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

Gulf War Health Research Reform Act of 2014 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 to revise the duties, operations, and makeup of the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses (Committee).

Directs the Committee, which is to be independent of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), to provide advice regarding proposed research relating to the health consequences of military service in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War to Congress, the Secretary, and the heads of other federal agencies that conduct such research.

Prohibits the Committee from conducting scientific research or reviewing research proposals submitted to the Secretary prior to funding.

Requires the Committee to judge the choice and success of federal Gulf War health-related research efforts with the premise that the fundamental goal of those efforts is to ultimately improve the health of ill Gulf War veterans.

Directs the Committee to submit an annual report to the congressional veterans committees and the Secretary summarizing its activities.

Prohibits Committee reports, recommendations, publications, and other documents from being subject to the Secretary's review or approval.

Requires each report submitted by the Committee to be approved by the Committee meeting in public session prior to such submission.

Requires the Committee to be composed of 12 members appointed by the Secretary and specified members of the Committees on Veterans Affairs. Requires, of the Committee members appointed after this Act's enactment: (1) at least three to be veterans; (2) at least eight to be scientists or physicians who have experience in biomedicine, epidemiology, immunology, environmental health, neurology, toxicology, or other appropriate disciplines; and (3) the chairman to be a veteran, a scientist or physician, or both.

Sets the term of Committee members appointed after this Act's enactment at three years.

Requires the Committee to meet at least twice annually and its meetings to be open to the public.

Requires the Secretary and the heads the VA's Office of Research and Development and Office of Public Health to attend each Committee meeting.

Terminates the Committee two years after it submits to the Committees on Veterans Affairs, the Secretary, and the Secretary of Defense (DOD) a report (signed by at least nine concurring members) stating that each Secretary is carrying out an effective research program relating to the health consequences of military service in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War.

(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to ensure that any research conducted or funded by the Secretary on the chronic multisymptom illness that afflicts approximately 25% of Gulf War veterans refers to the illness as "Gulf War Illness" and uses the research case definition of such illness that is recommended by the Committee. Requires the Committee to provide advice to the DOD regarding the development of such a research case definition for its Gulf War Illness Research Program.

(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary to ensure that Gulf War illness studies conducted or funded by the VA consider animal studies to the same extent as human studies.

Directs the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (Institute), in conducting or funding veterans' health studies, to ensure that each study defines "sufficient evidence of association" as the observation of a positive association between exposure to a specific agent and a health outcome in which chance, bias, and confounding could be ruled out with reasonable confidence.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the VA should:

 conduct an additional follow-up study of a national cohort of Gulf War and Gulf-War-Era veterans that includes specified questions published by the Committee; submit to the Committees on Veterans Affairs specified reports on any increased risk of developing neurological disorders as a result of service in the Persian Gulf War or in the Post 9/11 global operations theaters; enter into agreements with the Institute to carry out specified reviews under provisions of the Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010 and the Persian Gulf War Veterans Act of 1998, regardless of the conduct of any previous reviews under those provisions; not disseminate or use the results of an Institute report entitled "Gulf War and Health Report: Volume 9. Treatment for Chronic Multisymptom Illness"; obtain the Committee's advice on the scope of work and the charge to be given before entering into an agreement with the Institute regarding research on Gulf War veterans' health; ensure that any contract requiring the Institute to convene a committee to study Gulf War veterans' health requires such committee to include at least three Committee members; and promptly notify the Committees on Veterans Affairs of any federal employee or contractor the VA believes influenced, or attempted to influence, the outcome of a report or study on Gulf War veterans' health conducted by the VA or to notify the Institute if such influence was not related to a scientifically objective outcome.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure reform act sec amends revise duties operations gulf war veterans illnesses committee directs committee independent secretary veterans_affairs provide advice proposed research relating health consequences military service gulf war congress secretary heads federal agencies conduct research conducting scientific research reviewing research proposals submitted secretary prior funding requires committee judge choice success federal gulf war health related research efforts fundamental goal efforts ultimately improve health ill gulf war veterans directs committee submit annual report congressional veterans committees secretary summarizing activities reports recommendations publications documents subject secretary review approval requires report submitted committee approved committee meeting public session prior submission requires committee composed members appointed secretary specified members committees veterans affairs requires committee members appointed act enactment veterans scientists physicians experience epidemiology environmental health toxicology appropriate disciplines chairman veteran scientist physician sets term committee members appointed act enactment years requires committee meet twice annually meetings open public requires secretary heads attend committee meeting terminates committee years submits committees veterans_affairs secretary secretary defense dod report signed members stating secretary carrying effective research program relating health consequences military service gulf war sec directs secretary ensure research conducted funded secretary chronic illness approximately gulf war veterans refers illness gulf war illness uses research case definition illness recommended committee requires committee provide advice dod development research case definition gulf war illness research program sec requires secretary ensure gulf war illness studies conducted funded consider animal studies extent human studies conducting funding veterans health studies ensure study defines sufficient evidence association observation positive association exposure specific agent health outcome chance bias ruled reasonable confidence expresses sense congress conduct additional follow study national cohort gulf war gulf war era veterans includes specified questions published committee submit committees veterans_affairs specified reports increased risk developing neurological disorders result service persian_gulf_war post global operations theaters enter agreements institute carry specified reviews provisions veterans benefits act persian_gulf war veterans act regardless conduct previous reviews provisions disseminate use results institute report entitled gulf war health report volume treatment chronic illness obtain committee advice scope work charge given entering agreement institute research gulf war veterans health ensure contract requiring institute convene committee study gulf war veterans health requires committee include committee members promptly notify committees veterans affairs federal employee contractor believes influenced attempted influence outcome report study gulf war veterans health conducted notify institute influence related scientifically objective outcome


Summary:
Targeted Lethal Force Transparency Act - Directs the President to make public an annual report on the use of targeted lethal force by remotely-piloted aircraft, which shall include the total numbers of combatants, civilians, and other persons killed or injured outside the United States by remotely-piloted aircraft each calendar year. Excludes: (1) any use of targeted lethal force in Afghanistan prior to the end of U.S. combat operations, or (2) any use of such force in a foreign country described by a future declaration of war or authorization for the use of military force.

Requires the first report submitted to also include such information for the six preceding calendar years.

transparency act directs president public annual report use targeted lethal force remotely piloted aircraft shall include total numbers combatants civilians persons killed injured outside united_states remotely piloted aircraft calendar year excludes use targeted lethal force afghanistan prior end combat operations use force foreign country described future declaration war authorization use military force requires report submitted include information preceding calendar years


Summary:
Africa Counter Terrorism Initiative Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to develop, submit to Congress, and implement within one year after enactment of this Act a plan to transfer the headquarters of AFRICOM from Stuttgart, Germany, to a location in the continental United States.

Requires the plan to provide for: (1) the 65th Air Base Wing to be an AFRICOM asset; (2) AFRICOM permanent assets to be located at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal; (3) the transfer of U.S. assets at Lajes Field from United States European Command to AFRICOM for purposes of being the forward operating location, logistical hub, and location of AFRICOM assets; and (4) the relocation of the Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response (SP-MAGTF CR) from Moron Air Base, Spain, to Lajes Field.

Directs the Secretary to conduct a review of the Agreement on Cooperation and Defense Between the United States and Portugal, signed at Lisbon on June 1, 1995, to ensure that such Agreement accurately reflects and accounts for such plan.

Requires Lajes Field to continue operating 24 hours a day, at or above its 2012 levels of readiness, effective until at least the date of completion of the 2018 quadrennial defense review.

africa counter terrorism initiative act directs secretary defense dod develop submit congress implement year enactment act plan transfer headquarters germany location continental united_states requires plan provide air base wing asset permanent assets located field transfer assets field purposes forward operating location logistical hub location assets relocation special purpose marine air ground task force crisis response directs secretary conduct review agreement cooperation defense united_states signed june ensure agreement accurately reflects accounts plan requires field continue operating hours day levels readiness effective date completion quadrennial defense review


Summary:
War Authorization Review and Determination Act or WARD Act - Directs the President: (1) to submit to Congress a report setting forth each operation or other action that is being carried out pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force; and (2) within 60 days after such a report is submitted, to terminate each operation or action described in the report unless a joint resolution approving such operation or action has been enacted.

Repeals the Authorization for Use of Military Force 240 days after enactment of this Act and provides that such repeal shall apply to each operation or other action being carried out pursuant to such Authorization initiated before such date.

war authorization review determination act ward act directs president submit congress report setting forth operation action carried pursuant authorization use military force days report submitted terminate operation action described report joint resolution approving operation action enacted repeals authorization use military force days enactment act provides repeal shall apply operation action carried pursuant authorization initiated date


Summary: Federal Employee Combat Zone Tax Parity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income, for income tax purposes, the compensation of a federal employee who served in a combat zone or was hospitalized as a result of wounds, disease, or injury incurred while serving in a combat zone. Terminates such exclusion two years after the end of combatant activities in such combat zone.

federal employee internal revenue code exclude gross income income tax purposes compensation federal employee served combat zone hospitalized result wounds disease injury incurred serving combat zone terminates exclusion years end combatant activities combat zone


Summary:
Authorization for Use of Military Force against International Terrorism Act - Authorizes the President, with the close coordination of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and regional allies, to use all necessary force against those countries, organizations, or persons associated with or supporting terrorist groups (including al Qaeda and its regional affiliates, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, al Shabaab, Boko Haram, and any other related regional terrorist groups) in order to eliminate all such terrorist groups and prevent future acts of international terrorism by them against the United States or its allies.

Declares that this Act is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization pursuant to section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution.

authorization use military force international terrorism act authorizes president close coordination north_atlantic_treaty_organization nato regional allies use necessary force countries organizations persons associated supporting terrorist groups including al_qaeda regional affiliates islamic_state_of_iraq syria boko_haram related regional terrorist groups order eliminate terrorist groups prevent future acts international terrorism united_states allies declares act intended constitute specific statutory authorization pursuant section war powers resolution


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

Foreign Prison Conditions Improvement Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of State to report annually to Congress for 6 years describing prison and detention facility conditions in at least 30 countries receiving U.S. assistance or under U.S. sanction selected as a result of the Secretary's determination that such conditions raise the most serious human rights or humanitarian concerns.

Urges the Secretary and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide assistance to eliminate inhumane conditions in prisons and other detention facilities. Prohibits such funds from being used to construct new prisons.

Directs the Secretary to enter into negotiations to achieve the purposes of this Act with a government listed in the report as not making significant compliance efforts. Authorizes the Secretary and the Administrator to restructure or reduce U.S. assistance to such government in order to achieve such purposes.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish within the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor a full-time equivalent Deputy Assistant Secretary level position to advance the purposes of this Act; and (2) provide training for Foreign Service officers in assessing foreign prison and detention facility conditions.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated foreign prison conditions improvement act directs secretary state report annually congress years describing prison detention facility conditions countries receiving assistance sanction selected result secretary determination conditions raise human rights humanitarian concerns urges secretary administrator international_development usaid provide assistance eliminate inhumane conditions prisons detention facilities prohibits funds construct new prisons directs secretary enter negotiations achieve purposes act government listed report making significant compliance efforts authorizes secretary administrator restructure reduce assistance government order achieve purposes directs secretary establish labor time equivalent deputy assistant secretary level position advance purposes act provide training foreign_service officers assessing foreign prison detention facility conditions


Summary:
Due Process and Military Detention Amendments Act of 2013 - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (such Act) to provide that, in the case of a person detained in the United States pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force or such Act, disposition under the law of war shall occur immediately upon custody and shall only mean transfer for trial and proceedings with all due process rights as provided under the Constitution.

Prohibits any person detained, captured, or arrested in the United States or a U.S. territory or possession from being transferred to the custody of the Armed Forces for detention under the Authorization for Use of Military Force or such Act.

Repeals the requirement of detention in military custody pending disposition under the law of war for an individual determined to be a member or part of al Qaeda or an associated force who has participated in planning or carrying out an attack or attempted attack against the United States or its coalition partners.

amends national defense authorization act fiscal year act provide case person detained united_states pursuant authorization use military force act disposition law war shall occur immediately custody shall mean transfer trial proceedings process rights provided constitution prohibits person detained captured arrested united_states territory possession transferred custody armed_forces detention authorization use military force act repeals requirement detention military custody pending disposition law war individual determined member al_qaeda associated force participated planning carrying attack attempted attack united_states coalition partners


Summary:
Repeals the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.

Declares that this Act shall not be construed as limiting or prohibiting the President's authority to: (1) provide security for U.S. facilities, military assets, or military or diplomatic personnel located in Iraq; or (2) gather, provide, and share intelligence with the government of Iraq if the President determines it to be in the national security interests of the United States.

repeals authorization use military force iraq resolution declares act shall construed limiting prohibiting president authority provide security facilities military assets military diplomatic personnel located iraq gather provide share intelligence government iraq president determines national security interests united_states


Summary:
Guantanamo Bay Detainee Transfer Suspension Act of 2014 - Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds to transfer or release any covered detainee at the U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (Guantanamo) to the custody or control of such individual's country of origin, any other foreign country, or any other foreign entity until the earlier of 90 days after the submittal to Congress of a report required by this Act or 180 days after this Act's enactment, except pursuant to an order issued by a court or competent tribunal of the United States having lawful jurisdiction.

Makes a U.S. officer or employee liable in his or her individual capacity for a civil penalty of $10,000 for each covered detainee transferred or released in violation of such prohibition. Prohibits the U.S. government from providing representation to, or retaining or reimbursing private counsel for the representation of, such officer or employee.

Authorizes a person to bring a civil action for a violation of such prohibition in the name of the government, subject to specified requirements.

Requires the Secretary to submit a report regarding the risk that the five detainees transferred from Guantanamo to Qatar on May 31, 2014, would reengage in terrorist activity after transfer.

Prohibits the transfer or release of a covered detainee from Guantanamo to a foreign country without the President's express written authorization.

Defines a "covered detainee" as Khalid Sheikh Mohammed or any other detainee who: (1) is not a U.S. citizen or a member of the U.S. Armed Forces; (2) is or was held on January 20, 2009, at Guantanamo by the Department of Defense (DOD); and (3) is held as of the date of enactment of this Act at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, by DOD.

guantanamo bay detainee transfer suspension act prohibits obligation expenditure funds transfer release covered detainee cuba guantanamo custody control individual country origin foreign country foreign entity earlier days submittal congress report required act days act enactment pursuant order issued court competent tribunal united_states having lawful jurisdiction makes officer employee liable individual capacity civil penalty covered detainee transferred released violation prohibition prohibits government providing representation retaining reimbursing private counsel representation officer employee authorizes person bring civil action violation prohibition government subject specified requirements requires secretary submit report risk detainees transferred guantanamo qatar terrorist activity transfer prohibits transfer release covered detainee guantanamo foreign country president express written authorization defines covered detainee khalid_sheikh_mohammed detainee citizen member held january guantanamo department_of_defense dod held date enactment act guantanamo bay cuba dod


Summary:
Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2015

 Includes as part of the Republic of Vietnam its territorial seas for purposes of the presumption of service connection for diseases associated with exposure by veterans to certain herbicide agents while in Vietnam.

vietnam veterans act includes republic_of_vietnam territorial seas purposes presumption service connection diseases associated exposure veterans certain herbicide agents vietnam


Summary:
Repeal of the Authorization for Use of Military Force

States that the Authorization for Use of Military Force (P.L. 107-40) has been used to justify an open-ended authorization for the use of military force and such an interpretation is inconsistent with the authority of Congress to declare war and make all laws for executing powers vested by the Constitution in the U.S. government.

Repeals the Authorization for Use of Military Force, effective 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

repeal authorization use military force states authorization use military force justify open ended authorization use military force interpretation inconsistent authority congress declare war laws executing powers vested constitution government repeals authorization use military force effective days date enactment act


Summary:
Cost of War Act of 2015

This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD), in consultation with the Internal Revenue Service, to post on the DOD public website, the cost to each U.S. taxpayer of each of the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.

cost war act bill requires department_of_defense dod consultation internal_revenue_service post dod public website cost taxpayer wars afghanistan iraq syria


Summary: This bill prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds available to the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of Defense, any other U.S. agency or entity involved in intelligence activities, or the National Security Council to provide assistance (including training, equipment, supplies, stipends, construction of training and associated facilities, and sustainment) to any element of the Syrian opposition or to any other Syrian group or individual seeking to overthrow the government of the Syrian Arab Republic unless the funds are specifically authorized to be appropriated and appropriated for such purpose.

bill prohibits obligation expenditure funds available central_intelligence_agency department_of_defense agency entity involved intelligence activities national_security_council provide assistance including training equipment supplies stipends construction training associated facilities sustainment element syrian opposition syrian group individual seeking overthrow government syrian arab republic funds specifically authorized appropriated appropriated purpose


Summary:
Guantanamo Transfer Prevention Act

This bill prohibits the President from using Department of Defense (DOD) funds to transfer or release to or within the United States, its territories, or possessions Khalid Sheikh Mohammed or any other detainee who is not a U.S. citizen or member of the U.S. Armed Forces and is or was held on or after January 20, 2009, at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, by DOD.

Any contravening action by the President shall be without legal effect.

No amounts authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for DOD for FY2016 may be used to: (1) close or abandon Guantanamo, (2) relinquish control of Guantanamo to Cuba, or (3) implement a material modification to the Treaty Between the United States of America and Cuba signed at Washington, DC, on May 29, 1934, that constructively closes Guantanamo.

guantanamo transfer prevention act bill prohibits president department_of_defense dod funds transfer release united_states territories possessions khalid_sheikh_mohammed detainee citizen member held january united_states_naval_station guantanamo_bay cuba dod action president shall legal effect amounts authorized appropriated available dod fy2016 close abandon guantanamo relinquish control guantanamo cuba implement material modification treaty united_states_of_america cuba signed constructively closes guantanamo


Summary: This bill declares that Congress apologizes on behalf of the nation for violations of the civil liberties and constitutional rights of Italian Americans during World War II.

Civil rights and liberties, minority issues

bill declares congress behalf nation violations civil liberties constitutional rights americans world war


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 iraq levant act bill authorizes president use 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:
Ukrainian Warfighter Assistance Act

This bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 to specify additional security assistance and intelligence support that the Department of Defense (DOD) may provide to the government of Ukraine's military and security forces.

It is U.S. policy that DOD, when providing equipment and technical assistance to Ukraine, shall give priority to border protection and monitoring assistance.

ukrainian bill amends national_defense_authorization_act fiscal year specify additional security assistance intelligence support department_of_defense dod provide government ukraine military security forces policy dod providing equipment technical assistance ukraine shall priority border protection monitoring assistance


Summary:
Terrorist Release Transparency Act

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the people of the United States: (1) deserve to know who is being released from the detention facilities at U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, their countries of origin, their destinations, and the ability of the host nation to prevent recidivism; and (2) deserve transparency in the manner in which the Obama Administration complies with Executive Order 13492.

Not less than 15 days before a detained individual's transfer to the custody or control of the individual's country of origin, any other foreign country, or any other foreign entity, the Department of State shall submit to Congress an unclassified notice that includes:

 the name, country of origin, and country of destination of the individual; the number of individuals detained at Guantanamo previously transferred to the country to which the individual is proposed to be transferred; and the number of such individuals who have re-engaged in terrorist activity after being transferred to that country.

terrorist release transparency act bill expresses sense congress people united_states deserve know released detention facilities naval station guantanamo_bay cuba countries origin destinations ability host nation prevent recidivism deserve transparency manner complies executive order days detained individual transfer custody control individual country origin foreign country foreign entity department_of_state shall submit congress unclassified notice includes country origin country destination individual number individuals detained guantanamo previously transferred country individual proposed transferred number individuals engaged terrorist activity transferred country


Summary:
Detaining Terrorists to Protect Americans Act of 2016

This bill prohibits the use of funds to transfer, release, or assist in the transfer or release to or within the United States, its territories, or possessions of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed or any other detainee who: (1) is not a U.S. citizen or a member of the Armed Forces; and (2) is or was held by the Department of Defense (DOD) on or after January 20, 2009, at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

No funds may be used:

 to construct or modify any facility in the United States, its territories, or possessions to house any individual detained at Guantanamo under DOD custody or control unless expressly authorized by Congress; or through FY2017 to transfer, release, or assist in the transfer or release of an individual detained at Guantanamo to any foreign country or foreign entity unless expressly authorized by Congress. "Individual detained at Guantanamo" means any individual located at Guantanamo as of October 1, 2009, who: (1) is not a U.S. citizen or a member of the Armed Forces; and (2) is under DOD custody or control, or otherwise under detention at Guantanamo.

No funds may be used to: (1) close or abandon Guantanamo, (2) relinquish control of Guantanamo to Cuba, or (3) implement a material modification to the Treaty Between the United States of America and Cuba that constructively closes Guantanamo.

detaining terrorists protect americans act bill prohibits use funds transfer release assist transfer release united_states territories possessions khalid_sheikh_mohammed detainee citizen member armed_forces held department_of_defense dod january naval station guantanamo bay cuba funds construct modify facility united_states territories possessions house individual detained guantanamo dod custody control expressly authorized congress fy2017 transfer release assist transfer release individual detained guantanamo foreign country foreign entity expressly authorized congress individual detained guantanamo means individual located guantanamo october citizen member armed_forces dod custody control detention guantanamo funds close abandon guantanamo relinquish control guantanamo cuba implement material modification treaty united_states_of_america cuba constructively closes guantanamo


Summary:
(Sec. 1) This bill prohibits U.S. agency funds from being used until the earlier of the enactment date of an Act authorizing FY2017 appropriations for military activities of the Department of Defense (DOD) or January 21, 2017, for the transfer or release to or within the United States, its territories, or possessions or to any foreign country or entity of an individual detained at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

"Individual detained at Guantanamo" means an individual located at Guantanamo as of October 1, 2009, who: (1) is not a U.S. national or a member of the Armed Forces, and (2) is in the custody or under the control of DOD or otherwise detained at Guantanamo.

sec bill prohibits agency funds earlier enactment date act authorizing fy2017 appropriations military activities department_of_defense dod january transfer release united_states territories possessions foreign country entity individual detained naval station guantanamo_bay cuba individual detained guantanamo means individual located guantanamo october national member armed_forces custody control dod detained guantanamo


Summary:
Detaining Terrorists to Protect America Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Revises and extends until two years after enactment of this Act prohibitions on the use of funds available to any U.S. agency (currently, funds available to the Department of Defense [DOD]) to:

 construct or modify any facility in the United States, its territories, or possessions to house individuals detained in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as of October 1, 2009, who are not U.S. citizens or members of the U.S. Armed Forces and who are in the custody or control of DOD or otherwise detained or imprisoned in the U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo in the custody or control of the U.S. government, unless authorized by Congress; or transfer or release to or within the United States, its territories, or possessions Khalid Sheikh Mohammed or any other detainee who is not a U.S. citizen or a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and who was held on (currently, on or after) January 20, 2009, in Guantanamo Bay by DOD. Supersedes and repeals existing prohibitions under National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (NDAA) concerning such construction and U.S. transfers that are scheduled to expire on December 31, 2015.

(Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense or a DOD official at the level of Under Secretary of higher, after providing advance notice to Congress or delayed notice under special circumstances, to temporarily transfer Guantanamo detainees to DOD medical facilities in the United States for the sole purpose of medical treatment if: (1) the treatment is necessary to prevent death or imminent significant injury or harm to the individual's health, (2) the treatment is not available at the U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay without incurring excessive and unreasonable costs, and (3) DOD provides security measures.

Declares that detainees temporarily transferred to the United States for medical treatment shall be deemed to be in the uninterrupted custody of the Secretary, as though the individual remained physically at the U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay. Prohibits such temporarily transferred detainees from: (1) being subject to, or obtaining rights under, immigration laws or any other U.S. laws beyond those available to individuals detained in Guantanamo; or (2) having a change in any designation that may have attached while detained in Guantanamo pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force in P.L. 107-40.

Prohibits judicial review of any claims against the United States regarding aspects of the detention, transfer, treatment, or conditions of confinement of a detainee transferred to the United States for medical treatment, but allows the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to consider an application for writ of habeas corpus challenging the fact or duration of detention and seeking release from custody.

Bars the court from: (1) reviewing, halting, or staying the individual's return to Guantanamo; or (2) ordering a release of the individual within the United States.

(Sec. 5) Prohibits until two years after enactment of this Act the transfer or release of any Guantanamo detainee in DOD custody or control to: (1) any foreign country or foreign entity if the individual has ever been determined by Joint Task Force Guantanamo to be a high-risk or medium-risk to the United States, its interests, or its allies; or (2) the Republic of Yemen or any entity within Yemen.

Makes the prohibition on the transfer or release of high-risk or medium-risk individuals inapplicable to a U.S. agency head's actions to effectuate an order affecting the disposition of the individual that is issued by a U.S. court or tribunal.

Requires notification to Congress promptly after issuance of such an order.

(Sec. 7) Repeals provisions under the NDAA concerning DOD transfers of Guantanamo detainees to foreign countries. Replaces the repealed provisions with previous authority from the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 that prohibits use of DOD funds to transfer Guantanamo detainees to foreign countries or entities unless DOD certifies that the government of the country or the recognized leadership of the entity:

 is not a designated state sponsor of terrorism or foreign terrorist organization, maintains control over detention facilities and is not facing threats likely to affect its control over the individual, agrees to take actions to ensure that the individual cannot engage in terrorist activities or threaten U.S. citizens or allies, and agrees to share with the United States information regarding the individual or the individual's associates that could affect security of the United States or its allies. Prohibits transfers to a country or entity if any Guantanamo detainee transferred to that country or entity subsequently engaged in any terrorist activity. Authorizes DOD to waive certain certification requirements or prohibitions in the interest of national security.

Delays DOD transfer procedures from applying to high-risk or medium-risk Guantanamo detainees until after the two-year prohibition on such transfers. Prohibits terrorist activity recidivism exceptions and national security waivers from authorizing transfers to Yemen during the two-year prohibition on Yemen transfers.

(Sec. 8) Requires DOD to ensure that operations at the detention facility at the U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay are conducted consistent with: (1) the law of armed conflict, including Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions; and (2) interrogation standards and prohibitions on cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment under the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005.

(Sec. 9) Directs DOD to submit a list of Guantanamo detainees determined by the Task Force to be high-risk or medium-risk.

(Sec. 10) Requires DOD, every six months, to report to Congress regarding terrorist organizations that recruit or engage in propaganda using images and symbols relating to the U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, DOD or Bureau of Prisons prisons, or other detention or disciplinary facilities.

detaining terrorists protect america act sec revises extends years enactment act prohibitions use funds available agency currently funds available department_of_defense dod construct modify facility united_states territories possessions house individuals detained guantanamo_bay cuba october citizens members custody control dod detained imprisoned guantanamo custody control government authorized congress transfer release united_states territories possessions khalid_sheikh_mohammed detainee citizen member held currently january guantanamo_bay dod supersedes repeals existing prohibitions national defense authorization act fiscal year ndaa concerning construction transfers scheduled expire december sec authorizes secretary defense dod official level secretary higher providing advance notice congress delayed notice special circumstances temporarily transfer guantanamo detainees dod medical facilities united_states sole purpose medical treatment treatment necessary prevent death imminent significant injury harm individual health treatment available guantanamo_bay incurring excessive unreasonable costs dod provides security measures declares detainees temporarily transferred united_states medical treatment shall deemed uninterrupted custody secretary individual remained physically guantanamo_bay prohibits temporarily transferred detainees subject obtaining rights immigration laws laws available individuals detained guantanamo having change designation attached detained guantanamo pursuant authorization use military force prohibits judicial review claims united_states aspects detention transfer treatment conditions confinement detainee transferred united_states medical treatment allows district_of_columbia consider application writ habeas corpus challenging fact duration detention seeking release custody bars court reviewing staying individual return guantanamo ordering release individual united_states sec prohibits years enactment act transfer release guantanamo detainee dod custody control foreign country foreign entity individual determined high risk medium risk united_states interests allies entity yemen makes prohibition transfer release high risk medium risk individuals inapplicable agency head actions effectuate order affecting disposition individual issued court tribunal requires notification congress promptly issuance order sec repeals provisions ndaa concerning dod transfers guantanamo detainees foreign countries replaces repealed provisions previous authority national_defense_authorization_act fiscal year prohibits use dod funds transfer guantanamo detainees foreign countries entities dod certifies government country recognized leadership entity designated state sponsor terrorism foreign terrorist organization maintains control detention facilities facing threats likely affect control individual agrees actions ensure individual engage terrorist activities threaten citizens allies agrees share united_states information individual individual associates affect security united_states allies prohibits transfers country entity guantanamo detainee transferred country entity subsequently engaged terrorist activity authorizes dod waive certain certification requirements prohibitions interest national security delays dod transfer procedures applying high risk medium risk guantanamo detainees year prohibition transfers prohibits terrorist activity recidivism exceptions national security waivers authorizing transfers yemen year prohibition yemen transfers sec requires dod ensure operations detention facility guantanamo_bay conducted consistent law armed conflict including common article geneva conventions interrogation standards prohibitions cruel inhuman degrading treatment punishment detainee treatment act sec directs dod submit list guantanamo detainees determined task_force high risk medium risk sec requires dod months report congress terrorist organizations recruit engage propaganda images symbols relating guantanamo_bay dod bureau_of_prisons prisons detention disciplinary facilities


Summary:
Sunset of the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force Act

The Authorization for Use of Military Force (P.L. 107-40) terminates three years after the date of enactment of this Act, unless reauthorized.

sunset authorization use military force act authorization use military force terminates years date enactment act reauthorized


Summary:
Guantanamo Bay Recidivism Prevention Act of 2015

This bill prohibits assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act for five years to a foreign country if: (1) the country received an individual who was released or transferred from United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on or after February 1, 2015; and (2) after the date of such release or transfer, the individual is included in a report of individuals confirmed or suspected of returning to terrorist activities.

guantanamo bay recidivism prevention act bill prohibits assistance foreign assistance act arms_export_control_act years foreign country country received individual released transferred united_states_naval_station guantanamo_bay cuba february date release transfer individual included report individuals confirmed suspected returning terrorist activities


Summary:
This bill prohibits the use of funds available to the Department of Defense (DOD) to transfer, release, or assist in the transfer or release to Libya, Somalia, Yemen, or a country that is a state sponsor of terrorism of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed or any other detainee who:

 is not a U.S. citizen or a member of the Armed Forces; and is or was held by DOD on or after January 20, 2009, at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

bill prohibits use funds available department_of_defense dod transfer release assist transfer release libya somalia yemen country state sponsor terrorism khalid_sheikh_mohammed detainee citizen member armed_forces held dod january naval station guantanamo bay cuba


Summary:
Protections Against Terrorist Transfer Act of 2016

This bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 to prohibit the use of funds made available to the Department of Defense (DOD) or to any other U.S. government entity to transfer, release, or assist in the transfer or release of any individual detained at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the custody or control of any foreign country or other foreign entity unless DOD certifies to Congress that the individual no longer poses a threat to the security of the United States, its citizens, and its interests.

bill amends national_defense_authorization_act fiscal year prohibit use funds available department_of_defense dod government entity transfer release assist transfer release individual detained naval station guantanamo_bay cuba custody control foreign country foreign entity dod certifies congress individual longer poses threat security united_states citizens interests


Summary:
This bill prohibits the use of any amounts authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for any federal department or agency to: (1) close or abandon U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; (2) relinquish control of Guantanamo to Cuba; (3) implement a material modification to the 1934 Treaty Between the United States of America and Cuba that constructively closes Guantanamo; or (4) transfer, release, or assist in the transfer or release to or within the United States, its territories, or possessions of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed or any other detainee who is or was held by the Department of Defense (DOD) at Guantanamo on or after January 20, 2009, and who is not a U.S. citizen or a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Prior to the transfer or release of any such individual, DOD shall make available to the public a specified notice of such intended action.

bill prohibits use amounts authorized appropriated available federal department agency close abandon naval station guantanamo_bay cuba relinquish control guantanamo cuba implement material modification treaty united_states_of_america cuba constructively closes guantanamo transfer release assist transfer release united_states territories possessions khalid_sheikh_mohammed detainee held department_of_defense dod guantanamo january citizen member prior transfer release individual dod shall available public specified notice intended action


Summary:
This bill prohibits U.S. agency funds from being used until the earlier of the enactment date of an Act authorizing FY2017 appropriations for military activities of the Department of Defense (DOD) or January 1, 2017, for the transfer or release to or within the United States, its territories, or possessions or to any foreign country or entity of an individual detained at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

"Individual detained at Guantanamo" means an individual located at Guantanamo as of October 1, 2009, who: (1) is not a U.S. national or a member of the Armed Forces, and (2) is in the custody or under the control of DOD or otherwise detained at Guantanamo.

bill prohibits agency funds earlier enactment date act authorizing fy2017 appropriations military activities department_of_defense dod january transfer release united_states territories possessions foreign country entity individual detained naval station guantanamo_bay cuba individual detained guantanamo means individual located guantanamo october national member armed_forces custody control dod detained guantanamo


Summary:
This bill expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should:

 work with Iraq and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to ensure that all residents of Camp Liberty (located in Iraq) are safely and expeditiously resettled in Albania; work with Iraq, Albania, and the UNHCR to prevent Iran from intervening in the resettlement process; urge Iraq to protect residents during the resettlement process, including by ensuring that security personnel are vetted to determine that they are not affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Qods Force; urge Iraq to ensure access to food, clean water, medical assistance, and energy needs; work with Iraq to facilitate the sale of residents' property and assets; work with Iraq and the UNHCR to ensure that residents may exercise full control of all personal assets; and urge Albania and the UNHCR to ensure the continued recognition of the resettled residents as "persons of concern" entitled to international protections.

bill expresses sense senate united_states work iraq united_nations high commissioner refugees ensure residents camp liberty located iraq safely expeditiously resettled albania work iraq albania prevent iran intervening resettlement process urge iraq protect residents resettlement process including ensuring security personnel vetted determine affiliated urge iraq ensure access food clean water medical assistance energy needs work iraq facilitate sale residents property assets work iraq ensure residents exercise control personal assets urge albania ensure continued recognition resettled residents persons concern entitled international protections


Summary:
Keep Terrorists Off the Battlefield Act

This bill prohibits U.S. agency funds from being used to transfer an individual detained at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba: (1) from Department of Defense (DOD) custody or control to the custody or control of another U.S. agency, (2) to the custody or control of any Western Hemisphere country or entity within such country, or (3) to any country or entity that does not have laws prohibiting acts of terrorism or material support for such acts.

"Individual detained at Guantanamo Bay" means any individual located at Guantanamo naval station as of October 1, 2009, who is: (1) not a U.S. national or a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, and (2) in DOD custody or control or otherwise under detention at Guantanamo.

No U.S. agency funds may be used to fund activities, envoys, or offices to carry out activities to close Guantanamo naval station.

The bill expresses the sense of Congress that any individual who was detained at Guantanamo and is suspected of or confirmed by U.S. intelligence as having re-engaged in terrorist activity after being released should be arrested and returned to detention at Guantanamo.

terrorists battlefield act bill prohibits agency funds transfer individual detained naval station guantanamo_bay cuba department_of_defense dod custody control custody control agency custody control western_hemisphere country entity country country entity laws prohibiting acts terrorism material support acts individual detained guantanamo_bay means individual located guantanamo naval station october national member dod custody control detention guantanamo agency funds fund activities offices carry activities close guantanamo naval station bill expresses sense congress individual detained guantanamo suspected confirmed intelligence having engaged terrorist activity released arrested returned detention guantanamo


Summary:
Bring Our Heroes Home Act of 2016

This bill: (1) requires the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to establish the Missing Armed Forces Personnel Records Collection; and (2) establishes the Missing Armed Forces Personnel Records Review Board, which shall require all records that relate to the loss, fate, or status of missing Armed Forces personnel to be transmitted to NARA and disclosed to the public in the collection in the absence of clear and convincing evidence that a record is not such a record or that it qualifies for postponement of public disclosure.

The board shall: (1) publish a schedule for review of all such records; and (2) establish processes for the transmission of records for the collection, the maintenance of the collection, and the disclosure of such records.

Each government office shall: (1) identify, review, and organize each such record in its possession for transmission to NARA and disclosure to the public or for review by the board; and (2) identify and review for public disclosure each such record previously transferred to NARA that remains classified.

 Each presidential archival depository shall: (1) have as a priority the expedited review for public disclosure of such records in its possession, and (2) make such records available to the board.

NARA shall: (1) make each such record identified as classified available for review by the originating body, and (2) prepare and make available to all government offices a standard form for collecting information relating to records subject to review under this bill.

All such records shall be publicly disclosed in full and made available in the collection within five years after enactment of this bill unless the President certifies that: (1) continued postponement is necessary because of an identifiable harm to the military defense, intelligence operations, or conduct of foreign relations; and (2) the harm is of such gravity that it outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

The Board shall: (1) render a decision on a determination of a government office to postpone the disclosure of any such record; (2) determine, within two years after enactment of this bill, whether all government offices have complied with it; (3) terminate after four years; and (4) transfer all of its records to NARA for inclusion in the collection.

The Board may request the Attorney General to petition any U.S. or foreign court to release information relevant to the loss, fate, or status of missing Armed Forces personnel that is held under seal of such court.

bring heroes home act bill requires national_archives_and_records_administration nara establish establishes shall require records relate loss status missing armed_forces personnel transmitted nara disclosed public collection absence clear convincing evidence record record qualifies public disclosure board shall publish schedule review records establish processes transmission records collection maintenance collection disclosure records government office shall identify review organize record possession transmission nara disclosure public review board identify review public disclosure record previously transferred nara remains classified presidential archival depository shall priority expedited review public disclosure records possession records available board nara shall record identified classified available review originating body prepare available government offices standard form collecting information relating records subject review bill records shall publicly disclosed available collection years enactment bill president certifies continued necessary identifiable harm military defense intelligence operations conduct foreign relations harm outweighs public interest disclosure board shall render decision determination government office postpone disclosure record determine years enactment bill government offices complied terminate years transfer records nara inclusion collection board request attorney general petition foreign court release information relevant loss status missing armed_forces personnel held seal court


Summary: 9-11 Commission Combating Proliferation Implementation Act - Establishes within the Executive Office of the President the Office for Combating the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs). Requires the Director of the Office to: (1) develop and advise the President on WMD anti-proliferation policies; and (2) implement a Strategy for Combating the Proliferation of WMDs. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President should request the President of the Russian Federation to appoint a corresponding official to the Director; (2) the President should expand and strengthen the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI); and (3) the United States should engage the United Nations to develop a U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing the PSI under international law. Authorizes funding for: (1) acceleration of removal or security of fissile materials, radiological materials, and related equipment at vulnerable sites worldwide; (2) joint training exercises regarding interdiction of weapons of mass destruction under the PSI; and (3) Cooperative Threat Reduction programs (CTR). Gives the President permanent waiver authority over provisions prohibiting the use of certain CTR funds for chemical weapons destruction facilities in Russia. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 to repeal specified CTR fund limits for activities outside the former Soviet Union.

commission combating proliferation implementation act establishes executive_office president requires director office develop advise president wmd anti proliferation policies implement strategy combating proliferation expresses sense congress president request president russian_federation appoint corresponding official director president expand strengthen proliferation security initiative united_states engage united_nations develop resolution authorizing international law authorizes funding acceleration removal security materials radiological materials related equipment vulnerable sites worldwide joint training exercises interdiction weapons mass destruction cooperative threat reduction programs ctr gives president permanent waiver authority provisions prohibiting use certain ctr funds chemical weapons destruction facilities russia amends national_defense_authorization_act fiscal year repeal specified ctr fund limits activities outside soviet_union


Summary: Declares that no limitations contained in the Agreement Suspending the Antidumping Investigation on Solid Fertilizer Grade Ammonium Nitrate shall be imposed with respect to entry of any solid fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate imported from the Russian Federation. States that no antidumping duty deposit shall be required upon entry of such a product, nor shall any antidumping duty be assessed on it.

declares limitations contained agreement suspending antidumping investigation solid fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate shall imposed respect entry solid fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate imported russian_federation states antidumping duty deposit shall required entry product shall antidumping duty assessed


Summary: Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act of 2007 - Places specified restrictions on the sale, transfer, or use of cluster munitions.

cluster_munitions_civilian_protection act places specified restrictions sale transfer use cluster munitions


Summary: Nuclear Disarmament and Economic Conversion Act of 2007 - Requires the U.S. Government to: (1) disable and dismantle all its nuclear weapons and refrain from replacing them at any time with weapons of mass destruction; (2) undertake vigorous good faith efforts to eliminate war, armed conflict, and all military operations; (3) actively promote policies to induce all other countries to join in these commitments for world peace and security; and (4) redirect resources that are currently being used for nuclear weapons programs to constructive, ecologically beneficial peacetime activities and to address human and infrastructure needs such as housing, health care, education, agriculture, and environmental restoration. Makes this Act effective when the President certifies to Congress that all foreign countries possessing nuclear weapons have established legal requirements comparable to those set forth in this Act.

requires government disable dismantle nuclear weapons refrain replacing time weapons mass destruction undertake vigorous good faith efforts eliminate war armed conflict military operations actively promote policies induce countries join commitments world peace security redirect resources currently nuclear weapons programs constructive ecologically beneficial peacetime activities address human infrastructure needs housing health care education agriculture environmental restoration makes act effective president certifies congress foreign countries possessing nuclear weapons established legal requirements comparable set forth act


Summary: Ending Nuclear Trafficking Act - Declares it to be the policy of the United States that the transfer of a nuclear weapon or device or of nuclear material or technology for terrorist purposes is a crime against humanity and should be punished under customary international criminal law. Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit the transfer of a nuclear weapon or device, or of nuclear material or sensitive nuclear technology, to any foreign terrorist organization or any other person engaged in terrorist activities. Grants extraterritorial jurisdiction to prosecute violations of this Act. Imposes a fine and minimum prison term of 25 years for violations (life imprisonment for violations resulting in death).Requires the Secretary of State to direct the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations and representatives to bilateral and multilateral fora to seek international recognition that the transfer of nuclear weapons, devices, material, or technology for terrorist purposes is a crime against humanity.

ending nuclear trafficking act declares policy united_states transfer nuclear weapon device nuclear material technology terrorist purposes crime humanity punished customary international criminal law amends federal criminal code prohibit transfer nuclear weapon device nuclear material sensitive nuclear technology foreign terrorist organization person engaged terrorist activities grants extraterritorial jurisdiction prosecute violations act imposes fine minimum prison term years violations life imprisonment violations resulting secretary state direct permanent representative united_states united_nations representatives bilateral multilateral fora seek international recognition transfer nuclear weapons devices material technology terrorist purposes crime humanity


Summary: Safety for Americans from Nuclear Weapons Testing Act - Deems each of the following actions undertaken by a Federal agency to be a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment for which a detailed environmental impact statement is required in conformance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969: (1) any action having as a purpose the resumption of nuclear weapon or nuclear explosive device tests at the Nevada Test Site; or (2) use of any other location for such testing. Outlines information required to be included in such statement, including: (1) the possibility of radiation containment failure and the effects of such failure; (2) possible long-term effects on the water table from underground radiation leakage; and (3) information with respect to certain kiloton categories of weapons. Prohibits the United States from resuming any such testing unless authorized by a law enacted after the enactment of this Act. Requires: (1) advance public notice of each test; (2) prompt notice of each release of radiation beyond the boundaries of the Nevada Test Site; and (3) a public meeting after each test to discuss test results. Directs the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study on the safety and health of citizens in the vicinity of the Nevada Test Site. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a Nevada Test Site Citizens Review Board. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to make grants to institutions of higher education to acquire and operate, for ten years, radiation detection equipment and sensors. Directs the Secretary of Energy, through the Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency, to monitor the nature and extent of any radiation released into the atmosphere as a result of such testing. Requires: (1) DOE radiation containment assessment; and (2) public notice of monitoring data. Requires the: (1) Director of the National Institutes of Health to make a grant to establish the National Center for the Study of Radiation and Human Health; and (2) Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study of individuals exposed to nuclear weapons tests.

safety americans nuclear weapons testing act deems following actions undertaken federal agency major federal action significantly affecting quality human environment detailed environmental impact statement required conformance national_environmental_policy_act action having purpose resumption nuclear weapon nuclear explosive device tests nevada_test_site use location testing outlines information required included statement including possibility radiation containment failure effects failure possible long term effects water table underground radiation leakage information respect certain categories weapons prohibits united_states resuming testing authorized law enacted enactment act requires advance public notice test prompt notice release radiation boundaries nevada_test_site public meeting test discuss test results directs national_academy_of_sciences conduct study safety health citizens vicinity nevada_test_site directs secretary energy establish nevada test site citizens review board directs secretary homeland_security grants institutions higher education acquire operate years radiation detection equipment sensors directs secretary energy department_of_energy doe environmental_protection_agency monitor nature extent radiation released atmosphere result testing requires doe radiation containment assessment public notice monitoring data requires director national_institutes_of_health grant establish secretary health_and_human_services conduct study individuals exposed nuclear weapons tests


Summary: Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) pursue international agreements to establish an international framework for determining the source of any confiscated nuclear or radiological material or weapon and the source of any detonated weapon and the nuclear or radiological material used in such a weapon; (2) develop protocols for the data exchange and dissemination of sensitive information relating to nuclear or radiological materials; and (3) develop expedited protocols for the data exchange and dissemination of sensitive information needed to publicly identify the source of a nuclear detonation. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to include within the mission of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office to: (1) develop and implement a National Strategy and Five-Year Implementation Plan for Improving the Nuclear Forensic and Attribution Capabilities of the United States Government (Plan) and methods, capabilities, and capacity for nuclear materials forensics and attribution; (2) establish within the Office a National Technical Nuclear Forensics Center to provide centralized stewardship, planning, assessment, gap analysis, exercises, improvement, and integration for all federal nuclear forensics and attribution activities and to coordinate and implement the Plan; and (3) establish a National Nuclear Forensics Expertise Development Program devoted to developing and maintaining a vibrant and enduring academic pathway from undergraduate to post-doctorate study in nuclear and geochemical science specialties directly relevant to technical nuclear forensics. Requires the Director of the Office and each of the relevant departments that are partners in the National Technical Forensics Center to report annually to Congress and the President on: (1) each relevant agency's activities and investments in support of nuclear forensics and attribution activities; (2) the most current version of the Plan; and (3) funds allocated for authorized activities that are not spent.

expresses sense congress president pursue international agreements establish international framework determining source confiscated nuclear radiological material weapon source weapon nuclear radiological material weapon develop protocols data exchange dissemination sensitive information relating nuclear radiological materials develop expedited protocols data exchange dissemination sensitive information needed publicly identify source nuclear detonation amends homeland security act include mission develop implement national strategy year implementation plan improving nuclear forensic attribution capabilities united_states_government plan methods capabilities capacity nuclear materials forensics attribution establish provide centralized stewardship planning assessment gap analysis exercises improvement integration federal nuclear forensics attribution activities coordinate implement plan establish devoted developing maintaining enduring academic pathway undergraduate post doctorate study nuclear science specialties directly relevant technical nuclear forensics requires director office relevant departments partners report annually congress president relevant agency activities investments support nuclear forensics attribution activities current version plan funds allocated authorized activities spent


Summary: North Korean Counterterrorism and Nonproliferation Act - Provides for the continuation of restrictions against the government of North Korea unless the President certifies to Congress that North Korea has met certain benchmarks respecting: (1) missile or nuclear technology transfers; (2) support of terrorist groups and terrorist activities, (3) counterfeiting of U.S. currency, (4) release of South Korean POWs, Japanese journalists, and Kim Donk-Shik; and (5) Bureau 39's closure.

north korean counterterrorism nonproliferation act provides continuation restrictions government north_korea president certifies congress north_korea met certain benchmarks respecting missile nuclear technology transfers support terrorist groups terrorist activities counterfeiting currency release south korean pows japanese journalists bureau closure


Summary: Nuclear Gold Standard Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Defense to develop a framework for a global alliance against nuclear terrorism that would incorporate the "gold standard" developed under this Act for the security of nuclear materials. Directs the Secretary of Energy to work with: (1) the Secretary's Russian counterpart to develop a formal set of verifiable and enforceable standards to which all U.S. and Russian nuclear materials shall be secured and against which inspectors can test ("gold standard"); and (2) the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to extend such standards to all other countries with nuclear materials. Directs the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of State to: (1) separately and jointly, provide assistance to other countries to implement the measures required by U.N. Security Council Resolution 1540; and (2) jointly develop a set of incentives as part of such assistance. Authorizes, subject to specified conditions, appropriations for: (1) specified Department of Energy and Department of Defense (DOD) nuclear materials safety and weapons reduction programs; and (2) securing nuclear materials in Russia.

nuclear gold standard act directs secretary energy secretary state secretary defense develop framework global alliance nuclear terrorism incorporate gold standard developed act security nuclear materials directs secretary energy work secretary russian counterpart develop formal set verifiable enforceable standards russian nuclear materials shall secured inspectors test gold standard international_atomic_energy_agency iaea extend standards countries nuclear materials directs secretary energy secretary state separately jointly provide assistance countries implement measures required jointly develop set incentives assistance authorizes subject specified conditions appropriations specified dod nuclear materials safety weapons reduction programs securing nuclear materials russia


Summary: Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Reform Act of 2008 - Title I: Reform Of Arms Export Control Procedures - Subtitle A: Defense Trade Controls Performance Improvement Act of 2008 - Defense Trade Controls Performance Improvement Act of 2008 - (Sec. 103) Directs the President, not later than March 31, 2009, to conduct a comprehensive and systematic review and assessment of the U.S. arms export controls system. Requires such review and assessment to: (1) determine the system's overall effectiveness; (2) develop processes to ensure better coordination of arms export control activities; (3) ensure control over weapons-related nuclear technology and all items on the Missile Technology Control Regime Annex; (4) determine the overall effect of arms export controls on counterterrorism, law enforcement, and infrastructure protection missions of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); (5) contain a summary of attempts by international arms traffickers, foreign intelligence agencies, and terrorist organizations to acquire items on the U.S. Munitions List; and (6) assess the extent to which export control policies and practices under the Arms Export Control Act promote the protection of basic human rights. Directs the President to: (1) provide briefings to appropriate congressional committees (i.e., the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on the progress of the review and assessment; and (2) report on such review and assessment to the appropriate congressional committees and the Armed Services Committees not later than 18 months after the enactment of this Act.(Sec. 104) Requires the Secretary of State, acting through the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), to set a 60-day goal for processing applications for licenses to export items on the U.S. Munitions List and for the review of such applications for a commodity jurisdiction determination. Limits the allowable amount of unprocessed applications to 7% of total applications submitted in the preceding calendar year. Requires applications not processed within 90 days of receipt to be reviewed by the Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs. Sets forth goals for DDTC processing of applications for licenses to export defense articles to U.S. allies.Requires the Secretary, not later than December 31, 2010, and December 31, 2011, to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the average processing time of applications for export licenses.(Sec. 105) Requires the Secretary to ensure that DDTC has adequate staff and resources. Establishes the minimum required number of DDTC licensing officers for FY2010 and subsequent fiscal years and the minimum staff required to review applications for commodity jurisdiction determinations.(Sec. 106) Requires the Inspector General of the Department of State to conduct an audit by the end of FY2010 and FY2011 to determine the extent to which the Department is meeting the performance and staffing goals set by this title and to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the results. (Sec. 107) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to revise the purposes for which DDTC may use its registration fees for defense trade controls functions.(Sec. 108) Directs the Secretary to: (1) review the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and the U.S. Munitions List to determine those technologies and goods that warrant different or additional controls; and (2) report annually to the appropriate congressional committees and the House and Senate Committees on Armed Services on such review.(Sec. 109) Amends the Arms Export Control Act to allow a special licensing authorization for exports of spare and replacement parts in connection with defense items previously exported to NATO Member States, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Israel, and South Korea.(Sec. 110) Amends the Arms Export Control Act to provide persons the ability to access electronically current information on the status of their pending export license applications.(Sec. 111) Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to advice provided to the Secretary by the Defense Trade Advisory Group.(Sec. 113) Authorizes appropriations for FY2009 and each subsequent fiscal year.Subtitle B: Miscellaneous Provisions - (Sec. 121) Directs the Secretary of State to report to the appropriate congressional committees on self-financing of the export licensing functions of DDTC. (Sec. 122) Amends the Arms Export Control Act to include South Korea and Israel as countries eligible for the expedited congressional review period (i.e., 15 days) for the export of U.S. defense items and services.(Sec. 123) Requires the President to make available to the appropriate congressional committees certain presidential directives on U.S. arms export policies, practices, and regulations.(Sec. 124) Amends the Arms Export Control Act to revise the criteria for notification to Congress of a proposed sale of defense articles or services under such Act.(Sec. 125) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should redouble efforts to strengthen national and international arms export controls and report to the appropriate congressional committees on U.S. diplomatic efforts to do so. (Sec. 126) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require that the President's annual military assistance report to Congress include information on defense articles exported without a license pursuant to an exemption under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. (Sec. 127) Amends the Arms Export Control Act to require the President to provide to the appropriate congressional committees as part of the annual budget submission a detailed listing, by country and international organization, of the total dollar value of defense equipment and articles exported pursuant to licenses authorized by such Act.(Sec. 128) Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees and the House and Senate Arms Services Committees on: (1) the extent to which current U.S. export controls on satellites and related items under the Arms Export Control Act are successfully preventing the transfer of military-sensitive technologies to countries of concern, especially China; (2) the extent to which comparable satellites and related items are available from foreign sources without comparable export controls; and (3) whether such export controls should be altered to discourage the exports of satellites and related items to China by any country.Title II: Security Assistance and Related Support for Israel - (Sec. 201) Requires the President to: (1) carry out an empirical and qualitative assessment on an ongoing basis of the extent to which Israel possesses a qualitative military edge over military threats; (2) use such assessment in reviewing applications to sell defense articles and services under the Arms Export Control Act; and (3) submit an initial report on such assessment to the appropriate congressional committees not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act and then every four years thereafter. Amends the Arms Export Control Act to require any certification relating to a proposed sale or export of defense articles or services to a Middle Eastern country other than Israel to include a determination that such sale or export will not adversely affect Israel's qualitative military edge over military threats.(Sec. 202) Requires the President to: (1) report to the appropriate congressional committees within 30 days after the enactment of this Act on all U.S. assurances made to Israel regarding its security and the maintenance of its qualitative military edge and an analysis of the extent to which such assurances have been and will continue to be fulfilled; (2) submit subsequent reports to reflect new assurances or any revision of existing assurances; and (3) submit reports every five years on such security assurances and revisions to such assurances.(Sec. 203) Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2005 to extend until August 5, 2010, the authority of the President to transfer certain surplus defense articles to Israel. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to extend through FY2010 the authority to stockpile certain Department of Defense (DOD) defense articles for foreign countries.(Sec. 204) Allocates funds in FY2009 to Israel under the Foreign Military Financing Program. Authorizes funding in FY2009 for the procurement of advanced weapons systems by Israel.(Sec. 205) Defines "qualitative military edge" for purposes of this title.Title III: Waiver Of Certain Sanctions To Facilitate Denuclearization Activities In North Korea - (Sec. 301) Grants the President authority to waive sanctions under the Arms Export Control Act with respect to North Korea to provide assistance for nuclear disarmament pursuant to the Joint Statement of September 19, 2005.(Sec. 302) Permits a waiver of sanctions with respect to certain exports under the Arms Export Control Act if the President certifies to Congress that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure that such assistance will not be used to improve the military capacity of North Korea and that the exercise of waiver authority is in the national security interests of the United States.(Sec. 303) Requires the President to: (1) notify the House Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and Foreign Relations before exercising any waiver authority under this title with respect to North Korea; and (2) report not later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter to such committees on matters relating to North Korean nuclear disarmament.(Sec. 304) Requires the termination of any waiver under this title if the President determines that North Korea: (1) transferred to a non-nuclear state or received a nuclear explosive device on or after September 19, 2005; or (2) detonated a nuclear explosive device on or after October 10, 2006, or transferred nuclear technology to a non-nuclear weapon state or sought such technology for the purpose of developing or manufacturing a nuclear explosive device. Permits a continuation of a waiver if the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that such waiver is vital to national security interests. (Sec. 305) Terminates the waiver authority under this title four years after the enactment of this Act. Prohibits the exercise of any waiver authority under this title beginning three years after the enactment of this Act.(Sec. 306) Requires the continuation of restrictions against North Korea relating to its designation as a state sponsor of terrorism unless the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that North Korea: (1) is no longer involved in the transfer of nuclear technology; (2) has provided a complete and correct declaration of all its nuclear programs; and (3) has agreed to the participation of the International Atomic Energy Agency in monitoring and verifying the shutdown and sealing of the Yongbyon nuclear facility.(Sec. 307) Requires the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on verification measures relating to North Korea's nuclear programs under the Six-Party Talks Agreement of February 13, 2007.Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - (Sec. 401) Authorizes the Secretary of State to conduct a program to provide assistance to the military forces of foreign countries to enable such countries to conduct counterterrorist operations or participate in or support military and stability operations in which the United States is a participant. Authorizes funding for such program from the Foreign Military Financing Program in FY2009-FY2010. Requires the Secretary to give notice of the countries assisted by such program to the House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Relations.(Sec. 402) Declares that it shall be the policy of the United States to oppose any diminution or termination of the arms embargo against China imposed by the European Union in 1989 for the Tiananmen Square massacre and to take diplomatic and other measures to convince Member States of the European Union to continue such embargo.Requires the President to report to Congress every six months until December 31, 2010, on efforts to support the continuation of such arms embargo.(Sec. 403) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to permit reimbursement under such Act of the full costs of salaries of members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces deployed for the purposes of such Act.(Sec. 404) Amends the Arms Export Control Act to: (1) rename the Special Defense Acquisition Fund as the Foreign Military Sales Stockpile Fund; (2) include building the capacity of recipient countries as a purpose of such Fund; and (3) include collections from leases made pursuant to such Act in such Fund.(Sec. 405) Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should not provide security assistance or arms exports to nations contributing to massive, widespread, and systematic violations of human rights or acts of genocide, particularly with respect to Darfur, Sudan. Title V: Authority To Transfer Naval Vessels - Authorizes the President to transfer certain excess naval vessels on a grant basis under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to Pakistan, Greece, Chile, and Peru. Terminates such authority two years after the enactment of this Act.

security assistance arms export control reform act title reform arms export control procedures subtitle defense trade controls performance improvement act defense trade controls performance improvement act sec directs president later march conduct comprehensive systematic review assessment arms export controls system requires review assessment determine system overall effectiveness develop processes ensure better coordination arms export control activities ensure control weapons related nuclear technology items regime annex determine overall effect arms export controls counterterrorism law enforcement infrastructure protection missions department_of_homeland_security dhs contain summary attempts international arms traffickers foreign intelligence agencies terrorist organizations acquire items assess extent export control policies practices arms export control act promote protection basic human rights directs president provide briefings appropriate congressional committees house_committee_on_foreign_affairs senate_committee_on_foreign_relations progress review assessment report review assessment appropriate congressional committees later months enactment requires secretary state acting set day goal processing applications licenses export items review applications commodity jurisdiction determination limits allowable unprocessed applications total applications submitted preceding calendar year requires applications processed days receipt reviewed assistant secretary state sets forth goals processing applications licenses export defense articles allies requires secretary later december december report appropriate congressional committees average processing time applications export requires secretary ensure adequate staff resources establishes minimum required number licensing officers fy2010 subsequent fiscal years minimum staff required review applications commodity jurisdiction requires inspector general department_of_state conduct audit end fy2010 fy2011 determine extent department meeting performance staffing goals set title report appropriate congressional committees results sec amends state_department basic authorities act revise purposes use registration fees defense trade controls directs secretary review determine technologies goods warrant different additional controls report annually appropriate congressional committees house amends arms export control act allow special licensing authorization exports spare replacement parts connection defense items previously exported nato member states australia japan new_zealand israel south amends arms_export_control_act provide persons ability access electronically current information status pending export license expresses sense congress respect advice provided secretary authorizes appropriations fy2009 subsequent fiscal year subtitle miscellaneous provisions sec directs secretary state report appropriate congressional committees self financing export licensing functions sec amends arms export control act include south_korea israel countries eligible expedited congressional review period days export defense items requires president available appropriate congressional committees certain presidential directives arms export policies practices amends arms export control act revise criteria notification congress proposed sale defense articles services expresses sense congress president efforts strengthen national international arms export controls report appropriate congressional committees diplomatic efforts sec amends foreign assistance act require president annual military assistance report congress include information defense articles exported license pursuant exemption sec amends arms export control act require president provide appropriate congressional committees annual budget submission detailed listing country international organization total dollar value defense equipment articles exported pursuant licenses authorized directs president report appropriate congressional committees house extent current export controls satellites related items arms export control act successfully preventing transfer military sensitive technologies countries concern especially china extent comparable satellites related items available foreign sources comparable export controls export controls altered discourage exports satellites related items china country title security assistance related support israel sec requires president carry empirical qualitative assessment ongoing basis extent israel possesses qualitative military edge military threats use assessment reviewing applications sell defense articles services arms export control act submit initial report assessment appropriate congressional committees later days enactment act years amends arms_export_control_act require certification relating proposed sale export defense articles services middle eastern country israel include determination sale export adversely affect israel qualitative military edge military requires president report appropriate congressional committees days enactment act assurances israel security maintenance qualitative military edge analysis extent assurances continue fulfilled submit subsequent reports reflect new assurances revision existing assurances submit reports years security assurances revisions amends department_of_defense_appropriations_act extend august authority president transfer certain surplus defense articles israel amends foreign assistance act extend fy2010 authority stockpile certain department_of_defense dod defense articles foreign allocates funds fy2009 israel authorizes funding fy2009 procurement advanced weapons systems defines qualitative military edge purposes title title iii waiver certain sanctions facilitate activities north_korea sec grants president authority waive sanctions arms export control act respect north_korea provide assistance nuclear disarmament pursuant permits waiver sanctions respect certain exports arms export control act president certifies congress necessary steps taken ensure assistance improve military capacity north_korea exercise waiver authority national security interests requires president notify exercising waiver authority title respect north_korea report later days enactment act annually committees matters relating north korean nuclear requires termination waiver title president determines north_korea transferred non nuclear state received nuclear explosive device september nuclear explosive device october transferred nuclear technology non nuclear weapon state sought technology purpose developing manufacturing nuclear explosive device permits continuation waiver president certifies appropriate congressional committees waiver vital national security interests sec terminates waiver authority title years enactment act prohibits exercise waiver authority title beginning years enactment requires continuation restrictions north_korea relating designation state sponsor terrorism president certifies appropriate congressional committees north_korea longer involved transfer nuclear technology provided complete correct declaration nuclear programs agreed participation international_atomic_energy_agency monitoring verifying shutdown sealing nuclear requires secretary report appropriate congressional committees verification measures relating north_korea nuclear programs party agreement february miscellaneous provisions sec authorizes secretary state conduct program provide assistance military forces foreign countries enable countries conduct operations participate support military stability operations united_states participant authorizes funding program fy2009 fy2010 requires secretary notice countries assisted program foreign declares shall policy united_states oppose diminution termination arms embargo china imposed european_union square diplomatic measures member states european_union continue embargo requires president report congress months december efforts support continuation arms amends foreign assistance act permit reimbursement act costs salaries members reserve components armed_forces deployed purposes amends arms export control act rename include building capacity recipient countries purpose fund include collections leases pursuant act expresses sense congress united_states provide security assistance arms exports nations contributing widespread systematic violations human rights acts genocide particularly respect darfur sudan title authority transfer naval vessels authorizes president transfer certain excess naval vessels grant basis foreign assistance act pakistan terminates authority years enactment act


Summary: Nuclear Terrorism Deterrence and Detection Act - Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the Administrator for Nuclear Security should, with specified minimum levels of funding, establish a graduate fellowship program in nuclear chemistry and carry out research and development to improve the speed and accuracy of nuclear forensics radiation-measurement equipment. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 to require a report to Congress on any legislative, regulatory, or treaty actions necessary to facilitate international cooperation in enhancement of international nuclear-material databases and the linking of those databases to enable prompt data access. Directs the Secretaries of Defense, Energy, and Homeland Security to establish a joint independent Nuclear Forensics Advisory Panel of experts not directly associated with federal laboratories to provide independent validation of any federal nuclear forensics analysis. Directs the President to report to specified congressional committees on the involvement of Cabinet-level leadership in planned nuclear terrorism preparedness exercises that include nuclear forensics analysis.

nuclear terrorism deterrence detection act declares sense congress administrator nuclear security specified minimum levels funding establish graduate fellowship program nuclear chemistry carry research development improve speed accuracy nuclear forensics radiation measurement equipment amends national_defense_authorization_act fiscal year require report congress legislative regulatory treaty actions necessary facilitate international cooperation enhancement international nuclear material databases linking databases enable prompt data access directs secretaries defense energy homeland_security establish joint independent experts directly associated federal laboratories provide independent validation federal nuclear forensics analysis directs president report specified congressional committees involvement cabinet level leadership planned nuclear terrorism preparedness exercises include nuclear forensics analysis