The POPVOX Blog

Articles Tagged weekly-round-up

  1. Weekly Bill Round Up: Week of 5/7

    by rachna on May 12, 2012

    Round Up: Week of 5/7

    Although no bill or resolution has been introduced regarding "Agenda 21" in this Congress, we decided to create a special opportunity for POPVOX users to weigh in on the policy based on users’ interest. "Agenda 21" has consistently been a popular bill search term on POPVOX. (Learn more about Agenda 21.) The "Agenda 21" page launched on Monday and quickly became the most popular policy item of the week among POPVOX users.

    Weigh in on the Top Bills of the Week

    • HR 3762 Occupational Therapy Mental Health Act
    • S 2343 Stop the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act (Senate began consideration May 7; will resume next week.)
    • HR 4170 Student Loan Forgiveness Act
    • HR 4628 Interest Rate Reduction Act (Passed by the House on May 4)
    • HR 4133 United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act (Passed by the House on May 10.)
    • HR 5050 Social Network Online Protection Act
    • HR 3523 Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act
    • HR 3608 Stop TSA's Reach in Policy Act
    • HR 4966 Sequester Replacement Act
    • HR 4816 Stop the Rate Hike Act (Just introduced.)
    • S 2366 Interest Rate Reduction Act (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4970 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (Just introduced. House Judiciary Committee markup May 8; possible House vote next week.)
    • HR 2072 Securing American Jobs Through Exports Act  (Passed by the House on May 9.)
    • S 2066 Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act
    • HR 4271 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (Companion bill to the version that passed the Senate.)
    • HR 5326 Commerce, Justice and Science FY 2013 Approps (House continues consideration.)
    • HR 4097 John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act (Passed by the House on May 7.)
    • HR 1956 Refundable Child Tax Credit Eligibility Verification Reform Act
    • HR 2297 To promote the development of the Southwest waterfront in the District of Columbia

    Other bills highlighted this week on POPVOX

    • HCR 106 HConRes 106 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. (Passed by the House on May 9.)
    • HCR 105 HConRes 105 authorizes the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to celebrate the birthday of King Kamehameha. (Passed by the House on May 9.)
    • HCR 118 HConRes 118 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run. (Passed by the House on May 9.)
    • S 1302 conveys a parcel of real property in Tracy, California, to the City of Tracy. (Passed by the House on May 7.)
    • HR 5652 The Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act provides for reconciliation pursuant to section 201 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2013. (Passed by the House on May 10.)
    • HR 4982 VAWA Reauthorization reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2366 The Interest Rate Reduction Act extends student loan interest rates for undergraduate Federal Direct Stafford Loans, "paid for with money from the health care law", according to the bill sponsor. 
    • HR 4310 National Defense Authorization Act of FY 2013. (House Committee markup.)
    • S2366 The Interest Rate Reduction Act (S 2366) extends student loan interest rates for undergraduate Federal Direct Stafford Loans, "paid for with money from the health care law", according to the bill sponsor. (Just introduced.)
    • S 797 The Paycheck Fairness Act (S 797) provides more effective remedies to victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex. (Senate may begin consideration next week.)

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  2. CISPA Tops Bills for the Second Week (April 27 - May 3)

    by rachna on May 4, 2012

    CISPA, the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (HR 3523), was the most popular bill of the week among POPVOX users for a second week in a row. Here's the full list (see links below) and we hope you weigh in on these bills and share this infographic with your friends and networks.

    Weigh in on the Top Bills of the Week

    • HR 3523 Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act
    • S 2066 Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act
    • HR 4170 Student Loan Forgiveness Act
    • HR 3359 Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act
    • HR 5050 Social Network Online Protection Act
    • HRes 624 Expressing support for National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day
    • S 2343 Stop the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act
    • HR 2096 Cybersecurity Enhancement Act
    • HR 3553 Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act
    • HR 4628 Interest Rate Reduction Act
    • HR 2592 Charitable Contribution Parity and Enhancement Act
    • S 2230 Paying a Fair Share Act
    • HR 2306 Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act
    • HR 838 Western Great Lakes Wolf Management Act
    • HR 2256 Pet Safety and Protection Act
    • HR 991 Polar Bear Conservation and Fairness Act
    • HRes 282 Expressing regret of the House for the Chinese Exclusion Act
    • SRes 446 Resolution that the UN should not exercise control over the Internet
    • S 1925 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
    • HR 3261 Stop Online Piracy Act

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  3. Weekly Bill Round Up: Week of 4/23

    by rachna on April 29, 2012

    Here are the bills that were worked on by Congress this past week. It's still not too late to weigh in on bills that will move from one house to the other. Thanks for using POPVOX!

    Round Up: Week of 4/23

    • HR 4628 The Interest Rate Reduction Act (HR 4628) "provides a one-year extension of the 3.4 percent subsidized Stafford Loan interest rate paid for by rolling back wasteful government spending," according to the bill sponsor. (Just introduced; passed by the House. Now goes to the Senate for consideration.)
    • HR 2096 The Cybersecurity Enhancement Act (HR 2096) advance cybersecurity research, development, and technical standards. (Passed by the House; now goes to the Senate for consideration. Read the White House SAP.)
    • HR 3834 The Advancing America's Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act (HR 3834) amends the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 to authorize activities for support of networking and information technology research. (Passed by the House; now goes to the Senate for consideration.)
    • HR 2240 The Lowell National Historical Park Land Exchange Act (HR 2240) authorizes the exchange of land or interest in land between Lowell National Historical Park and Lowell, Mass. (Passed by the House; now goes to the Senate for consideration.)
    • HR 2050 The Idaho Wilderness Water Resources Protection Act(HR 2050) authorizes the continued use of certain water diversions located on National Forest System land in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in Idaho. (Passed by the House; now goes to the Senate for consideration.)
    • S 2343 The Stop the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act (S 2343) extends student loan interest rates for undergraduate Federal Direct Stafford Loans for one year, paid for by closing a tax loophole, according to the bill sponsors. (Just introduced; see bill text.)
    • HR 4257 The Federal Information Security Amendments Act (HR 4257) revises requirements relating to Federal information security. (Passed by the House; now goes to the Senate for consideration.)
    • S 1925 VAWA Reauthorization (S 1925) reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act. (Senate passed, 68-31.)
    • HR 3336 The Small Business Credit Availability Act (HR 3336) ensures the exclusion of small lenders from certain regulations of the Dodd-Frank Act. (Passed by the House with a 312-111 vote; now goes to the Senate for consideration.)
    • HR 2146 The Digital Accountability and Transparency (DATA) Act (HR 2146) requires accountability and transparency in Federal spending. (Passed by the House by unanimous consent; now goes to the Senate for consideration.)
    • HR 1038 HR 1038 authorizes the conveyance of two small parcels of land within the boundaries of the Coconino National Forest containing private improvements that were developed based upon the reliance of the landowners in an erroneous survey conducted in May 1960. (Passed by the House.)
    • HR 2157 HR 2157 facilitates a land exchange involving National Forest System lands in the Inyo National Forest. (Passed by the House; now goes to the Senate for consideration.)
    • S 1789 The 21st Century Postal Service Act (S 1789) improves, sustains and transforms the United States Postal Service. (Passed by the Senate with a 62 to 37 vote; now goes to the House for consideration.)
    • SJRes 36 SJRes 36: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to representation election procedures, which takes effect April 30. (Passed by the Senate.)
    • HR 2947 HR 2947 provides for the release of the reversionary interest held by the U.S. in land conveyed by the U.S. in 1950 for an airport in Cook County, Minn. (Passed by the House; now goes to the Senate for consideration.)
    • HR 491 HR 491 modifies the boundaries of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico, to transfer certain Bureau of Land Management land for inclusion in the national forest. (Passed by the House; now goes to the Senate for consideration.)
    • HR 4471 The Gasoline Regulations Act (HR 4471) requires analyses of the cumulative impacts of certain rules and actions of the EPA that impact gasoline, diesel fuels, and natural gas prices, jobs and the economy. (Just introduced; House committee markup.)
    • HR 4480 The Strategic Energy Production Act (HR 4480) provides for the development of a plan to increase oil and gas exploration, development, and production under oil and gas leases of Federal lands. (Just introduced; House committee markup.)
    • S 1249 The Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act (S 1249) amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to facilitate the establishment of additional or expanded public target ranges in certain States. (Senate committee markup.)
    • S 810 The Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act (S 810) prohibits the conducting of invasive research on great apes. (Senate committee markup.)

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  4. Weekly Bill Round Up: Week of 4/16

    by rachna on April 21, 2012

    Here are the bills that caught the attention of the POPVOX team and POPVOXnation this past week. Have a bill you'd like spotlighted on POPVOX's Bill Page? Send me an email at rachna@popvox.com. 

    Round Up: Week of 4/16

    Newly Introduced Bills

    Curious about what bills were introduced in the past week? Here's the list.

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  5. Newly Introduced Bills in Congress: Week of April 16

    by rachna on April 21, 2012

    Congress returned from recess on April 16, and introduced a bunch of bills and resolutions -- so many that I didn't post them on the Bills Page. Here are a handful of the bills introduced this past week. We hope you'll weigh in on these bills and share the list with your friends and networks.

    • HR 4444 To reduce temporarily the rate of duty on parts of frames and mountings for spectacles, goggles, or the like.
    • HR 4421 To eliminate the separate income tax return form for the earned income credit, to require the information required by that form to be included on the appropriate income tax return forms, and to require the IRS to compute the earned income credit for taxpayers.
    • HR 4470 To require individual and group health insurance coverage and group health plans and Federal employees health benefit plans to provide coverage for routine HIV screening.
    • S Res 429 A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of World Malaria Day.
    • S Res 431 A resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair.
    • HR 4468 To extend the authority to make grants for specified energy property in lieu of tax credits.
    • HR 4469 To provide certain counties with the ability to receive television broadcast signals of their choice.
    • S Res 428 A resolution condemning the Government of Syria for crimes against humanity.
    • HR 4456 To suspend temporarily the duty on certain infants' products.
    • HR 4457 To require the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to take certain actions to reduce excessive speculation in energy markets.
    • S Res 427 A resolution to prevent the creation of duplicative and overlapping Federal programs.
    • HR 4454 To require the approval by the head of an agency for any conference costing more than $25,000.
    • S 2318 To authorize the Secretary of State to pay a reward to combat transnational organized crime and for information concerning foreign nationals wanted by international criminal tribunals.
    • S 2319 To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to modernize the integrated public alert and warning system of the U.S.
    • S 2321 To provide for the expansion, intensification, and coordination of the programs and activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect to Tourette syndrome.
    • S 2327 To prohibit direct foreign assistance to the Government of Egypt until the President makes certain certifications related to treatment of nongovernmental organization workers.
    • S 2325 To authorize further assistance to Israel for the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system.
    • S 2301 To help prevent the occurrence of cancer resulting from the use of ultraviolet tanning lamps by providing sufficient information to consumers regarding the health risks associated with the use of such devices.
    • S 2302 To extend the temporary suspension of duty on certain ski boots, cross country ski footwear, and snowboard boots.
    • S 2303 To require rulemaking by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to address considerations in evaluating the need for public and individual disaster assistance.
    • HR 4409 To provide for reforming and consolidating agencies of the Federal Government to improve efficiency and save money.
    • HR 4407 To amend the indemnification responsibilities applicable to the Secretary of Defense when Department of Defense property at military installations closed pursuant to a base closure law is conveyed to expand such indemnification responsibilities to include all military installations closed since October 24, 1988.
    • HR 4405 To impose sanctions on persons responsible for the detention, abuse, or death of Sergei Magnitsky, and for other gross violations of human rights in the Russian Federation.
    • HRes 625 Honoring the members of the United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam.
    • HR 4403 The Fiscal Responsibility in Federal Contracting Act (FRIFCA): To suspend the Davis-Bacon Act, through the end of fiscal year 2023.
    • HRes 627 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia should work within the framework of the United Nations process with Greece to achieve longstanding United States and United Nations policy goals of finding a mutually acceptable composite name, with a geographical qualifier and for all uses for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
    • HRes 628 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should preserve, enhance, and increase access to an open, global Internet.
    • HR 4404 To create a centralized website on reports issued by the Inspectors General.
    • HR 4401 To direct the Secretary of Defense to work with non-Federal entities and accept non-Federal funding under strict implementation guidelines to promote efficiencies of the space transportation infrastructure of the Department of Defense in commercial space activities.
    • HRes 629 Condemning violence by the Government of Syria against journalists, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on freedom of the press in Syria.
    • HR 4391 To require the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to take certain actions to reduce excessive speculation in energy markets.
    • HR 4390 To restrict institutions of higher education from using revenues derived from Federal educational assistance funds for advertising, marketing, or recruiting purposes. (Also S 2296.)
    • HR 4387 To allow for a reasonable compliance deadline for certain States subject to the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule. (Also S 2300.)
    • HR 4388 The Right to Habeas Corpus Act: To state that nothing in the Authorization for Use of Military Force or the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 shall be construed to deny the availability of the writ of habeas corpus for any person who is detained in the United States pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force in a court ordained or established by or under Article III of the Constitution.
    • HR 4394 The National Financial Literacy Act: To provide incentives to encourage financial institutions and small businesses to provide continuing financial education to customers, borrowers, and employees.
    • HR 4399 The Congressional Salary Reduction Act: To reduce the rates of pay of Members of Congress by 5 percent and eliminate future cost-of-living adjustments in such rates of pay.
    • SRes 424 A resolution condemning the mass atrocities committed by the Government of Syria and supporting the right of the people of Syria to be safe and to defend themselves.
    • HR 4395 To establish new procedures and requirements for the registration of cosmetic product manufacturing establishments, the submission of cosmetic product and ingredient statements, and the reporting of serious and unexpected cosmetic product adverse events.
    • HR 4398 The Racial Profiling Prevention Act: To provide grants to States in order to prevent racial profiling.
    • HR 4397 The Child Care Affordability Act: To allow a deduction for expenses paid for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment and to increase, and make refundable, the credit for such expenses.
    • S 2298 To improve the program of access to broadband telecommunications services in rural areas.
    • S 2297 To amend the Controlled Substances Act to make any substance containing hydrocodone a schedule II drug.
    • S 2299 The Servicemembers Rights Enforcement Improvement Act: To improve the provision of civil relief to members of the uniformed services and to improve the enforcement of employment and reemployment rights of such members.
    • S 2294 The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Fairness Act: To provide for continued conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, increase energy production from animal waste, improve transparency of Federal restoration efforts, and expand agricultural opportunities to participate in State voluntary water quality credit trading programs.
    • S 2293 The National Parent Helpline Act: To establish a national, toll-free telephone parent helpline to provide information and assistance to parents and caregivers of children to prevent child abuse and strengthen families.
    • HCR 116 Expressing the sense of the Congress that tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies have historically and continue to provide critical benefits to Americans and United States communities.
    • S 2295  The Patient Safety and Drug Labeling Improvement Act: To permit manufacturers of generic drugs to provide additional warnings with respect to such drugs in the same manner that the Food and Drug Administration allows brand names to do so. (Also, HR 4384.)
    • HR 4377 The Responsibly And Professionally Invigorating Development Act (RAPID Act): To provide for improved coordination of agency actions in the preparation and adoption of environmental documents for permitting determinations.
    • HR 4383 To streamline the application for permits to drill process and increase funds for energy project permit processing.
    • HR 4385 The RAISE Act: To amend the National Labor Relations Act to permit employers to pay higher wages to their employees.
    • HR 4379 The Woman's Opportunity to Raise Kids Act (WORK Act): To permit States to exempt single parents with children under 60 months of age from TANF participation rate requirements.
    • HR 4381 The Planning for American Energy Act: To direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish goals for an all-of-the-above energy production plan strategy on a 4-year basis on all onshore Federal lands managed by the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service.
    • HR 4350 The Safe Skies Act: To ensure that certain flight, duty, and rest requirements apply to all-cargo air operations.
    • HR 4349 The Communities Committed to College Tax Credit Act: To allow a credit against income tax for contributions to a trust used to provide need-based college scholarships. (Also S 2287.)
    • HR 4363 The Federal Employee Phased Retirement Act: To allow Federal employees to continue their public service while partially retired.
    • HR 4364 The Recess Appointment Restoration Act: To specify further conditions under which payment for the services of a recess appointee may not be made from the Treasury.
    • HR 4365 To make clear that accounts in the Thrift Savings Fund are subject to certain Federal tax levies.
    • HR 4367 To limit the fee disclosure requirement for an automatic teller machine to the screen of that machine.
    • HR 4372 To require the social security number of the student and the employer identification number of the educational institution for purposes of education tax credits, to permanently allow disclosure of return information to prison officials to prevent prisoners from filing false and fraudulent tax returns.
    • HRes 618 Expressing support for designation of 2012-2013 as the “Year of the Korean War Veteran” and recognizing the 60th anniversary of Korean War.
    • HR 4371 The Fairness for World War II and Korean War Spouses Act: To improve pensions for surviving spouses of World War II and Korean War veterans.
    • HR 4373 The Making Adoption Affordable ActTo make permanent the expansion of tax benefits for adoption enacted in 2001 and to permanently reinstate the expansion of tax benefits for adoption enacted in 2010.
    • HR 4374 To extend the increased limitation on the cover over of the tax on distilled spirits to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
    • HR 4375 The Small Business Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act: To provide a taxpayer bill of rights for small businesses. (Also S 2291.)
    • HR 4376 The Ending Tax Breaks for Discrimination Act: To deny all deductions for business expenses associated with the use of a club that discriminates on the basis of sex, race, or color.
    • S 2284 The Ending Tax Breaks for Discrimination Act: To amend the tax code to provide expensing for small businesses.
    • S 2289 The Better Pharmaceuticals and Devices for Children Act: To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to pediatric provisions.
    • S 2292 The Promoting Accountability, Transparency, Innovation, Efficiency, and Timeliness at FDA Act (PATIENTS' FDA Act): To promote accountability, transparency, innovation, efficiency, and timeliness at the Food and Drug Administration for America’s patients.

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  6. Weekly Bill Round Up: Week of 3/26

    by rachna on April 1, 2012

    Here are the bills that caught the attention of the POPVOX team and POPVOXnation this past week. Have a bill you'd like spotlighted on POPVOX's Bill Page? Send me an email at rachna@popvox.com

    Round Up: Week of 3/26

    • HR 4346 The REAL Beef Act (Requiring Easy & Accurate Labeling of Beef Act) amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act so that labels on packages of meat include a statement on whether the meat contains lean finely textured beef. (Just introduced.)
    • HRes612 Honoring the life of 17-year-old, Trayvon Martin, urging the State of Florida and others to repeal the Stand Your Ground law, and admonishing involved parties to pursue full investigations into all homicides, regardless of defenses asserted by the offender.(Just introduced.)
    • HR 3758 The Social Security Safety Dividend Act ensures that seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who receive Social Security and certain other Federal benefits receive a $250 payment in the event that no cost-of-living adjustment is payable in a calendar year. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4295 The CHOP Act establishes the Department of Energy and the Environment. (Just introduced.)
    • HRes 604 Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President exercised the recess appointment power despite the fact that neither the House of Representatives nor the Senate have been adjourned for a period in excess of three days during the Second Session of the 112th Congress. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4268 The Export-Import Bank Termination Act abolishes the Export-Import Bank of the United States. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4300 Makes permanent the authority to provide work-study allowance for certain activities by individuals receiving educational assistance by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4315 Provides for unlimited eligibility for health care for mental illnesses for veterans of combat service during certain periods of hostilities and war. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4317 Expands sanctions with respect to the energy sector of Iran. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4308 Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide growth and stability funding for the city of Detroit. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4312 Provides that fathers of certain permanently disabled or deceased veterans shall be included with mothers of such veterans as preference eligibles for treatment in the civil service. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2262 Reauthorizes and extends the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome prevention and services program. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2271 Extends the time for making S corporation elections. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2277 Responds to the extreme fire hazard and unsafe conditions resulting from pine beetle infestation, drought, disease, or storm damage by declaring a state of emergency and directing the Secretary of Agriculture to immediately implement hazardous fuels reduction projects. (And HR 4331) (Just introduced.)
    • SRes 413 Designates April 2012 as National Autism Awareness Month. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2255 Adds Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day as a patriotic and National observance. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2265 Covers screening computed tomography colonography as a colorectal cancer screening test under the Medicare program. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2268 Ensures that all items offered for sale in any gift shop of the National Park Service or of the National Archives and Records Administration are produced in the United States. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2260 The Accountability to Choices of Taxpayers in Our Nation’s Budget Priorities (ACTION) Act calls for a voluntary survey to be made a part of the 1040 tax forms, including space for taxpayers to indicate what they believe are appropriate allocations of funds to be spent in various government functions, and requires tax forms to provide taxpayers with information regarding current levels of federal spending in various categories of spending, according to the bill sponsor. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2259 Provides for an increase, effective December 1, 2012, in the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities. (Just introduced.)
    • SRes 412 A resolution commending the African Union for committing to a coordinated military response, comprised of 5,000 troops from Uganda, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan, in order to fortify ongoing efforts to arrest Joseph Kony and senior commanders of the Lord's Resistance Army and to stop the crimes against humanity and mass atrocities committed by them. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2250 Prevents homeowners from being forced to pay taxes on forgiven mortgage loan debt. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4332 Extends the period for a first applicant, with respect to a generic drug, to obtain tentative approval without forfeiting the 180-day exclusivity period. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4341 Establishes a working group to review TRICARE policy with respect to providing health care to children and determine how to improve such policy. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4340 Restricts assistance to Egypt unless the Government of Egypt holds free and fair elections. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4335 Allows the Postal Regulatory Commission to set aside determinations by the United States Postal Service to close or consolidate postal facilities that would deny essential postal services to rural areas, communities, or small towns. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4239 The Surface Transportation Extension Act provides an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund pending enactment of a multiyear law reauthorizing such programs. (House continues consideration.)
    • HConRes 112 The Ryan Budget Plan: the budget resolution for FY 2013. (Passed the House Budget Committee on 3/21; House completes consideration on Thursday.)
    • S 2204 The Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act eliminates unnecessary tax subsidies and promote renewable energy and energy conservation. (Senate continues to consider.)
    • S 2242 Repeals the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes. (Just introduced.)
    • HRes 601 Expresses support for designation of a "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day". (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4289 Enhances the disclosure of information on official foreign travel of Members and employees of Congress and imposes additional restrictions on such travel. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2248 Clarifies that a State has the sole authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing on Federal land within the boundaries of the State.(And HR 4322.) (Just introduced.)
    • S 2243 Establishes a program to provide incentive payments to participating Medicare beneficiaries who voluntarily establish and maintain better health. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4277 Establishes the National Full Employment Trust Fund to create employment opportunities for the unemployed. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4286 Restores and extends the grace period before repayment begins on Federal Direct Stafford loans and Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4287 Expands the definition of homeless veteran for purposes of benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4324 Expands the credit for employee health insurance expenses of small employers. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2230 The Paying a Fair Share Act (or the "Buffett Rule") reduces the deficit by imposing a minimum effective tax rate for high-income taxpayers. (Senate begins consideration Wednesday.)
    • HR 9 The Small Business Tax Cut Act amends the tax code to provide a deduction for domestic business income of qualified small businesses. (House committee markup Wednesday.)
    • HR 4269 More comprehensively address the interstate transportation of firearms or ammunition. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4271 VAWA Reauthorization reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4266 The Protecting Pregnant Women and Children From Hexavalent Chromium Act amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to protect the health of vulnerable individuals, including pregnant women, infants, and children, by requiring a health advisory and drinking water standard for hexavalent chromium. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4263 The Secure IT Act (HR 4263 and S 2151) improves information security (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4265 The Shared Responsibility In Preserving America's Future Act imposes a 5 percent tax on so much of adjusted gross income of any individual as exceeds $1,000,000, and provides incentive for Congress to pass a balanced budget amendment, or spending limit amendment, to the Constitution. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2204 The Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act eliminates unnecessary tax subsidies and promote renewable energy and energy conservation. (Senate continues to consider.)
    • HR 3298 The Homes For Heroes Act establishes the position of Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs in the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. (House vote Tuesday.)
    • HR 3309 The Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act provides for greater transparency and efficiency in the procedures followed by the Federal Communications Commission. (House vote Tuesday.)
    • HR 4261 The REVAMP with Community Colleges Act establishes a competitive grant program for community colleges to train veterans for local jobs. (Just introduced.)
    • HConRes 114 Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. should preserve, enhance, and increase access to an open, global Internet. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2236 The Advancing Breakthrough Therapies for Patients Act provides for the expedited development and evaluation of drugs designated as breakthrough drugs. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4259 The End Trafficking in Government Contracting Act prevents human trafficking in government contracting. (And S 2234) (Just introduced.)
    • HJRes 106 Proposes a Constitutional amendment to protect the rights of crime victims. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4262 The Cosmetics Safety Enhancement Act amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to improve the safety of cosmetics. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4257 The Federal Information Security Amendments Act revises requirements relating to Federal information security. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2237 The Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act provides a temporary income tax credit for increased payroll and extend bonus depreciation for an additional year. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2204 The Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act eliminates unnecessary tax subsidies and promote renewable energy and energy conservation. (Senate begins consideration on Monday.)
    • HR 2779 Exempts inter-affiliate swaps from certain regulatory requirements put in place by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. (House vote on Monday.)
    • HR 2682 The Business Risk Mitigation and Price Stabilization Act provides end user exemptions from certain provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act and the Securities Exchange Act. (House vote on Monday.)
    • HR 4014 Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act with respect to information provided to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (House vote on Monday.)
    • HR 4232 The RESTORE Act would amend the Freedom of Information Act to provide that the exemptions to that section shall not apply to matters relating to certain transactions executed by an instrumentality of the Federal Government operating in a commercial manner. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4231 The Gas Rebate Act would repeal certain tax breaks for gas and oil companies and refund the revenue savings to registered vehicle owners. (Just introduced.)

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  7. Weekly Bill Round Up: Week of 3/19

    by rachna on March 25, 2012

    Here are the bills that caught the attention of the POPVOX team and POPVOXnation this past week. Have a bill you'd like spotlighted on POPVOX's Bill Page? Send me an email at rachna@popvox.com

    Round Up: Week of 3/19

    • HR 5 The Protecting Access to Healthcare (PATH) Act incorporates the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act, as reported by the Judiciary and Energy and Commerce Committees; and HR 452, the Medicare Decisions Accountability Act, as reported by the Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce Committees.
    • HR 3606 The Reopening American Capital Markets to Emerging Growth Companies Act: The Senate begins consideration of the House passed JOBS Act.
    • HR 4224 The OPTION (Offering Patients True Individualized Options Now) Act repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, provides 100% deductibility for all health care expenses, including health insurance; increases contribution limits to Health Savings Accounts; moves Medicare to a premium assistance program; and allows consumers to purchase health insurance across state lines, according to the bill sponsor.
    • HR 9 The Small Business Tax Cut Act allows small businesses with fewer than 500 employees to take a tax deduction equal to 20% of their active business income, irrespective of how the small business is organized.
    • SJ Res 39 SJ Res 39: removes the deadline for ERA ratification.
    • S 2210 The No Pay Raise for Congress Act provides that Members of Congress shall not receive a cost of living adjustment in pay during 2013.
    • S 2219 The DISCLOSE Act amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to provide for additional disclosure requirements for corporations, labor organizations, Super PACs and other entities.
    • S 2213 The Respecting States’ Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act allows reciprocity for the carrying of certain concealed firearms.
    • HR 4225 The School Environment Protection Act requires schools to implement integrated pest management programs to minimize the use of pesticides in schools and provides parents, guardians, and employees with notice of the use of pesticides in schools.
    • HR 4221 The Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act creates jobs in the United States by increasing United States exports to Africa by at least 200 percent in real dollar value within 10 years.
    • HR 4210 The Restore our Neighborhoods Act provides $4,000,000,000 in new funding through bonding to empower States to undertake significant residential and commercial structure demolition projects in urban and other targeted areas.
    • HR 4208 The Fisheries Investment and Regulatory Relief Act (HR 4208 and S 2184) provides exclusive funding to support fisheries and the communities that rely upon them, and clear unnecessary regulatory burdens and streamline Federal fisheries management.
    • HR 4212 The Contaminated Drywall Safety Act designates drywall manufactured in China a banned hazardous product.
    • S 2205 The Second Amendment Sovereignty Act prohibits funding to negotiate a United Nations Arms Trade Treaty that restricts the Second Amendment rights of U.S. citizens.
    • HR 4203 The Women’s Procurement Program Improvement Act amends the Small Business Act with respect to the procurement program for women-owned small business concerns.
    • HR 4204 HR 4204 requires certain warning labels to be placed on video games that are given certain ratings due to violent content.
    • HR 3992 HR 3392 allows otherwise eligible Israeli nationals to receive E-2 nonimmigrant visas if similarly situated United States nationals are eligible for similar nonimmigrant status in Israel.
    • S 2189 The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act clarifies appropriate standards for Federal antidiscrimination and antiretaliation claims.
    • S 2195 The Congressional and Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act requires Members and employees of Congress and other Federal employees who file under the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to disclose delinquent tax liability.
    • S 2197 The Fairness in Disclosure of Evidence Act requires the attorney for the Government to disclose favorable information to the defendant in criminal prosecutions brought by the U.S.
    • S 2196 The Congressional Health Care for Seniors Act provides higher-quality, lower-cost health care to seniors.
    • S 2201 American Energy and Job Promotion Act amends the tax code to extend the renewable energy credit.
    • S 2198 The Commonsense Contractor Compensation Act implements common sense controls on the taxpayer-funded salaries of government contractors by limiting reimbursement for excessive compensation equal to the pay of the US President.
    • S 2200 The Saving Family Farms Act amends the tax code to exempt certain family-owned farms and businesses from the estate tax.
    • HR 4200 HR 4200 amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to prohibit the Attorney General from administering or enforcing certain accessibility regulations relating to pools at public accommodations or provided by public entities.
    • HR 4197 HR 4197 extends the authority to provide loan guarantees to Israel.
    • HR 4199 The Jets for Vets Act amends the tax code to close the corporate jet depreciation loophole and to increase the work opportunity tax credit for veterans.
    • HR 4201 The Servicemember Family Protection Act provides for the protection of child custody arrangements for parents who are members of the Armed Forces.
    • HR 4198 The Grand Canyon Tourism Jobs Projection Act provides standards for determining whether the substantial restoration of the natural quiet and experience of the Grand Canyon National Park has been achieved and to clarify regulatory authority with respect to commercial air tours operating over the Park.
    • HR 4078 The Regulatory Freeze for Jobs Act provides that no agency may take any significant regulatory action until the unemployment rate is equal to or less than 6.0 percent.

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  8. Weekly Bill Round Up: Week of 3/12

    by rachna on March 18, 2012

    Here are the bills that caught the attention of the POPVOX team and POPVOXnation this past week. Have a bill you'd like spotlighted on POPVOX's Bill Page? Send me an email at rachna@popvox.com

    Round Up: Week of 3/12

    • HR 3606 The JOBS Act jumpstarts our economy and restore opportunities for America’s primary job creators: our small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs, according to the House Majority Leader
    • S 2188 The National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act provides a national standard in accordance with which nonresidents of a State may carry concealed firearms in the State.
    • S 2190 The CROWDFUND Act amends the securities laws to provide for registration exemptions for certain crowdfunded securities. (Just introduced.)
    • S 1813 Map-21 reauthorizes Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2170 The Hatch Act Modernization Act allows state and local government employees covered by the Hatch Act to run for partisan elective office; and provides the Merit Systems Protection Board - the independent federal agency that adjudicates Hatch Act complaints - with flexibility to issue a range of penalties for Hatch Act violations. (The Hatch Act, enacted in 1939 and last amended in 1993, is a federal law that restricts political activity of federal employees, as well as state, local, and DC government employees whose positions are federally funded.) (According to the bill sponsors.) (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4158 HR 4158 confirms full ownership rights for certain U.S. astronauts to artifacts from the astronauts’ space missions. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4160 The State Health Flexibility Act replaces the Medicaid program and the Children’s Health Insurance program with a block grant to the States. (Just introduced.)
    • HRes 578 HRes 578 supports the goals and ideals of National Right to Keep and Bear Arms Week. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4173 Prevent Iran from Acquiring Nuclear Weapons and Stop War Through Diplomacy Act directs the President to appoint a high-level U.S. representative or special envoy for Iran for the purpose of ensuring that the U.S. pursues all diplomatic avenues to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, to avoid a war with Iran. (Just introduced.)

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  9. Weekly Bill Round Up: Week of 3/5

    by rachna on March 11, 2012

    Here are the bills that caught the attention of the POPVOX team and POPVOXnation this past week. Have a bill you'd like spotlighted on POPVOX's Bill Page? Send me an email at rachna@popvox.com

    Round Up: Week of 3/5

    • HR 3606 The JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Startups) Act is a legislative package designed to jumpstart our economy and restore opportunities for America’s primary job creators: our small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs, according to the House Majority Leader. (House vote this week.) 
    • HR 4146 The Upper Mississippi CARP Act authorizes the Secretary of the Army to take actions to manage the threat of Asian carp traveling up the Mississippi River in Minnesota. (And S 2164.) (Just introduced.)
    • S 2165 S 2165 enhances strategic cooperation between the US and Israel. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2162 S 2162 provides for the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed-upon properties and for the stabilization of affected neighborhoods. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4144 The Strengthening Economic Development Through Affordable Housing Act allows participating States to provide program funds to community development housing organizations for development of affordable housing. (Just introduced.)
    • HRes 573 H.Res. 573 supports the goals and ideals of National Women’s History Month. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4141 The International Food Assistance Improvement Act directs the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development to take appropriate actions to improve the nutritional quality, quality control, and cost effectiveness of U.S. food assistance. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4132 The FAST Act expedites approval of drugs for serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4135 The Western Hemisphere Energy Security Act permits the US companies to participate in the exploration for and the extraction of hydrocarbon resources from any portion of a foreign maritime exclusive economic zone that is contiguous to the exclusive economic zone of the US. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2160 S 2160 improves the examination of depository institutions. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 452 The Medicare Decisions Accountability Act repeals the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act providing for the Independent Payment Advisory Board. (Committee markup Monday.)
    • HR 4105 HR 4105 applies the countervailing duty provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 to nonmarket economy countries. (House vote this week.)
    • HR 2842 The Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act authorizes all Bureau of Reclamation conduit facilities for hydropower development under Federal Reclamation law. (House vote this week.)
    • HR 4106 The Working Families Flexibility Act permits employees to request, and ensures employers consider requests for, flexible work terms and conditions. (And S 2142) (Just introduced.)
    • SRes 386 SRes 386 - a resolution calling for free and fair elections in Iran. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4126 The Voter ID Accessibility Act amends the Motor Voter Law to expand access to photo identification in those states that require it for voting. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4128 The Real Unemployment Calculation Act requires the Bureau of Labor Statistics to factor, as the primary measurement of unemployment by the federal government, individuals who give up looking for work—currently reflected in the U-5 calculation, according to the bill sponsor. (Just introduced.)

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  10. Weekly Bill Round Up: Week of 2/20

    by rachna on February 26, 2012

    Here are the bills that caught the attention of the POPVOX team and POPVOXnation this past week. Have a bill you'd like spotlighted on POPVOX's Bill Page? Send me an email at rachna@popvox.com

    Round Up: Week of 2/20

    • S 2118 The Health Care Bureaucrats Elimination Act removes unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats from seniors’ personal health decisions by repealing the Independent Payment Advisory Board.
    • S 2115 The State Water Partnership Act limits the authority of the EPA Administrator with respect to certain numeric nutrient criteria.
    • HR 4070 HR 4070 clarifies certain provisions relating to the interests of Iran in certain assets.
    • HR 4066 The Health Information Technology Reform Act excludes pathologists from incentive payments and penalties under Medicare and Medicaid relating to the meaningful use of electronic health records.
    • S 2117 The Adult Education and Economic Growth Act increases access to adult eduction to provide for economic growth.
    • HConRes 101 H Con Res 101 expresses the sense of the Congress that our current tax incentives for retirement savings provide important benefits to Americans to help plan for a financially secure retirement.
    • S Res 380 S Res 380 expresses the sense of the Senate regarding the importance of preventing the Government of Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability.
    • S 2120 The Prompt Notification of Short Sales Act requires the lender or servicer of a home mortgage upon a request by the homeowner for a short sale, to make a prompt decision whether to allow the sale.
    • S 2111 The Cyber Crime Protection Security Act enhances punishment for identity theft and other violations of data privacy and security. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2105 The Cybersecurity Act enhances the security and resiliency of the cyber and communications infrastructure of the United States.
    • S Res 379 S Res 379 condemns violence by the Government of Syria against the Syrian people.
    • HR 4063 The Gun-Free National Parks Act restores the ban on carrying a loaded gun in a national park or wildlife refuge. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4054 The Restore Public Trust Act the disclosure of political intelligence activities and enhances the prosecution of public corruption, which were two provisions that were not included in the House-passed STOCK Act, according to the bill sponsors.

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  11. Weekly Bill Round Up: Week of 2/6

    by rachna on February 13, 2012

    Here are the bills that caught the attention of the POPVOX team and POPVOXnation this past week. Have a bill you'd like spotlighted on POPVOX's Bill Page? Send me an email at rachna@popvox.com

    Round Up: Week of 2/6

    • HR 306 The Corolla Wild Horses Protection Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement to provide for management of the free-roaming wild horses in and around the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. (House passed on Feb. 6; now goes to the Senate for consideration.)
    • S 2038 The STOCK Act prohibits Members of Congress and employees of Congress from using nonpublic information derived from their official positions for personal benefit. (This bill passed in the Senate and the House, but the House made changes and sent it back to the Senate on Feb. 9.)
    • HR 3581 The Budget and Accounting Transparency Act increases transparency in Federal budgeting. (House passed on Feb. 7; now goes to the Senate for consideration.)
    • HR 3521 The Expedited Legislative Line-Item Veto and Rescissions Act provides for a legislative line-item veto to expedite consideration of rescissions. (House passed on Feb. 8; now goes to the Senate for consideration.)
    • HR 1734 The Civilian Property Realignment Act decreases the deficit by realigning, consolidating, selling, disposing, and improving the efficiency of federal buildings and other civilian real property. (House passed on Feb. 7; now goes to the Senate for consideration.)
    • S 1945 S 1945 permits the televising of Supreme Court proceedings. (Reported by Senate committee on Feb. 9.)
    • HR 3897 The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (S 2043) provides religious conscience protections for individuals and organizations. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 3903 The Paying a Fair Share Act (and S 2059) implements the Buffett Rule and reduces the deficit by imposing a minimum effective tax rate for high-income taxpayers. (Just introduced.)

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

  12. Entrepreneur Magazine--They've Got Your Backers

    by annalee on September 1, 2011

    They've Got Your Backers in Entrepreneur Magazine

(For media inquiries, please contact Marci Harris, POPVOX’s CEO, at info@popvox.com.)

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