BILLS PASSED IN CONGRESS
The following are the bills the House and Senate passed last month. The bills were passed by voice vote except where indicated. Roll call votes for the House are found here, and for the Senate here. The descriptions of bills are essentially taken verbatim from the Congressional Record Daily Digest (Index).
Page numbers of bills are based on the pdf display of the latest version from the Government Printing Office.
SENATE 29 bills, 258 pages
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act: Senate passed S. 3552, to reauthorize the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. 72 pages
European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act: Senate passed S. 1956, to prohibit operators of civil aircraft of the United States from participating in the European Union's emissions trading scheme, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, 6 pages
Enabling Energy Saving Innovations Act: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4850, to allow for innovations and alternative technologies that meet or exceed desired energy efficiency goals, 4 pages
Jaime Zapata Border Enforcement Security Task Force Act: Senate passed H.R. 915, to establish a Border Enforcement Security Task Force program to enhance border security by fostering coordinated efforts among Federal, State, and local border D903and law enforcement officials to protect United States border cities and communities from trans-national crime, including violence associated with drug trafficking, arms smuggling, illegal alien trafficking and smuggling, violence, and kidnapping along and across the international borders of the United States, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. 8 pages
Trademark Dilution Correction: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 6215, to amend the Trademark Act of 1946 to correct an error in the provisions relating to remedies for dilution, and the bill was then passed. 4 pages
Billfish Conservation Act: Senate passed H.R. 2706, to prohibit the sale of billfish.6 pages
Robert H. Jackson United States Courthouse: Senate passed H.R. 3556, to designate the new United States courthouse in Buffalo, New York, as the “Robert H. Jackson United States Courthouse''. 4 pages
Alto Lee Adams, Sr., United States Courthouse: Senate passed H.R. 1791, to designate the United States courthouse under construction at 101 South United States Route 1 in Fort Pierce, Florida, as the “Alto Lee Adams, Sr., United States Courthouse''. 4 pages
Robert Boochever United States Courthouse: Senate passed H.R. 4347, to designate the United States courthouse located at 709 West 9th Street in Juneau, Alaska, as the “Robert Boochever United States Courthouse''. 4 pages
James F. Battin United States Courthouse: Senate passed S. 3311, to designate the United States courthouse located at 2601 2nd Avenue North, Billings, Montana, as the “James F. Battin United States Courthouse''. 4 pages
Patent Law Treaties Implementation Act: Senate passed S. 3486, to implement the provisions of the Hague Agreement and the Patent Law Treaty, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. 28 pages
Barona Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Clarification Act: Senate passed S. 3193, to make technical corrections to the legal description of certain land to be held in trust for the Barona Band of Mission Indians, 6 pages
Burma: Senate passed H.R. 6431, to provide flexibility with respect to United States support for assistance provided by international financial institutions for Burma. 4 pages
Mark Twain Commemorative Coin Act: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2453, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of Mark Twain, and the bill was then passed, 10 pages
FDA User Fees: Senate passed H.R. 6433, to make corrections with respect to Food and Drug Administration user fees. 4 pages
NASA Artifacts: Senate passed H.R. 4158, to confirm full ownership rights for certain United States astronauts to artifacts from the astronauts' space missions. 4 pages
SAFE DOSES Act: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4223, to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit theft of medical products, and the bill was then passed. 12 pages
VA Major Construction Authorization and Expiring Authorities Extension Act: Senate passed H.R. 6375, to authorize certain Department of Veterans Affairs major medical facility projects, to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain authorities of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 8 pages
GAO Mandates Revision Act: Senate passed S. 3315, to repeal or modify certain mandates of the Government Accountability Office, after agreeing to the committee amendment, 6 pages
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2838, to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal years 2013 through 2014, and the bill was then passed, 8 pages
Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review Act: Senate passed S. 3341, to require a quadrennial diplomacy and development review. 10 pages
Divisional Realignment Act: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 5512, to amend title 28, United States Code, to realign divisions within two judicial districts, and the bill was then passed. 4 pages
Reporting Efficiency Improvement Act: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 6189, to eliminate unnecessary reporting requirements for unfunded programs under the Office of Justice Programs, and the bill was then passed. 4 pages
Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Judgment Fund Distribution Act: Senate passed H.R. 1272, to provide for the use and distribution of the funds awarded to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, et al, by the United States Court of Federal Claims in Docket Numbers 19 and 188. 10 pages
Lowell National Historical Park Land Exchange Act: Senate passed H.R. 2240, to authorize the exchange of land or interest in land between Lowell National Historical Park and the city of Lowell in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 4 pages
New York City Natural Gas Supply Enhancement Act: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2606, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to allow the construction and operation of natural gas pipeline facilities in the Gateway National Recreation Area, and the bill was then passed, 8 pages
Lions Clubs International Century of Service Commemorative Coin Act: Senate passed H.R. 2139, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of the establishment of Lions Clubs International. 10 pages
Commercial Driver's Licenses: Senate passed S. 3624, to amend section 31311 of title 49, United States Code, to permit States to issue commercial driver's licenses to members of the Armed Forces whose duty station is located in the State. 4 pages
Internet Publication Date Requirements: Senate passed S. 3625, to change the effective date for the internet publication of certain information to prevent harm to the national security or endangering the military officers and civilian employees to whom the publication requirement applies. 8 pages
HOUSE 62 bills, 751 pages
Cabin Fee Act: H.R. 3397, amended, to modify the Forest Service Recreation Residence Program by implementing a simple, equitable, and predictable procedure for determining cabin user fees; 12 pages
Billfish Conservation Act: H.R. 2706, amended, to prohibit the sale of billfish; 6 pages
North Texas Zebra Mussel Barrier Act of 2012: H.R. 6007, amended, to exempt from the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 certain water transfers by the North Texas Municipal Water District and the Greater Texoma Utility Authority; 4 pages
American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2012: H.R. 2489, amended, to authorize the acquisition and protection of nationally significant battlefields and associated sites of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 under the American Battlefield Protection Program; 6 pages
Lions Clubs International Century of Service Commemorative Coin Act: H.R. 2139, amended, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of the establishment of Lions Clubs International, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 376 yeas to 2 nays with 1 answering “present'', Roll No. 558; 10 pages
Requiring a study of voluntary community-based flood insurance options and how such options could be incorporated into the national flood insurance program: H.R. 6186, to require a study of voluntary community-based flood insurance options and how such options could be incorporated into the national flood insurance program, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 364 yeas to 11 nays, Roll No. 559; 6 pages
Revising the authority of the Librarian of Congress to accept gifts and bequests on behalf of the Library: H.R. 6122, to revise the authority of the Librarian of Congress to accept gifts and bequests on behalf of the Library, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 377 yeas with none voting “nay'', Roll No. 557; 4 pages
Amending the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to permit candidates for election for Federal office to designate an individual who will be authorized to disburse funds: H.R. 406, to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to permit candidates for election for Federal office to designate an individual who will be authorized to disburse funds of the authorized campaign committees of the candidate in the event of the death of the candidate; 6 pages
Directing the Joint Committee on the Library to accept a statue depicting Frederick Douglass from the District of Columbia: H.R. 6336, amended, to direct the Joint Committee on the Library to accept a statue depicting Frederick Douglass from the District of Columbia and to provide for the permanent display of the statue in Emancipation Hall of the Capitol Visitor Center. 6 pages
Government Spending Accountability Act of 2012: H.R. 4631, amended, to require quarterly reports on agency conferences and meetings; 10 pages
Government Customer Service Improvement Act: H.R. 538, amended, to require the establishment of customer service standards for Federal agencies; 6 pages
Child and Elderly Missing Alert Program: H.R. 4305, amended, to authorize the Attorney General to provide a grant to assist Federal, State, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies in the rapid recovery of missing individuals; 8 pages
Amending the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to reauthorize the Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program: H.R. 2800, amended, to amend the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to reauthorize the Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program; 4 pages
Local Courthouse Safety Act of 2012: H.R. 6185, amended, to improve security at State and local courthouses; 6 pages
Amending the Trademark Act of 1946 to correct an error in the provisions relating to remedies for dilution: H.R. 6215, amended, to amend the Trademark Act of 1946 to correct an error in the provisions relating to remedies for dilution; 4 pages
Reporting Efficiency Improvement Act: H.R. 6189, amended, to eliminate unnecessary reporting requirements for unfunded programs under the Office of Justice Programs; 4 pages
Making improvements in the enactment of title 41, United States Code, into a positive law title and to improve the Code: H.R. 6080, to make improvements in the enactment of title 41, United States Code, into a positive law title and to improve the Code; 79 pages
Improving Transparency of Education Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2012: H.R. 4057, amended, to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop a comprehensive policy to improve outreach and transparency to veterans and members of the Armed Forces through the provision of information on institutions of higher learning; 18 pages
No-Hassle Flying Act of 2012: H.R. 6028, amended, to authorize the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) to modify screening requirements for checked baggage arriving from preclearance airports; 6 pages
Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act: S. 710, amended, to amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of D842the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a hazardous waste electronic manifest system; 24 pages
Extending the Undertaking Spam, Spyware, and Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers Beyond Borders Act of 2006: H.R. 6131, to extend the Undertaking Spam, Spyware, And Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers Beyond Borders Act of 2006; 4 pages
Vietnam Human Rights Act: H.R. 1410, amended, to promote freedom and democracy in Vietnam; 22 pages
North Korean Refugee Adoption Act: H.R. 1464, to develop a strategy for assisting stateless children from North Korea; 8 pages
FHA Emergency Fiscal Solvency Act of 2012: H.R. 4264, amended, to help ensure the fiscal solvency of the FHA mortgage insurance programs of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 402 yeas to 7 nays, Roll No. 562. 24 pages
Frederick Douglass Statue: Senate passed H.R. 6336, to direct the Joint Committee on the Library to accept a statue depicting Frederick Douglass from the District of Columbia and to provide for the permanent display of the statue in Emancipation Hall of the United States Capitol. 6 pages
Minnesota Education Investment and Employment Act: The House passed H.R. 5544, to authorize and expedite a land exchange involving National Forest System land in the Laurentian District of the Superior National Forest and certain other National Forest System land in the State of Minnesota that has limited recreational and conservation resources and lands owned by the State of Minnesota in trust for the public school system that are largely scattered in checkerboard fashion within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and have important recreational, scenic, and conservation resources, by a recorded vote of 225 ayes to 189 noes, Roll No. 568. 10 pages
FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012: The House passed H.R. 5949, to extend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 for five years, by a yea-and-nay vote of 301 yeas to 118 nays, Roll No. 569. 4 pages
Stolen Valor Act of 2012: H.R. 1775, amended, to amend title 18, United States Code, to establish a criminal offense relating to fraudulent claims about military service, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 410 yeas to 3 nays, Roll No. 575 4 pages
Extending by 3 years the authorization of the EB-5 Regional Center Program, the E-Verify Program, the Special Immigrant Nonminister Religious Worker Program, and the Conrad State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program: S. 3245, to extend by 3 years the authorization of the EB-5 Regional Center Program, the E-Verify Program, the Special Immigrant Nonminister Religious Worker Program, and the Conrad State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 412 yeas to 3 nays, Roll No. 580. 4 pages
National Security and Job Protection Act: The House passed H.R. 6365, to amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to replace the sequester established by the Budget Control Act of 2011, by a recorded vote of 223 ayes to 196 noes, Roll No. 577. 12 pages
No More Solyndras Act: The House passed H.R. 6213, to limit further taxpayer exposure from the loan guarantee program established under title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, by a recorded vote of 245 ayes to 161 noes, Roll No. 584. 14 pages
Reauthorizing the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act: Agreed by unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and pass S. 3552, to reauthorize the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. 22 pages
Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Extension Act of 2012: H.R. 6060, to amend Public Law 106-392 to maintain annual base funding for the Upper Colorado and San Juan fish recovery programs through fiscal year 2019; 6 pages
Mescalero Apache Tribe Leasing Authorization Act: H.R. 1461, amended, to authorize the Mescalero Apache Tribe to lease adjudicated water rights; 6 pages
Allowing the Pascua Yaqui Tribe to determine the requirements for membership in that tribe: H.R. 3319, amended, to allow the Pascua Yaqui Tribe to determine the requirements for membership in that tribe; 4 pages
Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act of 2012: H.R. 3783, amended, to provide for a comprehensive strategy to counter Iran's growing presence and hostile activity in the Western Hemisphere; 14 pages
Confirm full ownership rights for certain United States astronauts to artifacts from the astronauts' space missions: H.R. 4158, to confirm full ownership rights for certain United States astronauts to artifacts from the astronauts' space missions (agreed by unanimous consent that the previous ordering of the yeas and nays on the motion that the House suspend the rule and pass H.R. 4158 be vacated, to the end that the Chair put the question de novo); 4 pages
Veterans Fiduciary Reform Act of 2012: H.R. 5948, amended, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the supervision of fiduciaries of veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; 42 pages
VA Major Construction Authorization and Expiring Authorities Extension Act of 2012: H.R. 6375, amended, to authorize certain Department of Veterans Affairs major medical facility projects and leases, to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain authorities of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; 8 pages
Cutting Federal Unnecessary and Expensive Leasing Act of 2012: H.R. 6324, to reduce the number of nonessential vehicles purchased and leased by the Federal Government; 6 pages
Buffett Rule Act of 2012: H.R. 6410, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for taxpayers making donations with their returns of income tax to the Federal Government to pay down the public debt; 6 pages
Andrew P. Carpenter Tax Act: H.R. 5044, amended, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from gross income any discharge of indebtedness income on education loans of deceased veterans, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 400 yeas with none voting “nay'', Roll No. 585; 6 pages
FEMA Reauthorization Act of 2012: H.R. 2903, amended, to reauthorize the programs and activities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency; 6 pages
Amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to prohibit the use of public funds for political party conventions: H.R. 5912, amended, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to prohibit the use of public funds for political party conventions, and to provide for the return of previously distributed funds for deficit reduction, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 310 yeas to 95 nays, Roll No. 586; 4 pages
Disaster Loan Fairness Act of 2012: H.R. 6296, amended, to amend the Small Business Act to provide the interest rate for certain disaster related loans; 6 pages
Border Security Information Improvement Act of 2012: H.R. 6368, amended, to require the Department of Justice, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, to provide a report to Congress on the Departments' ability to track, investigate and quantify cross-border violence along the Southwest Border and provide recommendations to Congress on how to accurately track, investigate, and quantify cross-border violence; 6 pages
Vulnerable Veterans Housing Reform Act of 2012: H.R. 6361, amended, to exclude from consideration as income under the United States Housing Act of 1937 payments of pension made under section 1521 of title 38, United States Code, to veterans who are in need of regular aid and attendance; 16 pages
Providing flexibility with respect to United States support for assistance provided by international financial institutions for Burma: H.R. 6431, to provide flexibility with respect to United States support for assistance provided by international financial institutions for Burma; 4 pages
Amending the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to clarify provisions relating to the regulation of municipal advisors: H.R. 2827, amended, to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to clarify provisions relating to the regulation of municipal advisors; 14 pages
Global Investment in American Jobs Act of 2012: H.R. 5910, amended, to direct the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, to produce a report on enhancing the competitiveness of the United States in attracting foreign direct investment; 10 pages
Contaminated Drywall Safety Act of 2012: H.R. 4212, amended, to designate drywall manufactured in China a banned hazardous product; 10 pages
Amending title IV of the Public Health Service Act to provide for a National Pediatric Research Network, including with respect to pediatric rare diseases or conditions: H.R. 6163, amended, to amend title IV of the Public Health Service Act to provide for a National Pediatric Research Network, including with respect to pediatric rare diseases or conditions; 8 pages
Taking Essential Steps for Testing Act of 2012: H.R. 6118, to amend section 353 of the Public Health Service Act with respect to suspension, revocation, and limitation of laboratory certification; 4 pages
Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act of 2012: H.R. 4124, amended, to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide grants to States to streamline State requirements and procedures for veterans with military emergency medical training to become civilian emergency medical technicians; 6 pages
Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act: H.R. 733, amended, to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for a Pancreatic Cancer Initiative. 10 pages
Making corrections with respect to Food and Drug Administration user fees: The House agreed to discharge from committee and pass H.R. 6433, to make corrections with respect to Food and Drug Administration user fees. 4 pages
Coal Miner Employment and Domestic Energy Infrastructure Protection Act: The House passed H.R. 3409, to limit the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to issue regulations before December 31, 2013, under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, by a recorded vote of 233 ayes to 175 noes, Roll No. 603. Consideration of the measure began yesterday, September 20th. 96 pages
Military Commercial Driver's License Act of 2012: The House agreed to discharge from committee and pass S. 3624, to amend section 31311 of title 49, United States Code, to permit States to issue commercial driver's licenses to members of the Armed Forces whose duty station is located in the State. 4 pages
Changing the effective date for the internet publication of certain information to prevent harm to the national security: The House agreed to take from the Speaker's table and pass S. 3625, to change the effective date for the internet publication of certain information to prevent harm to the national security or endangering the military officers and civilian employees to whom the publication requirement applies. 8 pages
Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012: The House agreed to discharge from committees and pass S. 743, as amended, to amend chapter 23 of title 5, United States Code, to clarify the disclosures of information protected from prohibited personnel practices, to require a statement in nondisclosure policies, forms, and agreements that such policies, forms, and agreements conform with certain disclosure protections, and to provide certain authority for the Special Counsel. 70 pages