Summary:
Read the Bill Act

This bill prohibits consideration of any bill or resolution in the House of Representatives or the Senate unless its text is published on an official website of the Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate at least the applicable minimum number of hours (excluding those in which the chamber is not in session) before consideration of the bill or resolution, namely:

 72 hours, for text of 300 or fewer pages; or for text of more than 300 pages, the sum of 72 hours plus 24 hours for each additional increment of text of 100 or fewer pages. Whenever a House or Senate Committee reports a bill or joint resolution proposing to repeal or amend all or part of a statute, it must include in its report or in an accompanying document:

 the entire text of each section of the statute proposed to be repealed or amended, and a comparative print of each amendment to the section of the statute that the bill or joint resolution proposes to make. Neither chamber, nor Congress jointly, may dispense with or otherwise waive or modify the requirements of this Act.

Any Act of Congress that was considered as a bill or resolution in the House or Senate in violation of this Act shall have no force or effect, and no legal, equitable, regulatory, civil, or criminal action may be brought under it.

read bill act bill prohibits consideration bill resolution house_of_representatives senate text published official website clerk house secretary senate applicable minimum number hours excluding chamber session consideration bill resolution hours text fewer text sum hours plus hours additional increment text fewer house senate_committee reports bill joint resolution proposing repeal amend statute include report accompanying document entire text section statute proposed repealed amended comparative print amendment section statute bill joint resolution proposes chamber congress jointly dispense waive modify requirements act act congress considered bill resolution house senate violation act shall force effect legal equitable regulatory civil criminal action brought


Summary:
One Subject at a Time Act

 This bill requires: (1) each bill or joint resolution to embrace no more than one subject, and (2) the subject to be clearly and descriptively expressed in the measure's title.

The bill prohibits an appropriations bill from containing any general legislation or change of existing law requirement, if its subject is not germane to the subject of such bill.

The bill also declares void: (1) an entire Act or joint resolution if its title addresses two or more unrelated subjects, (2) provisions in legislation not clearly and descriptively expressed in the measure's title, (3) appropriation provisions in legislation outside the relevant subcommittee's jurisdiction, and (4) provisions of appropriation bills not germane to their subject matter.

Aggrieved persons and Members of Congress shall have the right to bring an action against the United States to seek appropriate relief, including an injunction against the enforcement of any law the passage of which did not conform to this Act.

subject time act bill requires bill joint resolution subject subject clearly expressed measure title bill prohibits appropriations bill containing general legislation change existing law requirement subject subject bill bill declares void entire act joint resolution title addresses unrelated subjects provisions legislation clearly expressed measure title appropriation provisions legislation outside relevant subcommittee jurisdiction provisions appropriation bills subject matter aggrieved persons members congress shall right bring action united_states seek appropriate relief including injunction enforcement law passage conform act


Summary:
Do Your Job Act

This bill withholds the salaries of Members of a chamber of Congress if the chamber has not considered and voted on final passage of each regular appropriations bill before the beginning of the fiscal year.

The salaries are withheld until the earlier of the: (1) the date on which the chamber has considered and held votes on final passage of each of the bills, or (2) the last day of the Congress. In the House of Representatives, consideration of the bills must include permitting Members to offer amendments.

job act bill withholds salaries members chamber congress chamber considered voted final passage regular appropriations bill beginning fiscal year salaries withheld earlier date chamber considered held votes final passage bills day congress house_of_representatives consideration bills include permitting members offer amendments


Summary: This bill amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to specify that it covers employees of the Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China and the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (also known as the Helsinki Commission).

bill amends congressional_accountability_act specify covers employees congressional executive commission people republic china commission security cooperation europe known commission


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill prohibits a federal agency (excluding the Federal Election Commission, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or the U.S. Postal Service) from proposing or finalizing any midnight rule unless the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget finds that it will not result in: (1) an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices; (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete internationally; or (4) a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses.

The bill defines "midnight rule" as an agency statement of general applicability and future effect that is issued during the moratorium period, that is intended to have the force and effect of law, and that is designed to: (1) implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy; or (2) describe the procedure or practice requirements of an agency. The "moratorium period" begins on the day after the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in every fourth year succeeding a presidential election and extends through January 20 of the following year in which a President is not serving a consecutive term.

(Sec. 3) Such prohibition shall not apply to any deadline for, relating to, or involving any midnight rule that: (1) was established before the beginning of the moratorium period, and (2) is required to occur during the moratorium period.

(Sec. 4) The bill exempts any midnight rule that the President determines is necessary: (1) because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency, (2) to enforce criminal laws, (3) to protect U.S. national security, or (4) to implement an international trade agreement. The moratorium does not apply to a midnight rule if the OIRA finds that such rule is limited to repealing an existing rule and certifies such finding in writing.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure midnight rule relief_act sec bill prohibits federal agency excluding federal_election_commission board_of_governors federal_reserve_system federal_deposit_insurance_corporation postal_service proposing finalizing midnight rule office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs oira office_of_management_and_budget finds result annual effect economy million major increase costs prices significant adverse effects competition employment investment productivity innovation ability enterprises compete internationally significant economic impact substantial number small businesses bill defines midnight rule agency statement general applicability future effect issued moratorium period intended force effect law designed implement interpret prescribe law policy describe procedure practice requirements agency moratorium period begins day tuesday monday november fourth year succeeding presidential election extends january following year president serving consecutive term sec prohibition shall apply deadline relating involving midnight rule established beginning moratorium period required occur moratorium period sec bill exempts midnight rule president determines necessary imminent threat health safety emergency enforce criminal laws protect national security implement international_trade agreement moratorium apply midnight rule oira finds rule limited repealing existing rule certifies finding writing


Summary:
Thoroughly Investigating Retaliation Against Whistleblowers Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 to reauthorize through FY2020 the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), an independent federal investigative and prosecutorial agency led by an official appointed by the President to protect federal employees, former employees, and applicants for employment from prohibited personnel practices.

(Sec. 3) The OSC shall have access to any record or other information of any agency under its jurisdiction. The Department of Justice (DOJ) or an inspector general may withhold access to information if the disclosure could interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation or prosecution, but only if DOJ or the agency head submits a report to the OSC describing the records withheld and the reasons for the withholding.

(Sec. 4) The bill: (1) extends from 15 to 45 days the period for the OSC to review a disclosed prohibited practice; (2) requires an agency to provide a detailed explanation of any failure to take action to address information about a prohibited practice transmitted to it by the OSC; and (3) requires an agency that reports agency action proposed as a result of its investigation of such information to submit a supplemental report within 180 days on whether such proposed action has been taken and, if not, why not.

(Sec. 5) The OSC may terminate an investigation if: (1) it involves an allegation that has been previously made by the same person, (2) the OSC does not have jurisdiction to investigate such allegation, or (3) the person should have known of the alleged prohibited personnel practice earlier than three years before the OSC received the allegation.

(Sec. 6) The bill expands the OSC's annual reporting requirements to include: (1) the cost of allegations disposed of by the OSC; (2) the number of stays or disciplinary actions that the OSC negotiates with agencies; (3) the number of corrective action petitions and disciplinary action complaints initiated before, and stays obtained from, the Merit Systems Protection Board; and (4) the number of prohibited personnel practice complaints that result in a favorable action or outcome for the complainant.

The OSC must include in its publicly disclosed list of noncriminal matters referred to agencies: (1) any comments from the complainant, provided that the availability to the public is appropriate, not prohibited by law, and consented to by the complainant; and (2) the OSC's comments or recommendations.

(Sec. 7) The OSC shall design and establish a pilot program in FY2017-FY2018 to survey individuals who have filed a complaint or disclosure with the OSC. The responses shall be used to improve customer service at various stages of the review or investigative process.

(Sec. 8) Penalties for violations of Hatch Act prohibitions against engaging in political activities may include a combination of the disciplinary actions and the civil penalty prescribed under current law.

(Sec. 9) The OSC must prescribe and publish in the Federal Register any regulations necessary for the OSC to perform functions required by amendments made by this bill.

investigating retaliation whistleblowers act sec bill amends whistleblower protection act reauthorize fy2020 office_of_special_counsel independent federal investigative prosecutorial agency led official appointed president protect federal employees employees applicants employment prohibited personnel practices sec shall access record information agency jurisdiction department_of_justice doj inspector_general withhold access information disclosure interfere ongoing criminal investigation prosecution doj agency head submits report describing records withheld reasons withholding sec bill extends days period review disclosed prohibited practice requires agency provide detailed explanation failure action address information prohibited practice transmitted requires agency reports agency action proposed result investigation information submit supplemental report days proposed action taken sec terminate investigation involves allegation previously person jurisdiction investigate allegation person known alleged prohibited personnel practice earlier years received allegation sec bill expands annual reporting requirements include cost allegations disposed number stays disciplinary actions agencies number corrective action petitions disciplinary action complaints initiated stays obtained merit_systems_protection_board number prohibited personnel practice complaints result favorable action outcome complainant include publicly disclosed list noncriminal matters referred agencies comments complainant provided availability public appropriate prohibited law consented complainant comments recommendations sec shall design establish pilot program fy2017 fy2018 survey individuals filed complaint disclosure responses shall improve customer service stages review investigative process sec penalties violations hatch act prohibitions engaging political activities include combination disciplinary actions civil penalty prescribed current law sec prescribe publish federal_register regulations necessary perform functions required amendments bill


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

United States Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Preservation Act

(Sec. 3) This bill prohibits any action to modify, abrogate, or replace the stipulations, agreements, and commitments contained in the Guantanamo Lease Agreements, or to impair or abandon the jurisdiction and control of the United States over United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, unless specifically authorized or otherwise provided by:

 a statute enacted on or after the enactment of this Act; a treaty ratified with the advice and consent of the Senate on or after enactment of this Act; or a modification of the Treaty Between the United States of America and Cuba signed at Washington, DC, on May 29, 1934, that is ratified with the advice and consent of the Senate on or after enactment of this Act. (Sec. 4) "Guantanamo Lease Agreements" means:

 the Agreement Between the United States of America and the Republic of Cuba for the Lease to the United States of Lands in Cuba for coaling and naval stations, signed by the President of the United States on February 23, 1903; and the Lease to the United States by the Government of Cuba of Certain Areas of Land and Water for Naval or Coaling Stations, signed by the President of the United States on October 2, 1903.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure united_states_naval_station guantanamo_bay preservation act sec bill prohibits action modify replace stipulations agreements commitments contained guantanamo lease agreements impair abandon jurisdiction control united_states united_states_naval_station guantanamo_bay cuba specifically authorized provided statute enacted enactment act treaty ratified advice consent senate enactment act modification treaty united_states_of_america cuba signed washington ratified advice consent senate enactment act sec guantanamo lease agreements means agreement united_states_of_america republic cuba lease united_states lands cuba naval stations signed president united_states february lease united_states government cuba certain areas land water naval stations signed president united_states october


Summary:
Equal Access to Congressional Research Service Reports Act of 2016

This bill directs the Government Publishing Office (GPO) to establish and maintain a public website containing Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports, and an index, that are searchable, sortable, and downloadable (including in bulk), for which no fee may be charged.

The CRS Reports on the website shall include CRS Authorization of Appropriations Products, Appropriations Products, and any other written CRS product containing CRS research or analysis available for general congressional access on the CRS Congressional Intranet.

The website shall exclude any:

 custom product or service prepared in direct response to a request for custom analysis or research and not available for general congressional access on the CRS Congressional Intranet; CRS Reports, Authorization of Appropriations Products, or Appropriations Products not so available; or written CRS products that CRS has made available on a public website (besides this website) maintained by the GPO or the Library of Congress. The GPO shall ensure that the website is updated contemporaneously, automatically, and electronically to include each new or updated CRS Report.

Before transmitting a CRS Report to the GPO for publication on the website, CRS may remove the name of, and any contact information for, any CRS employee.

The Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 is amended to require CRS to comply with this Act.

equal_access congressional_research_service reports act bill directs government_publishing_office gpo establish maintain public website containing congressional_research_service crs reports index searchable downloadable including bulk fee charged crs reports website shall include crs authorization appropriations products appropriations products written crs product containing crs research analysis available general congressional access crs congressional website shall exclude custom product service prepared direct response request custom analysis research available general congressional access crs congressional crs reports authorization appropriations products appropriations products available written crs products crs available public website website maintained gpo library_of_congress gpo shall ensure website updated automatically electronically include new updated crs report transmitting crs report gpo publication website crs remove contact information crs employee legislative reorganization act amended require crs comply act


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

(Sec. 1) This bill amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2003 to authorize the U.S. Capitol Police, by interagency transfer, donation, sale, trade-in, or other appropriate method, to dispose of any property in their possession because it has been disposed of, forfeited, voluntarily abandoned, or unclaimed. (Currently the U.S. Capitol Police are authorized to use these methods to dispose of only their own surplus or obsolete property.)

Upon notifying specified congressional committees, the U.S. Capitol Police may accept surplus or obsolete property offered by another federal department, agency, or office.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill amends legislative_branch_appropriations_act authorize capitol_police interagency transfer donation sale trade appropriate method dispose property possession disposed forfeited voluntarily abandoned unclaimed currently capitol_police authorized use methods dispose surplus obsolete property notifying specified congressional committees capitol_police accept surplus obsolete property offered federal department agency office


Summary:
Architect of the Capitol Administrative Operations Improvement Act of 2016

This bill establishes in the Treasury a Working Capital Fund for the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), whose amounts shall be available for:

 appropriate, efficient, and economical common agency services, activities, equipment, and other common costs; and construction, capital repairs, renovations, rehabilitation, maintenance of real property, and similar agency expenses, on a reimbursable basis within the AOC. The Fund shall consist of, among other things, appropriations as well as:

 the reasonable value of stocks of supplies, equipment, and other assets and inventories on order that the AOC transfers to the Fund, minus related liabilities and unpaid obligations; receipts from the sale or exchange of property held in the Fund; all miscellaneous receipts compensating the AOC for loss or damage to any government property under its jurisdiction or care, including the U.S. Botanic Garden; and reimbursements and transfers from certain other accounts. The Fund shall be reimbursed from available AOC accounts for supplies, materials, services, and related expenses, at rates which will approximate the full cost of operations, including:

 accrual of employee leave and benefits; depreciation of plant, property, and equipment; and overhead. The AOC may use certain appropriations for the purchase or rental, maintenance, and operation of passenger motor vehicles to provide shuttle service for Members and employees of Congress to and from the House Office Buildings.

Available balances of expired AOC appropriations shall be available to the AOC for reimbursing the Department of Labor for any unemployment compensation payments for former AOC employees, without regard to the fiscal year for which the obligation to make such payments is incurred.

architect capitol administrative operations improvement act bill establishes treasury working capital_fund architect capitol aoc amounts shall available appropriate efficient economical common agency services activities equipment common costs construction capital repairs renovations rehabilitation maintenance real property similar agency expenses reimbursable basis aoc fund shall consist things appropriations reasonable value stocks supplies equipment assets inventories order aoc transfers fund minus related liabilities unpaid obligations receipts sale exchange property held fund miscellaneous receipts compensating aoc loss damage government property jurisdiction care including garden reimbursements transfers certain accounts fund shall reimbursed available aoc accounts supplies materials services related expenses rates approximate cost operations including accrual employee leave benefits depreciation plant property equipment overhead aoc use certain appropriations purchase rental maintenance operation passenger motor vehicles provide service members employees congress house office buildings available balances expired aoc appropriations shall available aoc reimbursing department_of_labor unemployment compensation payments aoc employees regard fiscal year obligation payments incurred


Summary:
Do Your Job or Don't Get Paid Act

This bill withholds the salaries of Members of the House of Representatives if the House has not passed all of the regular appropriations bills before the beginning of the fiscal year.

The salaries are withheld until the earlier of: (1) the first day by which the House has passed all of the regular appropriations bills for the fiscal year, or (2) the last day of the Congress.

For the purposes of this bill, passage of all of the regular appropriations bills includes passing each bill individually or in combination with any of the other appropriations bills.

job paid act bill withholds salaries members house_of_representatives house passed regular appropriations bills beginning fiscal year salaries withheld earlier day house passed regular appropriations bills fiscal year day congress purposes bill passage regular appropriations bills includes passing bill individually combination appropriations bills


Summary:
This bill directs the Joint Committee on the Library to enter into an agreement with the Harriet Tubman Statue Commission of the State of Maryland under which the Commission shall provide, and the Joint Committee shall accept, a statue of Harriet Tubman.

After receiving the statue, the Joint Committee on the Library shall place it in a suitable permanent location in the U.S. Capitol.

bill directs joint_committee library enter agreement statue commission state maryland commission shall provide joint_committee shall accept statue receiving statue joint_committee library shall place suitable permanent location capitol


Summary:
Transparency in National Security Act of 2016

This bill amends the Freedom of Information Act to include the National Security Council (NSC) within the definition of "agency" (thus applying that Act's requirements to the NSC). Such amendment shall apply with respect to any record created by the NSC before, on, or after this bill's enactment.

transparency national security act bill amends freedom information act include national_security_council definition agency applying act requirements amendment shall apply respect record created bill enactment


Summary:
Independent Counsel Reauthorization Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal judicial code to reauthorize the independent counsel law (currently expired) for a five-year period.

It extends to eight years after leaving office the period during which individuals who have held the following positions are still subject to preliminary investigations by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to determine whether to apply to a division of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia for the appointment of an independent counsel for further investigation and possible prosecution:

 the President or the Vice President; the Attorney General or the Secretaries of State, the Treasury, Defense, the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy, Education, Veterans Affairs, or Homeland Security; the U.S. Trade Representative, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Commissioner of Social Security, the Director of National Drug Control Policy, the Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or the Director of National Intelligence; individuals working in the Executive Office of the President compensated at or above level II of the Executive Schedule; Assistant Attorneys General and DOJ employees compensated at or above level III of the Executive Schedule; or the Director of Central Intelligence, the Deputy Director of Central Intelligence, or the Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

independent counsel reauthorization act bill amends federal judicial code reauthorize independent counsel law currently expired year period extends years leaving office period individuals held following positions subject preliminary investigations department_of_justice doj determine apply division court_of_appeals district_of_columbia appointment independent counsel investigation possible prosecution president vice president attorney general secretaries state treasury defense interior agriculture commerce labor health_and_human_services housing_and_urban_development transportation energy education veterans_affairs homeland_security trade representative director office_of_management_and_budget commissioner_of_social_security director national_drug_control_policy chair board_of_governors federal_reserve_system director national_intelligence individuals working executive_office president compensated level executive schedule assistant attorneys general doj employees compensated level iii executive schedule director central intelligence deputy director central intelligence commissioner internal_revenue


Summary:
Article V Records Transparency Act of 2016

This bill directs the Archivist of the United States to make and transmit to Congress an organized compilation of all applications and rescissions of applications ever made by states under article V of the Constitution to call a convention for proposing amendments to the Constitution.

The Archivist: (1) in complying with such requirement, shall use the records contained in the National Archive and Records Administration and attempt to obtain an official copy of any application or rescission that may not be in such records; (2) submit a report on the extent of suspected missing applications or rescissions not included in the compilation; and (3) catalog the applications and rescissions by year of submission and state.

The committees on the judiciary in each chamber shall make the applications and rescissions contained in such compilation available on a publicly accessible website and update the compilation as specified.

In order to simplify and make uniform the process by which state legislatures make such an application or rescission, Congress recommends that after adoption of an application or rescission by a state legislature, the secretary of state or other state official should submit at least two copies of the measure containing the application or rescission to Congress, one copy addressed to the President of the Senate and one copy to the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

article records transparency_act bill directs archivist united_states transmit congress organized compilation applications rescissions applications states article constitution convention proposing amendments constitution archivist complying requirement shall use records contained national archive records administration attempt obtain official copy application rescission records submit report extent suspected missing applications rescissions included compilation catalog applications rescissions year submission state committees judiciary chamber shall applications rescissions contained compilation available publicly accessible website update compilation specified order simplify uniform process state application rescission congress recommends adoption application rescission state legislature secretary state state official submit copies measure containing application rescission congress copy addressed president senate copy speaker house_of_representatives


Summary:
Taxpayer-Funded Travel Transparency Act of 2016

This bill requires each Member of the House of Representatives to post on the Member's official public website, and to furnish to the Committee on House Administration:

 a description of each trip taken by the Member for which transportation, lodging, or related expenses were paid by the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of State, or an office of the House; and the amounts paid by DOD, State, or the office for such expenses. These reporting requirements shall not apply with respect to a trip taken by a Member for which expenses were paid by that Member's Representational Allowance.

The Committee on House Administration shall maintain on its official public website a clearinghouse of all of the travel and expenses information furnished to the Committee by all House members.

In the case of a trip taken by a Member of the House for which DOD or the State Department pays transportation, lodging, or related expenses, the respective department shall:

 determine the costs of the transportation, lodging, and related expenses paid; and furnish the Member with a written statement of those expenses within 10 days after completion of the trip. The respective department may waive the written statement of expenses requirement if furnishing the statement may affect national security.

taxpayer funded travel transparency_act bill requires member house_of_representatives post member official public website furnish committee house administration description trip taken member transportation lodging related expenses paid department_of_defense dod department_of_state office house amounts paid dod state office expenses reporting requirements shall apply respect trip taken member expenses paid member representational allowance committee house administration shall maintain official public website clearinghouse travel expenses information furnished committee house members case trip taken member house dod state_department pays transportation lodging related expenses respective department shall determine costs transportation lodging related expenses paid furnish member written statement expenses days completion trip respective department waive written statement expenses requirement furnishing statement affect national security


Summary:
Establishing Digital Interactive Transparency Act or the EDIT Act

This bill instructs the Library of Congress, in the operation of the Congress.gov website, to ensure that each version of a bill or resolution which is made available for viewing permits the viewer to follow and track, within the same document, any changes made from the previous versions of that bill or resolution.

establishing digital interactive transparency_act act bill instructs library_of_congress operation website ensure version bill resolution available viewing permits follow track document changes previous versions bill resolution


Summary:
Agency Accountability Act of 2016

This bill requires any agency that receives a fee, fine, penalty, or proceeds from a settlement to deposit the amount in the general fund of the Treasury. The funds may not be used unless the funding is provided in advance in an appropriations bill.

Any amounts deposited during the fiscal year in which this bill is enacted may not be obligated during the fiscal year and must be used for deficit reduction.

The bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require offsetting receipts and collections to be treated as revenue. (Offsetting receipts and collections are funds collected by agencies from other government accounts or from the public in businesslike or market-oriented transactions. Under current law, the collections are treated as negative budget authority and outlays rather than revenue and may be used to offset spending for budget enforcement purposes.)

The requirements of the bill do not apply to the U.S. Postal Service or the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and the Director of the USPTO must submit annually to Congress a report describing any fee, fine, penalty, or proceeds from a settlement collected by the USPTO during the previous year.

agency accountability_act bill requires agency receives fee fine penalty proceeds settlement deposit general_fund_of_the_treasury funds funding provided advance appropriations bill amounts deposited fiscal year bill enacted obligated fiscal year deficit reduction bill amends congressional_budget_act require offsetting receipts collections treated revenue offsetting receipts collections funds collected agencies government accounts public market oriented transactions current law collections treated negative budget authority outlays revenue offset spending budget enforcement purposes requirements bill apply postal_service patent trademark_office uspto secretary commerce intellectual property director uspto submit annually congress report describing fee fine penalty proceeds settlement collected uspto previous year


Summary:
Readable Legislation Act of 2016

This bill requires every bill or joint resolution that amends an existing section of any Act to do so by setting forth the entire section and showing the omissions and insertions proposed by appropriate typographical devices. A measure may not revise or amend any section of an Act by a mere reference to it.

readable legislation act bill requires bill joint resolution amends existing section act setting forth entire section showing omissions proposed appropriate devices measure revise amend section act mere reference


Summary:
This bill prescribes requirements and deadlines for Senate consideration and votes on nominations submitted by the President, including referrals of such nominations to a single Senate committee and jointly to more than one committee.

If each committee to which the nomination has been referred reports it favorably to the Senate or discharges it without recommendation, the Senate shall hold a vote on the nomination within 60 days after the last such committee reports or discharges it.

 If the President submits to the Senate the nomination of an individual for appointment to an office and it is not referred to any Senate committee, the Senate shall hold a vote on the nomination within 150 days.

 In the case of the nomination of an individual for appointment to the Supreme Court of the United States, a vote in the Senate on a motion to invoke cloture on a motion to proceed to consideration of the nomination shall be treated as a vote on the nomination for purposes of this bill.

bill prescribes requirements deadlines senate consideration votes nominations submitted president including referrals nominations single senate_committee jointly committee committee nomination referred reports senate discharges recommendation senate shall hold vote nomination days committee reports discharges president submits senate nomination individual appointment office referred senate_committee senate shall hold vote nomination days case nomination individual appointment supreme_court united_states vote senate motion motion proceed consideration nomination shall treated vote nomination purposes bill


Summary:
Right to Petition Congress Act

This bill requires the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate to establish a process under which they shall:

 develop a national discharge petition for a bill or joint resolution introduced in either the House or the Senate or referred to either chamber after passage by the other chamber during a Congress, make each petition available for signature by individuals registered to vote in elections for federal office held in their domiciles, and compile such signatures. The Clerk or the Secretary may: (1) develop a petition only at the request of the sponsor of the bill or joint resolution; and (2) carry out this bill using such methods as the Clerk and Secretary consider appropriate, including providing for the availability of such petitions and the acceptance of signatures on them exclusively through electronic means.

If a discharge petition is certified by the Clerk or the Secretary as having valid signatures of 25% or more of qualified voters, the leadership of the House and Senate shall ensure that a vote on the final passage of the measure takes place within a specified time period.

As part of the national discharge petition process, the Clerk and the Secretary shall provide on their public websites a hyperlink through which individuals may obtain information on how to register to vote in federal elections in their domiciles.

right petition congress act bill requires clerk house_of_representatives secretary senate establish process shall develop national discharge petition bill joint resolution introduced house senate referred chamber passage chamber congress petition available signature individuals registered vote elections federal office held compile signatures clerk secretary develop petition request sponsor bill joint resolution carry bill methods clerk secretary consider appropriate including providing availability petitions acceptance signatures exclusively electronic means discharge petition certified clerk secretary having valid signatures qualified voters leadership house senate shall ensure vote final passage measure takes place specified time period national discharge petition process clerk secretary shall provide public websites hyperlink individuals obtain information register vote federal elections


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 20, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Transit Security Grant Program Flexibility Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 to permit the use of public transportation security assistance grant funds for backfill associated with security training.

(Sec. 3) Funds provided pursuant to such a grant for a specified authorized use shall, with two exceptions, remain available for use by a grant recipient for at least 36 months.

 Any such funds used for security improvements for public transportation systems or security improvements for stations and other public transportation infrastructure, including those owned by state or local governments, shall remain available for at least 55 months.

(Sec. 4) The Government Accountability Office shall review the public transportation security assistance grant program.

measure amended reported house september summary version repeated transit security grant program flexibility act sec bill amends implementing recommendations commission act permit use public transportation security assistance grant funds associated security training sec funds provided pursuant grant specified authorized use shall exceptions remain available use grant recipient months funds security improvements public transportation systems security improvements stations public transportation infrastructure including owned state local governments shall remain available months sec government_accountability_office shall review public transportation security assistance grant program


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to give Congress three full business days' prior notice of any announcement of competitive DOT projects receiving a discretionary grant award, letter of intent, loan, loan guarantee, or line of credit of $750,000 or more.

DOT shall also give Congress notice of emergency program fund allocations for the repair of highways and roads damaged as a result of a disaster:

 three full business days before issuance of the allocation; or concurrently with the allocation, if it is made using DOT's quick release (or any successor) process.

measure amended introduced expanded summary house reported version repeated sec bill directs department_of_transportation dot congress business days prior notice announcement competitive dot projects receiving discretionary grant award letter intent loan loan guarantee line credit dot shall congress notice emergency program fund allocations repair highways roads damaged result disaster business days issuance allocation concurrently allocation dot quick release successor process


Summary:
Congressional Accountability Now Act or the CAN Act

This bill prohibits the use of funds: (1) for the official travel expenses of a Member of Congress or legislative branch employee for airline accomodations that are not coach-class, (2) for the long-term leasing of a vehicle by a Member of Congress, and (3) for a Member's official mail other than a document transmitted under official letterhead.

The bill amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to reduce the annual rate of pay for Members of Congress by 10%.

This bill excludes Members of Congress from further coverage under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). This exclusion does not apply to the Vice President.

Nothing in this bill shall: (1) be considered to nullify, modify, or otherwise affect any right, entitlement, or benefit under CSRS or FERS for any Member covering any period before its enactment; or (2) affect the eligibility of a Member to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan.

Members currently covered by CSRS or FERS may elect to retain such coverage by giving written notice within 90 days after enactment of this bill.

congressional accountability act act bill prohibits use funds official travel expenses member congress legislative branch employee airline coach class long term leasing vehicle member congress member official mail document transmitted official bill amends legislative reorganization act reduce annual rate pay members congress bill excludes members congress coverage civil_service_retirement_system csrs federal employees retirement system fers exclusion apply vice president bill shall considered modify affect right entitlement benefit csrs fers member covering period enactment affect eligibility member participate thrift savings plan members currently covered csrs fers elect retain coverage giving written notice days enactment bill


Summary:
Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2016

This bill prohibits the President from using the Armed Forces to conduct a first-use nuclear strike unless such strike is conducted pursuant to a congressional declaration of war expressly authorizing such strike.

"First-use nuclear strike" means a nuclear weapons attack against an enemy that is conducted without the President determining that the enemy has first launched a nuclear strike against the United States or a U.S. ally.

restricting use nuclear weapons act bill prohibits president armed_forces conduct use nuclear strike strike conducted pursuant congressional declaration war expressly authorizing strike use nuclear strike means nuclear weapons attack enemy conducted president determining enemy launched nuclear strike united_states ally


Summary:
No Lobbyists on Presidential Transition Teams Act

This bill amends the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 to prohibit any payment authorized by the General Services Administration for a President-elect or Vice President-elect under such Act from being made for services or facilities provided by a registered lobbyist.

lobbyists presidential transition teams act bill amends presidential transition act prohibit payment authorized general_services_administration president elect vice president elect act services facilities provided registered lobbyist


Summary:
Presidential Accountability Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime for the President or Vice President to personally and substantially participate in official matters that affect their financial interests, unless the financial interests are held in a blind trust or the President or Vice President discloses the financial interests and receives an exemption.

It imposes criminal penalties—a prison term, a fine, or both—on a President or Vice President who commits the offense. It also authorizes civil penalties and injunctions.

Additionally, a violation constitutes a high crime and misdemeanor (i.e., grounds for impeachment) under Article II, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution.

Finally, the bill prohibits the President or Vice President from entering into contracts with the U.S. government.

presidential accountability_act bill amends federal criminal code crime president vice president personally substantially participate official matters affect financial interests financial interests held blind trust president vice president discloses financial interests receives exemption imposes criminal penalties prison term fine president vice president commits offense authorizes civil penalties injunctions additionally violation constitutes high crime misdemeanor grounds article section constitution finally bill prohibits president vice president entering contracts government


Summary:
None of the Above Act

Any individual casting a ballot in a general election for federal office shall be given the opportunity to cast a vote for "None of the Above" on a separate line after the names of all other candidates in the election.

The effect of "None of the Above" receiving the greatest number of votes in elections for the House of Representatives and the Senate would be to require a special election and in elections for President and Vice President it would be to require a special general election.

act individual casting ballot general election federal office shall given opportunity cast vote separate line names candidates election effect receiving greatest number votes elections house_of_representatives senate require special election elections president vice president require special general election


Summary:
Presidential Tax Disclosure Act of 2016

This bill requires any individual holding the office of President to submit federal tax returns to the Office of Government Ethics (OGE). The individual must submit: (1) each return filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for any year ending while the individual is President, and (2) each return filed with the IRS for the three years before the individual assumed office.

After receiving the returns, the OGE must: (1) make the returns publicly available on the Internet, and (2) submit the returns to specified congressional committees.

No information may be redacted from the disclosed returns except for: (1) Social Security, tax identification, and account identification numbers; and (2) the names of any dependent of the taxpayer.

The bill establishes civil and criminal penalties to enforce the disclosure requirements. It also amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the IRS to disclose to the OGE any federal tax return that is required to be disclosed by this bill, but has not been submitted to the OGE within a specified deadline.

presidential tax disclosure act bill requires individual holding office president submit federal tax returns office_of_government_ethics individual submit return filed internal_revenue_service irs year ending individual president return filed irs years individual assumed office receiving returns returns publicly available internet submit returns specified congressional committees information redacted disclosed returns social_security tax identification account identification numbers names dependent taxpayer bill establishes civil criminal penalties enforce disclosure requirements amends_the_internal_revenue_code permit irs disclose federal tax return required disclosed bill submitted specified deadline


Summary: This bill amends: (1) the Freedom of Information Act to require the Department of the Treasury to make available each federal income tax return filed by an individual serving as President upon request, and (2) the Internal Revenue Code to authorize Treasury to disclose such returns.

bill amends freedom information act require department_of_the_treasury available federal income tax return filed individual serving president request internal_revenue_code authorize treasury disclose returns


Summary:
One President at a Time Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to specify that the President-elect, or a person acting on behalf of the President-elect, is subject to the prohibition against unauthorized correspondence with a foreign government about a dispute or controversy with the United States.

president time act bill amends federal criminal code specify president elect person acting behalf president elect subject prohibition unauthorized correspondence foreign government dispute controversy united_states


Summary:
Nuclear Sanity Act

This bill requires the President to obtain the approval of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of State prior to the use of nuclear weapons, except: (1) in the case of a foreign military attack on U.S. territory, or (2) if it is impossible for the President to communicate with DOD and the State Department for a 24-hour period.

The bill requires: (1) the U.S. military to disregard all orders from the President in violation of this bill, and (2) any violation or attempted violation of this bill to be deemed a high crime or misdemeanor under the Constitution.

nuclear act bill requires president obtain approval department_of_defense dod department_of_state prior use nuclear weapons case foreign military attack territory impossible president communicate dod state_department hour period bill requires military disregard orders president violation bill violation attempted violation bill deemed high crime misdemeanor constitution


Summary:
Executive Needs to Faithfully Observe and Respect Congressional Enactments of the Law Act of 2015 or the ENFORCE the Law Act of 2015

Authorizes either chamber of Congress, upon adoption of a resolution declaring that the President or any officer or employee of the United States has established or implemented a policy, practice, or procedure to refrain from enforcing, applying, following, or administering any federal statute, rule, regulation, program, policy, or other law in violation of the constitutional requirement that the President faithfully execute the laws of the United States, to bring a civil action for a declaratory judgment to that effect.

Grants jurisdiction to a three-judge panel of a U.S. district court to hear such civil action and provides for an expedited direct appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

executive needs observe respect congressional enactments law act enforce law act authorizes chamber congress adoption resolution declaring president officer employee united_states established implemented policy practice procedure refrain enforcing applying following administering federal statute rule regulation program policy law violation constitutional requirement president execute laws united_states bring civil action declaratory judgment effect grants jurisdiction judge panel district_court hear civil action provides expedited direct appeal supreme_court


Summary:
Enumerated Powers Act

 Requires each Act of Congress, bill, resolution, conference report, or amendment to contain a concise explanation of the specific constitutional authority relied upon as the basis for enacting each portion of the measure.

Permits a statement of constitutionality, to the extent that a measure limits or abolishes any federal activity, spending, or power overall, to cite the 9th or the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Declares that invoking one or more specified parts of the following clauses in a statement of constitutionality is not sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Act: (1) the enumerated spending clause; (2) the necessary and proper clause; or (3) the commerce clause for any purpose other than the regulation of the buying and selling of goods or services, or their transportation, across boundaries with foreign nations, across state lines, or with the Indian tribes.

Declares that failure to comply with this requirement shall give rise to a point of order in either chamber.

enumerated powers act requires act congress bill resolution conference report amendment contain concise explanation specific constitutional authority relied basis enacting portion measure permits statement constitutionality extent measure limits abolishes federal activity spending power overall cite 9th 10th amendment constitution declares invoking specified parts following clauses statement constitutionality sufficient satisfy requirements act enumerated spending clause necessary proper clause commerce clause purpose regulation buying selling goods services transportation boundaries foreign nations state lines indian tribes declares failure comply requirement shall rise point order chamber


Summary:
Former Vice President Protection Improvement Act of 2015

Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit knowingly and willfully threatening to kill, kidnap, or inflict bodily harm upon former Vice Presidents or members of their immediate families.

vice president protection improvement act amends federal criminal code prohibit knowingly willfully threatening kill kidnap bodily harm vice presidents members immediate families


Summary:
Tax Transparency Act of 2015

Requires legislation, including conference reports or amendments, that modifies federal tax law to contain a statement describing the general effect of the modification on federal tax law. Provides that failure to provide such a statement shall give rise to a point of order during consideration of such legislation in either chamber of Congress. Sets forth procedures for consideration of such a point of order.

tax transparency_act requires legislation including conference reports amendments modifies federal tax law contain statement describing general effect modification federal tax law provides failure provide statement shall rise point order consideration legislation chamber congress sets forth procedures consideration point order


Summary:
Earmark Elimination Act of 2015

 Makes it out of order in the Senate to consider a bill or resolution introduced in either chamber or any other measure that includes an earmark.

Permits waiver of a point of order against an earmark only by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Senators.

Makes this Act inapplicable to any authorization of appropriations to a federal entity if the authorization is not specifically targeted to a state, locality, or congressional district.

earmark elimination act makes order senate consider bill resolution introduced chamber measure includes earmark permits waiver point order earmark affirmative vote thirds senators makes act inapplicable authorization appropriations federal entity authorization specifically targeted state locality congressional district


Summary:
Balanced Budget Accountability Act

 Requires each house of Congress to adopt a concurrent budget resolution for a fiscal year which provides that, for each fiscal year for which a budget is provided under the resolution (beginning by FY2025), total outlays do not exceed total receipts and are not more than 18% of the gross domestic product for such fiscal year.

Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), upon the adoption by a chamber of a concurrent budget resolution for a fiscal year, to transmit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives or the President pro Tempore of the Senate (as the case may be) a certification as to whether or not that chamber has met the requirements of this Act with respect to the resolution.

Requires the appropriate payroll administrator of each chamber to deposit in an escrow account all mandatory payments for compensation of Members of Congress serving in that chamber if CBO does not certify that it has adopted a concurrent budget resolution for FY2016 before April 16, 2015.

Requires deposits to begin on such date and to be released to appropriate Members on the earlier of:

 the day on which CBO certifies that the chamber has met the requirements of this Act with respect to FY2016, or the last day of the 114th Congress. Sets forth the same requirements for FY2017 if CBO does not certify that a chamber has adopted a concurrent budget resolution for FY2017 before April 16, 2016.

Requires legislation in the House and Senate that increases revenue to be agreed upon only by an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members of that chamber.

balanced_budget accountability_act requires house congress adopt concurrent budget resolution fiscal year provides fiscal year budget provided resolution beginning fy2025 total outlays exceed total receipts gross domestic product fiscal year requires director congressional_budget_office cbo adoption chamber concurrent budget resolution fiscal year transmit speaker house_of_representatives president pro tempore senate case certification chamber met requirements act respect resolution requires appropriate payroll administrator chamber deposit escrow account mandatory payments compensation members congress serving chamber cbo certify adopted concurrent budget resolution fy2016 april requires deposits begin date released appropriate members earlier day cbo certifies chamber met requirements act respect fy2016 day congress sets forth requirements fy2017 cbo certify chamber adopted concurrent budget resolution fy2017 april requires legislation house senate increases revenue agreed affirmative vote fifths members chamber


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on December 18, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Edward "Ted" Kaufman and Michael Leavitt Presidential Transitions Improvements Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 to direct the President to plan and coordinate activities to facilitate an efficient transfer of power to a successor President, including by: (1) not later than six months before a presidential election, establishing and operating a White House transition coordinating council; and (2) establishing and operating an agency transition directors council.

The General Services Administration (GSA) must designate a senior career appointee to: (1) carry out the duties and authorities of GSA relating to presidential transitions, (2) serve as the Federal Transition Coordinator to coordinate transition planning across agencies; (3) ensure that agencies comply with all statutory requirements relating to transition planning and reporting, and (4) act as a liaison to eligible candidates.

Each executive agency shall designate a senior career employee to oversee transition activities.

The Federal Transition Coordinator shall: (1) negotiate a memorandum of understanding with the transition representative of each eligible candidate on the conditions of access to employees, facilities, and documents of agencies by transition staff; and (2) submit reports to specified congressional committees on the activities undertaken by the current administration and executive agencies to prepare for the transfer of power to a new President.

(Sec. 3) This section requires the President's annual budget request to Congress to include funding for the management and custody of presidential records by the National Archives and Records Administration for each fiscal year in which the term of office of the President will expire.

(Sec. 4) This section directs the Office of Personnel Management to submit to specified congressional committees annual reports on requests by agencies to appoint political appointees or former political appointees to nonpolitical civil service positions. These reports shall be submitted quarterly in the last year of a presidential term or in the last year of the second consecutive term of a President.

(Sec. 5) This section directs the Government Accountability Office to report to specified congressional committees on final significant regulatory actions promulgated during the last 120-day period of presidential administrations ending in 2001, 2009, and 2017. A significant regulatory action means any regulatory action that is likely to result in a rule that may: (1) have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, the environment, productivity, competition, jobs, public health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities; (2) create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an agency action; (3) materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs, or (4) raise novel legal or policy issues.

(Sec. 6) This section directs the Department of Homeland Security to submit, not later than February 15, 2016, a report to specified congressional committees analyzing the threats and vulnerabilities facing the United States during a presidential transition.

measure amended reported house december summary version repeated edward michael presidential transitions improvements act sec bill amends presidential transition act direct president plan coordinate activities facilitate efficient transfer power successor president including later months presidential election establishing operating white_house transition coordinating council establishing operating agency transition directors council general_services_administration gsa designate senior career appointee carry duties authorities gsa relating presidential transitions serve federal transition coordinator coordinate transition planning agencies ensure agencies comply statutory requirements relating transition planning reporting act liaison eligible candidates executive agency shall designate senior career employee oversee transition activities federal transition coordinator shall negotiate memorandum understanding transition representative eligible candidate conditions access employees facilities documents agencies transition staff submit reports specified congressional committees activities undertaken current administration executive agencies prepare transfer power new president sec section requires president annual budget request congress include funding management custody presidential records national_archives_and_records_administration fiscal year term office president expire sec section directs office_of_personnel_management submit specified congressional committees annual reports requests agencies appoint political appointees political appointees civil service positions reports shall submitted quarterly year presidential term year second consecutive term president sec section directs government_accountability_office report specified congressional committees final significant regulatory actions promulgated day period presidential administrations ending significant regulatory action means regulatory action likely result rule annual effect economy million adversely affect material way economy environment productivity competition jobs public health safety state local tribal governments communities create inconsistency interfere agency action materially alter budgetary impact entitlements grants user fees loan programs raise novel legal policy issues sec section directs department_of_homeland_security submit later february report specified congressional committees analyzing threats vulnerabilities facing united_states presidential transition


Summary:
Read the Bills Act

This bill requires any bill or resolution introduced in either chamber of Congress to contain a provision citing the specific powers granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact the proposed measure, including all of its provisions.

Any measure introduced in either chamber, intended to amend or modify the effect of, or which would have such an effect, any current provision of law, including its expiration date, must set forth: (1) the current version of the entire section of the current law that the measure proposes to amend, verbatim; (2) the amendments being proposed by the measure; and (3) the section of law as it would read as modified by such amendments. Measures that would strike the text of an entire section of a law are excluded.

Neither the Clerk of the House of Representatives nor the Secretary of the Senate may accept legislation noncompliant with these requirements.

These requirements shall be applied to any legislation presented for consideration on the floor of either chamber.

Noncompliant measures may not be submitted for a vote on final passage.

These requirements shall not be waived or modified by either chamber or Congress jointly.

A vote on final passage of a measure (except private bills) may not occur in either chamber unless:

 the full text of the measure is published at least seven days before the vote on an official website of each chamber, public notice of the specific calendar week during which the vote is scheduled to take place is posted on the respective website within six days before the Monday of such week, and there is a reading of its full text verbatim by the Clerk or the Secretary to the respective chamber. A Member of Congress, before voting in favor of final passage of any measure (except a private bill), must sign an affidavit, executed under penalty of perjury, that the Member either: (1) was present throughout the entire reading of each such measure, and listened attentively to the reading in its entirety; or (2) before such vote, read attentively each such measure in its entirety.

This requirement shall not be waived or modified by either chamber of Congress.

An Act of Congress noncompliant with this Act shall have no force or effect. No legal, equitable, regulatory, civil, or criminal action may be brought under such Act.

The following aggrieved individuals are granted the right to bring an action against the United States to seek appropriate relief, including an injunction against the enforcement of any law whose passage did not conform to this Act:

 persons aggrieved by an action of any executive officer or employee, Members of Congress, and persons individually aggrieved by the failure of their Senator or Member of the House of Representatives to fulfill their obligation under this Act.

read bills act bill requires bill resolution introduced chamber congress contain provision specific powers granted congress constitution enact proposed measure including provisions measure introduced chamber intended amend modify effect effect current provision law including expiration date set forth current version entire section current law measure proposes amend amendments proposed measure section law read modified amendments measures strike text entire section law excluded clerk house_of_representatives secretary senate accept legislation noncompliant requirements requirements shall applied legislation presented consideration floor chamber noncompliant measures submitted vote final passage requirements shall waived modified chamber congress jointly vote final passage measure private bills occur chamber text measure published seven days vote official website chamber public notice specific calendar week vote scheduled place posted respective website days monday week reading text clerk secretary respective chamber member congress voting favor final passage measure private bill sign affidavit executed penalty perjury member present entire reading measure reading entirety vote read measure entirety requirement shall waived modified chamber congress act congress noncompliant act shall force effect legal equitable regulatory civil criminal action brought act following aggrieved individuals granted right bring action united_states seek appropriate relief including injunction enforcement law passage conform act persons aggrieved action executive officer employee members congress persons individually aggrieved failure senator member house_of_representatives fulfill obligation act


Summary:
One Subject at a Time Act

 Requires: (1) each bill or joint resolution to embrace no more than one subject, and (2) the subject to be clearly and descriptively expressed in the measure's title.

Prohibits an appropriations bill from containing any general legislation or change of existing law requirement, if its subject is not germane to the subject of such bill.

Declares void: (1) an entire Act or joint resolution if its title addresses two or more unrelated subjects, (2) provisions in legislation not clearly and descriptively expressed in the measure's title, (3) appropriation provisions in legislation outside the relevant subcommittee's jurisdiction, and (4) provisions of appropriation bills not germane to their subject matter.

Grants aggrieved persons and Members of Congress the right to bring an action against the United States to seek appropriate relief, including an injunction against the enforcement of any law the passage of which did not conform to this Act.

subject time act requires bill joint resolution subject subject clearly expressed measure title prohibits appropriations bill containing general legislation change existing law requirement subject subject bill declares void entire act joint resolution title addresses unrelated subjects provisions legislation clearly expressed measure title appropriation provisions legislation outside relevant subcommittee jurisdiction provisions appropriation bills subject matter grants aggrieved persons members congress right bring action united_states seek appropriate relief including injunction enforcement law passage conform act


Summary:
Write the Laws Act

Prohibits an Act of Congress from containing any delegation of legislative powers, whether to: (1) any component within the legislative branch, (2) the President or any other member of the executive branch, (3) the judicial branch, (4) any agency, (5) any quasi-public agency, (6) any state or state instrumentality, or (7) any other organization or individual.

Excludes from the meaning of delegation of legislative powers the issuance of presidential proclamations, the issuance of rules or regulations governing the internal operation of federal agencies, or the making of conditions upon agency grants or contracts.

Prohibits the promulgation or putting into effect of any new presidential directive, adjudicative decision, rule, or regulation, or any change to an existing presidential directive, adjudicative decision, rule, or regulation governing, limiting, imposing a penalty on, or otherwise regulating any activity of any individual or entity, other than a federal officer or employee, unless it is authorized by an Act of Congress that complies with this Act.

Requires the Comptroller General to identify to Congress all statutes enacted within 90 days after enactment of this Act that contain any delegation of legislative powers prohibited by it.

Denies any force or effect to any Act of Congress, presidential directive, adjudicative decision, rule, or regulation that is noncompliant with this Act. Prohibits any legal, equitable, regulatory, civil, or criminal action from being brought under such an Act, adjudicative decision, rule, or regulation.

Grants persons aggrieved by the action of any executive branch officer or employee the right to bring an action against the United States to seek appropriate relief, including an injunction against enforcement of any Act of Congress, presidential directive, adjudicative decision, rule, or regulation that is noncompliant with this Act.

write laws act prohibits act congress containing delegation legislative powers component legislative branch president member executive branch judicial_branch agency quasi public agency state state instrumentality organization individual excludes meaning delegation legislative powers issuance presidential issuance rules regulations governing internal operation federal agencies making conditions agency grants contracts prohibits promulgation putting effect new presidential directive adjudicative decision rule regulation change existing presidential directive adjudicative decision rule regulation governing limiting imposing penalty regulating activity individual entity federal officer employee authorized act congress complies act requires comptroller_general identify congress statutes enacted days enactment act contain delegation legislative powers prohibited denies force effect act congress presidential directive adjudicative decision rule regulation noncompliant act prohibits legal equitable regulatory civil criminal action brought act adjudicative decision rule regulation grants persons aggrieved action executive branch officer employee right bring action united_states seek appropriate relief including injunction enforcement act congress presidential directive adjudicative decision rule regulation noncompliant act


Summary:
Authority for the Use of Military Force Against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Act

This bill authorizes the President to use the U.S. Armed Forces for three years against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), any closely related successor entity, or associated persons or forces.

This bill shall also constitute the sole statutory authority for U.S. military action against ISIL, superseding any prior authorization for the use of military force against ISIL.

The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 is repealed.

authority use military force islamic_state_of_iraq levant act bill authorizes president use armed_forces years islamic_state_of_iraq levant isil closely related successor entity associated persons forces bill shall constitute sole statutory authority military action isil superseding prior authorization use military force isil authorization use military force iraq resolution repealed


Summary:
Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016

This bill prohibits a federal agency (excluding the Federal Election Commission, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or the U.S. Postal Service) from proposing or finalizing any midnight rule unless the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget finds that such a rule will not result in: (1) an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices; (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete internationally; or (4) a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

The bill defines "midnight rule" as an agency statement of general applicability and future effect that is issued during the moratorium period, that is intended to have the force and effect of law, and that is designed to: (1) implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy; or (2) describe the procedure or practice requirements of an agency.  The "moratorium period" begins on the day after the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in every fourth year succeeding a presidential election and extends through January 20 of the following year in which a President is not serving a consecutive term.

The bill exempts any midnight rule that the President determines is necessary: (1) because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency, (2) to enforce criminal laws, (3) to protect U.S. national security, or (4) to implement an international trade agreement. The moratorium does not apply to a midnight rule if the OIRA finds that such rule is limited to repealing an existing rule and publishes a certification of that finding in the Federal Register.

midnight rule relief_act bill prohibits federal agency excluding federal_election_commission board_of_governors federal_reserve_system federal_deposit_insurance_corporation postal_service proposing finalizing midnight rule office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs oira office_of_management_and_budget finds rule result annual effect economy million major increase costs prices significant adverse effects competition employment investment productivity innovation ability enterprises compete internationally significant economic impact substantial number small entities bill defines midnight rule agency statement general applicability future effect issued moratorium period intended force effect law designed implement interpret prescribe law policy describe procedure practice requirements agency moratorium period begins day tuesday monday november fourth year succeeding presidential election extends january following year president serving consecutive term bill exempts midnight rule president determines necessary imminent threat health safety emergency enforce criminal laws protect national security implement international_trade agreement moratorium apply midnight rule oira finds rule limited repealing existing rule publishes certification finding federal_register


Summary:
Office of Special Counsel Reauthorization Act of 2016

This bill amends the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 to reauthorize through FY2021 the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), an independent federal investigative and prosecutorial agency that protects federal employees, former employees, and applicants for employment from prohibited personnel practices.

(Sec. 2) The OSC shall have timely access to material available to an agency that relate to a matter within the OSC's jurisdiction. A claim of common law privilege by an agency, or an agency employee, shall not prevent the OSC from obtaining such materials.

(Sec. 3) The bill prohibits federal employees with authority over personnel actions from accessing, failing to access, or threatening to access medical records of employees or applicants because of an employee's or applicant's: (1) disclosure of information reasonably believed to evidence a violation of a law, rule, or regulation or a gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; (2) disclosure to, or cooperation with, the OSC or an agency inspector general; (3) exercise of an appeal, complaint, or grievance right; (4) testimony for, or assistance to, an individual exercising such rights; or (5) refusal to obey an order that would require the individual to violate a law or regulation.

Agencies must inform their employees of: (1) whistleblower protections available to new employees during a probationary period, and (2) the role of the OSC and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Agency websites must contain whistleblower protection information.

(Sec. 4) The bill extends the period for the OSC to determine whether information it receives from an employee or applicant discloses: (1) a violation of a law, rule, or regulation; or (2) gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or substantial and specific danger to public health and safety. The OSC may not respond to inquiries about a person who makes a disclosure, except in accordance with information privacy procedures or as required by law.

The OSC may petition the MSPB to order corrective action if an agency's investigation was commenced, expanded, or extended in retaliation for certain employee disclosures or protected activities, even if no personnel action is taken.

The MSPB may review appeals from a determination that an employee or applicant is ineligible for a sensitive position if the sensitive position does not require a security clearance or access to classified information.

Whistleblower protections must be incorporated into supervisory employee job requirements and performance appraisals in the Senior Executive Service.

Agencies must report annually on: (1) the number of performance appraisals that determined that an employee failed to meet whistleblower protection standards, and (2) the disciplinary or corrective actions taken by the agency in response to such determinations.

(Sec. 5) The OSC may terminate an investigation of an alleged prohibited personnel practice without further inquiry or an opportunity for the individual who submitted the allegation to respond if: (1) the same allegation had previously been made by the individual and was investigated by the OSC or filed by the individual with the MSPB, (2) the OSC does not have jurisdiction, or (3) the individual knew or should have known of the alleged practice three years before the OSC received the allegation.

(Sec. 6) The OSC must enter at least one agreement for an agency inspector general to receive and investigate allegations of prohibited personnel practices or wrongdoing by OSC employees.

(Sec. 7) The OSC's annual report to Congress must include information regarding:

 the costs of resolving allegations of prohibited personnel practices; stays or disciplinary actions negotiated with agencies; the number of subpoenas issued by the OSC; investigations reopened by the OSC after an initial determination; stays and extensions of stays obtained from the MSPB; prohibited personnel practice complaints that resulted in a favorable action or outcome for the complainant, including an indication of which complaints dealt with reprisals against whistleblowers; corrective actions that the OSC required an agency to take after a prohibited personnel practice finding; and the results of employee viewpoint surveys about the OSC. The OSC must include in its publicly disclosed list of noncriminal matters referred to agencies: (1) any comments from the complainant, provided that the availability to the public is appropriate, not prohibited by law, and consented to by the complainant; and (2) the OSC's comments or recommendations.

(Sec. 8) To improve service at various stages of an OSC review or investigation, the OSC must establish a pilot program for FY2018 to survey individuals who have filed a complaint or disclosure with the OSC. The OSC's other annual survey of individuals who have contacted the OSC is suspended during this period.

office_of_special_counsel reauthorization act bill amends whistleblower protection act reauthorize fy2021 office_of_special_counsel independent federal investigative prosecutorial agency protects federal employees employees applicants employment prohibited personnel practices sec shall timely access material available agency relate matter jurisdiction claim common law privilege agency agency employee shall prevent obtaining materials sec bill prohibits federal employees authority personnel actions accessing failing access threatening access medical records employees applicants employee applicant disclosure information reasonably believed evidence violation law rule regulation gross mismanagement gross waste funds abuse authority substantial specific danger public health safety disclosure cooperation agency inspector_general exercise appeal complaint grievance right testimony assistance individual exercising rights refusal obey order require individual violate law regulation agencies inform employees whistleblower protections available new employees probationary period role merit_systems_protection_board mspb agency websites contain whistleblower protection information sec bill extends period determine information receives employee applicant discloses violation law rule regulation gross mismanagement gross waste funds abuse authority substantial specific danger public health safety respond inquiries person makes disclosure accordance information privacy procedures required law petition mspb order corrective action agency investigation commenced expanded extended retaliation certain employee disclosures protected activities personnel action taken mspb review appeals determination employee applicant ineligible sensitive position sensitive position require security clearance access classified information whistleblower protections incorporated supervisory employee job requirements performance appraisals senior_executive_service agencies report annually number performance appraisals determined employee failed meet whistleblower protection standards disciplinary corrective actions taken agency response determinations sec terminate investigation alleged prohibited personnel practice inquiry opportunity individual submitted allegation respond allegation previously individual investigated filed individual mspb jurisdiction individual knew known alleged practice years received allegation sec enter agreement agency inspector_general receive investigate allegations prohibited personnel practices wrongdoing employees sec annual report congress include information costs resolving allegations prohibited personnel practices stays disciplinary actions negotiated agencies number subpoenas issued investigations reopened initial determination stays extensions stays obtained mspb prohibited personnel practice complaints resulted favorable action outcome complainant including indication complaints reprisals whistleblowers corrective actions required agency prohibited personnel practice finding results employee surveys include publicly disclosed list noncriminal matters referred agencies comments complainant provided availability public appropriate prohibited law consented complainant comments recommendations sec improve service stages review investigation establish pilot program fy2018 survey individuals filed complaint disclosure annual survey individuals contacted suspended period


Summary:
Pay for Printing Act

This bill requires the sponsor of a ceremonial or commemorative Senate resolution to reimburse the Government Publishing Office for the total costs of printing the resolution out of the sponsor's Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account.

It excludes from such requirement a resolution sponsored by at least two-thirds of the Senators.

pay printing act bill requires sponsor ceremonial commemorative senate resolution reimburse government_publishing_office total costs printing resolution sponsor senators official personnel office expense account excludes requirement resolution sponsored thirds senators


Summary:
Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2016

This bill prohibits the President from using the Armed Forces to conduct a first-use nuclear strike unless such strike is conducted pursuant to a congressional declaration of war expressly authorizing such strike.

"First-use nuclear strike" means a nuclear weapons attack against an enemy that is conducted without the President determining that the enemy has first launched a nuclear strike against the United States or a U.S. ally.

restricting use nuclear weapons act bill prohibits president armed_forces conduct use nuclear strike strike conducted pursuant congressional declaration war expressly authorizing strike use nuclear strike means nuclear weapons attack enemy conducted president determining enemy launched nuclear strike united_states ally


Summary:
Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2016

This bill amends the Congressional Review Act to allow Congress to consider a joint resolution to disapprove multiple regulations that federal agencies have submitted for congressional review within the last 60 legislative days of a session of Congress during the final year of a President's term. Congress may disapprove a group of such regulations together (i.e., "en bloc") instead of the current procedure of considering only one regulation at a time.

midnight rules relief_act bill amends congressional review act allow congress consider joint resolution disapprove multiple regulations federal agencies submitted congressional review legislative days session congress final year president term congress disapprove group regulations instead current procedure considering regulation time


Summary:
Public Online Information Act of 2016

This bill establishes a Public Online Information Advisory Committee to: (1) coordinate the government's efforts to make information from all three branches of government available on the Internet, and (2) issue nonbinding guidelines on how the government should make public information available.

The government must make public records available on the Internet at no charge, except as imposed by federal law before this bill's enactment. The bill requires: (1) public records to be permanently available on the Internet; (2) current information technology to be applied to the formats and means through which records are made available; and (3) each agency to publish on the Internet a searchable, machine-processable list of all records it makes publicly available.

The bill delineates the roles of the Office of Management and Budget, the Office of Electronic Government, and the chief information officers of independent regulatory agencies. It allows exceptions to the Internet publication requirement, including a process for an agency's request for an exception to be granted if: (1) there is a clear and convincing reason for the record to not be made available on the Internet, and (2) the harm caused by disclosure significantly outweighs the public's interest in having the record available on the Internet.

Inspectors general must periodically review agency compliance. Private individuals or organizations may file a complaint in federal court if an agency denies a request to place public records on the Internet.

The bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) judicial and legislative agencies adopt or adapt the advisory committee's recommendations, and (2) the Government Publishing Office make all of its publications permanently available on the Internet in a multiplicity of formats.

public online information act bill establishes public online information advisory_committee coordinate government efforts information branches government available internet issue nonbinding guidelines government public information available government public records available internet charge imposed federal law bill enactment bill requires public records permanently available internet current information technology applied formats means records available agency publish internet searchable machine processable list records makes publicly available bill delineates roles office_of_management_and_budget office_of_electronic_government chief information officers independent regulatory agencies allows exceptions internet publication requirement including process agency request exception granted clear convincing reason record available internet harm caused disclosure significantly outweighs public interest having record available internet inspectors_general periodically review agency compliance private individuals organizations file complaint federal court agency denies request place public records internet bill expresses sense congress judicial legislative agencies adopt adapt advisory_committee recommendations government_publishing_office publications permanently available internet formats


Summary:
Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Act of 2016

This bill 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.

The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Committee on House Administration must each select at least six individuals for a one-year term to serve for a clerkship with an office in their respective chambers. The committees shall ensure that congressional clerks selected under this bill are apportioned equally between majority and minority party offices.

The bill expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the amount of financial assistance provided to a congressional clerk should, if practicable, be comparable to the compensation and benefits provided for similar clerkships offered through the federal judiciary and executive branches; and (2) any financial assistance provided to a clerk should not result in a net increase in the amounts appropriated for the legislative branch for any fiscal year.

congressional act bill establishes congressional program appointment individuals graduates accredited law schools serve congressional senate house_of_representatives senate_committee_on_rules_and_administration house_committee house administration select individuals year term serve office respective chambers committees shall ensure congressional selected bill apportioned equally majority minority party offices bill expresses sense senate financial assistance provided congressional clerk practicable comparable compensation benefits provided similar offered federal judiciary executive branches financial assistance provided clerk result net increase amounts appropriated legislative branch fiscal year


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Directs the Senate Legal Counsel to:

 bring a civil action in the name of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations to enforce the subpoena issued to Carl Ferrer, Chief Executive Officer of Backpage.com, LLC; and conduct all related civil contempt proceedings.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated directs senate legal counsel bring civil action senate permanent subcommittee investigations enforce subpoena issued carl chief executive officer llc conduct related civil contempt proceedings


Summary: Redesignates the White Rocks National Recreation Area in Vermont as the "Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area".

redesignates white rocks national recreation_area vermont robert stafford white rocks national recreation_area


Summary: National Discovery Trails Act - Amends the National Trails System Act to establish national discovery trails, which shall be extended, continuous interstate trails located so as to provide for outdoor recreation and travel and to connect representative examples of America's trails and communities. Authorizes the designation of such trails on Federal lands and, with the consent of the owner, on non-federal lands. Requires the appropriate Secretary for each national discovery trail to administer the trail in cooperation with a competent trailwide volunteer-based organization. Sets forth requirements for designation as a national discovery trail. Designates as a national discovery trail the 6,000-mile American Discovery Trail which shall extend from Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware to Point Reyes National Seashore in California, traveling northern and southern routes from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Denver, Colorado.

national discovery trails act_-_amends national_trails_system_act establish national discovery trails shall extended continuous interstate trails located provide outdoor recreation travel connect representative examples america trails communities authorizes designation trails federal lands consent owner non federal lands requires appropriate secretary national discovery trail administer trail cooperation competent volunteer based organization sets forth requirements designation national discovery trail designates national discovery trail mile american discovery trail shall extend cape state park delaware point reyes national seashore california traveling northern southern routes ohio denver colorado


Summary: Northern Neck National Heritage Area Study Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to study and report to specified congressional committees on the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Northern Neck National Heritage Area to be comprised of: (1) the part of eastern coastal Virginia between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers; (2) Westmoreland, Northumberland, Richmond, King George, and Lancaster Counties, Virginia; and (3) other areas adjacent to or in the vicinity of those areas that have similar heritage aspects.

northern national heritage area study act_-_requires secretary interior study report specified congressional committees suitability feasibility establishing northern national heritage area comprised eastern coastal virginia rivers king george counties virginia areas adjacent vicinity areas similar heritage aspects


Summary: Protect our Veterans Memorials Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to extend federal jurisdiction over the destruction of veterans' memorials to such memorials on state or local government property.

protect veterans memorials act amends federal criminal code extend federal jurisdiction destruction veterans memorials memorials state local government property