Summary: Quadrennial Foreign Affairs Review Act - Directs: (1) the Secretary of State to submit every four years to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations a quadrennial foreign affairs and Department of State review; and (2) the Foreign Affairs Panel to submit to the Secretary a report responding to such review. Directs the Secretary to establish every four years a nonpartisan independent National Foreign Affairs Panel, which shall terminate 30 days after submission of its report.

quadrennial foreign affairs review act_-_directs secretary state submit years house_committee_on_foreign_affairs senate_committee_on_foreign_relations quadrennial foreign affairs department_of_state review foreign affairs panel submit secretary report responding review directs secretary establish years nonpartisan independent national foreign affairs panel shall terminate days submission report


Summary: Strategic Communication Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of State to solicit from tax-exempt national security and foreign policy research organizations offers to establish a Center for Strategic Communication, and select one organization to establish such Center. Includes among Center duties: (1) provision of information and analysis to the Department of State, the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence on U.S. security and foreign policy issues; (2) development of U.S. communications strategies and monitoring techniques; (3) support of government-wide strategic communication through services provided on a cost-recovery basis; (4) contracting with private sector and academic entities; and (5) mobilization of nongovernment initiatives.

strategic communication act directs secretary state solicit tax exempt national security foreign policy research organizations offers establish center strategic communication select organization establish center includes center duties provision information analysis department_of_state department_of_defense dod department_of_justice department_of_homeland_security director national_intelligence security foreign policy issues development communications strategies monitoring techniques support government wide strategic communication services provided cost recovery basis contracting private sector academic entities mobilization nongovernment initiatives


Summary: Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2007 - Defines "child soldier." Prohibits, with a national interest waiver, funds appropriated or otherwise made available for specified military and related areas from being obligated or otherwise made available to the government of a country identified by the Department of State as having governmental armed forces or government supported armed groups, including paramilitaries, militias, or civil defense forces, that recruit or use child soldiers. Directs the Secretary of State to notify any government so identified. Authorizes the President to reinstate assistance upon certifying to Congress that a government is implementing: (1) compliance measures; and (2) mechanisms to prohibit future use of child soldiers and to ensure that no children are recruited, conscripted, or otherwise compelled to serve as child soldiers. Authorizes the President to provide assistance to a country for international military education and training otherwise prohibited under this Act upon certifying to Congress that such assistance is for programs that implement measures to demobilize child soldiers and for programs to support professionalization of the military.

child soldier prevention act defines child soldier prohibits national interest waiver funds appropriated available specified military related areas obligated available government country identified department_of_state having governmental armed_forces government supported armed groups including militias civil defense forces recruit use child soldiers directs secretary state notify government identified authorizes president reinstate assistance certifying congress government implementing compliance measures mechanisms prohibit future use child soldiers ensure children recruited compelled serve child soldiers authorizes president provide assistance country international_military_education training prohibited act certifying congress assistance programs implement measures child soldiers programs support military


Summary: Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act of 2008 - (Sec. 4) States that it is U.S. policy to: (1) condemn the repression carried out by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) of Burma; (2) support a peaceful transition to constitutional democracy in Burma; (3) support international efforts to alleviate the suffering of Burmese refugees and address the urgent humanitarian needs of the Burmese people; and (4) hold accountable individuals responsible for the repression of peaceful political activity in Burma. (Sec. 5) Subjects the following persons to a U.S. entry visa prohibition and financial sanctions (blocked property, financial transaction prohibitions, prohibited activities, and banking sanctions), including: (1) former and present leaders of the SPDC, the Burmese military, or the Union Solidarity Development Association (USDA); (2) officials of the SPDC, the Burmese military, or the USDA involved in political repression in Burma or other gross violations of human rights abuses; (3) other Burmese SPDC, Burmese military, and USDA supporters; and (4) immediate family members of any such persons. Directs the President to submit to Congress a list of such sanctioned persons. Exempts medical and humanitarian assistance and certain financial transactions from such restrictions. Authorizes additional waivers for diplomatic, official U.S. Government, and travel purposes. Subjects persons who violate such prohibitions to certain civil and criminal penalties. Terminates such sanctions upon a presidential certification to Congress that the SPDC has: (1) unconditionally released all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the National League for Democracy (NLD); (2) entered into a dialogue with democratic forces led by the NLD and the ethnic minorities of Burma on transitioning to democratic government; and (3) allowed humanitarian access to populations affected by armed conflict in all regions of Burma. Authorizes the President to waive such sanctions if it is in the national interests of the United States. (Sec. 6) Amends the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 (BFDA) to prohibit the importation into the United States of jadeite and rubies, including jewelry containing such articles (covered articles) from Burma until the President certifies to Congress that Burma has met certain conditions concerning human rights and democratic reforms and has implemented certain counternarcotics measures. Directs the President to require certain conditions for the importation into the United States of such articles from other countries (non-Burmese covered articles) in order to prevent trade in Burmese covered articles. Subjects Burmese covered articles and non-Burmese covered articles that are imported into the United States to seizure and forfeiture and to U.S. criminal and civil laws. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should take the necessary steps to negotiate an international arrangement (similar to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for conflict diamonds) to prevent the trade in Burmese covered articles. Requires the President to report to Congress on what U.S. actions have been taken to seek: (1) the issuance of a draft waiver decision by the Council for Trade in Goods of the World Trade Organization (WTO) granting the United States a waiver under the WTO with respect to the provisions of this Act; (2) the adoption of a United Nations (U.N.) resolution calling for the creation and implementation of a certification scheme for non-Burmese covered articles to prevent trade in Burmese covered articles; and (3) the negotiation of an international arrangement to prevent the trade in Burmese covered articles. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the effectiveness of this Act. Extends import sanctions upon enactment of a renewal resolution by Congress. (Sec. 7) Directs the President to appoint a Special Representative and Policy Coordinator for Burma. (Sec. 8) Authorizes the President to assist nonviolent democracy activists in their efforts to promote freedom, democracy, and human rights in Burma. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008. (Sec. 9) Declares the sense of Congress that the international community should increase support for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) attempting to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of the Burmese people. Amends the BFDA to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to issue multi-year licenses for humanitarian or religious activities in Burma. Authorizes appropriations, with a limitation, for FY2008. (Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary of State to report to Congress on countries, companies, and other entities that provide military or intelligence aid to the SPDC. (Sec. 11) Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should lead UN Security Council efforts to impose an international arms embargo on Burma. (Sec. 12) Directs the Secretary of State to report annually to Congress on Burma's timber trade, including recommendations on alternative imports to Burmese hardwoods. (Sec. 13) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to Congress on all countries and foreign banking institutions that hold assets on behalf of senior Burmese officials. (Sec. 14) Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should work with the Royal Thai Government to ensure the safety of the 15 plaintiffs in the Doe v. Unocal case. Urges the United States to grant plaintiffs refugee status or humanitarian parole to enter the United States. (Sec. 15) Urges: (1) U.S., French, and Thai investors to voluntarily divest in the Burmese Yadana gas pipeline project if the Burmese Government fails to take steps to release political prisoners, restore civilian constitutional rule, and promote national reconciliation; and (2) Yadana investors that remain invested in Burma to communicate certain criticisms to the Burmese government, disclose transparently their role in Burmese investment, and work with project partners to ensure forced labor is not used on the project.

tom_lantos block burmese anti democratic efforts act sec states policy repression carried state peace development council burma support peaceful transition constitutional democracy burma support international efforts alleviate suffering burmese refugees address urgent humanitarian needs burmese people hold accountable individuals responsible repression peaceful political activity burma sec subjects following persons entry visa prohibition financial sanctions blocked property financial transaction prohibitions prohibited activities banking sanctions including present leaders burmese military union development association usda officials burmese military usda involved political repression burma gross violations human rights abuses burmese burmese military usda supporters immediate family members persons directs president submit congress list sanctioned persons exempts medical humanitarian assistance certain financial transactions restrictions authorizes additional waivers diplomatic official government travel purposes subjects persons violate prohibitions certain civil criminal penalties terminates sanctions presidential certification congress released political prisoners including san members national league democracy entered dialogue democratic forces led ethnic minorities burma transitioning democratic government allowed humanitarian access populations affected armed conflict regions burma authorizes president waive sanctions national interests united_states sec amends burmese freedom democracy act prohibit importation united_states including jewelry containing articles covered articles burma president certifies congress burma met certain conditions concerning human rights democratic reforms implemented certain counternarcotics measures directs president require certain conditions importation united_states articles countries non burmese covered articles order prevent trade burmese covered articles subjects burmese covered articles non burmese covered articles imported united_states seizure forfeiture criminal civil laws expresses sense congress president necessary steps negotiate international arrangement similar process certification scheme conflict prevent trade burmese covered articles requires president report congress actions taken seek issuance draft waiver decision council trade goods world_trade_organization wto granting united_states waiver wto respect provisions act adoption united_nations resolution calling creation implementation certification scheme non burmese covered articles prevent trade burmese covered articles negotiation international arrangement prevent trade burmese covered articles requires comptroller_general report congress effectiveness act extends import sanctions enactment renewal resolution congress sec directs president appoint special representative policy coordinator burma sec authorizes president assist nonviolent democracy activists efforts promote freedom democracy human rights burma authorizes appropriations fy2008 sec declares sense congress international community increase support nongovernmental organizations attempting meet urgent humanitarian needs burmese people amends authorize secretary treasury issue multi year licenses humanitarian religious activities burma authorizes appropriations limitation fy2008 sec directs secretary state report congress countries companies entities provide military intelligence aid sec expresses sense congress united_states lead security_council efforts impose international arms embargo burma sec directs secretary state report annually congress burma timber trade including recommendations alternative imports burmese sec directs secretary treasury report annually congress countries foreign banking institutions hold assets behalf senior burmese officials sec expresses sense congress united_states work government ensure safety plaintiffs doe case urges united_states grant plaintiffs refugee status humanitarian parole enter united_states sec urges investors voluntarily divest burmese gas pipeline project burmese government fails steps release political prisoners restore civilian constitutional rule promote national reconciliation investors remain invested burma communicate certain burmese government disclose role burmese investment work project partners ensure forced labor project


Summary: Prohibits the Secretary of State from making a contribution to any regularly assessed biennial budget of the United Nations unless the Secretary has: (1) confirmed with the Mayor of the City of New York that U.N. facilities located in the City are in full compliance with all fire, building, and safety codes; and (2) submitted to Congress a certification of confirmation.

prohibits secretary state making contribution regularly assessed biennial budget united_nations secretary confirmed mayor city new_york facilities located city compliance fire building safety codes submitted congress certification confirmation


Summary: Defense Trade Controls Performance Improvement Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) perform a strategic review and assessment of the U.S. export controls system; (2) provide for specified performance requirements respecting license applications to export or import United States Munitions List items; (3) ensure that the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls of the Department of State has the necessary staff and resources; (4) ensure that all items on the Missile Technology Control Regime Annex are subject to stringent government control. Requires that the Directorate establish a secure Internet-based system for tracking the progress of munitions list license applications. Directs the President, under specified conditions, to waive certain licensing requirements for exports of spare and replacement parts or components and related services of defense items exported to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. Sets forth Department of Commerce and Department of State export controls for civil aircraft products.

defense trade controls performance improvement act directs secretary state perform strategic review assessment export controls system provide specified performance requirements respecting license applications export import united_states_munitions_list items ensure directorate defense trade controls department_of_state necessary staff resources ensure items missile technology control regime annex subject stringent government control requires directorate establish secure internet based system tracking progress munitions list license applications directs president specified conditions waive certain licensing requirements exports spare replacement parts components related services defense items exported north_atlantic_treaty_organization nato member states australia japan new_zealand sets forth department_of_commerce department_of_state export controls civil aircraft products


Summary: Interagency Cooperation Commission Act - Establishes the Interagency Cooperation Commission to examine the long-term global challenges facing the United States and develop legislative and administrative proposals to improve interagency cooperation.Requires the Commission to: (1) address the role and impact in facilitating or impeding interagency cooperation of a variety of budgetary, planning, and operational factors; and (2) examine interdepartmental cooperation within the Department of Defense (DOD), including the common organizational structures, reference materials, and budget processes, and examine the value of such structures as models for broader government commonality. Lists as the subjects of required assessments: (1) past examples of successful and unsuccessful interagency cooperation; (2) the impact of the Goldwater-Nichols Act within DOD; (3) the effectiveness of current interagency structures and processes to engage in strategic planning and oversee and implement long-term United States policy in global affairs; (4) simulation-based assessments of global scenarios the United States may face in the long-term; and (5) the legal decision-making authority and resources needed in each department and at the highest levels of government to execute reforms proposed by the Commission.

interagency cooperation commission act establishes interagency cooperation commission examine long term global challenges facing united_states develop legislative administrative proposals improve interagency cooperation requires commission address role impact facilitating impeding interagency cooperation variety budgetary planning operational factors examine interdepartmental cooperation department_of_defense dod including common organizational structures reference materials budget processes examine value structures models broader government lists subjects required assessments past examples successful unsuccessful interagency cooperation impact act dod effectiveness current interagency structures processes engage strategic planning oversee implement long term united_states policy global affairs simulation based assessments global scenarios united_states face long term legal decision making authority resources needed department highest levels government execute reforms proposed commission


Summary: Authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Woodrow W. Keeble for acts of valor as an acting platoon leader during the Korean conflict.

authorizes president award medal honor acts valor acting leader korean conflict


Summary: Global Service Fellowship Program Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of State to establish and administer a Global Service Fellowship Program to fund fellowships to promote international volunteering opportunities as a means of building bridges across cultures, addressing critical human needs, and promoting mutual understanding. Sets forth Program provisions. Authorizes appropriations.

global service fellowship program act directs secretary state establish administer global service fellowship program fund fellowships promote international volunteering opportunities means building bridges cultures addressing critical human needs promoting mutual understanding sets forth program provisions authorizes appropriations


Summary: Global Poverty Act of 2007 - Directs the President, through the Secretary of State, to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to further the U.S. foreign policy objective of promoting the reduction of global poverty, the elimination of extreme global poverty, and the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of reducing by one-half the proportion of people, between 1990 and 2015, who live on less than $1 per day. Requires the strategy to contain specific and measurable goals and to consist of specified components, including: (1) continued investment or involvement in existing U.S. initiatives related to international poverty reduction and trade preference programs for developing countries; (2) improving the effectiveness of development assistance and making available additional overall United States assistance levels as appropriate; (3) enhancing and expanding debt relief as appropriate; (4) mobilizing and leveraging the participation of businesses and public-private partnerships; (5) coordinating the goal of poverty reduction with other internationally recognized Millennium Development Goals; and (6) integrating principles of sustainable development and entrepreneurship into policies and programs. Sets forth specified reporting requirements. Directs the Secretary of State to designate a coordinator who will have primary responsibility for overseeing and drafting the reports, as well as responsibility for helping to implement recommendations contained in the reports. Defines specified terms.

global poverty act directs president secretary state develop implement comprehensive strategy foreign policy objective promoting reduction global poverty elimination extreme global poverty achievement united_nations millennium development goal reducing half proportion people live day requires strategy contain specific measurable goals consist specified components including continued investment involvement existing initiatives related international poverty reduction trade preference programs developing countries improving effectiveness development assistance making available additional overall united_states assistance levels appropriate enhancing expanding debt relief appropriate mobilizing leveraging participation businesses public private partnerships coordinating goal poverty reduction internationally recognized millennium development goals integrating principles sustainable development entrepreneurship policies programs sets forth specified reporting requirements directs secretary state designate coordinator primary responsibility overseeing reports responsibility helping implement recommendations contained reports defines specified terms


Summary: Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to prohibit funds from being dispersed to a country that denies or unreasonably delays the acceptance of its citizens, nationals, or residents who have been ordered removed under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) from the United States. Amends INA to prohibit visa issuance to citizens, nationals, or residents of such country unless: (1) the country is in full compliance with travel document requirements under this Act; or (2) Congress waives such prohibition. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to report to Congress every three months listing countries that deny or delay such repatriation. Imposes assistance and visa prohibitions on a listed country that does not issue appropriate travel documents for such aliens. Authorizes presidential waiver of such assistance and visa prohibitions.

amends foreign assistance_act prohibit funds dispersed country denies unreasonably delays acceptance citizens nationals residents ordered removed immigration_and_nationality_act ina united_states amends ina prohibit visa issuance citizens nationals residents country country compliance travel document requirements act congress waives prohibition requires secretary homeland_security report congress months listing countries deny delay repatriation imposes assistance visa prohibitions listed country issue appropriate travel documents aliens authorizes presidential waiver assistance visa prohibitions


Summary: Free Speech Protection Act of 2009 - Allows any U.S. person against whom a lawsuit for defamation is brought in a foreign country on the basis of the content of any speech by that person that has been published, uttered, or otherwise disseminated primarily in the United States to bring an action in a U.S. district court against any person who, or entity which, brought the suit, if the speech at issue in the foreign lawsuit does not constitute defamation under U.S. law. Allows the award of treble damages if it is determined by a preponderance of the evidence that the person or entity bringing the foreign lawsuit intentionally engaged in a scheme to suppress rights under the First Amendment to the Constitution by discouraging publishers or other media from publishing, or by discouraging financial supporters from employing, retaining, or supporting the research, writing, or other speech of an individual.

free speech protection act allows person lawsuit defamation brought foreign country basis content speech person published disseminated primarily united_states bring action district_court person entity brought suit speech issue foreign lawsuit constitute defamation law allows award treble damages determined preponderance evidence person entity bringing foreign lawsuit intentionally engaged scheme suppress rights amendment constitution discouraging publishers media publishing discouraging financial supporters employing retaining supporting research writing speech individual


Summary: Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of State, with the assistance of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, to provide Congress with an "Annual Report on the Status of Freedom of the Press Worldwide." Sets forth Report provisions. Directs the Secretary to administer a grant program to promote freedom of the press worldwide, which shall be administered by the Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor as part of the Human Rights Democracy Fund.

freedom press act directs secretary state assistance bureau democracy human rights labor provide congress annual report status freedom press worldwide sets forth report provisions directs secretary administer grant program promote freedom press worldwide shall administered department bureau democracy human rights labor human rights democracy fund


Summary: Global Online Freedom Act of 2009 - Makes it U.S. policy to: (1) promote the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media; (2) use all appropriate instruments of U.S. influence to support the free flow of information without interference or discrimination; and (3) deter U.S. businesses from cooperating with Internet-restricting countries in effecting online censorship. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President should seek international agreements to protect Internet freedom; and (2) some U.S. businesses, in assisting foreign governments to restrict online access to U.S.-supported websites and government reports and to identify individual Internet users, are working contrary to U.S. foreign policy interests. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require assessments of electronic information freedom in each foreign country. Establishes in the Department of State the Office of Global Internet Freedom (OGIF). Directs the Secretary of State to annually designate Internet-restricting countries. Prohibits, subject to waiver, U.S. businesses that provide to the public a commercial Internet search engine, communications services, or hosting services from locating, in such countries, any personally identifiable information used to establish or maintain an Internet services account. Requires U.S. businesses that collect or obtain personally identifiable information through the Internet to notify the OGIF and the Attorney General before responding to a disclosure request from an Internet-restricting country. Authorizes the Attorney General to prohibit a business from complying with the request, except for legitimate foreign law enforcement purposes. Requires U.S. businesses to report to the OGIF certain Internet censorship information involving Internet-restricting countries. Prohibits U.S. businesses that maintain Internet content hosting services from jamming U.S.-supported websites or U.S.-supported content in Internet-restricting countries. Authorizes the President to waive provisions of this Act: (1) to further the purposes of this Act; (2) if a country ceases restrictive activity; or (3) if it is the national interest of the United States.

global online freedom act makes policy promote freedom seek receive information ideas media use appropriate instruments influence support free flow information interference discrimination deter businesses cooperating internet restricting countries online censorship expresses sense congress president seek international agreements protect internet freedom businesses assisting foreign governments restrict online access websites government reports identify individual internet users working contrary foreign policy interests amends foreign assistance_act require assessments electronic information freedom foreign country establishes department_of_state office global internet freedom directs secretary state annually designate internet restricting countries prohibits subject waiver businesses provide public commercial internet search engine communications services hosting services locating countries personally identifiable information establish maintain internet services account requires businesses collect obtain personally identifiable information internet notify attorney general responding disclosure request internet restricting country authorizes attorney general prohibit business complying request legitimate foreign law enforcement purposes requires businesses report certain internet censorship information involving internet restricting countries prohibits businesses maintain internet content hosting services jamming websites content internet restricting countries authorizes president waive provisions act purposes act country ceases restrictive activity national interest united_states


Summary: Ambassador's Fund for Strategic Exchanges Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of State to establish in the Voluntary Visitors Division of the Office of International Visitors in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs the Ambassador's Fund for Strategic Exchanges to bring political, economic, civil society, and other leaders to the United States for short-term exchange visits in order to advance U.S. strategic goals. Authorizes appropriations.

ambassador fund strategic exchanges act directs secretary state establish voluntary visitors division office international visitors bureau educational cultural affairs ambassador fund strategic exchanges bring political economic civil society leaders united_states short term exchange visits order advance strategic goals authorizes appropriations


Summary: Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act of 2009 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to expand the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices to include: (1) a description of the status of freedom of the press in each country reviewed in the report; (2) identification of countries in which there were violations of freedom of the press; and (3) in countries where there are particularly severe violations of freedom of the press, whether such governments participate in or condone such violations and the actions such governments have taken to preserve the safety and independence of the media and ensure the prosecution of individuals who attack or murder journalists.

freedom press act amends foreign assistance_act expand annual country reports human rights practices include description status freedom press country reviewed report identification countries violations freedom press countries particularly severe violations freedom press governments participate violations actions governments taken preserve safety independence media ensure prosecution individuals attack murder journalists


Summary: Combating Anti-Semitism Act of 2010 - Amends the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act of 2004 to revise substantive and periodic reporting provisions. Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to provide that the Office to Monitor and Combat anti-Semitism shall be headed by the Ambassador at Large for Monitoring and Combating anti-Semitism. (The Office is currently headed by the Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating anti-Semitism.) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to include in Foreign Service officer training after January 1, 2012, instruction on anti-Semitism and on legal and law enforcement issues relevant to monitoring and combating anti-Semitism.

combating anti act amends global anti review act revise substantive periodic reporting provisions amends state_department basic authorities act provide office monitor combat anti shall headed ambassador large monitoring combating anti office currently headed special envoy monitoring combating anti amends foreign_service act include foreign_service officer training january instruction anti legal law enforcement issues relevant monitoring combating anti


Summary: Amends the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to reauthorize the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy through October 1, 2010.

amends foreign affairs reform restructuring act reauthorize united_states advisory commission public diplomacy october


Summary: Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act of 2009 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to expand the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices to include: (1) a description of the status of freedom of the press in each country reviewed in the report; (2) identification of countries in which there were violations of freedom of the press; and (3) whether governments in countries in which there are severe violations of freedom of the press participate in or condone such violations, and actions that such governments have taken to preserve the safety and independence of the media and to ensure the prosecution of individuals who attack or murder journalists.

freedom press act amends foreign assistance_act expand annual country reports human rights practices include description status freedom press country reviewed report identification countries violations freedom press governments countries severe violations freedom press participate violations actions governments taken preserve safety independence media ensure prosecution individuals attack murder journalists


Summary: Organization of American States Revitalization and Reform Act of 2010 - States that it is U.S. policy to: (1) promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law throughout the Western Hemisphere; and (2) support the principles expressed in the Charter of the Organization of American States, the American Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Man, the Inter-American Democratic Charter, and other fundamental instruments of democracy. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Organization of American States (OAS) should be the primary multilateral diplomatic entity for regional dispute resolution and promotion of democratic governance and institutions. Directs the Secretary of State to submit a multiyear strategy to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs that: (1) outlines an approach to the OAS that encourages the adoption of International Public Sector Accounting Standards, provides for a budgeting process that prioritizes mandates, and encourages transparent hiring practices; and (2) reflects inputs and coordination from other executive branch agencies. Directs the Secretary to report to such committees regarding OAS progress in: (1) implementing International Public Sector Accounting Standards and transparent and merit-based human resource and hiring standards; and (2) adopting the practice of soliciting member quotas to be paid on a quarterly basis in order to improve operating budget consistency.

organization_of_american_states revitalization reform_act 2010_-_states policy promote democracy human rights rule law western_hemisphere support principles expressed charter organization_of_american_states american declaration rights duties man inter american democratic charter fundamental instruments democracy expresses sense congress organization_of_american_states oas primary multilateral diplomatic entity regional dispute resolution promotion democratic governance institutions directs secretary state submit multiyear strategy senate_committee_on_foreign_relations house_committee_on_foreign_affairs outlines approach oas encourages adoption international public sector accounting standards provides budgeting process prioritizes mandates encourages transparent hiring practices reflects inputs coordination executive branch agencies directs secretary report committees oas progress implementing international public sector accounting standards transparent merit based human resource hiring standards adopting practice soliciting member quotas paid quarterly basis order improve operating budget consistency


Summary: Small Business Job Creation Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend an increase in expensing of certain depreciable business assets; and (2) provide an increased exclusion from realized gain for certain small business stock. Repeals: (1) the minimum tax preference for gains on the sale of certain small business stock; and (2) the 28% capital gains rate on qualified small business stocks. Increases the aggregate asset limitation for qualified small businesses. Small Business Job Creation and Access to Capital Act of 2010 - Amends the Small Business Act to increase maximum amounts of loans under the following Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs: (1) the section 7(a) (general small business loans) guaranteed loan program; (2) the section 504 (state and local development company) program; and (3) the Microloan (small-scale loans to start-up, newly-established, and growing small businesses) program. Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to apply single-business investment limits to SBA-recognized new markets venture capital companies. Directs the SBA Administrator to establish for prospective borrowers an alternative small business size standard that uses maximum tangible net worth and average net income as an alternative to the use of industry standards. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Administrator should establish a website that lists SBA lenders and provides loan rate information, and allows prospective borrowers to compare rates on SBA-guaranteed loans. Amends provisions of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 relating to the local development business loan program to allow a small business borrower to refinance a qualifying previous business debt or the financing of certain business expenses. Allows the Administrator to provide additional financing under such program for a borrower that meets certain job creation or retention goals. Provides an alternate job retention goal for which a borrower may qualify. Small Business Export Enhancement and International Trade Act of 2010 - Revises provisions concerning the establishment within the SBA of the Office of International Trade (Office) to, among other things: (1) make the Associate Administrator for International Trade the head of the Office; (2) require the Associate Administrator to carry out all SBA responsibilities regarding international trade; and (3) revise Associate Administrator duties with respect to maintaining a trade distribution network, promoting export sales opportunities and establishing export goals, and disseminating export information and assistance to small businesses. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish an export and trade counseling certification program to certify employees providing export assistance to small businesses; and (2) develop performance measures to support small business export goals; and (3) carry out a program for the resolution of trade disputes or unfair international trade practices. Provides for the establishment of export finance specialists within export assistance centers. Increases loan limits and participation levels under international trade finance and export programs. Directs the Associate Administrator to establish the State Trade and Export Promotion Grant Program. Requires a report from the Administrator to the congressional small business committees on small business rural export promotion. Job Impact Analysis Act of 2010 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), for each bill or joint resolution of a public character, to prepare and submit to the committee a statement containing specified information regarding potential job creation or job loss as a result of mandates in the bill or resolution. Amends the Regulatory Flexibility Act to require: (1) each initial regulatory flexibility analysis to estimate the economic impact of the proposed rule on small businesses; (2) an agency to notify the SBA Chief Counsel for Advocacy of any draft rules that may have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses; (3) each final regulatory flexibility analysis to include the agency's response to any comments filed by the Chief Counsel in response to the proposed rule; and (4) the agency to publish the final regulatory flexibility analysis on its website. Requires each agency to place on its website its plan for the periodic review of rules. Directs the agency, in reviewing the rules, to consider specified factors, including the continued need for the rule, the nature of complaints received, and the rule's complexity and current impact. Requires: (1) the SBA's Office of Advocacy to carry out responsibilities concerning the analysis of regulatory functions; (2) each federal budget to include a separate statement of amounts requested for the Office; and (3) the SBA Administrator to provide the Office with appropriate and adequate office space, budget, equipment, and services. Appropriates funds for SBA small business development centers through 2011. Authorizes the Administrator to waive through 2011 the requirement that women's business centers obtain non-federal funds for technical assistance and counseling activities.

small business job creation act amends_the_internal_revenue_code extend increase expensing certain depreciable business assets provide increased exclusion realized gain certain small business stock repeals minimum tax preference gains sale certain small business stock capital gains rate qualified small business stocks increases aggregate asset limitation qualified small businesses small business job creation access capital act amends small_business_act increase maximum amounts loans following small_business_administration sba loan programs section general small business loans guaranteed loan program section state local development company program microloan small scale loans start newly established growing small businesses program amends small_business_investment_act apply single business investment limits sba recognized new markets venture capital companies directs sba administrator establish prospective borrowers alternative small business size standard uses maximum tangible net worth average net income alternative use industry standards expresses sense congress administrator establish website lists sba lenders provides loan rate information allows prospective borrowers compare rates sba guaranteed loans amends provisions small_business_investment_act relating local development business loan program allow small business borrower refinance qualifying previous business debt financing certain business expenses allows administrator provide additional financing program borrower meets certain job creation retention goals provides alternate job retention goal borrower qualify small business export enhancement international_trade act revises provisions concerning establishment sba office_of_international_trade office things associate_administrator international_trade head office require associate_administrator carry sba responsibilities international_trade revise associate_administrator duties respect maintaining trade distribution network promoting export sales opportunities establishing export goals disseminating export information assistance small businesses directs administrator establish export trade counseling certification program certify employees providing export assistance small businesses develop performance measures support small business export goals carry program resolution trade disputes unfair international_trade practices provides establishment export finance specialists export assistance centers increases loan limits participation levels international_trade finance export programs directs associate_administrator establish state trade export promotion grant program requires report administrator congressional small business committees small business rural export promotion job impact analysis act amends congressional_budget impoundment control act require director congressional_budget_office cbo bill joint resolution public character prepare submit committee statement containing specified information potential job creation job loss result mandates bill resolution amends regulatory flexibility act require initial regulatory flexibility analysis estimate economic impact proposed rule small businesses agency notify sba chief counsel advocacy draft rules significant economic impact substantial number small businesses final regulatory flexibility analysis include agency response comments filed chief counsel response proposed rule agency publish final regulatory flexibility analysis website requires agency place website plan periodic review rules directs agency reviewing rules consider specified factors including continued need rule nature complaints received rule complexity current impact requires sba office advocacy carry responsibilities concerning analysis regulatory functions federal budget include separate statement amounts requested office sba administrator provide office appropriate adequate office space budget equipment services appropriates funds sba small business development centers authorizes administrator waive requirement women business centers obtain non federal funds technical assistance counseling activities


Summary: Enhancing Quality Assistance and Leadership and Improving Transparency for Women Act or the EQUALITY Act - Establishes in the Office of the Secretary of State the Office for Global Women's Issues which shall be headed by an Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues. Establishes in the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) the Women's Development Advisor who shall coordinate USAID efforts to integrate gender in foreign assistance design, strategy, and programs. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to report to Congress regarding U.S. government financial assistance to further international economic, social, and legal development for women and girls.

enhancing quality assistance leadership improving transparency women act equality act establishes office_of_the_secretary state office global women issues shall headed ambassador large global women issues establishes united_states_agency international_development usaid women development advisor shall coordinate usaid efforts integrate gender foreign assistance design strategy programs directs comptroller_general_of_the_united_states report congress government financial assistance international economic social legal development women girls


Summary: International Documentary Exchange Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary of State to make grants to U.S. filmmakers and nongovernmental organizations that use independently produced documentary films to promote a better understanding of the United States among individuals in other countries.

international documentary exchange act authorizes secretary state grants nongovernmental organizations use independently produced documentary films promote better understanding united_states individuals countries