,astheSpecialEnvoyconsidersappropriatetofulfillthepurposesofthisAct.
SEC.6.FUNDING.Oftheamountsappropriatedorotherwisemadeavailabletothe
SecretaryofStateforDiplomaticandConsularProgramsforfiscalyears2011
through2015,theSecretaryofStateisauthorizedtoprovidetotheSpecialEnvoy
$1,000,000foreachsuchfiscalyearforthehiringofstaff,theconductofinvestigations,
andnecessarytraveltocarryouttheprovisionsofthisAct.
SEC.7.DEFINITIONS.InthisAct(1)thetermcountriesoftheNearEast
(A)meansAlgeria,Bahrain,Egypt,Iran,Iraq,Israel,Jordan,Kuwait,Lebanon,Libya,
Morocco,Oman,Qatar,SaudiArabia,Syria,Tunisia,UnitedArabEmirates,andYemen;
And(B)includestheWestBankandGaza;and2)thetermcountriesofSouthCentral
AsiameansAfghanistan,Bangladesh,Bhutan,India,Kyrgyzstan,Kazakhstan,
Maldives,Nepal,Pakistan,SriLanka,Tajikistan,Turkmenistan,andUzbekistan.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 1337
To promote the tracing of firearms used in crimes, and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr.
BLUMENTHAL, Mr. LEVIN, Mrs. BOXER, Mr. REED, and Mr. MURPHY) introduced
the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To promote the tracing of firearms used in crimes, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Crime Gun Tracing Act of 2013'.
SEC. 2. DEFINITION.
Section 1709 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42
U.S.C. 3796dd-8) is amended by-(1) redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as paragraphs (2) through (5),
respectively; and
(2) inserting before paragraph (2), as redesignated, the following:
`(1) `Bureau' means the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and
Explosives.'.
SEC. 3. INCENTIVES FOR TRACING FIREARMS USED IN CRIMES.
Section 1701 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42
U.S.C. 3796dd) is amended by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
`(c) Preferential Consideration of Applications for Certain Grants- In awarding
grants under this part, the Attorney General, where feasible-`(1) may give preferential consideration to an application for hiring and
rehiring additional career law enforcement officers that involves a nonFederal contribution exceeding the 25-percent minimum under subsection
(g); and
`(2) shall give preferential consideration to an application submitted by an
applicant that has reported all firearms recovered during the previous 12
months by the applicant at a crime scene or during the course of a criminal
113TH CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 1404
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Isakson introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to
the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To require each Act of Congress, bill, resolution, conference report, or
constitutional amendment to provide a concise and accurate explanation of the
to a matter--``(i) a motion to table the point of order shall not be in order`(ii) all
motions to waive one or more points of order under this section as to the matter
shall be debatable for a total of no more than 3 hours, equally divided between the
Senator raising the point of order and the Senator moving to waive the point of
order or their designees; and ``(iii) a motion to waive the point of order shall not
be amendable.
SECTION 3. Consideration.--For a point of order under this section made in the
House of Representatives ``(A) the question of consideration shall be debatable
for 10 minutes, equally divided and controlled by the Member making the point of
order and by an opponent, but shall otherwise be decided without intervening
motion except one that the House of Representatives adjourn or that the
Committee of the Whole rise, as the case may be;``(B) in selecting the opponent,
the Speaker of the House of Representatives should first recognize opponent from
the opposing party``(C) the disposition of the questions consideration with respect
to a measure shall be considered also to determine the question of consideration
under this section with respect to an amendment made in order as original text.
SECTION 3. This Act is enacted pursuant to the power granted to each House of
Congress to determine the rules of its proceedings under article I, section 5, clause
2 of the Constitution of the United States.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 1436
To prevent a fiscal crisis by enacting legislation to balance the Federal budget
through reductions of discretionary and mandatory spending.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. ENZI (for himself, Mr. PAUL, Mr. VITTER, Mr. BARRASSO, Mr. RISCH,
Mr. ISAKSON, and Mr. RUBIO) introduced the following bill; which was read
twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
A BILL
To prevent a fiscal crisis by enacting legislation to balance the Federal budget
through reductions of discretionary and mandatory spending.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `One Percent Spending Reduction Act of
2013'.
SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings- The Congress finds the following:
(1) The fiscal crisis faced by the Federal Government demands
immediate action.
(2) The dramatic growth in spending and debt in recent years
threatens our economic and national security:
(A) Federal spending has grown from 18 percent of GDP in
2001 to nearly 23 percent of GDP in 2012.
(B) Total Federal debt exceeds $16,000,000,000,000 and is
projected to increase each year over the next 10 years.
(C) Without action, the Federal Government will continue
to run massive deficits in the next decade and total Federal debt
will rise to approximately $25,000,000,000,000 by 2023.
(D) Interest payments on this debt will soon rise to the
point where balancing the budget as a matter of policy is beyond
the reach of Congress.
(3) Due to recent tax hikes, Federal revenues are scheduled to rise
to approximately 19 percent of GDP, a full percentage point above the
average of about 18 percent of GDP over the past 40 years.
(4) Absent reform, the growth of Social Security, Medicare,
Medicaid, and other health-related spending will overwhelm all other
Federal programs and consume all projected tax revenues.
(b) Purpose- The purpose of this Act is to address the fiscal crisis by-(1) acting quickly to balance the Federal budget and eliminate the
parade of deficits and ballooning interest payments;
(2) achieving balance by reducing spending one percent per year
until spending equals projected long-term revenues; and
(3) reforming entitlement programs to ensure long-term fiscal
stability and balance.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT AND ENFORCEMENT OF SPENDING
CAPS.
(a) Outlay Caps- The Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control
Act of 1985 is amended by inserting after section 253 the following new
section:
SEC. 253A. ESTABLISHING OUTLAY CAPS.
`(a) Outlay Caps- In this section, the term `outlay cap' means:
`(1) FISCAL YEAR 2014- For fiscal year 2014, the aggregate
outlays (less net interest payments) for fiscal year 2014 shall be
$3,233,000,000,000, less one percent.
`(2) FISCAL YEAR 2015- For fiscal year 2015, the aggregate
outlays (less net interest payments) for fiscal year 2015 shall be the
amount computed under paragraph (1), less one percent.
`(3) FISCAL YEAR 2016 AND SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS(A) For fiscal year 2016 and each subsequent fiscal year, the aggregate
outlays shall be 19 percent of the gross domestic product for that fiscal
year as estimated by OMB prior to March of the previous fiscal year.
`(B) Notwithstanding paragraph (A), for any fiscal year beginning
with fiscal year 2017, the aggregate projected outlays may not be less than
the aggregate projected outlays for the preceding fiscal year.
`(b) Sequestration`(1) IN GENERAL`(A) EXCESS SPENDING- Not later than 45 calendar days
after the beginning of a fiscal year, OMB shall conduct a
sequestration to eliminate the excess outlay amount.
`(B) DEFINITIONS`(i) For fiscal years 2014 and 2015 and for purposes
of this subsection, the term `excess outlay amount' means
the amount by which total projected Federal outlays (less
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 1438
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
(Mr. JOHNSON of Wisconsin; for himself, Mr. PAUL, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. LEE, Mr.
TOOMEY, Mr. RISCH, Mr. COBURN, Ms. AYOTTE, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. VITTER,
Mr. GRASSLEY, Mr. ISAKSON, Mr. HATCH, Mr. WICKER, Mr. INHOFE, Mr.
BURR, Mr. COATS, Mr. BOOZMAN, and Mr. ENZI introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Government Affairs
A BILL
To (Prohibits any federal agency from taking any significant regulatory action until
the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a monthly unemployment rate equal to
or less than 7.7%.)
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Regulation Moratorium and Jobs Preservation
Act of 2014'.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act-(1) the term `agency' has the meaning given under section 3502(1) of
title 44, United States Code;
(2) the term `regulatory action' means any substantive action by an
agency that promulgates or is expected to lead to the promulgation of
a final regulation, including notices of inquiry, advance notices of
proposed rulemaking, and notices of proposed rulemaking;
(3) the term `significant regulatory action' means any regulatory
action that is likely to result in a rule or guidance that may-(A) have an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or
more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a
sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the
environment, public health or safety, small entities, or State,
local, or tribal governments or communities;
(B) create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with
an action taken or planned by another agency;
(C) materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements,
grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and
obligations of recipients thereof; or
(D) raise novel legal or policy issues; and
(4) the term `small entities' has the meaning given under section
601(6) of title 5, United States Code.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S.1442
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. HELLER (for himself, Mr. BURR, Mr. VITTER, and Mr. BOOZMAN) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
A BILL
To provide that Members of Congress may not receive pay after October 1 of any fiscal year
in which Congress has not approved a concurrent resolution on the budget.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `No Budget, No Pay Act'.
SEC. 2. DEFINITION.
In this section, the term `Member of Congress'-(1) has the meaning given under section 2106 of title 5, United States Code; and
(2) does not include the Vice President.
SEC. 3. TIMELY APPROVAL OF CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET.
If both Houses of Congress have not approved a concurrent resolution on the budget as
described under section 301 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of
1974 (2 U.S.C. 632) for a fiscal year before October 1 of that fiscal year, the pay of each
Member of Congress may not be paid for each day following that October 1 until the date on
which both Houses of Congress approve a concurrent resolution on the budget for that fiscal
year.
SEC. 4. NO PAY WITHOUT CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET.
(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds may be appropriated or
otherwise be made available from the United States Treasury for the pay of any Member of
Congress during any period determined by the Chairperson of the Committee on the Budget
of the Senate or the Chairperson of the Committee on the Budget of the House of
Representatives under section 5.
(b) No Retroactive Pay- A Member of Congress may not receive pay for any period
determined by the Chairperson of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate or the
Chairperson of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives under section
5, at any time after the end of that period.
SEC. 5. DETERMINATIONS.
(a) Senate-(1) REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATIONS- On October 1 of each year, the
Secretary of the Senate shall submit a request to the Chairperson of the Committee on the
Budget of the Senate for certification of determinations made under paragraph (2) (A) and
(B).
(2) DETERMINATIONS- The Chairperson of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate
shall--(A) on October 1 of each year, make a determination of whether Congress is in
compliance with section 4 and whether Senators may not be paid under that section; and (B)
determine the period of days following each October 1 that Senators may not be paid under
section 4; and
(C) provide timely certification of the determinations under subparagraphs (A) and (B) upon
the request of the Secretary of the Senate.(b) House of Representatives(1) REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATIONS- On October 1 of each year, the Chief
Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives shall submit a request to the
Chairperson of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives for
certification of determinations made under paragraph (2) (A) and (B).
(2) DETERMINATIONS- The Chairperson of the Committee on the Budget of the House of
Representatives shall--(A) on October 1 of each year, make a determination of whether
Congress is in compliance with section 4 and whether Senators may not be paid under that
section; and(B) determine the period of days following each October 1 that Senators may not
be paid under section 4; and
(C) provide timely certification of the determinations under subparagraph (A) and (B) upon
the request of the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives.
SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This section shall take effect on February 1, 2015.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 1479
To address the forest health, public safety, and wildlife habitat threat presented by the risk of
wildfire, including catastrophic wildfire, on National Forest System land and public land
managed by the Bureau of Land Management by requiring the Secretary of Agriculture and the
Secretary of the Interior to expedite forest management projects relating to hazardous fuels
reduction, forest health, and economic development, and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. LEE (for himself, Mr. BARRASSO, and Mr. FLAKE) introduced the following bill; which
was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Technology
A BILL
To address the forest health, public safety, and wildlife habitat threat presented by the risk of
wildfire, including catastrophic wildfire, on National Forest System land and public land
managed by the Bureau of Land Management by requiring the Secretary of Agriculture and the
Secretary of the Interior to expedite forest management projects relating to hazardous fuels
reduction, forest health, and economic development, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the `Catastrophic Wildfire Prevention Act of
2013'.
(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Purposes.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. Authorized wildfire prevention projects.
Sec. 5. Public review and environmental analysis.
Sec. 6. Administrative and judicial review.
Sec. 7. Threatened and endangered species designations.
Sec. 8. Savings clause.
SEC. 2. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are-(1) to expedite wildfire prevention projects to reduce the chances of wildfire
(including catastrophic wildfire) on certain Federal land;
(2) to reduce threats to endangered species from wildfires; and
(3) to provide to the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior
tools to streamline projects to reduce the potential for wildfires.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) AT-RISK COMMUNITY- The term `at-risk community' has the meaning
given the term in section 101 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16
U.S.C. 6511).
(2) AT-RISK FOREST- The term `at-risk forest' means-(A) Federal land on which there is a high risk of losing an at-risk
community, key ecosystem, wildlife, or wildlife habitat to wildfire (including
catastrophic wildfire and post-fire disturbances), as documented by the
Secretary concerned; or
(B) Federal land in condition class II or III, as those classes were
developed by the Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station in the
general technical report entitled `Development of Coarse-Scale Spatial Data for
Wildland Fire and Fuel Management' (RMRS-87) and dated April 2000
(including any subsequent revision to the report).
(3) AUTHORIZED WILDFIRE PREVENTION PROJECT(A) IN GENERAL- The term `authorized wildfire prevention project'
means the measures and methods developed for a project to be carried out in an
at-risk forest or on threatened and endangered species habitat by the Secretary
concerned for the purpose of hazardous fuels reduction, forest health, forest
restoration, watershed restoration, or threatened and endangered species habitat
protection.
(B) INCLUSIONS- The term `authorized wildfire prevention project'
includes livestock grazing and timber harvest projects carried out for one or
more of the purposes described in subparagraph (A).
(4) FEDERAL LAND(A) IN GENERAL- The term `Federal land' means-(i) land of the National Forest System (as defined in section
11(a) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act
of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1609(a))); or
(ii) public land.
(B) EXCLUSION- The term `Federal land' does not include land in
which the removal of vegetation is specifically prohibited by Federal law
unless the land is in an inventoried roadless area or wilderness study area.
(5) PUBLIC LAND- The term `public land' has the meaning given the term
`public lands' in section 103 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976
(43 U.S.C. 1702).
(6) SECRETARY CONCERNED- The term `Secretary concerned' means-(A) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to land of the National
Forest System described in paragraph (4)(A)(i); and
(B) the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public land.
(7) THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES HABITAT- The term
`threatened and endangered species habitat' means Federal land on which natural fire
(1) the land and resource management plan applicable to the National Forest
System land on which authorized wildfire prevention project is to be conducted; or
(2) the land use plan applicable to the public land on which the authorized
wildfire prevention project is to be conducted.
(f) Consideration of Public Petitions- Not later than 60 days after the date on which the
Secretary receives a public petition for the designation of Federal land as an at-risk forest or as
a threatened and endangered species habitat, the Secretary concerned shall-(1) review the petition; and
(2) make a determination regarding the designation.
SEC. 7. THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES DESIGNATIONS.
(a) In General- Before a species may be listed as an endangered species or a threatened
species under section 4(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(c)), the
Secretary concerned shall conduct research to determine the impact that the listing would have
on forest fuel loads, including forage and timber.
(b) Wildfire Risk Assessment Analysis- Recovery plans for threatened species and
endangered species under section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
1533(f)) and critical habitat determinations under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) shall include wildfire risk assessment analysis.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 1533
To end offshore tax abuses, to preserve our national defense and protect American families and
businesses from devastating cuts, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Levin (for himself, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Begich, and Mrs. Shaheen) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To end offshore tax abuses, to preserve our national defense and protect American families and
businesses from devastating cuts, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE, ETC.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act''.
(b) Amendment of 1986 Code.--Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act
an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or
other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(c) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title, etc.
TITLE I--DETERRING THE USE OF TAX HAVENS FOR TAX EVASION
Sec. 101. Authorizing special measures against foreign jurisdictions, financial institutions, and
others that significantly impede United States tax enforcement.
Sec. 102. Strengthening the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).
Sec. 103. Treatment of foreign corporations managed and controlled in the United States as
domestic corporations.
Sec. 104. Reporting United States beneficial owners of foreign owned financial accounts.
Sec. 105. Swap payments made from the United States to persons offshore.
TITLE II--OTHER MEASURES TO COMBAT TAX HAVEN ABUSES
Sec. 201. Country-by-country reporting.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 1611
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. JOHNSON of Wisconsin; for himself Ms. AYOTTE, Mr. PAUL, and Mr. JOHANNS
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Homeland Security and Government Affairs
A BILL
To (reduce the size of the federal government through attrition)
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Reducing the Size of the Federal Government
Through Attrition Act of 2011'.
SEC. 2. REDUCTION IN FEDERAL WORKFORCE.
(a) Definition- For the purpose of this section-(1) the term `total number of Federal employees' means the total number of
Federal employees in all agencies;
(2) the term `Federal employee' means an employee as defined by section
2105 of title 5, United States Code; and
(3) the term `agency' means an Executive agency as defined by section 105
of title 5, United States Code, excluding the Government Accountability
Office.
(b) Limitation- The President, through the Office of Management and Budget (in
consultation with the Office of Personnel Management), shall take appropriate
measures to ensure that, effective beginning in fiscal year 2015, the total number of
Federal employees (as determined under subsection (c)) shall not exceed 90
percent of the total number of Federal employees as of September 30, 2011 (as so
determined).
(c) Monitoring and Notification- The Office of Management and Budget (in
consultation with the Office of Personnel Management)-(1) shall continuously monitor all agencies and make a determination, as of
September 30, 2011, and the last day of each quarter of each fiscal year
beginning thereafter, as to whether or not the total number of Federal
employees exceeds the maximum number allowable under subsection (b);
and
(2) whenever a determination under paragraph (1) is made that the total
number of Federal employees exceeds the maximum number allowable
under subsection (b), shall provide written notice to that effect to the
President and Congress within 14 days after the last day of the quarter to
which such determination relates.
(d) Compliance- Whenever, with respect to the quarter ending on September 30,
2014, or any subsequent quarter, the Office of Management and Budget provides
written notice under subsection (c)(2) that the total number of Federal employees
exceeds the maximum number allowable under subsection (b), no agency may
thereafter appoint any employee to fill any vacancy within such agency until the
Office of Management and Budget provides written notice to the President and
Congress of a determination under subsection (c)(1) that the total number of
Federal employees no longer exceeds the maximum number allowable under
subsection (b). Any notice under the preceding sentence shall be provided within
14 days after the last day of the quarter to which the determination relates.
(e) Waiver(1) EMERGENCIES- This section may be waived upon a determination by
the President that-(A) the existence of a state of war or other national security concern
so requires; or
(B) the existence of an extraordinary emergency threatening life,
health, public safety, property, or the environment so requires.
(2) AGENCY EFFICIENCY OR CRITICAL MISSION- This section may
be waived, with respect to a particular position or category of positions in
an agency, upon a determination by the President that the efficiency of the
agency or the performance of a critical agency mission so requires.
(f) Replacement Rate- To the extent necessary to achieve the workforce reduction
required by subsection (b), the Office of Management and Budget (in consultation
with the Office of Personnel Management) shall take appropriate measures to
ensure that agencies shall appoint no more than 1 employee for every 3 employees
retiring or otherwise separating from Government service after the date of the
enactment of this Act. This subsection shall cease to apply after September 30,
2014.
(g) Counting Rule- For purposes of this Act, any determination of the number of
employees in an agency shall be expressed on a full-time equivalent basis.
(h) Limitation on Procurement of Service Contracts- The President, through the
Office of Management and Budget (in consultation with the Office of Personnel
Management), shall take appropriate measures to ensure that there is no increase in
the procurement of service contracts by reason of the enactment of this Act, except
in cases in which a cost comparison demonstrates that such contracts would be to
the financial advantage of the Government
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 1657
To reduce prescription drug misuse and abuse.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
A BILL
To reduce prescription drug misuse and abuse.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Increasing the Safety of Prescription Drug Use Act of 2013'.
SEC. 2. PRESCRIPTION DRUG MONITORING PROGRAM.
(a) Controlled Substance Monitoring Program- Section 399O of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 243g-3) is amended-(1) in subsection (e), by adding at the end the following:
`(5) The State shall-`(A) ensure that the database-`(i) is interoperable with the controlled substance monitoring program of
other States and other Federal agencies and across appropriate State
agencies, including health agencies, as determined by the Secretary;
`(ii) is interoperable with electronic health records and e-prescribing,
where appropriate; and
`(iii) provides automatic, real-time or daily information about a patient
when a practitioner (or the designee of a practitioner, where permitted)
requests information about such patient;
`(B) require practitioners to use State database information to help determine
whether to prescribe or renew a prescription for a controlled substance; and
`(C) require dispensers, or their designees, where permitted, to enter data required
by the Secretary, including the name of the patient, the date, and prescription
dose, into the database for a controlled substance.
`(6) Notwithstanding section 543 and any other provision of law, the data required to be
entered under paragraph (5)(C) shall include information with respect to methadone that
is dispensed to a patient, if applicable.
`(7) The State shall ensure that-`(A) any person who receives patient information through the database may
disclose and use such information only to carry out the official duties of that
person with regard to the patient; and
`(B) notwithstanding subsection (f)(1)(B), no information kept in accordance with
a database developed or maintained through a grant under this section may be
used to conduct a criminal investigation or substantiate any criminal charges
against a patient or to conduct any investigation of a patient relating to methadone
use of the patient.'; and
(2) in subsection (n), by striking `To carry out this section' and all that follows through
the period at the end and inserting `There are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal
years 2014 through 2018 such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.'.
(b) Confidentiality of Records- Section 543(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
290dd-2(a)) is amended by inserting `or, with respect to methadone, as required under section
399O(e)(6)' before the period at the end.
(c) Requirements for Federal Health Care Programs- Health care practitioners (as defined in
paragraph (7) of section 399O(m) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g-3(m))) and
dispensers (as defined in paragraph (4) of such section) who participate in or are employed by a
Federal health care program or federally funded health care program, including the Indian Health
Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, the Federal Bureau of
Prisons, the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et
seq.), a State Medicaid plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.),
the Children's Health Insurance Program under title XXI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1397aa et seq.), and Federally qualified health centers, shall use the databases of the controlled
substance monitoring programs under section 399O of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
280g-3), if such databases are available to the practitioner or dispenser.
SEC. 3. PILOT PROJECT.
(a) In General- The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this subsection as the
`Secretary') shall award grants to one or more States to carry out a 1-year pilot project to develop
a standardized peer review process and methodology to review and evaluate prescribing and
pharmacy dispensing patterns, through a review of prescription drug monitoring programs
(referred to in this section as `PDMP') in the States receiving such grants.
(b) Methodology- The recipients of a grant under this section shall develop a systematic,
standardized methodology to identify and investigate questionable or inappropriate prescribing
and dispensing patterns of substances on schedule II or III under section 202 of the Controlled
Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812). Such peer review methodology and prescribing and dispensing
patterns shall be shared with the appropriate State health profession board.
(c) Requirements- A State receiving a grant under this section shall-(1) with respect to controlled substances for which a prescriber is required to have a
license issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration in order to prescribe such
controlled substances, make the information with respect to such controlled substances
from the PDMP available to State regulation and licensing boards; and
(2) with respect to any other controlled substances, may make the information with
respect to such controlled substances from the PDMP available to State regulation and
licensing boards.
(d) Subgrantees- A quality improvement organization with which the Secretary has entered into a
contract under part B of title XI of the Social Security Act may serve as the subgrantee under this
subsection to develop peer review processes as described in subsection (a).
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 1710
To require Amtrak to propose a pet policy that allows passengers to transport domesticated cats
and dogs on certain Amtrak trains, and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. WHITEHOUSE introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
A BILL
To require Amtrak to propose a pet policy that allows passengers to transport domesticated cats
and dogs on certain Amtrak trains, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Pets on Trains Act of 2013'.
SEC. 2. AMTRAK POLICY FOR PASSENGERS TRANSPORTING DOMESTICATED
CATS AND DOGS.
(a) In General- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, Amtrak shall
propose a pet policy that allows passengers to transport domesticated cats or dogs on certain
trains operated by Amtrak.
(b) Pet Policy- In the proposal required under subsection (a), Amtrak shall-(1) designate, where feasible, at least one car of each passenger train that is comprised
of more than one car in which a ticketed passenger may transport a domesticated cat or
dog in the same manner as carry-on baggage if-(A) the cat or dog is contained in a pet kennel;
(B) the pet kennel can be stowed in accordance with Amtrak size requirements
for carriage of carry-on baggage;
(C) the passenger is ticketed for traveling a distance less than 750 miles; and
(D) the passenger pays a fee described in subsection (c); and
(2) allow ticketed passengers to transport domesticated cats or dogs in the same
manner as cargo if-(A) the cat or dog is contained in a pet kennel;
(B) the pet kennel can be stowed in accordance with Amtrak requirements for
cargo stowage;
(C) the passenger is ticketed for traveling a distance less than 750 miles;
(D) the cargo area is temperature controlled in a manner protective of dog and
cat health; and
(E) the passenger pays a fee described in subsection (c).
(c) Fee Collection- Under the pet policy described in subsection (b), Amtrak shall collect a fee
for each cat or dog transported by a ticketed passenger in an amount that, at a minimum,
covers the costs of administration of the policy.
(d) Limitation on Statutory Construction(1) SERVICE ANIMALS- The proposal required under subsection (a) shall be separate
from and in addition to the policy governing Amtrak passengers traveling with service
animals. Nothing in this section may be interpreted to limit or waive the rights of
passengers to transport service animals.
(2) ADDITIONAL TRAIN CARS- Nothing in this section may be interpreted to r
113TH CONGRESS
2nd SESSION
S.1712
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Hatch (for himself), Mr. Alexander, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Barrasso, Mr.
Boozman, Mr. Burr, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Coburn, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Cornyn,
Mr. Enzi, Mr. Graham, Mr. Heller, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Johnson
of Wisconsin, Mr. Lee, Mr. McCain, Mr. Paul, Mr. Risch, Mr. Rubio, Mr.
Scott, Mr. Thune, and Mr. Wicker) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
A BILL
To provide protections for workers with respect to their right to select or refrain from selecting
representation by a labor organization.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Employee Rights Act''.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT.
(a) Unfair Labor Practices.--Section 8(b)(1) of the National Labor
Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 158(b)(1)) is amended by inserting ``interfere
with'' before ``restrain''.
(b) Representatives and Elections.--Section 9 of the National Labor
Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 159) is amended-(1) in subsection (a)-(A) by striking ``designated or selected for the
purposes of collective bargaining'' and inserting ``for
the purposes of collective bargaining selected by
secret ballot in an election conducted by the Board,''
SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO THE LABOR-MANAGEMENT REPORTING AND
DISCLOSURE ACT OF 1959.
(a) Definition.--Section 3(k) of the Labor-Management Reporting and
Disclosure Act of 1959 (29 U.S.C. 402(k)) is amended by striking
``ballot, voting machine, or otherwise, but'' and inserting ``paper
ballot, voting machine, or electronic ballot cast in the privacy of a
voting booth and''.
(b) Rights of Members.--Section 101(a)(1) of the Labor-Management
Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (29 U.S.C. 411(a)(1)) is amended
by adding at the end the following ``Every employee in a bargaining
unit represented by a labor organization, regardless of membership
status in the labor organization, shall have the same right as members
to vote by secret ballot regarding whether to ratify a collective
bargaining agreement with, or to engage in, a strike or refusal to work
of any kind against their employer.''.
(c) Right Not To Subsidize Union Nonrepresentational Activities.-Title I of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959
(29 U.S.C. 411 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 106. RIGHT NOT TO SUBSIDIZE UNION NONREPRESENTATIONAL
ACTIVITIES.
``No employee's union dues, fees, or assessments or other
contributions shall be used or contributed to any person, organization,
or entity for any purpose not directly related to the labor
organization's collective bargaining or contract administration
functions on behalf of the represented unit employee unless the
employee member, or nonmember required to make such payments as a
condition of employment, authorizes such expenditure in writing, after
a notice period of not less than 35 days. An initial authorization
provided by an employee under the preceding sentence shall expire not
later than 1 year after the date on which such authorization is signed
by the employee. There shall be no automatic renewal of an
authorization under this section.''.
(d) Limitations.--Section 101(a) of the Labor-Management Reporting
and Disclosure Act of 1959 (29 U.S.C. 411(a)) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(6) Limitation.--No strike shall commence without the consent of
a majority of all represented unit employees affected, determined by a
secret ballot vote conducted by a neutral, private organization chosen
by agreement between the employer and the labor organization involved.
In any case in which the employer involved has made an offer for a
collective bargaining agreement, the represented unit employees
involved shall be provided the opportunity for a secret ballot vote on
such offer prior to any vote relating to the commencement of a strike.
The cost of any such election shall be borne by the labor
organization.''.
(e) Reporting by Labor Organizations.--Section 201(c) of the LaborManagement Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (29 U.S.C. 431(c)) is
amended--
113TH CONGRESS
2nd SESSION
S. 1737
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Harkin (for himself and Mr. Reid) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
A BILL
To provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage and to amend the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend increased expensing limitations
and the treatment of certain real property as section 179 property.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Minimum Wage Fairness Act''.
SEC. 2. MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES.
(a) Minimum Wage.-(1) In general.--Section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)) is amended to read
as follows:
``(1) except as otherwise provided in this section, not
less than-``(A) $8.20 an hour, beginning on the first day of
the sixth month that begins after the date of enactment
of the Minimum Wage Fairness Act;
``(B) $9.15 an hour, beginning 1 year after that
first day;
``(C) $10.10 an hour, beginning 2 years after that
first day; and
``(D) beginning on the date that is 3 years after
that first day, and annually thereafter, the amount
determined by the Secretary pursuant to subsection
(h);''.
(2) Determination based on increase in the consumer price
index.--Section 6 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29
U.S.C. 206) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(h)(1) Each year, by not later than the date that is 90 days
before a new minimum wage determined under subsection (a)(1)(D) is to
take effect, the Secretary shall determine the minimum wage to be in
effect pursuant to this subsection for the subsequent 1-year period.
The wage determined pursuant to this subsection for a year shall be-``(A) not less than the amount in effect under subsection
(a)(1) on the date of such determination;
``(B) increased from such amount by the annual percentage
increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and
Clerical Workers (United States city average, all items, not
seasonally adjusted), or its successor publication, as
determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics; and
``(C) rounded to the nearest multiple of $0.05.
``(2) In calculating the annual percentage increase in the Consumer
Price Index for purposes of paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall
compare such Consumer Price Index for the most recent month, quarter,
or year available (as selected by the Secretary prior to the first year for which a minimum wage
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 1738
To provide justice for the victims of trafficking.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Cornyn (for himself, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Kirk, Ms. Klobuchar, and Mr.
Rubio) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred
to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 1808
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to toll, during active-duty service abroad
in the Armed Forces, the periods of time to file a petition and appear for an interview to
remove the conditional basis for permanent resident status, and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. COONS (for himself and Mr. GRAHAM) introduced the following bill; which was
read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
A BILL
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to toll, during active-duty service abroad
in the Armed Forces, the periods of time to file a petition and appear for an interview to
remove the conditional basis for permanent resident status, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States
of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. TOLLING PERIODS OF TIME TO FILE PETITION AND HAVE
INTERVIEW FOR REMOVAL OF CONDITION.
(a) In General- Section 216 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1186a) is amended-(1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following:
`(g) Service in Armed Forces`(1) FILING PETITION- The 90-day period described in subsection (d)
(2)(A) shall be tolled during any period in which the alien spouse or
petitioning spouse is a member of the Armed Forces of the United
States and serving abroad in an active-duty status in the Armed Forces.
The petition under subsection (c)(1)(A) may be filed during such activeduty service at any time after the commencement of such 90-day period.
`(2) PERSONAL INTERVIEW`(A) IN GENERAL- The 90-day period described in subsection
(d)(3) shall be tolled during any period of time in which the
alien spouse or petitioning spouse is a member of the Armed
Forces of the United States and serving abroad in an active-duty
status in the Armed Forces.
`(B) SAVINGS PROVISION- Nothing in this paragraph may be
construed to prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security from
waiving the requirement for an interview under subsection (c)(1)
113th Congress
2nd Session
S. 1881
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. KIRK, Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. GRAHAM, Mr.
CARDIN, Mr. MCCAIN, Mr. CASEY, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. COONS, Mr. CORNYN,
Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Ms. AYOTTE, Mr. BEGICH, Mr. CORKER, Mr. PRYOR,
Ms. COLLINS, Ms. LANDRIEU, Mr. MORAN, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. ROBERTS,
Mr. WARNER, Mr. JOHANNS, Mrs. HAGAN, Mr. CRUZ, Mr. DONNELLY,
Mr. BLUNT, Mr. BOOKER, Ms. MURKOWSKI, Mr. MANCHIN, Mr.
COATS, Mr. VITTER, Mr. RISCH, Mr. ISAKSON, and Mr. ALEXANDER) introduced the
following bill which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
To Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2013 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Iran must
not be allowed to develop or maintain nuclear weapon capabilities; (2) Iran does not have an
inherent right to enrichment and reprocessing capabilities under the Treaty on the NonProliferation of Nuclear Weapons; (3) the imposition of sanctions under this Act is triggered by
Iran's violations of any interim or final agreement regarding its nuclear program; (4) if Israel
takes military action in self-defense against Iran's nuclear weapons program the United States
should provide Israel with diplomatic, military, and economic support; and (5) the United States
should continue to impose sanctions on Iran and its terrorist proxies.
States that it is U.S. policy to seek to ensure that all countries reduce their purchases of crude oil,
lease condensates, fuel oils, and other unfinished oils from Iran or of Iranian origin to a de
minimis level within one year.
Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 to authorize a country that
purchased petroleum from Iran or of Iranian origin during the one-year period preceding
enactment of this Act to continue to receive a sanction exception only if the country reduces its
purchases of Iranian or Iranian origin petroleum: (1) to a de minimis level within one year; or (2)
by at least 30% during the one-year period beginning on the date of enactment, if it also is
expected to reduce such purchases to a de minimis level within two years, or the President
determines that the country has reduced its purchases to a de minimus level.
Amends the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 to include the construction,
engineering, and mining sectors of Iran within the scope of sanctions.
Designates as entities of proliferation concern entities that operate special economic zones, free
economic zones, and entities in strategic sectors (in lieu of certain current entities).
Directs the President to block the property of: (1) entities in strategic sectors, and (2) entities that
operate special economic zones or free economic zones.
Defines "strategic sector" as: (1) the energy, shipping, shipbuilding, and mining sectors of Iran;
(2) the construction and engineering sectors of Iran with exceptions for schools and hospitals;
and (3) any other sector the President determines to be of strategic importance to Iran.
Amends the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 to exclude from U.S.
entry: (1) an individual who engages in sanction evasion activities for or on behalf of the
government of Iran, (2) an individual acting on behalf of the government of Iran who is involved
in corrupt activities of that government or the diversion of humanitarian goods, or (3) a senior
official who was involved in the activities of an entity designated for sanctions in connection
with Iran's proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or Iran's support for international
terrorism.
Expands the list of designated senior officials of the government of Iran.
Directs the President to block the U.S. or U.S.- controlled property and property transfers of: (1)
specified senior officials, and (2) family members who received such property from a listed
official.
Directs the President to prohibit the opening, and prohibit or impose strict conditions on the
maintaining in the United States, of a correspondent account or a payable-through account by a
foreign financial institution that knowingly conducted or facilitated a significant currency
transaction (or did so through another person) with or on behalf of the Central Bank of Iran or
another Iranian sanctioned financial institution, or with a person that is involved in the strategic
sectors or economic zones of Iran.
Authorizes the President to impose sanctions pursuant to the International Emergency Economic
Powers Act against any other person that knowingly conducts or facilitates such a currency
transaction.
Excludes from such sanctions any transactions for: (1) the sale of agricultural commodities,
food, medicine or medical devices to Iran; or (2) the provision of humanitarian assistance to the
people of Iran.
Expresses the sense of Congress that, if sanctions are imposed pursuant to this Act and Iran
continues to pursue an illicit nuclear weapons program, Congress should pursue additional
sanctions against Iran.
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President has been engaged in diplomatic efforts to
ensure that sanctions are imposed multilaterally to restrict Iran's access to the global financial
system; (2) the European Union (EU) is to be commended for strengthening the multilateral
sanctions regime against Iran; (3) the President and the EU must continue to address any
judicial, administrative, or other decisions in their respective jurisdictions that might weaken the
sanctions regime; and (4) restrictions on Iran's access to global specialized financial messaging
services should be maintained.
Amends the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 to
include goods, services, and technologies that will be sold or transferred to a strategic sectoof
Iran in the list of goods, services, or technologies diverted to Iranian end-users or Iranian
intermediaries.
Authorizes the President to: (1) impose restrictions on U.S. foreign assistance or measures
authorized under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act with respect to a country
designated as a Destination of Diversion Concern if the President determines that such
restrictions would prevent the diversion of goods, services, and technologies to Iranian end-users
or Iranian intermediaries; or (2) prohibit the issuance of an export license to such a country for
certain defense articles or services.
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President's FY2015 budget should prioritize
resources for the Office of Foreign Assets Control and the Department of State dedicated to the
enforcement of sanctions against Iran, and (2) the appropriate Senate and House of
Representatives committees should prioritize such resources during consideration of
authorization and appropriations legislation in future fiscal years.
Authorizes the President to suspend the application of sanctions under this Act for a 180-day
period if the President certifies to Congress every 30 days during such period that: (1) Iran is
complying with and verifiably implementing the Joint Plan of Action, (2) Iran is engaged in
good faith negotiations toward a final agreement to terminate its non-civilian use nuclear
activities, (3) the United States is working toward a final agreement to dismantle Iran's illicit
nuclear infrastructure and permit verification and inspections of suspect facilities, (4) any
sanctions relief is reversible and proportionate to Iranian measures to terminate its illicit nuclear
program and related weaponization activities, (5) Iran has not directly or through a proxy carried
out an act of terrorism against the United States or U.S. persons or property, (6) Iran has not
conducted certain ballistic missile tests, and (7) suspension of sanctions is vital to U.S. national
security interests.
Authorizes and sets forth the conditions with regard to such suspension of sanctions for: (1)
renewal of sanction suspensions, (2) termination of sanction suspensions, and (3) presidential
waiver of sanctions reinstatement.
Authorizes the President, unless a joint resolution of disapproval is enacted, to suspend the
application of sanctions imposed under this Act for a one-year period if the President certifies to
Congress that the United States and its allies have reached a final and verifiable agreement with
Iran that will: (1) dismantle Iran's illicit nuclear infrastructure, (2) bring Iran into compliance
with all United Nations (U.N.) Security Council resolutions related to Iran's nuclear program and
resolve all issues of concern with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), (3) permit
continuous on-site inspection and monitoring of all suspect facilities in Iran, (4) require Iran's
full compliance with the Agreement between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency
for the Application of Safeguards in Connection with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of
Nuclear Weapons, and (5) require Iran's implementation of measures that include IAEA
verification of Iran's centrifuge manufacturing facilities and uranium mines and mills.
113TH CONGRESS
2nd SESSION
S. 2020
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Heinrich (for himself and Mr. Wyden) introduced the following bill; which was read twice
and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
A BILL
To set forth the process for Puerto Rico to be admitted as a State of the Union.
1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Puerto Rico Status Resolution Act .
2. Findings and purposes
(a) Findings
Congress finds that
(1) in 1898, Puerto Rico became a United States territory and persons born in Puerto Rico have
been granted United States citizenship by law since March 2, 1917;
(2) Puerto Rico has been granted authority over local matters that is similar to the authority that
the several States possess, but Puerto Rico remains subject to the powers of Congress under the
Territory Clause of the Constitution of the United States;
(3) the approximately 3,700,000 residents of Puerto Rico do not have a democratic form of
government at the national level, because
(A) United States citizens residing in the territory
(i) are disenfranchised in the election for the President and the Vice President; and
(ii) are not represented in the United States Senate; and
(B) the 1 representative of United States citizens residing in the territory in the House of
Representatives can only vote in committees of the House of Representatives;
(4) the Federal Government may, and often does, treat Puerto Rico and residents of Puerto Rico
unequally under Federal program, tax, and other laws relative to the several States and the
District of Columbia and residents;
(5) (A) on November 6, 2012, the Government of Puerto Rico held a 2-part referendum;
(B) the first question asked voters if Puerto Rico should continue to have its present form of
territorial status; and
(C) of the 1,798,987 voters who chose an option, 53.97 percent voted against continued
territorial status;
(6) (A) the second question asked voters to express their preference among the 3 possible
alternatives to territorial status: statehood, independence, and nationhood in free association with
the United States; and
(B) of the 1,363,854 voters who chose an option, 61.16 percent voted for statehood; and
(7) the number of votes cast in favor of statehood exceeded the number of votes cast in favor of
continued territorial status.
(b) Purposes
The purposes of this Act are
(1) to provide for a federally authorized ratification vote in Puerto Rico on the admission of
Puerto Rico into the Union as a State; and
(2) if a majority of voters ratify the desire of Puerto Rico for statehood, to describe the steps that
the President and Congress shall take to enable the admission of Puerto Rico as a State of the
Union.
3. Ratification vote
The State Elections Commission of Puerto Rico is authorized to provide for a ratification vote on
the admission of Puerto Rico into the Union as a State, in accordance with rules and regulations
determined by the Commission, including qualifications for voter eligibility, with the following
on the ballot:
As a State:
(A) Puerto Rico would be permanently united to the other States of the Union.
(B) All provisions of the Constitution of the United States that apply to the States would apply to
Puerto Rico.
(C) Individuals born in Puerto Rico would be United States citizens by virtue of the Constitution
of the United States, instead of by virtue of laws of the United States.
(D) Puerto Rico would be treated equally with the other States in all Federal laws of general
application.
(E) There would be a period of transition to statehood, during which equal treatment of Puerto
Rico in program and tax laws would be phased in.
(F) Puerto Rico would be represented
(i) in the Senate by 2 Senators;
(ii) in the House of Representatives by a number of Representatives in proportion to its share of
the national population (and the number of Members of the House of Representatives would be
increased by the same number); and
(iii) for the election of the President and the Vice President by a number of votes in the Electoral
College equal to the number of its Senators and Representatives.
(G) The Government of Puerto Rico, like the governments of the other States, would have
permanent authority over all matters not delegated to the Federal Government or the people by
the Constitution of the United States.
Do you want Puerto Rico to be admitted as a State of the United States? Yes__ No__
.
4. Implementation
(a) Presidential action
If a majority of votes cast in the ratification vote held under section 3 are for the admission of
Puerto Rico as a State of the Union, the President, not later than 180 days after the certification
of the vote, shall submit to Congress legislation to admit Puerto Rico as a State of the Union on
an equal footing with the several States in all respects, consistent with the terms of this Act.
(b) Legislative action
If a majority of votes cast in the ratification vote held under section 3 are for the admission of
Puerto Rico as a State of the Union, this Act constitutes a commitment by Congress to act,
through legislation, to admit Puerto Rico as a State of the Union on an equal footing with the
several States in all respects, consistent with the terms of this Act.
113TH CONGRESS
2nd SESSION
S. 2068
handgun'' means a handgun that-(A) enables only an authorized user of the handgun
to fire the handgun; and
(B) was manufactured in such a manner that the
firing restriction described in subparagraph (A)-(i) is incorporated into the design of the
handgun;
(ii) is not sold as an accessory; and
(iii) cannot be readily removed or
deactivated.
(3) Qualified entity.--The term ``qualified entity''
means-(A) a State or unit of local government;
(B) a nonprofit or for-profit organization; or
(C) an institution of higher education (as defined
in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001)).
(4) Retrofitted personalized handgun.--The term
``retrofitted personalized handgun'' means a handgun fitted
with a device that-(A) enables only an authorized user of the handgun
to fire the handgun; and
(B) cannot be readily removed or deactivated.
SEC. 102. AUTHORIZATION.
The Attorney General, acting through the Director of the National
Institute of Justice (referred to in this title as the ``Director''),
shall make grants to qualified entities to develop technology for
personalized handguns.
SEC. 107. REGULATIONS.
The Director may promulgate such guidelines, rules, regulations,
and procedures as may be necessary to carry out this title.
SEC. 108. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title
$2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 and 2016.
TITLE II--CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION SAFETY STANDARD
SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Antique firearm; firearm; handgun.--The terms ``antique
firearm'', ``firearm'', and ``handgun'' have the meaning given
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 2105
Mr. Lee (for himself, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Coburn,
Mr. Rubio, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Risch, Mr. Graham, and
Mr. Cochran) introduced the following bill introduced the following bill; which was
read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
A BILL
To prevent adverse treatment of any person on the basis of views held
with respect to marriage.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Marriage and Religious Freedom
Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Leading legal scholars concur that conflicts between
same-sex marriage and religious liberty are real and should be
legislatively addressed.
(2) As the President stated in response to the decision of
the Supreme Court on the Defense of Marriage Act in 2013,
``Americans hold a wide range of views'' on the issue of samesex marriage, and ``maintaining our Nation's commitment to
religious freedom'' is ``vital''.
(3) Protecting religious freedom from Government intrusion
is a Government interest of the highest order. Legislatively
enacted measures advance this interest by remedying, deterring,
and preventing Government interference with religious exercise
in a way that complements the protections mandated by the First
Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
(4) Laws that protect the free exercise of religious
beliefs about marriage will encourage private citizens and
institutions to demonstrate similar tolerance and therefore
contribute to a more respectful, diverse, and peaceful society.
SEC. 3. PROTECTION OF THE FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the
Federal Government shall not take an adverse action against a person,
wholly or partially on the basis that such person acts in accordance
with a religious belief that marriage is or should be recognized as the
union of one man and one woman, or that sexual relations are properly
reserved to such a marriage.
(b) Adverse Action Defined.--As used in subsection (a), an adverse
action means any action taken by the Federal Government to-(1) deny or revoke an exemption from taxation under section
501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 of the person who
is acting in accordance with the religious belief referred to
in subsection (a);
(2) disallow a deduction for Federal tax purposes of any
charitable contribution made to or by such person;
(3) alter in any way the Federal tax treatment of, or cause
any tax, penalty, or payment to be assessed against, such
person or such person's employees with respect to any benefit
provided or not provided by such person to such person's
employees, wholly or partially on the basis that the benefit is
provided or not provided on account of a religious belief
referred to in subsection (a);
(4) deem any employee benefit plan covering employees of
such person to have lost its status as a ``qualified plan''
under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or
to be in violation of any part of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), wholly or
partially on the basis that the benefit plan fails to provide a
benefit, right, or feature on account of such person's
religious belief referred to in subsection (a);
(5) deny or exclude such person from receiving any Federal
grant, contract, cooperative agreement, loan, license,
certification, accreditation, employment, or other similar
position or status;
(6) deny or withhold from such person any benefit under a
Federal benefit program; or
(7) otherwise discriminate against such person.
SEC. 4. JUDICIAL RELIEF.
(a) Cause of Action.--A person may assert an actual or threatened
violation of this Act as a claim or defense in a judicial proceeding
and obtain compensatory damages, injunctive relief, declaratory relief,
or any other appropriate relief against the Federal Government.
Standing to assert a claim or defense under this section shall be
governed by the general rules of standing under Article III of the
Constitution.
(b) Attorneys' Fees.--Section 722(b) of the Revised Statutes (42
U.S.C. 1988(b)) is amended by inserting ``the Marriage and Religious
Freedom Act,'' after ``the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized
Persons Act of 2000,''.
(c) Authority of United States To Enforce This Act.--The Attorney
General may bring an action for injunctive or declaratory relief
against an independent establishment described in section 104(1) of
title 5, United States Code, or an officer or employee of that
independent establishment, to enforce compliance with this Act. Nothing
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S.2188
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. BEGICH (for himself, and Mr. MANCHIN) introduced the following bill; which was
read twice and referred to the Committee on the Commerce, Science, and Transportation
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a national standard in accordance with
which nonresidents of a State may carry concealed firearms in the State.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2012'.
SEC. 2. RECIPROCITY FOR THE CARRYING OF CERTAIN CONCEALED
FIREARMS.
(a) In General- Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting
after section 926C the following:
`Sec. 926D. Reciprocity for the carrying of certain concealed firearms
`(a) Definitions- In this section-`(1) the term `eligible individual' means an individual who is not prohibited
under Federal law from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a
firearm; and
`(2) the term `identification document' means a document made or issued by
or under the authority of the United States Government, a State, or a political
subdivision of a State which, when completed with information concerning a
particular individual, is of a type intended or commonly accepted for the
purpose of identifying individuals.
`(b) Authorization- Notwithstanding any provision of the law of any State or political
subdivision thereof, and except as provided in subsection (c), an eligible individual
may carry a concealed handgun (other than a machinegun or destructive device) that
has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce in any State, other
than the State of residence of the eligible individual, that-`(1) has a statute that allows residents of the State to obtain licenses or
permits to carry concealed firearms; or
`(2) does not prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms by residents of the
State for lawful purposes.
`(c) Conditions and Limitations`(1) IN GENERAL- An eligible individual carrying a concealed handgun in a
State under this section shall be permitted to carry a handgun subject to the
same conditions and limitations imposed by or under Federal or State law or
the law of a political subdivision of a State, except as to eligibility to carry a
concealed handgun, that apply to residents of the State or political
subdivision who-`(A) have a license or permit issued by the State or political
subdivision to carry a concealed handgun; or
`(B) if the State does not issue licenses or permits described in
subparagraph (A), are not prohibited by the State from carrying a
concealed handgun.
113th Congress
2nd Session
S. 2277
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. CORKER (for himself, Mr. MCCONNELL, Ms. AYOTTE, Mr. HOEVEN, Mr. BLUNT, Mr.
RUBIO, Mr. MCCAIN, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. GRAHAM, Mr. KIRK, Mr. BARRASSO, Mr.
RISCH, Mr. COATS, Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. PORTMAN, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr.
THUNE, Mr. ISAKSON, Mr. HATCH, Mr.FLAKE, Mr. JOHNSON of Wisconsin, and Mr.
BURR introduced the following bill, which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Foreign Relations
A BILL
Russian Aggression Prevention Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to submit
to Congress a strategic framework for U.S. security assistance and cooperation in Europe and
Eurasia.
Directs the President to: (1) halt for 180-days all current and planned redeployments of combat
forces from Europe other than certain redeployments, and (2) develop a plan to correct any
deficiencies in the Armed Forces' ability to respond to contingencies in Europe and Eurasia.
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
represents the most successful collective security agreement of the modern era, and (2) a strong
NATO is critical to maintaining peace in Europe and Eurasia and ensuring that the Russian
Federation plays an appropriate role in the region.
Directs the President to: (1) implement a plan for increasing U.S. and NATO support for the
armed forces of Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, and other NATO member-states; and (2)
direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO to seek consideration for permanently basing
NATO forces in such countries.
Directs the President to submit a plan to Congress for accelerating NATO and European missile
defense efforts.
Directs the President to establish a United States-German Global and European Security
Working Group to focus on areas of mutual concern, including the situation in Ukraine, and
increasing political, economic, and military cooperation between the two states.
Directs the President to impose asset blocking and U.S. exclusion sanctions, if Russian armed
forces have not withdrawn from Crimea within seven days after enactment of this Act, against:
(1) any government official, and any close associate or family member of that official, who is
responsible for or otherwise directing violations of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty,
or who is responsible for acts of significant corruption in the Russian Federation; (2) any
individual who sponsored or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods
or services in support of such acts; (3) any individual or entity with respect to which sanctions
were previously imposed relating to violations of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty;
(4) any entity owned or controlled by a sanctioned entity that is owned or controlled by a citizen
of the Russian Federation; and (5) any senior executive of a sanctioned entity who is a citizen of
the Russian Federation.
Directs the President to impose asset blocking and U.S. exclusion sanctions, if Russian armed
forces have not withdrawn from the eastern border of Ukraine within seven days after enactment
of this Act, or if agents of the Russian Federation do not cease actions to destabilize the control
of the government of Ukraine over eastern Ukraine, against: (1) Sberbank, (2) VTB Bank, (3)
Vnesheconombank, (4) Gazprombank, (5) Gazprom, (6) Novatek, (7) Rosneft, (8)
Rosoboronexport, (9) any entity owned or controlled by such an entity that is owned or
controlled by a citizen of the Russian Federation; and (10) any senior executive of such an entity
who is a citizen of the Russian Federation.
Imposes asset blocking, U.S. exclusion, and foreign financial entity sanctions, if Russian armed
forces expand further into, or the government of the Russian Federation annexes, sovereign
territory of Ukraine or any other country in Europe or Eurasia, against: (1) any senior Russian
official, (2) any entity owned or controlled by a senior Russian official, and (3) any close
associate of a senior Russian official who provides significant support or resources to such senior
Russian official.
Imposes asset blocking and U.S. exclusion sanctions also, in such circumstances, against: (1) any
entity organized under the laws of the Russian Federation that is owned or controlled by the
government of the Russian Federation, or owned or controlled by a person sanctioned for
violations of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty; (2) any entity that operates in the
arms, defense, energy, financial services, metals, or mining sectors of the Russian Federation;
and (3) any senior executive of such an entity who is a citizen of the Russian Federation.
Sets forth related penalty requirements.
States that U.S. exclusion sanctions shall not apply if necessary to permit the United States to
comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations or other applicable
international obligations.
Authorizes the President to waive sanctions if in the U.S. national security interests, and with
prior congressional notification.
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to limit the transfer or export by any U.S. person of oil and
gas advanced technology to any person in, or any citizen of, the Russian Federation if: (1) the
Russian Federation has not substantially withdrawn its armed forces from the eastern border of
Ukraine within 30 days, or (2) agents of the Russian Federation do not end destabilizing
measures in eastern Ukraine.
Directs the Secretary of State to work with U.S. allies to limit: (1) sales of defense articles and
services to the government of the Russian Federation, and (2) cooperation with the government
of the Russian Federation on matters related to the production of defense articles and services by
Russian entities.
Prohibits the President from: (1) entering into any agreement with the government of the Russian
Federation regarding the reduction of nuclear forces except with the advice and consent of the
Senate; (2) reducing the number of deployed or non-deployed launchers under the Treaty
between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further
Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms while Russian armed forces are
threatening the territorial integrity or sovereignty of Ukraine or another European or Eurasian
state; (3) sharing sensitive U.S. missile defense information with the government of the Russian
Federation; and (4) authorizing any Open Skies Treaty overflights of U.S. territory or
government facilities by Russian airplanes that employ any surveillance devices beyond those
employed before January 1, 2014.
Prohibits amounts from being obligated or expended to integrate into any U.S. or NATO
common-funded missile defense system any stand-alone radar or missile defense system
manufactured, sold, or exported by: (1) a Russian entity, or (2) any person or entity currently
sanctioned or designated under U.S. law for missile technology proliferation.
Directs the Secretary of State to provide access to appropriate consular resources, including
prioritized access for refugee and other immigration or travel status to the United States, for
journalists, political and civil society activists, and dissidents in the Russian Federation.
Directs the Secretary of State to increase efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and
political and civil society organizations in the Russian Federation.
Directs DOD to assess the capabilities and needs of the Ukrainian armed forces. Authorizes the
President, upon completion of such assessment, to provide specified military assistance to
Ukraine.
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) provide Ukraine with information
about Russian military and intelligence capabilities on Ukraine's eastern border and within
Ukraine's territorial borders, including Crimea; and (2) ensure that such intelligence information
is protected from further disclosure.
Provides major non-NATO ally status for Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova (during the period in
which each of such countries meets specified criteria) for purposes of the transfer or possible
transfer of defense articles or defense services.
Directs the President to increase: (1) U.S. Armed Forces interactions with the armed forces of
Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia,
Montenegro, and Serbia; and (2) U.S and NATO security assistance to such states.
Amends the Natural Gas Act to apply the expedited application and approval process for natural
gas exports to World Trade Organization members.
Urges the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Trade and Development
Agency, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the World Bank Group, and the
European Bank for Reconstruction to promote assistance to Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova in
order to exploit natural gas and oil reserves and to develop alternative energy sources.
Prohibits any federal department or agency from taking any action that recognizes Russian
Federation sovereignty over Crimea or otherwise endorses the Russian Federation's illegal
annexation of Crimea.
Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) strengthen democratic institutions, the independent media,
and political and civil society organizations in countries of the former Soviet Union; and (2)
increase educational and cultural exchanges with countries of the former Soviet Union.
Directs the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the Voice of America (VOA) to provide
Congress with a plan for increasing and maintaining through FY2017 the quantity of U.S.funded Russian-language broadcasting into countries of the former Soviet Union, with priority
for broadcasting into Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova
113TH CONGRESS
2nd SESSION
S. 2280
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Hoeven (for himself, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. McConnell, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Portman, Mr.
Wicker, Mr. Johnson of Wisconsin, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Thune, Mr. Johanns, Mr. Blunt, Mr.
Alexander, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Flake, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Toomey, Mr.
Lee, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Scott, Mr. Coats, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Isakson,Mr. Grassley, Mr.
Rubio, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Coburn, Mr. McCain, Mr. Corker, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Cochran, Mr.
Barrasso,Mr. Vitter, Mr. Risch, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Burr, Mr. Graham, Mr. Heller, Mr.
Paul, Mr. Moran, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Shelby,Ms. Ayotte, Ms. Collins, Mr. Begich, Mr. Pryor, Ms.
Heitkamp, Mr. Warner, Mr. Donnelly, Mr. Manchin, Mr. Walsh,Mrs. McCaskill, Mr. Tester,
and Mrs. Hagan) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
A BILL
To approve the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. KEYSTONE XL APPROVAL
(a) In general
TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P. may construct, connect, operate, and maintain the
pipeline and cross-border facilities described in the application filed on May 4, 2012, by
TransCanada Corporation to the Department of State (including any subsequent revision to the
pipeline route within the State of Nebraska required or authorized by the State of Nebraska).
(b) Environmental impact statement
The Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement issued by the Secretary of State in
January 2014, regarding the pipeline referred to in subsection (a), and the environmental
analysis, consultation, and review described in that document (including appendices) shall be
considered to fully satisfy
(1) all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.); and
(2) any other provision of law that requires Federal agency consultation or review (including
the consultation or review required under section 7(a) of the Endangered Species Act of
1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(a) )) with respect to the pipeline and facilities referred to in subsection
(a).
(c) Permits
Any Federal permit or authorization issued before the date of enactment of this Act for the
pipeline and cross-border facilities referred to in subsection (a) shall remain in effect.
(d) Federal judicial review
Any legal challenge to a Federal agency action regarding the pipeline and cross-border
facilities described in subsection (a), and the related facilities in the United States, that are
approved by this Act, and any permit, right-of-way, or other action taken to construct or
complete the project pursuant to Federal law, shall only be subject to judicial review on direct
appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
(e) Private property savings clause
Nothing in this Act alters any Federal, State, or local process or condition in effect on the date
of enactment of this Act that is necessary to secure access from an owner of private property
to construct the pipeline and cross-border facilities described in subsection (a).
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S.2325
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. NELSON of Florida (for himself, and Mrs. BOXER) introduced the following bill; which
was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
A BILL
To authorize further assistance to Israel for the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Iron Dome Support Act'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The State of Israel remains vulnerable to attack from missiles, rockets, and
mortar shells fired at Israeli civilian targets by militants from the foreign terrorist
organization Hamas on its southern border and by the foreign terrorist
organization Hezbollah on its northern border. Past attacks have killed, wounded,
or inflicted psychological trauma on countless Israeli citizens.
(2) The United States Government remains committed to ensuring the
Government of Israel's qualitative military edge, including maintaining its
advantage over non-state actors such as Hezbollah and Hamas who possess
increasingly sophisticated and powerful weapons as a result of support from Iran,
Syria, and other state actors.
(3) The Israeli Defense Forces recently reported that the Iron Dome anti-missile
defense system has achieved a success rate of more than 90 percent, intercepting
rockets bound for residential neighborhoods, busy road junctions, shopping
centers, and crowded streets in southern Israel.
(4) The high success rate of the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system has helped
avert significant Israeli casualties.
(5) The United States can help to advance its own vital national security interests
and the cause of peace and stability in the Middle East by supporting Israel's
ability to defend itself against missiles, rockets, and other threats.
(6) In 2010, President Barack Obama requested funds to help the State of Israel
procure and maintain Iron Dome missile batteries. Congress then provided
funding for the purchase of up to 10 Iron Dome systems.
(7) The Government of Israel currently has three operational Iron Dome batteries
deployed in the field, which are insufficient to protect all of the territory of Israel.
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE TO ISRAEL FOR IRON DOME ANTIMISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM.
The President, acting through the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State, is
authorized to provide assistance for the procurement, maintenance, and sustainment of
the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system for purposes of intercepting short-range
missiles launched against Israel.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 2337
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mrs. MCCASKILL (for herself, Ms. COLLINS, and Mr. COBURN) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs
A BILL
To require that Federal regulations use plain writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and
follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Plain Writing Act for Regulations of 2012'.
SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to require that Federal regulations use plain writing, to enhance public
understanding of regulations, and to increase the level of public participation in the rulemaking
process.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) AGENCY- The term `agency' means an Executive agency, as that term is defined in section
105 of title 5, United States Code.
(2) DIRECTOR- The term `Director' means the Director of the Office of Management and
Budget.
(3) PLAIN WRITING- The term `plain writing' means writing that is clear, concise, wellorganized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended
audience.
(4) REGULATION- The term `regulation' means a rule, as that term is defined in section 551(4)
of title 5, United States Code, that is issued by an agency.
SEC. 4. RESPONSIBILITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.
(a) Preparation for Implementation of Plain Writing Requirements for Regulations(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the head of
each agency shall
(A) designate a senior official within the agency to oversee the implementation of this Act by the
agency;
(B) ensure that the obligation of the agency to use plain writing in no way diminishes the ability
of the agency to perform scientific analyses or technical analyses, or disclose scientific data or
technical data or any other findings, that are required to be performed or disclosed under chapter
5 of title 5, United States Code, or any other provision of law
(C) communicate the requirements of this Act to the employees of the agency;
(D) train employees of the agency to write regulations using plain writing;
(E) establish a process for overseeing the ongoing compliance of the agency with the
requirements of this Act; and
(F) designate an employee of the agency to serve as a point of contact to receive and respond to
public input on-(i) the implementation of this Act by the agency; and
113th Congress
2nd Sessions
S. 2463
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for extensions of detention of certain
aliens ordered removed, and for other purposes.
(III) the Secretary transfers custody of the alien pursuant to law to another
Federal agency or a State or local government agency in connection with the official
duties of such agency; or
(IV) a court or the Board of Immigration Appeals orders a remand to an
immigration judge or the Board of Immigration Appeals, during the time period
when the case is pending a decision on remand (with the removal period beginning
anew on the date that the alien is ordered removed on remand).
(ii) RENEWAL.If the removal period has been extended under clause (i), a new
removal period shall be deemed to have begun on the date on which
(I) the alien makes all reasonable efforts to comply with the removal order, or
to fully cooperate with the Secretarys efforts to establish the aliens identity and
carry out the removal order;
(II) the stay of removal is no longer in effect; or
(III) the alien is returned to the custody of the Secretary.
(iii) MANDATORY DETENTION FOR CERTAIN ALIENS.The Secretary shall
keep an alien described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of section 236(c)(1) in
detention during the extended period described in clause (i).
(6) ADDITIONAL RULES FOR DETENTION OR RELEASE OF CERTAIN ALIENS.
(B) AUTHORITY TO DETAIN BEYOND REMOVAL PERIOD.
(i) IN GENERAL.The Secretary of Homeland Security may continue to detain
an alien for 90 days beyond the removal period (including any extension of the removal
period under paragraph (1)(C)). An alien whose detention is extended under this
subparagraph shall not have the right to seek release on bond.
(ii) SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES.The Secretary of Homeland Security may
continue to detain an alien beyond the 90 days authorized under clause (i)
(I) until the alien is removed, if the Secretary determines that there is a
significant likelihood that the alien
(aa) will be removed in the reasonably foreseeable future;
(bb) would be removed in the reasonably foreseeable future; or
(cc) would have been removed if the alien had not
(AA) failed or refused to make all reasonable efforts to comply with
the removal order;
113TH CONGRESS
2nd SESSION
S. 2957
A BILL
To limit the disturbance to American families caused by electioneering phone calls by expanding
the National Do Not Call Registry to include Super Pacs and other third-party political groups, to
prohibit robo-calls to Americans who have listed their telephone numbers on the Registry, and to
prohibit push-polling.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 3039
(2) Legal limit- The term `legal limit' means a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent
or greater (as specified by section 163 of title 23, United States Code) or such other
percentage limitation as may be established by applicable Federal, State, or local law.
SEC. 5. APPLICATION WITH OTHER LAWS.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to modify or otherwise affect any Federal, State, or
local government law, civil or criminal, with respect to the operation of a motor vehicle.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General- There are authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund
(other than the Mass Transit Account) $12,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through
2015 to carry out the collaborative research effort under section 3(a).
(b) Excess Funds- Any amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) that are not needed
to carry out collaborative research under section 3(a) may be used by the Secretary of
Transportation for highway safety research in accordance with section 301 of title 49,
United States Code, and section 403 of title 23, United States Code.
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 3182
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mrs. GILLIBRAND introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
A BILL
To require a report on implementation of a termination of the ground combat exclusion policy
for female members of the Armed Forces.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Gender Equality in Combat Act'.
SEC. 2. REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF TERMINATION OF GROUND
COMBAT EXCLUSION POLICY FOR FEMALE MEMBERS OF THE ARMED
FORCES.
(a) Report- Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committee on Judiciary of the Senate and the
Committee on Judiciary of the House of Representatives a report on the implementation
of a termination of the ground combat exclusion policy for female members of the Armed
Forces.
(b) Elements- The report required by subsection (a) shall set forth the following:
(1) A proposed effective date for the termination of the ground combat exclusion
policy for female members of the Armed Forces.
(2) A schedule for implementation of the termination of the ground combat
exclusion policy by the Department of Defense and the Armed Forces.
(3) An identification of the funds to be required for the termination of the ground
combat exclusion policy.
(4) An assessment of the impacts of the termination of the ground combat
exclusion policy-(A) on military readiness, effectiveness, and unit cohesion; and
(B) for policies, guidance, and training (including policies, guidance, and
training relating to personnel management, leadership, facilities,
investigations, and benefits).
(5) An identification of mechanisms to address any impacts identified pursuant to
paragraph (4).
(6) An identification of mechanisms to provide monitoring of workforce climate
and military effectiveness necessary to achieve effective implementation of the
termination of the ground combat exclusion policy.
(7) An identification of the laws affected by the termination of the ground combat
exclusion policy, and an assessment of such effects.
(8) A proposal for such legislative action as the Secretary considers appropriate
for implementation of the termination of the ground combat exclusion policy.
(c) Ground Combat Exclusion Policy Defined- In this section, the term `ground combat
exclusion policy' has the meaning given that term in section 652(a)(4) of title 10, United
States Code
113th CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 3272
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. BENNET for himself and Mr. Brown introduced the following bill; which was read
twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
A BILL
To provide greater controls and restrictions on revolving door lobbying.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the `Close the
Revolving Door Act of 2010'.
SEC. 2. LIFETIME BAN ON MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FROM LOBBYING.
(1) MEMBERS OF CONGRESS- Any person who is a Senator, a Member of the House of
Representatives or an elected officer of the Senate or the House of Representatives and who
after that person leaves office, knowingly makes, with the intent to influence, any
communication to or appearance before any Member, officer, or employee of either House
of Congress or any employee of any other legislative office of the Congress, on behalf of
any other person (except the United States) in connection with any matter on which such
former Senator, Member, or elected official seeks action by a Member, officer, or employee
of either House of Congress, in his or her official capacity, shall be punished as provided by
Senate procedure..
SEC. 4. IMPROVED REPORTING OF LOBBYISTS ACTIVITIES.
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of
Representatives shall maintain a joint lobbyist disclosure Internet database for information
required to be publicly disclosed under this Act which shall be an easily searchable Web site
called lobbyists.gov with a stated goal of simplicity of usage.
`(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated
to carry out this subsection $100,000 for fiscal year 2011.'.
SEC. 5. LOBBYIST REVOLVING DOOR TO CONGRESS.
(a) In General- Any person who is a registered lobbyist or an agent of a foreign principal
may not within 6 years after that person leaves such position be hired by a Member or
committee of either House of Congress with whom the registered lobbyist or an agent of a
foreign principal has had substantial lobbying contact.
(b) Waiver- This section may be waived in the Senate or the House of Representatives by
the Committee on Ethics or the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct based on a
compelling national need.
(c) Substantial Lobbying Contact- For purposes of this section, in determining whether a
registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign principal has had substantial lobbying contact
within the applicable period of time, the Member or committee of either House of Congress
shall take into consideration whether the individual's lobbying contacts have pertained to
pending legislative business, or related to solicitation of an earmark or other Federal
funding, particularly if such contacts included the coordination of meetings with the
Member or staff, involved presentations to staff, or participation in fundraising exceeding
the mere giving of a personal contribution. Simple social contacts with the Member or
committee of either House of Congress and staff, shall not by themselves constitute
substantial lobbying contacts.
SEC. 8. REPORTING BY SUBSTANTIAL LOBBYING ENTITIES.
`(a) In General- A substantial lobbying entity shall file on an annual basis with the Clerk of
the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the United States Senate a list of any
employee, individual under contract, or individual who provides paid consulting services
who is--`(1) a former United States Senator or a former Member of the United States House
of Representatives; or
`(2) a former congressional staff person who-`(A) made at least $100,000 in any 1 year as a congressional staff person;
`(B) worked for a total of 4 years or more as a congressional staff person; or
`(C) had a job title at any time while employed as a congressional staff person that
contained any of the following terms: `Chief of Staff', `Legislative Director', `Staff
Director', `Counsel', `Professional Staff Member', `Communications Director', or `Press
Secretary'.
`(b) Contents of Filing- The filing required by this section shall contain a brief job
description of each such employee, individual under contract, or individual who provides
paid consulting services, and an explanation of their work experience under subsection (a)
that requires this filing.
`(c) Improved Reporting of Substantial Lobbying Entities- The Joint Web site being
maintained by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives,
known as lobbyists.gov, shall include an easily searchable database entitled `Substantial
Lobbying Entities' that includes qualifying employees, individuals under contract, or
individuals who provide paid consulting services, under subsection (a).
`(d) Law Enforcement Oversight- The Clerk of the House of Representatives and the
Secretary of the Senate shall provide a copy of the filings of substantial lobbying entities to
the District of Columbia United States Attorney, to allow the District of Columbia United
States Attorney to determine whether any such entities are underreporting the Federal
lobbying activities of its employees, individuals under contract, or individuals who provide
paid consulting services.
`(e) Substantial Lobbying Entity- In this section, the term `substantial lobbying entity'
means an incorporated entity that employs more than 3 federally registered lobbyists during
a filing period.'.
SEC. 9. ENHANCED PENALTIES.
Violators may be punished with a fine up to `$500,000'.
113TH CONGRESS
2nd Session
S. 3135
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Ms. Baldwin introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee
on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
A BILL
Amends provisions of federal civil service law to extend employment-related and retirement
benefits to domestic partners of federal employees and to set forth requirements for establishing
and terminating a domestic partnership, including the filing of an affidavit attesting to the
existence and legitimacy of the partnership.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress
assembled, SECTION 1. Modifies provisions relating to the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS)
and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) to extend eligibility for annuity and survivor
benefits to current and former domestic partners of federal employees on the same basis as married
employees. Requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to prescribe regulations to provide
that domestic partners and former domestic partners shall be considered as spouses or former spouses
for purposes of creditable service determinations under CSRS and FERS.
Makes domestic partners of federal employees eligible for: (1) the federal employee group life
insurance (FEGLI) program, (2) federal employees health benefits (FEHB), (3) dental and vision
benefit plans, and (4) long-term care insurance coverage.
Adds "domestic partner" to the list of relatives subject to restrictions on federal employment of
relatives and related prohibitions.
Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to make provisions of that Act applicable to
domestic partners of federal employees to the same extent as married employees, including
provisions relating to financial disclosure, government-wide limitations on outside earned
income and employment, gifts to superiors and to federal employees, bribery, acceptance of
travel expenses from nonfederal sources, taxes on self-dealing, and disqualification of a justice,
judge, or magistrate judge.
113th CONGRESS
2nd SESSION
S. 3136
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Cruz of Texas introduced the following bill; which has been read twice and referred to the
Committee on Judiciary.
A BILL
To prohibit certain grants under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to States that do
not provide for certain minimal terms of imprisonment for certain child abusers, and for other
purposes.
SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE
This Act may be cited as the Child Protection Act of 2013
SECTION 2: IN GENERAL
The Secretary of Health and Human Services may not make a grant under section 106 or
under title II of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5101 et seq. ) to a
State until the date on which that States laws provide for a criminal punishment including a term
of imprisonment of not less than 3,800 days for any individual who
(1) is a parent or any other individual providing care to or supervision of a child of less than 16
years of age; and
(2) intentionally
(A) inflicts any serious bodily injury (as such term is defined in section 1365(h)(3) of title 18,
United States Code) on that child; or
(B) commits an assault upon that child which results in
(i) any serious bodily injury; or
(ii) permanent or protracted loss or impairment of any mental or emotional function of the child.
SEC. 3. EXPANSION OF PREDICATE FOR INCREASED PENALTIES FOR
CERTAIN DOMESTIC ASSAULTS.
Section 117(a)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting: ,or against the
child of or in the care of the person committing the domestic assault'' after ``intimate partner''.
SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
(a) In General.--The provisions of this Act, shall take effect beginning on the date of
enactment of this Act.
113TH CONGRESS
2nd SESSION
S.9999
Mr.JOHANNSintroducedthefollowingbill;whichwasreadtwiceandreferred
totheCommitteeonJudiciary.
A BILL
To begin a process of unification between the states of
Nebraska, South Dakota, for the purposes of greater harmony,
increased production, and stronger cultural unity.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. Short Title
This Act may be cited as the Great Dakota Unification Act
SECTION 2. Findings
Congress finds the following:
(1) The median population of a U.S. state in 2014 is 4.042 million. The average
population is 6.322 million people. Nebraska only has 1.869 million people.
North Dakota has 0.723 million people. South Dakota has 0.844 million people.
The three states combined would have a population of 3.437 million people,
which is much closer to the national median and average.
(2) The three states are each heavily dependent on farming, with farmland making up
93%, 89%, and 90% of the areas of Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota,
respectively.
(3) North Dakota and South Dakota previously existed as part of the greater Dakota
Territory, where they lived in harmony and peace until the Republican Party of
the 1870s sought to admit two states into the union to add to political power,
Following the passage of this bill, each state government must first vote in
agreement, with both houses of the North and South Dakota legislatures and the
single house of the Nebraska legislature each voting in majority support.
A majority of each states population must then vote in agreement in a general
plebiscite
Assuming full agreement and passage of the bill, the borders separating the states
will be dissolved and a new state of Great Dakota will be formed.
All state agencies, including law enforcement, education, environment, health,
transportation and many others will be united and consolidated
All state governments will be dissolved and a new state government will be
formed in a new capitol. The location of this new Capitol will be somewhere in
the center of the entire area of the state, in present-day South Dakota.
No other states will have their borders or governments changed as a result of this
bill.
Great Dakota will have a total of 2 senators and the appropriate number of
representatives in Congress based on its population.
Two stars will need to be removed from the national flag, as the nation now only
has 48 states total.