Summary: Government Shutdown Prevention Act - Provides for automatic continuing appropriations if any regular appropriation for a fiscal year (or, if applicable, for each fiscal year in a biennium) does not become law before the beginning of such fiscal year, or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect. Appropriates amounts necessary to continue any project or activity for which funds were provided in the preceding fiscal year: (1) in the corresponding regular appropriation Act for such preceding fiscal year; or (2) if such legislation did not become law, then in the joint resolution making continuing appropriations for such preceding fiscal year. Requires the appropriations and funds made available, and authority granted, for any fiscal year for a project or activity to be available for the period beginning with the first day of a lapse in appropriations and ending with the earlier of: (1) the date on which the applicable regular appropriation bill for such fiscal year becomes law (whether or not such law provides for such project or activity) or a continuing resolution making appropriations becomes law, as the case may be; or (2) the last day of such fiscal year.

government shutdown prevention act provides automatic continuing appropriations regular appropriation fiscal year applicable fiscal year law beginning fiscal year joint resolution making continuing appropriations effect appropriates amounts necessary continue project activity funds provided preceding fiscal year corresponding regular appropriation act preceding fiscal year legislation law joint resolution making continuing appropriations preceding fiscal year requires appropriations funds available authority granted fiscal year project activity available period beginning day lapse appropriations ending earlier date applicable regular appropriation bill fiscal year law law provides project activity continuing resolution making appropriations law case day fiscal year


Summary: U.S. Capitol Police and Library of Congress Police Merger Implementation Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Transfers each Library of Congress (LOC) police employee and each LOC civilian employee to the U.S. Capitol Police. States that: (1) a LOC Police employee shall become a member of the Capitol Police on the employee's transfer date if the Chief of the Capitol Police determines and issues a written certification that the employee meets specified eligibility requirements; and (2) if the Chief determines that such requirements are not met, then such employee shall become a civilian employee of the Capitol Police. Requires the determination to be made for all LOC Police employees before FY2010. Exempts LOC Police employees who become members of the Capitol Police from federal mandatory separation law, subject to specified conditions. Entitles any creditable service accrued by such LOC Police employees before becoming a Capitol Police to be included in calculating the employee's service as a member of the Capitol Police for purposes of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Provides that: (1) the transfer of such personnel shall not cause any such employee to be separated or receive a reduction in pay; and (2) any credited annual, sick leave, other leave, or compensatory leave of the individual shall be transferred to the individual's credit as a member or employee of the Capitol Police. Prohibits the Chief from imposing a probationary period with respect to any individual transferred under this Act. Cancels a specified portion of the unobligated balance of the FEDLINK Revolving Fund for the Federal Library and Information Network (FEDLINK) program of the Library of Congress and its Federal Research program. (Sec. 5) Requires the Librarian of Congress to establish standards and regulations for the physical security, control, and preservation of the Library of Congress collections and property, and or maintenance of suitable order and decorum within the Library. (Sec. 6) Amends the Library of Congress Fiscal Operations Improvement Act of 2000 to provide for payment of Capitol Police services for Library of Congress special events.

capitol_police library_of_congress police merger implementation act sec transfers library_of_congress loc police employee loc civilian employee capitol_police states loc police employee shall member capitol_police employee transfer date chief capitol_police determines issues written certification employee meets specified eligibility requirements chief determines requirements met employee shall civilian employee capitol_police requires determination loc police employees fy2010 exempts loc police employees members capitol_police federal mandatory separation law subject specified conditions entitles creditable service accrued loc police employees capitol_police included calculating employee service member capitol_police purposes federal_employees_retirement_system fers civil_service_retirement_system csrs provides transfer personnel shall cause employee separated receive reduction pay credited annual sick leave leave compensatory leave individual shall transferred individual credit member employee capitol_police prohibits chief imposing probationary period respect individual transferred act cancels specified portion unobligated balance revolving fund federal library information network program library_of_congress federal research program sec requires librarian congress establish standards regulations physical security control preservation library_of_congress collections property maintenance suitable order library sec amends library_of_congress fiscal operations improvement act provide payment capitol_police services library_of_congress special events


Summary: Earmark Reform Act 2007 - Amends the Congressional Budget of 1974 to subdivide amounts allocated to the congressional appropriations committees into: (1) a specified total of new budget authority and outlays for earmarks in appropriations measures for the first fiscal year of the first concurrent budget resolution; and (2) an amount of total new budget authority and outlays for such earmarks for the first fiscal year of each ensuing budget resolution equal to 1% of total new budget authority and total outlays allocated to such committees. (Thus caps total earmarks at 1% of total new budget authority and total outlays allocated each fiscal year to such committees.) Makes it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, or amendment if its enactment would cause the applicable allocation of new budget authority or outlays for a fiscal year to be exceeded.

earmark reform_act amends congressional_budget amounts allocated congressional appropriations committees specified total new budget authority outlays earmarks appropriations measures fiscal year concurrent budget resolution total new budget authority outlays earmarks fiscal year ensuing budget resolution equal total new budget authority total outlays allocated committees caps total earmarks total new budget authority total outlays allocated fiscal year committees makes order house_of_representatives senate consider bill joint resolution amendment enactment cause applicable allocation new budget authority outlays fiscal year exceeded


Summary: Senior Executive Service Diversity Assurance Act - Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish within OPM the Senior Executive Service Resource Office to make recommendations to the Director with respect to regulations, and to provide guidance to agencies, concerning the structure, management, and diverse composition of the Senior Executive Service (SES).Makes it the Office's mission to: (1) improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity of the SES through policy formulation and oversight; (2) advance the professionalism of the SES; and (3) ensure that, in seeking to achieve an SES reflective of the nation's diversity, recruitment is from qualified individuals from appropriate sources.Requires the Office to make statistics concerning career reserved positions accessible to the public through the official public website of OPM.Revises the career appointments recruiting process to require agency heads to ensure diversity of executive resources boards, and any subgroup or other evaluation panel related to the merit staffing process for career appointees, by including members of racial and ethnic minority groups, women, and individuals with disabilities. Requires the Director to promulgate necessary regulations and report to Congress on agency efforts to improve diversity in executive resources boards and of qualifications review boards, based on the collection of statistics concerning race, ethnicity, sex, and disability required by this Act.Requires each agency, within one year after enactment of this Act, to submit to OPM a plan to enhance and maximize opportunities for the advancement and appointment of minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities in the agency to the SES. Requires the plans to: (1) address how the agency is identifying and eliminating barriers that impair the ability of such employees to obtain appointments and any actions the agency is taking to provide advancement opportunities; and (2) be updated at least biennially. Requires the Director to report to Congress on plans and updates.

senior_executive_service diversity assurance act_-_requires director office_of_personnel_management opm establish opm senior_executive_service resource office recommendations director respect regulations provide guidance agencies concerning structure management diverse composition senior_executive_service office mission improve efficiency effectiveness productivity ses policy formulation oversight advance professionalism ses ensure seeking achieve ses reflective nation diversity recruitment qualified individuals appropriate sources requires office statistics concerning career reserved positions accessible public official public website career appointments recruiting process require agency heads ensure diversity executive resources boards subgroup evaluation panel related merit staffing process career appointees including members racial ethnic minority groups women individuals disabilities requires director promulgate necessary regulations report congress agency efforts improve diversity executive resources boards qualifications review boards based collection statistics concerning race ethnicity sex disability required act requires agency year enactment act submit opm plan enhance maximize opportunities advancement appointment minorities women individuals disabilities agency ses requires plans address agency identifying eliminating barriers impair ability employees obtain appointments actions agency taking provide advancement opportunities updated biennially requires director report congress plans updates


Summary: Makes it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any measure making supplemental appropriations for two or more unrelated emergencies. Prohibits any provisions containing spending that is not designated as emergency spending from being reported in a measure making supplemental appropriations. Makes it out of order in the House or the Senate to consider: (1) the conference report on a measure making supplemental appropriations if such measure contains such spending; or (2) any bill, joint resolution, or conference report if the accompanying report or joint statement of managers does not comply with this Act. Requires the Committee on Appropriations or any other House or Senate committee that reports any bill or joint resolution that provides budget authority for any emergency, the accompanying report, or the joint explanatory statement accompanying the conference report on the measure to: (1) identify all provisions that provide budget authority and the resulting outlays for such emergency; (2) state the reasons why such budget authority meets the definition of an emergency; and (3) justify why such funding is in a supplemental appropriation and not the regular appropriation for the next fiscal year. Prohibits a provision containing an earmark from being reported in a measure making supplemental appropriations. Makes it out of order in the House or the Senate to consider the conference report on any measure making supplemental appropriations containing earmarks.

makes order house_of_representatives senate consider measure making supplemental appropriations unrelated emergencies prohibits provisions containing spending designated emergency spending reported measure making supplemental appropriations makes order house senate consider conference report measure making supplemental appropriations measure contains spending bill joint resolution conference report accompanying report joint statement managers comply act requires committee appropriations house senate_committee reports bill joint resolution provides budget authority emergency accompanying report joint explanatory statement accompanying conference report measure identify provisions provide budget authority resulting outlays emergency state reasons budget authority meets definition emergency justify funding supplemental appropriation regular appropriation fiscal year prohibits provision containing earmark reported measure making supplemental appropriations makes order house senate consider conference report measure making supplemental appropriations containing earmarks


Summary: Make It Count Act - Changes from March 31st to December 15th of each year the date by which the Secretary of the Treasury must submit to the President and Congress an audited financial statement covering all accounts and associated activities of the executive branch.

count act changes march december 15th year date secretary treasury submit president congress audited financial statement covering accounts associated activities executive branch


Summary: Capitol Visitor Center Act of 2008 - Title I: Capitol Visitor Center - (Sec. 101) Designates the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC), and makes it part of the U.S. Capitol. Requires the CVC to be used to: (1) provide enhanced security for persons working in or visiting the U.S. Capitol; and (2) improve the visitor experience by providing a structure that will afford improved visitor orientation and enhance the educational experience of those who have come to learn about the Congress and the Capitol. Grants authority to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Committee on House Administration (Committees) to exercise oversight over the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC). Declares that certain "unassigned" expansion space for the Senate and the House of Representatives shall be treated as parts of the Senate and House wings of the Capitol. Requires the Committees to jointly prescribe regulations for the CVC's Congressional Auditorium and the related adjacent areas. Authorizes the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to enter into loan agreements to place historical objects for display in the CVC's Exhibition Hall. (Sec. 102) Prohibits the designation and naming of parts of the CVC without the approval of at least three-fourths of all Democratic and three-fourths of all Republican party members on the Capitol Preservation Commission (Commission). (Sec. 103) Prohibits the use of the Emancipation Hall of the CVC for any event, except upon the passage of a resolution agreed to by Congress authorizing such use. Title II: Office of the Capitol Visitor Center - (Sec. 201) Establishes within the Office of the AOC the Office of the CVC, headed by the Chief Executive Officer for Visitor Services (CEO). (Sec. 202) Requires the AOC to appoint the CEO, who shall report directly to the AOC and be subject to oversight by the Committees. Declares that the individual who serves as the CEO under the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriation Act of 2007, as of the enactment of this Act, shall be the first appointed CEO of the Office of the CVC. (Sec. 203) Limits to $250,000 the amount of any contract the AOC may enter into for CVC operations without prior approval of the Committees. (Sec. 204) Requires the AOC to appoint an Assistant CEO for Visitor Services. Declares the individual serving as the assistant under the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2008, as of the enactment of this Act, to be the first appointed Assistant CEO for Visitor Services. (Sec. 205) Requires the AOC, acting through the CEO, to establish a Capitol Visitor Center Gift Shop. Requires deposit of all moneys received from Gift Shop sales and other services to be deposited in the Capitol Visitor Center Revolving Fund established under this Act. (Sec. 206) Requires the AOC, acting through the CEO, to establish within the CVC a restaurant and other food service facilities, including catering services and vending machines. Title III: Capitol Visitor Center Revolving Fund - (Sec. 301) Establishes in the Treasury the Capitol Visitor Center Revolving Fund, consisting of the Gift Shop Account and the Miscellaneous Receipts Account. Title IV: Capitol Guide Service and Office of Congressional Accessibility Services - Subtitle A: Capitol Guide Service - (Sec. 401) Transfers the authorities and personnel of the Capitol Guide Service (CGS) to the Office of the CVC. Declares that the transfer of CGS personnel shall not cause a reduction in the individual's current grade, compensation, rate of leave, or other benefit while such employee remains continuously employed as a Capitol Guide within the Office, other than for cause. Makes a transferred individual eligible for immediate retirement on the basis of involuntary separation under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) if the individual has completed: (1) 25 years of service; or (2) 20 years of service and is 50 years of age or older. Excludes from application of this section any employee, contracts, liabilities, records, property, appropriations, and other assets of the Congressional Special Services Office of the Capitol Guide Service transferred to the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services under subtitle B. (Sec. 402) Prescribes general rules for CGS employees. Requires the AOC to detail CGS personnel, based on a request from the Capitol Police Board, to assist the U.S. Capitol Police by providing ushering and informational services, and other services not directly involving law enforcement, in connection with: (1) the inauguration of the President and Vice President of the United States; (2) the official reception of representatives of foreign nations and other persons by the Senate or the House; or (3) other special or ceremonial occasions in the U.S. Capitol or on its grounds that require the presence of additional government personnel, and cause the temporary suspension of the performance of regular duties. Subtitle B: Office of Congressional Accessibility Services - (Sec. 411) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1990, to establish in the legislative branch the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services, headed by the Director of Accessibility Services, who shall be appointed by, and subject to the direction of, the Congressional Accessibility Services Board, established by the Capitol Visitor Center Act of 2008. Requires such Office to: (1) provide and coordinate accessibility services for individuals with disabilities, including Members of Congress, congressional officers and employees, and U.S. Capitol Complex visitors; and (2) provide information regarding accessibility for individuals with disabilities, as well as related training and staff development, to Members of Congress and congressional employees. Declares that the individual who serves as the head of the Congressional Special Services Office as of the enactment of this Act shall be the first Director of such Office appointed by the Board under the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1990. (Sec. 412) Transfers the authorities and personnel of the Congressional Special Services Office of the CGS to such Office. Declares that the transfer of such personnel shall not cause a reduction in the individual's current grade, compensation, rate of leave, or other benefit while such employee remains continuously employed within the Office, other than for cause. Makes a transferred individual eligible for immediate retirement on the basis of involuntary separation under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) if the individual has completed: (1) 25 years of service; or (2) 20 years of service and is 50 years of age or older. Prohibits the Director from imposing a probationary period on a transferred individual. Subtitle C: Transfer Date and Technical and Conforming Amendments - (Sec. 421) Declares that "transfer date" means the date occurring on the first day of the first pay period (applicable to employees transferred under section 401) occurring on or after 30 days after the enactment of this Act. (Sec. 422) Repeals the existing authority of the CGS under the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 and related law. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - (Sec. 501) Declares that nothing in this Act granting any authority to the AOC or CEO shall be construed to affect the exclusive jurisdiction of the Capitol Police, the Capitol Police Board, the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate, and the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives to provide security for the Capitol, including the CVC. Declares that nothing in this Act granting any authority to the CEO shall be construed to affect the exclusive jurisdiction of the AOC for the CVC's care and superintendence. Requires all CVC maintenance services, groundskeeping services, improvements, alterations, additions, and repairs to be made under the direction and supervision of the AOC, subject to the approval of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Office Building Commission as to matters of general policy. (Sec. 502) Grants authority to the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services to establish a program under which it may agree to repay (by direct payments on behalf of its employee) any student loan previously taken out by such employee. (Sec. 503) Authorizes the AOC, upon the CEO's recommendation, to accept and use voluntary and uncompensated services for the CVC. (Sec. 504) Treats coins in any fountains on covered grounds of the Capitol Complex as gifts to the United States. Requires the AOC to collect such coins and deposit any of them remaining, after deduction for the expense of collecting and processing them, in the Miscellaneous Receipts Account of the Fund. (Sec. 505) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2008 to extend through FY2010 AOC authority to establish and conduct a pilot program to test flexible work schedules within the Office of the AOC and the Botanic Garden. Title VI: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 601) Authorizes appropriations.

capitol visitor center act title capitol visitor center sec designates capitol visitor center makes capitol requires provide enhanced security persons working visiting capitol improve visitor experience providing structure afford improved visitor orientation enhance educational experience come learn congress capitol grants authority senate_committee_on_rules_and_administration house_committee house administration committees exercise oversight capitol visitor center declares certain expansion space senate house_of_representatives shall treated parts senate house capitol requires committees jointly prescribe regulations congressional related adjacent areas authorizes architect capitol aoc enter loan agreements place historical objects display exhibition hall sec prohibits designation naming parts approval democratic party members capitol preservation commission commission sec prohibits use emancipation hall event passage resolution agreed congress authorizing use title office capitol visitor center sec establishes office aoc office headed chief executive officer visitor services ceo sec requires aoc appoint ceo shall report directly aoc subject oversight committees declares individual serves ceo troop readiness veterans care katrina_recovery iraq accountability appropriation act enactment act shall appointed ceo office sec limits contract aoc enter operations prior approval committees sec requires aoc appoint assistant ceo visitor services declares individual serving assistant legislative_branch_appropriations_act enactment act appointed assistant ceo visitor services sec requires aoc acting ceo establish capitol visitor center gift shop requires deposit moneys received gift shop sales services deposited capitol visitor center revolving fund established act sec requires aoc acting ceo establish restaurant food service facilities including services vending machines title iii capitol visitor center revolving fund sec establishes treasury capitol visitor center revolving fund consisting gift shop account miscellaneous receipts account title capitol guide service office congressional accessibility services subtitle capitol guide service sec transfers authorities personnel capitol guide service office declares transfer personnel shall cause reduction individual current grade compensation rate leave benefit employee remains continuously employed capitol guide office cause makes transferred individual eligible immediate retirement basis involuntary separation civil_service_retirement_system csrs federal_employees_retirement_system fers individual completed years service years service years age older excludes application section employee contracts liabilities records property appropriations assets congressional special services office capitol guide service transferred office congressional accessibility services subtitle sec prescribes general rules employees requires aoc detail personnel based request capitol_police board assist capitol_police providing informational services services directly involving law enforcement connection president vice president united_states official reception representatives foreign nations persons senate house special ceremonial occasions capitol grounds require presence additional government personnel cause temporary suspension performance regular duties subtitle office congressional accessibility services sec amends legislative_branch_appropriations_act establish legislative branch office congressional accessibility services headed director accessibility services shall appointed subject direction congressional accessibility services board established capitol visitor center act requires office provide coordinate accessibility services individuals disabilities including members congress congressional officers employees capitol complex visitors provide information accessibility individuals disabilities related training staff development members congress congressional employees declares individual serves head congressional special services office enactment act shall director office appointed board legislative_branch_appropriations_act sec transfers authorities personnel congressional special services office office declares transfer personnel shall cause reduction individual current grade compensation rate leave benefit employee remains continuously employed office cause makes transferred individual eligible immediate retirement basis involuntary separation civil_service_retirement_system csrs federal_employees_retirement_system fers individual completed years service years service years age older prohibits director imposing probationary period transferred individual subtitle transfer date technical conforming amendments sec declares transfer date means date occurring day pay period applicable employees transferred section occurring days enactment act sec repeals existing authority legislative reorganization act makes technical conforming amendments congressional_accountability_act related law title miscellaneous provisions sec declares act granting authority aoc ceo shall construed affect exclusive jurisdiction capitol_police capitol_police board sergeant arms senate sergeant arms house_of_representatives provide security capitol including declares act granting authority ceo shall construed affect exclusive jurisdiction aoc care requires maintenance services services improvements alterations additions repairs direction supervision aoc subject approval senate_committee_on_rules_and_administration house office building commission matters general policy sec grants authority office congressional accessibility services establish program agree repay direct payments behalf employee student loan previously taken employee sec authorizes aoc ceo recommendation accept use voluntary uncompensated services sec treats coins covered grounds capitol complex gifts united_states requires aoc collect coins deposit remaining deduction expense collecting processing miscellaneous receipts account fund sec amends legislative_branch_appropriations_act extend fy2010 aoc authority establish conduct pilot program test flexible work schedules office aoc garden title authorization appropriations sec authorizes appropriations


Summary: Contempt of the House of Representatives Subpoena Authority Act of 2008 - Grants the U.S. district court for the District of Columbia original jurisdiction over any civil action brought by the House of Representatives (or any authorized committee or subcommittee) to enforce, to secure a declaratory judgment concerning the validity of, or to prevent a threatened refusal or failure to comply with, any subpoena or order issued by it to any entity acting or purporting to act under color or authority of state law, or to any natural person, to secure the production of: (1) documents or other materials of any kind, or the answering of any deposition or interrogatory; (2) testimony; or (3) any combination of such things. Requires the district court, upon application by the House (or any authorized committee or subcommittee), to issue a mandatory compliance order to an entity or person refusing, or failing to comply with, or threatening to refuse or not to comply with, a subpoena or order. Authorizes the court to hold in contempt any refusal or failure to obey a lawful order. Authorizes the General Counsel of the House of Representatives to bring a civil action under any statute conferring jurisdiction on any U.S. court to enforce, to secure a declaratory judgment concerning the validity of, or to prevent a threatened failure or refusal to comply with, any subpoena or order issued by the House (or a committee or a subcommittee). Prescribes a procedure for consideration in the House of a resolution to direct the General Counsel to bring such an action.

contempt house_of_representatives subpoena authority act grants district_court district_of_columbia original jurisdiction civil action brought house_of_representatives authorized committee subcommittee enforce secure declaratory judgment concerning validity prevent threatened refusal failure comply subpoena order issued entity acting purporting act color authority state law natural person secure production documents materials kind answering deposition testimony combination things requires district_court application house authorized committee subcommittee issue mandatory compliance order entity person refusing failing comply threatening refuse comply subpoena order authorizes court hold contempt refusal failure obey lawful order authorizes general counsel house_of_representatives bring civil action statute jurisdiction court enforce secure declaratory judgment concerning validity prevent threatened failure refusal comply subpoena order issued house committee subcommittee prescribes procedure consideration house resolution direct general counsel bring action


Summary: Library of Congress Sound Recording and Film Preservation Programs Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000 to authorize appropriations through FY2016 for: (1) Library of Congress activities for the maintenance and preservation of sound recordings that are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant; and (2) the National Recording Preservation Foundation to accept and administer private gifts to promote and ensure the preservation and public accessibility of the nation's sound recording heritage held at the Library of Congress and other public and nonprofit archives.Revises the standards for removal by the Librarian of Congress of a member of the Library's National Recording Preservation Board.Allows board members of the National Recording Preservation Foundation to serve more than two consecutive terms.Amends the National Film Preservation Act of 1996 to authorize appropriations through FY2016 for the Library's National Film Preservation Board. Updates the names of organizations that represent the Board. Authorizes appropriations to the Library through FY2016 for the National Film Preservation Foundation. Adds to the purposes of the Foundation the encouragement, acceptance, and administration of private gifts to ensure the repatriation of American films from foreign archives.

library_of_congress sound recording film preservation programs reauthorization act amends national recording preservation act authorize appropriations fy2016 library_of_congress activities maintenance preservation sound recordings culturally historically significant national recording preservation foundation accept administer private gifts promote ensure preservation public accessibility nation sound recording heritage held library_of_congress public nonprofit archives revises standards removal librarian congress member library national recording preservation board allows board members national recording preservation foundation serve consecutive terms amends national film preservation act authorize appropriations fy2016 library national film preservation board updates names organizations represent board authorizes appropriations library fy2016 national film preservation foundation adds purposes foundation encouragement acceptance administration private gifts ensure repatriation american films foreign archives


Summary: Amends the short title of the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 to add the names of Cesar E. Chavez, Barbara C. Jordan, William C. Velasquez, and Dr. Hector P. Garcia.

amends short title rosa parks scott king voting rights act reauthorization amendments act add names jordan william


Summary: Government Accountability Office Improvement Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Comptroller General to: (1) obtain federal agency records required to discharge his or her duties, including through bringing civil actions under this Act; (2) interview agency officers and employees to get information about agency duties, powers, activities, organization, and financial transactions; and (3) administer oaths to witnesses (currently, the Comptroller General may administer oaths to witnesses when auditing and settling accounts).Requires the Comptroller General to prescribe such policies and procedures as are necessary to protect from public disclosure proprietary or trade secret information obtained under this Act.Declares that no provision of the Social Security Act, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 shall be construed to limit, amend, or supersede the authority of the Comptroller General to obtain information, inspect records, or interview specified agency officers or employees, including with respect to: (1) information disclosed to or obtained by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Social Security Act; (2) information concerning any method or process protected as a trade secret; and (3) information disclosed to the Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for purposes of pre-merger review under the Clayton Act. Declares that this Act shall not be construed to: (1) alter or amend the prohibitions against the disclosure of trade secret or other sensitive information; and (2) affect the applicability of requirements governing the availability of agency information to information obtained.Requires the Comptroller General to: (1) report annually on the cooperation of agencies subject to the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 and other agencies designated by the Comptroller General in making personnel available for interviews, providing written answers to questions, submitting to an oath authorized by the Comptroller General, granting access to records, providing timely comments to draft reports, adopting report recommendations, and responding to such matters as the Comptroller General deems appropriate; and (2) report to Congress when agencies do not respond to requests regarding such matters.

government_accountability_office improvement act authorizes comptroller_general obtain federal agency records required discharge duties including bringing civil actions act interview agency officers employees information agency duties powers activities organization financial transactions administer oaths witnesses currently comptroller_general administer oaths witnesses auditing settling comptroller_general prescribe policies procedures necessary protect public disclosure proprietary trade secret information obtained act declares provision social_security_act federal food drug cosmetic act scott antitrust improvements act shall construed limit amend supersede authority comptroller_general obtain information inspect records interview specified agency officers employees including respect information disclosed obtained secretary health_and_human_services social_security_act information concerning method process protected trade secret information disclosed assistant attorney general antitrust_division_of_the_department_of_justice doj federal_trade_commission ftc purposes pre merger review clayton act declares act shall construed alter amend prohibitions disclosure trade secret sensitive information affect applicability requirements governing availability agency information information obtained requires comptroller_general report annually cooperation agencies subject chief financial officers act agencies designated comptroller_general making personnel available interviews providing written answers questions submitting oath authorized comptroller_general granting access records providing timely comments draft reports adopting report recommendations responding matters comptroller_general deems appropriate report congress agencies respond requests matters


Summary: Congress 2012 Commission Act - Establishes the Congress 2012 Commission to make proposals to the President and Congress regarding changes in the size of the membership of, and the method of electing Representatives to, the House of Representatives.

congress commission act establishes congress commission proposals president congress changes size membership method electing representatives house_of_representatives


Summary: Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Act of 2008 - Establishes the Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Program for the appointment of individuals who are graduates of accredited law schools to serve as Congressional Clerks in the Senate or House of Representatives. Requires the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Committee on House Administration to each select at least six individuals for a one-year term to serve as employees in their respective chambers. Specifies eligibility criteria for a Congressional Clerk, including that the selected candidate be a graduate of such a law school as of the starting date of his or her clerkship. Requires the committees to ensure that Congressional Clerks selected under this Act are apportioned equally between majority and minority party offices. Entitles each clerk selected to the same compensation as, and comparable benefits to, an individual who holds the position of a judicial clerkship for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia within three months of graduating from law school. Authorizes appropriations.

congressional act establishes congressional program appointment individuals graduates accredited law schools serve congressional senate house_of_representatives requires senate_committee_on_rules_and_administration house_committee house administration select individuals year term serve employees respective chambers specifies eligibility criteria congressional clerk including selected candidate graduate law school starting date requires committees ensure congressional selected act apportioned equally majority minority party offices entitles clerk selected compensation comparable benefits individual holds position judicial district_court district_of_columbia months graduating law school authorizes appropriations


Summary: Special Criminal Contempt of Congress Procedures Act of 2008 - Establishes alternate procedures for the prosecution of current or former officers or employees of the executive branch found in contempt of Congress for refusal to testify or produce documents in response to a congressional subpoena. Establishes a Special Division of the U.S. Supreme Court to hear such criminal contempt cases. Requires the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court to designate three judges or justices, one of whom shall be an active judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, to serve on the Special Division. Requires the Special Division to appoint a special advocate to serve as the prosecuting attorney in criminal contempt cases after the Attorney General declines to present such cases to a grand jury. Grants full power and independent authority to the special advocate to exercise all prosecutorial functions and powers.Sets forth provisions for the removal of the special advocate and the termination of the special advocate's authority. Makes this Act effective on January 20, 2009.

special criminal contempt congress procedures act establishes alternate procedures prosecution current officers employees executive branch found contempt congress refusal testify produce documents response congressional subpoena establishes special division supreme_court hear criminal contempt cases requires chief justice supreme_court designate judges justices shall active judge court_of_appeals district_of_columbia serve special division requires special division appoint special advocate serve prosecuting attorney criminal contempt cases attorney general declines present cases grand jury grants power independent authority special advocate exercise prosecutorial functions powers sets forth provisions removal special advocate termination special advocate authority makes act effective january


Summary: Charles H.W. Meehan Law Library Improvement and Modernization Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Librarian of Congress, in addition to any other amounts made available, for maintaining and administering the operations of the law library of the Library of Congress, including the cataloguing of its collections. Requires the Law Librarian of Congress, to the extent practicable in using such funds, to catalog and archive nonproprietary material in the collections of the Law Library electronically in a nonproprietary and nondiscriminatory format.Requires the Librarian of Congress, in preparing the annual budget for the Library of Congress, to ensure that all amounts attributable to salaries and expenses of the law library are set forth separately as a separate line item. Directs the Librarian, acting through the Law Librarian of Congress, to establish and operate a program to be known as the Charles H.W. Meehan Law Library Support Program, to provide enhanced or special services and programs for the Law Library and otherwise support the mission of the Law Library. Allows acceptance of donations of private funds, in-kind contributions, and voluntary services in support of the Program.Establishes a separate account in the Treasury for use solely by the Librarian to carry out the Program. Requires an annual report to Congress, the American Bar Association, and the American Association of Law Libraries on Program funding and activities. Authorizes appropriations.

charles law library improvement modernization act_-_authorizes appropriations librarian congress addition amounts available maintaining administering operations law library library_of_congress including collections requires law librarian congress extent practicable funds catalog archive nonproprietary material collections law library electronically nonproprietary nondiscriminatory format requires librarian congress preparing annual budget library_of_congress ensure amounts attributable salaries expenses law library set forth separately separate line item directs librarian acting law librarian congress establish operate program known charles law library support program provide enhanced special services programs law library support mission law library allows acceptance donations private funds kind contributions voluntary services support program establishes separate account treasury use solely librarian carry program requires annual report congress american bar association american association law libraries program funding activities authorizes appropriations


Summary: House Reservists Pay Adjustment Act - Requires the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the House of Representatives to pay an eligible House employee, who is also a member of a Reserve component of the Armed Forces, for each active duty month the amount by which the employee's regular compensation from the House would have exceeded (if at all) the total monthly military compensation paid to the employee for the active duty month by the Secretary of Defense. Limits employee eligibility for such adjusted compensation to those employed by the House each day of the 90 days ending on the day on which the employee reports for active duty under an involuntary mobilization order. Requires the CAO to reduce the amount of any payment to such employee for an active duty month by the amount of any pay and allowances received by the individual from any other source as replacement of lost income. Prohibits the CAO from making a required payment under this Act unless the payment, taking into account any reduction, is at least $50. Authorizes appropriations. Amends Rule XXIII (Code of Official Conduct) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to declare that nothing in such Rule may be construed to prohibit the disbursement or receipt of any payment authorized under this Act. Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act, 1955 to declare that nothing in the Act may be construed to prohibit the CAO from paying a gratuity to the widow, widower, or heirs-at-law of a House employee who dies during an active duty month.

house reservists pay adjustment act_-_requires chief administrative officer house_of_representatives pay eligible house employee member reserve component armed_forces active duty month employee regular compensation house exceeded total monthly military compensation paid employee active duty month secretary defense limits employee eligibility adjusted compensation employed house day days ending day employee reports active duty involuntary mobilization order requires reduce payment employee active duty month pay allowances received individual source replacement lost income prohibits making required payment act payment taking account reduction authorizes appropriations amends rule xxiii code official conduct rules house_of_representatives declare rule construed prohibit disbursement receipt payment authorized act amends legislative branch appropriation act declare act construed prohibit paying gratuity widow widower heirs law house employee dies active duty month


Summary: Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require Members of Congress to include in mandatory annual financial disclosure reports information on the balance of any mortgage secured by a personal residence and on the property's value.

amends ethics_in_government_act require members congress include mandatory annual financial disclosure reports information balance mortgage secured personal residence property value


Summary: Directs the Secretary of State, not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act and not later than 120 days thereafter, to provide detailed briefings to Congress respecting: (1) any discussions conducted between any executive branch agency and the government of Taiwan during a covered period (as defined by this Act); and (2) any potential transfer of defense articles or defense services to Taiwan.

directs secretary state later days date enactment act later days provide detailed briefings congress respecting discussions conducted executive branch agency government taiwan covered period defined act potential transfer defense articles defense services taiwan


Summary: Architect of the Capitol Appointment Act of 2008 - Requires the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to be appointed jointly by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the Senate, the Minority Leaders of the House of Representatives and Senate, the chair and ranking Minority Members of the congressional appropriations committees, the chair and ranking Minority Member of the House Committee on House Administration, and the chair and ranking Minority Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. Establishes a 10-year term for the AOC, as under current law, but permits additional reappointments. Repeals the requirement of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1990 that the AOC be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

architect capitol appointment act requires architect capitol aoc appointed jointly speaker house_of_representatives majority leader senate minority leaders house_of_representatives senate chair ranking minority members congressional appropriations committees chair ranking minority member house_committee house administration chair ranking minority member senate_committee_on_rules_and_administration establishes year term aoc current law permits additional reappointments repeals requirement legislative_branch_appropriations_act aoc appointed president advice consent senate


Summary: Legislative Branch Personnel Appeals Procedural Consolidation Act of 2008 - Transfers from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Personnel Appeals Board to the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) authority to investigate any personnel action taken with respect to a GAO officer or employee, or an officer or employee of a participating federal office, and seek corrective and disciplinary action with respect to such personnel action, in the same manner and subject to the same terms and conditions as if such officer or employee were an executive agency employee and such action were a prohibited practice against them. Authorizes the officer or employee to seek corrective and disciplinary action with respect to such an action from the OSC and the Merit Systems Protection Board in the same manner and subject to the same terms. Excludes current appeals by GAO officers and employees from the provisions of this Act. (Thus, allows such appeals to be considered by the GAO Personnel Appeals Board.)

legislative branch personnel appeals procedural consolidation act transfers government_accountability_office gao personnel appeals board office_of_special_counsel authority investigate personnel action taken respect gao officer employee officer employee participating federal office seek corrective disciplinary action respect personnel action manner subject terms conditions officer employee executive agency employee action prohibited practice authorizes officer employee seek corrective disciplinary action respect action merit_systems_protection_board manner subject terms excludes current appeals gao officers employees provisions act allows appeals considered gao personnel appeals board


Summary: Administrative Review Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Congressional Review Act to require that the chairman and ranking member of each relevant committee (currently, each standing committee) of the House of Representatives receive copies of reports required to be submitted before a federal agency rule can go into effect.Defines "relevant committee" to mean: (1) each committee with jurisdiction under House rules to report a bill to amend the legal provision under which the rule is issued; and (2) the House Judiciary Committee as the committee with jurisdiction to report a bill to amend federal administrative procedure provisions.Directs the Comptroller General's report on each major rule to be provided to each relevant committee (currently, the committees of jurisdiction) in the House.Requires joint resolutions introduced to disapprove a rule to be referred to the appropriate committees (currently, the committees with jurisdiction) in each House.

administrative review improvement act amends congressional review act require chairman ranking member relevant committee currently standing committee house_of_representatives receive copies reports required submitted federal agency rule effect defines relevant committee mean committee jurisdiction house rules report bill amend legal provision rule issued house judiciary committee committee jurisdiction report bill amend federal administrative procedure provisions directs comptroller_general report major rule provided relevant committee currently committees jurisdiction house requires joint resolutions introduced disapprove rule referred appropriate committees currently committees jurisdiction house


Summary: Government Shutdown Prevention Act - Provides for automatic continuing appropriations if any regular appropriation for a fiscal year (or, if applicable, for each fiscal year in a biennium) does not become law before the beginning of such fiscal year, or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect. Appropriates amounts necessary to continue any project or activity for which funds were provided in the preceding fiscal year: (1) in the corresponding regular appropriation Act for such preceding fiscal year; or (2) if such legislation did not become law, then in the joint resolution making continuing appropriations for such preceding fiscal year. Requires the appropriations and funds made available, and authority granted, for any fiscal year for a project or activity to be available for the period beginning with the first day of a lapse in appropriations and ending with the earlier of: (1) the date on which the applicable regular appropriation bill for such fiscal year becomes law (whether or not such law provides for such project or activity) or a continuing resolution making appropriations becomes law, as the case may be; or (2) the last day of such fiscal year. Declares that this Act imposes no prohibition on the expenditure of funds: (1) to prepare or publish final regulations regarding a commercial leasing program for oil shale resources on public lands pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 or to conduct an oil shale lease sale; (2) by the Department of the Interior for the conduct of offshore preleasing, leasing, and related activities placed under restriction in the President's moratorium statement of June 12, 1998, in specified areas; or (3) by the Department to conduct oil and natural gas preleasing, leasing and related activities in the mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic planning areas.

government shutdown prevention act provides automatic continuing appropriations regular appropriation fiscal year applicable fiscal year law beginning fiscal year joint resolution making continuing appropriations effect appropriates amounts necessary continue project activity funds provided preceding fiscal year corresponding regular appropriation act preceding fiscal year legislation law joint resolution making continuing appropriations preceding fiscal year requires appropriations funds available authority granted fiscal year project activity available period beginning day lapse appropriations ending earlier date applicable regular appropriation bill fiscal year law law provides project activity continuing resolution making appropriations law case day fiscal year declares act imposes prohibition expenditure funds prepare publish final regulations commercial leasing program oil_shale resources public lands pursuant energy policy act conduct oil_shale lease_sale department_of_the_interior conduct offshore preleasing leasing related activities placed restriction president moratorium statement june specified areas department conduct oil natural gas preleasing leasing related activities mid-atlantic south_atlantic planning areas


Summary: Midnight Rule Act - Amends federal civil service law to provide that a midnight rule (i.e., a rule adopted by an agency within the final 90 days a President serves in office) shall not take effect until 90 days after the agency head is appointed by the new President. Makes exceptions if the President serving his final term makes a determination by executive order, and submits written notice to Congress, that the rule should take effect because it is: (1) necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency; (2) necessary for the enforcement of criminal laws; (3) necessary for national security; or (4) issued pursuant to any statute implementing an international trade agreement.Provides that an exercise by the President of such authority shall have no effect on existing provisions governing congressional disapproval of agency rules.Authorizes the agency head appointed by the new President to disapprove of a midnight rule (by publishing a statement of disapproval in the Federal Register and sending a notice of disapproval to the congressional committees of jurisdiction) no later than 90 days after being appointed.Makes this Act applicable to any rule adopted on or after October 22, 2008.

midnight rule act_-_amends federal civil service law provide midnight rule rule adopted agency final days president serves office shall effect days agency head appointed new president makes exceptions president serving final term makes determination executive order submits written notice congress rule effect necessary imminent threat health safety emergency necessary enforcement criminal laws necessary national security issued pursuant statute implementing international_trade agreement provides exercise president authority shall effect existing provisions governing congressional disapproval agency rules authorizes agency head appointed new president disapprove midnight rule publishing statement disapproval federal_register sending notice disapproval congressional committees jurisdiction later days appointed makes act applicable rule adopted october


Summary: Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term for up to six months for knowingly: (1) transferring for money or property a ticket to a presidential inaugural ceremony; (2) falsely making, forging, counterfeiting, or altering such a ticket, with intent to defraud; or (3) entering or attempting to enter a presidential inaugural ceremony with a forget ticket, with intent to defraud.

amends federal criminal code impose fine prison term months knowingly transferring money property ticket presidential ceremony falsely making counterfeiting altering ticket intent defraud entering attempting enter presidential ceremony ticket intent defraud


Summary: Amends Rule XXXV (Gifts) of the Standing Rules of the Senate to require a Member, officer, or employee of the Senate to: (1) disclose a flight taken in connection with official duties on an aircraft that is not licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate for compensation or hire (unless it is owned, operated, or leased by a governmental entity); (2) reimburse the aircraft's owner or lessee for the pro rata share of the flight's fair market value; and (3) report to the Secretary of the Senate specified information about the trip, including its purpose and the persons on it (other than the pilot). Declares that the fair market value of noncommercial air travel is the fair market value of the normal and usual charter fare or rental charge for a comparable plane of appropriate size. Amends Rule XXXVIII (Prohibition of Unofficial Office Accounts) to prescribe the value for reimbursement purposes of the use of an aircraft that is not licensed by the FAA to operate for compensation or hire. Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to require a principal campaign committee disclosure report of such a flight by a federal office candidate (other than one for President or Vice President). Excludes from the FECA definition of "contribution" any travel expense for such a flight if within seven days the candidate (or the candidate's authorize committee) pays the owner, lessee, or other individual providing the airplane the pro rata share of the flight's fair market value.

amends rule gifts standing rules senate require member officer employee senate disclose flight taken connection official duties aircraft licensed federal_aviation_administration faa operate compensation hire owned operated leased governmental entity reimburse aircraft owner lessee pro rata share flight fair market value report secretary senate specified information trip including purpose persons pilot declares fair market value noncommercial air travel fair market value normal usual charter fare rental charge comparable plane appropriate size amends rule prohibition office accounts prescribe value reimbursement purposes use aircraft licensed faa operate compensation hire amends federal_election_campaign_act feca require principal campaign committee disclosure report flight federal office candidate president vice president excludes feca definition contribution travel expense flight seven days candidate candidate authorize committee pays owner lessee individual providing airplane pro rata share flight fair market value


Summary: Lobbying and Ethics Reform Act of 2007 - Revises the Standing Rules of the Senate or prescribes requirements with respect to: (1) conference reports; (2) elimination of certain floor privileges and other benefits and privileges for former Members, Senate officers, and Speakers of the House who are lobbyists or seek financial gain; (3) a ban on gifts from lobbyists; (4) travel restrictions and disclosure; (5) post-employment restrictions; (6) public disclosure by Members of employment negotiations; (7) conflicts of interest with respect to a Member's spouse or immediate family members; (8) a Member's use of influence on certain hiring decisions; and (9) notices of intent to object to proceeding to a measure or matter. Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) and the Foreign Agents Registration Act with respect to various specified disclosures by registered lobbyists and foreign government lobbyists. Requires: (1) the Comptroller General to audit lobbying registration and related reports annually; and (2) the Select Committee on Ethics to provide certain ethics training and awareness programs for Senators and their staff. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the lobbying community should develop specified proposals for multiple self-regulatory organizations. Amends the federal criminal code to extend from one to two years the ban on lobbying contacts by former very senior executive personnel, former Members of Congress, and officers of the legislative branch with any Member, officer, or employee of the entity in which such person served before his or her tenure terminated. Prohibits former employees of either chamber of Congress, within two years after leaving office, from making lobbying contacts with a Member, officer, or employee of either chamber. Amends the LDA to prohibit a registered lobbyist from knowingly making a gift or providing travel to a Member, officer, or employee of Congress, unless the gift or travel may be accepted under the rules of the House or the Senate. Establishes the Senate Office of Public Integrity.

lobbying ethics reform_act revises standing rules senate prescribes requirements respect conference reports elimination certain floor privileges benefits privileges members senate officers speakers house lobbyists seek financial gain ban gifts lobbyists travel restrictions disclosure post employment restrictions public disclosure members employment negotiations conflicts interest respect member spouse immediate family members member use influence certain hiring decisions notices intent object proceeding measure matter amends lobbying disclosure act lda foreign agents registration act respect specified disclosures registered lobbyists foreign government lobbyists requires comptroller_general audit lobbying registration related reports annually select committee ethics provide certain ethics training awareness programs senators staff expresses sense senate lobbying community develop specified proposals multiple self regulatory organizations amends federal criminal code extend years ban lobbying contacts senior executive personnel members congress officers legislative branch member officer employee entity person served tenure terminated prohibits employees chamber congress years leaving office making lobbying contacts member officer employee chamber amends lda prohibit registered lobbyist knowingly making gift providing travel member officer employee congress gift travel accepted rules house senate establishes senate office public integrity


Summary: Congressional Whistleblower Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to apply whistleblower rights and protections to legislative branch employees, including those of the Government Accountability Office or the Library of Congress. Prescribes for violation of this Act the same remedy as would be appropriate if awarded with respect to a prohibited federal personnel practice in the executive branch.

congressional whistleblower protection act amends congressional_accountability_act apply whistleblower rights protections legislative branch employees including government_accountability_office library_of_congress prescribes violation act remedy appropriate awarded respect prohibited federal personnel practice executive branch


Summary: Government Credit Card Abuse Prevention Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Requires the head of each executive agency (sets forth separate Department of Defense requirements) to establish and maintain safeguards and internal controls to ensure that: (1) records are kept of each holder of a purchase card issued for official use and of each card transaction; (2) each cardholder is assigned an approving official; (3) charges are reconciled with supporting documentation; (4) purchases are paid promptly; (5) rebates and refunds on card accounts are monitored for accuracy and recorded as agency receipts; (6) periodic reviews are performed to determine whether each cardholder has a need for a card; (7) training is provided to cardholders and officials responsible for oversight; (8) agencies have specific policies regarding the number of cards issued by various organizations, credit limits, and categories of eligible employees that are designed to minimize the financial risk to the government and to ensure the integrity of the cardholders; (9) agencies utilize technologies to prevent or identify fraudulent purchases; (10) cards of terminated or transferred employees are invalidated; and (11) steps are taken to recover the cost of improper or fraudulent purchases through salary offsets. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to prescribe guidance governing the implementation of the safeguards and internal controls for purchase cards and travel charge cards that provides for adverse personnel actions against employees for card violations, negligence, misuse, abuse, or fraud. Requires each agency head and Inspector General (including the DOD Inspector General) to report to the Director on such violations semiannually.Requires each agency Inspector General to: (1) periodically conduct risk assessments of agency purchase and travel card programs and associated internal controls, analyze weaknesses and the frequency of improper activity, and develop a plan to determine the scope, frequency, and number of periodic audits of cardholders; (2) perform periodic audits of card transactions and report results to the agency head; and (3) report to the Director and the Comptroller General on the implementation of recommendations made to address audit findings.Requires the Secretary of Defense to prescribe regulations that include safeguards and internal controls to ensure that: (1) each cardholder is assigned an approving official; (2) DOD utilizes technologies to prevent or identify fraudulent purchases; (3) cards of terminated or transferred employees are invalidated; (4) steps are taken to recover the cost of improper or fraudulent purchases through salary offsets; and (5) DOD's Inspector General conducts periodic risk assessment of purchase card programs and associated internal controls, analyzes weaknesses and the frequency of improper activity, and develops appropriate corrective actions. (Sec. 3) Amends the Travel and Transportation Reform Act of 1998 to require each agency head to establish safeguards and internal controls over travel charge cards to ensure that: (1) records are kept of each holder of a card issued for official use; (2) rebates and refunds on travel card accounts are monitored for accuracy and recorded as agency receipts; (3) periodic reviews are performed to determine whether each cardholder has a need for a card; (4) training is provided to cardholders and officials responsible for oversight; (5) agencies have specific policies regarding the number of cards issued by various organizations, credit limits, and categories of eligible employees that are designed to minimize the financial risk to the government and to ensure the integrity of the cardholders; (6) an individual's creditworthiness is evaluated before a card is issued; (7) agencies utilize technologies to prevent or identify fraudulent purchases; (8) cards of terminated employees are invalidated; and (9) agencies utilize direct payment to the card holder. (Sec. 4) Requires the heads of agencies that have employees who use centrally billed accounts to establish and maintain safeguards and internal controls to ensure that agencies: (1) compare items submitted on an employee's travel voucher with items paid for using such an account; (2) dispute unauthorized charges and track disputed transactions to ensure appropriate resolution; and (3) submit requests for refunds for fully or partially unused tickets to the airlines and track unused tickets to ensure appropriate resolution. Requires the Director to prescribe guidance on implementing such safeguards and internal controls.

government credit card abuse prevention act sec requires head executive agency sets forth separate department_of_defense requirements establish maintain safeguards internal controls ensure records kept holder purchase card issued official use card transaction cardholder assigned approving official charges supporting documentation purchases paid promptly rebates refunds card accounts monitored accuracy recorded agency receipts periodic reviews performed determine cardholder need card training provided officials responsible oversight agencies specific policies number cards issued organizations credit limits categories eligible employees designed minimize financial risk government ensure integrity agencies utilize technologies prevent identify fraudulent purchases cards terminated transferred employees invalidated steps taken recover cost improper fraudulent purchases salary offsets requires director office_of_management_and_budget omb prescribe guidance governing implementation safeguards internal controls purchase cards travel charge cards provides adverse personnel actions employees card violations negligence misuse abuse fraud requires agency head inspector_general including dod inspector_general report director violations semiannually requires agency inspector_general periodically conduct risk assessments agency purchase travel card programs associated internal controls analyze weaknesses frequency improper activity develop plan determine scope frequency number periodic audits perform periodic audits card transactions report results agency head report director comptroller_general implementation recommendations address audit findings requires secretary defense prescribe regulations include safeguards internal controls ensure cardholder assigned approving official dod utilizes technologies prevent identify fraudulent purchases cards terminated transferred employees invalidated steps taken recover cost improper fraudulent purchases salary offsets dod inspector_general conducts periodic risk assessment purchase card programs associated internal controls analyzes weaknesses frequency improper activity develops appropriate corrective actions sec amends travel transportation reform_act require agency head establish safeguards internal controls travel charge cards ensure records kept holder card issued official use rebates refunds travel card accounts monitored accuracy recorded agency receipts periodic reviews performed determine cardholder need card training provided officials responsible oversight agencies specific policies number cards issued organizations credit limits categories eligible employees designed minimize financial risk government ensure integrity individual creditworthiness evaluated card issued agencies utilize technologies prevent identify fraudulent purchases cards terminated employees invalidated agencies utilize direct payment card holder sec requires heads agencies employees use centrally billed accounts establish maintain safeguards internal controls ensure agencies compare items submitted employee travel voucher items paid account dispute unauthorized charges track disputed transactions ensure appropriate resolution submit requests refunds fully partially unused tickets airlines track unused tickets ensure appropriate resolution requires director prescribe guidance implementing safeguards internal controls


Summary: District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Considers the District of Columbia a congressional district for purposes of representation in the House of Representatives. Declares that the District shall not be considered a state for purposes of representation in the Senate. Applies to the District in the same manner as it applies to a state the federal law providing for the fifteenth and subsequent decennial censuses and for apportionment of Representatives in Congress. Limits the District to one Member under any reapportionment of Members. Modifies the formula regarding the number of presidential electors to subject it to the 23rd amendment to the Constitution in the case of the District. (Sec. 3) Increases membership of the House from 435 to 437 Members. Provides for a reapportionment of Members resulting from such increase. Requires the: (1) President to submit to Congress a revised version of the most recent statement of such apportionment identifying Utah as the state entitled to one additional Representative; and (2) Clerk of the House, upon receipt of such revision, to identify such state to the Speaker of the House. (Sec. 5) Repeals provisions of: (1) the District of Columbia Delegate Act establishing the office of District of Columbia Delegate to the House of Representatives; and (2) the District of Columbia Statehood Constitution Convention Initiative of 1979 providing for election of a Representative for the District. Makes conforming amendments to the District of Columbia Elections Code of 1955. (Sec. 7) Sets forth procedures for expedited judicial review of any action brought to challenge the constitutionality of any provision of this Act or any amendment made by it.

district_of_columbia house voting rights act sec considers district_of_columbia congressional district purposes representation house_of_representatives declares district shall considered state purposes representation senate applies district manner applies state federal law providing subsequent decennial censuses apportionment representatives congress limits district member reapportionment members modifies formula number presidential electors subject 23rd amendment constitution case district sec increases membership house members provides reapportionment members resulting increase requires president submit congress revised version recent statement apportionment identifying utah state entitled additional representative clerk house receipt revision identify state speaker house sec repeals provisions district_of_columbia delegate act establishing office district_of_columbia delegate house_of_representatives district_of_columbia statehood constitution convention initiative providing election representative district makes conforming amendments district_of_columbia elections code sec sets forth procedures expedited judicial review action brought challenge constitutionality provision act amendment


Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of the Senate to transfer from the Senate Gift Shop Revolving Fund to the Senate Employee Child Care Center proceeds from the sale of holiday ornaments in order to fund necessary Center activities and expenses, including scholarships, educational supplies, and equipment.

authorizes secretary senate transfer senate gift shop revolving fund senate employee child care center proceeds sale holiday order fund necessary center activities expenses including scholarships educational supplies equipment


Summary: Presidential Signing Statements Act of 2007 - Prohibits any state or federal court from relying on or deferring to a presidential signing statement as a source of authority when determining the meaning of any Act of Congress. Requires any federal or state court, in any action, suit, or proceeding regarding the construction or constitutionality, or both, of any Act of Congress in which a presidential signing statement was issued, to permit the Senate, through the Office of Senate Legal Counsel, or the House, through the Office of General Counsel for the House, or both, to participate as an amicus curiae, and to present an oral argument on the question of the Act's construction or constitutionality, or both. Authorizes the full Congress, in any such suit, to pass a concurrent resolution declaring its view of the proper interpretation of the Act of Congress at issue, clarifying Congress's intent or its findings of fact, or both. Requires the federal or state court in question to permit Congress, through the Office of Senate Legal Counsel, to submit any such passed resolution into the record of the case as a matter of right. Makes it the duty of each federal or state court, including the U.S. Supreme Court, to advance on the docket and to expedite to the greatest possible extent the disposition of any matter brought under this Act.

presidential signing statements act prohibits state federal court relying deferring presidential signing statement source authority determining meaning act congress requires federal state court action suit proceeding construction constitutionality act congress presidential signing statement issued permit senate office senate legal counsel house office general counsel house participate amicus curiae present oral argument question act construction constitutionality authorizes congress suit pass concurrent resolution declaring view proper interpretation act congress issue clarifying congress intent findings fact requires federal state court question permit congress office senate legal counsel submit passed resolution record case matter right makes duty federal state court including supreme_court advance docket expedite greatest possible extent disposition matter brought act


Summary: Security from Political Interference in Justice Act of 2007 - Defines "covered communication" as any communication relating to an ongoing Department of Justice (DOJ) civil or criminal investigation (regardless of whether a civil or criminal indictment or information has been filed). Excludes from such definition any communication relating to policy appointments, legislation, rulemaking, budgets, public relations, programmatic matters, intergovernmental relations, administrative or personnel matters, appellate litigation, or requests for legal advice. Defines "covered Department of Justice officer" as the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General, and the Associate Attorney General. Defines "covered White House officer" as the President, the Vice-President, the Counsel to the President, and the Counselor to the President. Requires the Attorney General to submit semi-annual reports to the Judiciary Committees of Congress listing the name and title of each DOJ officer or employee who made a covered communication with any officer or employee of the Executive Office of the President in the previous six-month period. Requires the Counsel to the President to make the same semi-annual reports listing the name and title of each officer or employee of the Executive Office of the President who made a covered communication with any DOJ officer or employee. Allows the exclusion of covered DOJ and White House officers from such reports.

security political interference justice act defines covered communication communication relating ongoing department_of_justice doj civil criminal investigation regardless civil criminal indictment information filed excludes definition communication relating policy appointments legislation rulemaking budgets public relations programmatic matters intergovernmental relations administrative personnel matters appellate litigation requests legal advice defines covered department_of_justice officer attorney general deputy attorney general associate attorney general defines covered white_house officer president vice president counsel president counselor president requires attorney general submit semi annual reports judiciary_committees congress listing title doj officer employee covered communication officer employee executive_office president previous month period requires counsel president semi annual reports listing title officer employee executive_office president covered communication doj officer employee allows exclusion covered doj white_house officers reports


Summary: Authorizes the Archivist of the National Archives and Records Administration to make grants to contribute funds toward the establishment in Staunton, Virginia, of a library to preserve and make available materials related to the life of President Woodrow Wilson and to provide interpretive and educational services that communicate the meaning of his life. Requires non-federal matching funds of at least double the amount of the grant. Prohibits the use of grant amounts for the maintenance or operation of such library. Bars the Archivist from: (1) having any involvement in the actual operation of the library, except at the request of the non-federal entity responsible for its operation; and (2) making such grants after September 30, 2011.

authorizes archivist national_archives_and_records_administration grants contribute funds establishment virginia library preserve available materials related life president wilson provide interpretive educational services communicate meaning life requires non federal matching funds double grant prohibits use grant amounts maintenance operation library bars archivist having involvement actual operation library request non federal entity responsible operation making grants september


Summary: Government Shutdown Prevention Act - Provides for automatic continuing appropriations if any regular appropriation for a fiscal year (or, if applicable, for each fiscal year in a biennium) does not become law before the beginning of such fiscal year, or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect. Appropriates amounts necessary to continue any project or activity for which funds were provided in the preceding fiscal year: (1) in the corresponding regular appropriation Act for such preceding fiscal year; or (2) if such legislation did not become law, then in the joint resolution making continuing appropriations for such preceding fiscal year. Requires the appropriations and funds made available, and authority granted, for any fiscal year for a project or activity to be available for the period beginning with the first day of a lapse in appropriations and ending with the earlier of: (1) the date on which the applicable regular appropriation bill for such fiscal year becomes law (whether or not such law provides for such project or activity) or a continuing resolution making appropriations becomes law, as the case may be; or (2) the last day of such fiscal year.

government shutdown prevention act provides automatic continuing appropriations regular appropriation fiscal year applicable fiscal year law beginning fiscal year joint resolution making continuing appropriations effect appropriates amounts necessary continue project activity funds provided preceding fiscal year corresponding regular appropriation act preceding fiscal year legislation law joint resolution making continuing appropriations preceding fiscal year requires appropriations funds available authority granted fiscal year project activity available period beginning day lapse appropriations ending earlier date applicable regular appropriation bill fiscal year law law provides project activity continuing resolution making appropriations law case day fiscal year


Summary: Senior Executive Service Diversity Assurance Act - (Sec. 4) Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish within OPM the Senior Executive Service Resource Office to make recommendations to the Director with respect to regulations, and to provide guidance to agencies, concerning the structure, management, and diverse composition of the Senior Executive Service (SES). Makes it the Office's mission to: (1) improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity of the SES through policy formulation and oversight; (2) advance the professionalism of the SES; and (3) ensure that, in seeking to achieve an SES reflective of the nation's diversity, recruitment is from qualified individuals from appropriate sources. Directs the SES Office to: (1) take actions to manage and promote an efficient, elite, and diverse corps of senior executives by creating policies for the management and improvement of the SES, providing oversight of the performance, structure, and composition of the SES, and providing guidance and oversight to agencies in the management of senior executives and candidates for the SES; (2) be responsible for the policy development, management, and oversight of the SES pay performance management system; (3) develop standards for certification of each agency's SES performance management system and evaluate all agency applications for certification; (4) be responsible for coordinating, promoting, and monitoring programs for the advancement and training of senior executives; (5) provide oversight of, and guidance to, agency executive resources boards; (6) be responsible for the administration of the qualifications review board; (7) establish and maintain annual statistics on the number of career reserved positions at each agency; (8) make the data collected available to the public through the OPM official public Internet site; (9) establish and promote mentoring programs for potential SES candidates; (10) conduct a continuing program for the recruitment of women, members of racial and ethnic minority groups, and individuals with disabilities for SES positions; (11) advise agencies on the best practices for utilizing their equal employment or diversity office regarding the SES appointments process; and (12) evaluate and implement strategies to ensure that agencies conduct appropriate outreach to other agencies to identify candidates for SES positions. (Sec. 5) Amends federal civil service law to require an agency head, in establishing an executive resources board, to ensure diversity of the board and any subgroup or other evaluation panel related to the merit staffing process for career appointees. Requires the Director to report to specified congressional committees on agency efforts to improve diversity in such boards based on information collected by the SES Resource Office. (Sec. 6) Directs each agency to submit to OPM a plan to enhance and maximize opportunities for the advancement and appointment of minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities to the SES. Requires such plan to: (1) be reflected in the strategic human capital plan; (2) address how the agency is identifying and eliminating barriers that impair the ability of minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities to obtain appointments to the SES and any actions the agency is taking to provide advancement opportunities; (3) be updated at least every two years during the 10 years following this Act's enactment; and (4) be reviewed by OPM and approved if it provides sufficient assurances, procedures, and commitments to provide adequate opportunities for the advancement and appointment of minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities to the SES. Allows an agency, in updating its plan, to submit to OPM an assessment of the impacts of the plan. Requires the Director to report to specified congressional committees on plans or updates submitted. Directs OPM to determine how agency reporting can be performed so as to be consistent with, but not duplicative of, specified existing requirements under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (regarding federal employment, including discriminatory practices) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (regarding employment of individuals with disabilities and any other similar requirements.

senior_executive_service diversity assurance act sec requires director office_of_personnel_management opm establish opm senior_executive_service resource office recommendations director respect regulations provide guidance agencies concerning structure management diverse composition senior_executive_service ses makes office mission improve efficiency effectiveness productivity ses policy formulation oversight advance professionalism ses ensure seeking achieve ses reflective nation diversity recruitment qualified individuals appropriate sources directs ses office actions manage promote efficient diverse corps senior executives creating policies management improvement ses providing oversight performance structure composition ses providing guidance oversight agencies management senior executives candidates ses responsible policy development management oversight ses pay performance management system develop standards certification agency ses performance management system evaluate agency applications certification responsible coordinating promoting monitoring programs advancement training senior executives provide oversight guidance agency executive resources boards responsible administration qualifications review board establish maintain annual statistics number career reserved positions agency data collected available public opm official public internet site establish promote mentoring programs potential ses candidates conduct continuing program recruitment women members racial ethnic minority groups individuals disabilities ses positions advise agencies best practices utilizing equal employment diversity office ses appointments process evaluate implement strategies ensure agencies conduct appropriate outreach agencies identify candidates ses positions sec amends federal civil service law require agency head establishing executive resources board ensure diversity board subgroup evaluation panel related merit staffing process career appointees requires director report specified congressional committees agency efforts improve diversity boards based information collected ses resource office sec directs agency submit opm plan enhance maximize opportunities advancement appointment minorities women individuals disabilities ses requires plan reflected strategic human capital plan address agency identifying eliminating barriers impair ability minorities women individuals disabilities obtain appointments ses actions agency taking provide advancement opportunities updated years years following act enactment reviewed opm approved provides sufficient assurances procedures commitments provide adequate opportunities advancement appointment minorities women individuals disabilities ses allows agency updating plan submit opm assessment impacts plan requires director report specified congressional committees plans updates submitted directs opm determine agency reporting performed consistent duplicative specified existing requirements civil rights act federal employment including discriminatory practices rehabilitation act employment individuals disabilities similar requirements


Summary: Get in Line Act - Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to prohibit any lobbyist or lobbyist-employing organization, either registered or required to register, or any employee listed or required to be listed as a lobbyist by a registrant, from making a payment to an individual to reserve a place in line for a seat for such lobbyist, employee, or organization at a congressional committee hearing or business meeting. Requires the lobbyist, employee, or organization to certify in their semiannual reports on certain contributions that they have read and are familiar with this Act and have not violated it. Requires a Senate committee that is unable to accommodate all persons wishing to sit in the hearing room for a committee hearing or business meeting to: (1) make all reasonable accommodations for such overflow, including opening up an overflow room with a video monitor showing the hearing or meeting if possible; and (2) stream the hearing or meeting on the committee website to the extent practicable.

line act_-_amends lobbying disclosure act prohibit lobbyist lobbyist employing organization registered required register employee listed required listed lobbyist registrant making payment individual reserve place line seat lobbyist employee organization congressional committee hearing business meeting requires lobbyist employee organization certify semiannual reports certain contributions read familiar act violated requires senate_committee unable accommodate persons sit hearing room committee hearing business meeting reasonable accommodations overflow including opening overflow room video monitor showing hearing meeting possible stream hearing meeting committee website extent practicable


Summary: Amends P.L. 109-116 (relating to obtaining a statue of Rosa Parks and placing it in the U.S. Capitol in National Statuary Hall) to extend the time period that the Joint Committee on the Library has to enter into an agreement to obtain a statue of Rosa Parks. Allows the Joint Committee to authorize the Architect of the Capitol to enter into the agreement and related contracts required under such law on its behalf, under such terms and conditions as it may require. Makes such amendments effective as if included in the enactment of P.L. 109-116.

amends relating obtaining statue rosa parks placing capitol national statuary hall extend time period joint_committee library enter agreement obtain statue rosa parks allows joint_committee authorize architect capitol enter agreement related contracts required law behalf terms conditions require makes amendments effective included enactment


Summary: Children of Military Families Natural Born Citizen Act - Declares that the term "natural born Citizen" in article II, section 1, clause 5 of the Constitution, dealing with the criteria for election to President of the United States, includes any person born to any U.S. citizen while serving in the active or reserve components of the U.S. armed forces.

children military families natural born citizen act declares term natural born citizen article section clause constitution dealing criteria election president united_states includes person born citizen serving active reserve components armed_forces


Summary: Enumerated Powers Act - Requires each Act of Congress to contain a concise and definite statement of the constitutional authority relied upon for the enactment of each portion of that Act. Declares that failure to comply with this requirement shall give rise to a point of order in either chamber of Congress.

enumerated powers act_-_requires act congress contain concise definite statement constitutional authority relied enactment portion act declares failure comply requirement shall rise point order chamber congress


Summary: OLC Reporting Act of 2008 - Amends the federal judicial code to require the Attorney General to report to Congress on any instance in which the Attorney General or any officer of the Department of Justice issues an authoritative legal interpretation of any provision of a federal statute that: (1) concludes that the provision is unconstitutional or would be unconstitutional in a particular application; (2) relies for its conclusion on a determination that any other interpretation would raise constitutional concerns under article II of the Constitution or separation of powers principles; (3) relies for its conclusion on a legal presumption against applying the provision to the executive branch or any member thereof; or (4) concludes the provision has been superseded or deprived of effect by a subsequently enacted statute where there is no express statutory language stating an intent to do so. Provides for the protection of privileged and classified information contained in a report by the Attorney General on the enforcement of laws.

reporting act amends federal judicial code require attorney general report congress instance attorney general officer department_of_justice issues authoritative legal interpretation provision federal statute concludes provision unconstitutional unconstitutional particular application relies conclusion determination interpretation raise constitutional concerns article constitution separation powers principles relies conclusion legal presumption applying provision executive branch member thereof concludes provision superseded effect subsequently enacted statute express statutory language stating intent provides protection privileged classified information contained report attorney general enforcement laws