Legislative Focus

110th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3025

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against tax for the purchase of a flexible fuel vehicle.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 15, 2008

Mr. THUNE introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance

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A BILL

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against tax for the purchase of a flexible fuel vehicle.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Flex Fuel for All Americans Act’.

SEC. 2. FLEXIBLE FUEL MOTOR VEHICLE CREDIT.

(a) Allowance of Credit-

(1) IN GENERAL- Section 30B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by redesignating subsections (i) and (j) as subsections (j) and (k), respectively, and by inserting after subsection (h) the following new subsection:

`(i) New Qualified Flexible Fuel Motor Vehicle Credit-

`(1) IN GENERAL- The new qualified flexible fuel motor vehicle credit determined under this subsection is an amount equal to $1,000 for each new qualified flexible fuel motor vehicle placed in service by the taxpayer during the taxable year.

`(2) INCREASED AMOUNT FOR OPTIMUM FLEXIBLE FUEL VEHICLES- In the case of a new qualified flexible fuel motor vehicle which is an optimum flexible fuel vehicle, the dollar amount in effect under paragraph (1) shall be increased by $500.

`(3) NEW QUALIFIED FLEXIBLE FUEL MOTOR VEHICLE- For purposes of this subsection, the term `new qualified flexible fuel motor vehicle’ means any motor vehicle—

`(A) which is capable of operating on—

`(i) both gasoline and either—

`(I) a blend of 85 percent ethanol fuel and 15 percent gasoline, or

`(II) a blend of 85 percent methanol fuel and 15 percent gasoline, or

`(ii) both diesel fuel and a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent diesel fuel ,

`(B) the original use of which commences with the taxpayer,

`(C) which is acquired by the taxpayer for use or lease, but not for resale, and

`(D) which is made by a manufacturer.

`(4) OPTIMUM FLEXIBLE FUEL VEHICLE- For purposes of this subsection, the term `optimum flexible fuel vehicle’ means a new qualified flexible fuel motor vehicle which is certified by the Environmental Protection Agency—

`(A) in the case of a motor vehicle described in paragraph
(3)(A)(i), to achieve an efficiency (determined in miles per gallon) when using a blend described in subclause (I) or (II) of paragraph (3)(A)(i) equal to or greater than the efficiency achieved by such vehicle when using gasoline alone, and
`(B) in the case of a motor vehicle described in paragraph (3)(A)(ii), to achieve an efficiency (determined in miles per gallon) when using a blend described in paragraph (3)(A)(ii) equal to or greater than the efficiency achieved by such vehicle when using diesel fuel alone.’.

(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Section 30B(a) of such Code is amended by striking `and’ at the end of paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (4) and inserting `, and’, and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

`(5) the new qualified flexible fuel motor vehicle credit determined under subsection (i).’.

(b) Termination- Subsection (k) of section 30B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as redesignated by subsection (a), is amended by striking `and’ and the end of paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (4) and inserting `, and’, and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

`(5) in the case of a new qualified flexible fuel motor vehicle (as described in subsection (i)), December 31, 2015.’.

(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to property placed in service after December 31, 2008, in taxable years ending after such date.

END

110th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3248
To amend the Commodity Exchange Act to clarify the treatment of purchases of certain commodity futures contracts and financial instruments with respect to limits established by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission relating to excessive speculation, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 10 (legislative day, July 9), 2008

Mr. LIEBERMAN (for himself, Ms. COLLINS, and Ms. CANTWELL) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

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A BILL

To amend the Commodity Exchange Act to clarify the treatment of purchases of certain commodity futures contracts and financial instruments with respect to limits established by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission relating to excessive speculation, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Commodity Speculation Reform Act of 2008′

SEC. 2. AUTHORITY OF COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION TO ISSUE NO ACTION LETTERS.

Section 2(a)(1) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 2(a)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(G) AUTHORITY TO ISSUE NO ACTION LETTERS TO FOREIGN BOARDS OF TRADE-

`(i) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in clause (ii), the Commission may not issue a no action letter to any foreign board of trade that lists a contract the price of which settles on the price of a contract traded on an exchange regulated by the Commission.
`(ii) EXCEPTION- The Commission may issue a no action letter to a foreign board of trade described in clause (i) if the foreign board of trade provides to the Commission information and data accessibility the scope of which is comparable to the information and data accessibility provided to the Commission by entities under the jurisdiction of the Commission.’.

SEC. 3. ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES.

Section 2(a)(7) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 2(a)(7)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(D) ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES- As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this subparagraph, the Commission shall appoint at least 100 full-time employees (in addition to the employees employed by the Commission as of the date of enactment of this subparagraph) to assist in carrying out section 4a(a)(2).’.

SEC. 4. TREATMENT OF PURCHASES OF CERTAIN COMMODITY FUTURES CONTRACTS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS.

(a) In General- Section 4a of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6a) is amended–

(1) by striking `SEC. 4a. (a) Excessive speculation’ and inserting the following:

`SEC. 4a. EXCESSIVE SPECULATION.

`(a) Burden on Interstate Commerce; Trading or Position Limits-

`(1) IN GENERAL- Excessive speculation and’; and
(2) in subsection (a) (as amended by paragraph (1)), by adding at the end the following:
`(2) TREATMENT OF PURCHASES OF CERTAIN COMMODITY FUTURES CONTRACTS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS-

`(A) DEFINITIONS- In this paragraph:

`(i) BONA FIDE HEDGING TRANSACTION-

`(I) IN GENERAL- The term `bona fide hedging transaction’ means a transaction that–

`(aa) represents a substitute for a transaction to be made or a position to be taken at a later time in a physical marketing channel;

`(bb) is economically appropriate for the reduction of risks in the conduct and management of a commercial enterprise; and

`(cc) arises from the potential change in the value of–

`(AA) assets that a person owns, produces, manufactures, possesses, or merchandises (or anticipates owning, producing, manufacturing, possessing, or merchandising);

`(BB) liabilities that a person incurs or anticipates incurring; or

`(CC) services that a person provides or purchases (or anticipates providing or purchasing).

`(II) EXCLUSION- The term `bona fide hedging transaction’ does not include a transaction entered into on a designated contract market for the purpose of offsetting a financial risk arising from an over-the-counter commodity derivative.

`(ii) OVER-THE-COUNTER COMMODITY DERIVATIVE- The term `over-the-counter commodity derivative’ means any agreement, contract, or transaction that–

`(I)(aa) is traded or executed in the United States; or

`(bb) is held by a person located in the United States;

`(II) is not traded on a designated contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility; and

`(III)(aa) is a put, call, cap, floor, collar, or similar option of any kind for the purchase or sale of, or substantially based on the value of, 1 or more qualifying commodities or an economic or financial index or measure of economic or financial risk primarily associated with 1 or more qualifying commodities;

`(bb) provides on an executory basis for the applicable transaction, on a fixed or contingent basis, of 1 or more payments substantially based on the value of 1 or more qualifying commodities or an economic or financial index or measure of economic or financial risk primarily associated with 1 or more qualifying commodities, and that transfers between the parties to the transaction, in whole or in part, the economic or financial risk associated with a future change in any such value without also conveying a current or future direct or indirect ownership interest in an asset or liability that incorporates the financial risk that is transferred; or

`(cc) is any combination or permutation of, or option on, any agreement, contract, or transaction described in item (aa) or (bb).

`(iii) OVER-THE-COUNTER COMMODITY DERIVATIVE DEALER- The term `over-the-counter commodity derivative dealer’ means a person that regularly offers to enter into, assume, offset, assign, or otherwise terminate positions in over-the-counter commodity derivatives with customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business of the person.

`(iv) QUALIFYING COMMODITY- The term `qualifying commodity’ means–

`(I) an agricultural commodity; and

`(II) an energy commodity.

`(B) REGULATIONS-

`(i) IN GENERAL- Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph, in accordance with clauses (ii) and (iii), the Commission shall promulgate regulations to establish and enforce–

`(I) speculative position limits for qualifying commodities;

`(II) a methodology–

`(aa) to enable persons to aggregate the positions held or controlled by the persons on designated contract markets, on derivatives transaction execution facilities, and in over-the-counter commodity derivatives; and

`(bb) to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that the determinations made by the Commission with respect to each person examined under subparagraph (C) accurately reflect the net long and net short positions held or controlled by the person in the underlying qualifying commodity; and

`(III) information reporting rules to facilitate the monitoring and enforcement by the Commission of the speculative position limits established under subclause (I), including the monitoring of positions held in over-the-counter commodity derivatives.

`(ii) APPLICABILITY-

`(I) POSITION LIMITS- The speculative position limits established under clause (i)(I) shall apply to position limits that, with respect to each applicable position limit, expire during–

`(aa) the spot month;

`(bb) each separate futures trading month (other than the spot month); or

`(cc) the sum of each trading month (including the spot month).

`(II) SUM OF POSITIONS- The speculative position limits established under clause (i)(I) shall apply to the sum of the positions held by a person–

`(aa) on designated contract markets;

`(bb) on derivatives transaction execution facilities; and

`(cc) in over-the-counter commodity derivatives.

`(iii) MAXIMUM LEVEL OF POSITION LIMITS- In establishing the speculative position limits under clause (i)(I), the Commission shall set the speculative position limits at the minimum level practicable to ensure sufficient market liquidity for the conduct of bona fide hedging activities.

`(C) PROHIBITION RELATING TO CERTAIN POSITIONS-

`(i) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, no person may hold or control a position, separately or in combination, net long or net short, for the purchase or sale of a commodity for future delivery or, on a futures-equivalent basis, any option, or an over-the-counter commodity derivative that exceeds a speculative position limit established by the Commission under subparagraph (B)(i)(I).

`(ii) BONA FIDE HEDGING TRANSACTIONS- In determining whether the sum of a position held or controlled by a person has exceeded the applicable speculative position limit established by the Commission under subparagraph (B)(i)(I), the Commission shall not consider positions attributable to a bona fide hedging transaction.

`(iii) DETERMINATION OF POSITION LIMITS FOR OVER-THE-COUNTER COMMODITY DERIVATIVE DEALERS- To determine the position of an over-the-counter commodity derivative dealer, the sum of the positions held or controlled by the over-the-counter commodity derivative dealer shall be–

`(I) calculated on the last day of each month; and

`(II) considered, for the monthly period covered by the determination, to be the average daily net position held or controlled by the over-the-counter commodity derivative dealer for the period beginning on the first day of the month and ending on the last day of the month.’.

(b) Reports-

(1) NECESSARY ADDITIONAL FUNDING- Not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (referred to in this subsection as the `Commission’) shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a report providing the recommendations of the Commission for any additional funding that the Commission considers to be necessary to carry out the amendments made by subsection (a), including funding for additional staffing and technological needs.

(2) SPECULATIVE ACTIVITY TRENDS-

(A) STUDY- The Commission shall conduct a study–

(i) to identify trends in speculative activity relating to metals; and

(ii) to determine whether the authority of the Commission under section 4a(a)(2) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6a(a)(2)) (as added by subsection (a)(2)) should be extended to cover the trading of metals.

(B) REPORT- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit a report containing the results of the study conducted under subparagraph (A) to–

(i) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives;

(ii) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; and

(iii) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.

(3) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this subsection.

To authorize State and local governments to direct divestiture from, and prevent investment in, companies with investments of $20,000,000 or more in Iran’s energy sector, and for other purposes.

Mr. OBAMA (for himself and Mr. BROWNBACK) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

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To authorize State and local governments to direct divestiture from, and prevent investment in, companies with investments of $20,000,000 or more in Iran’s energy sector, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Iran Sanctions Enabling Act’.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds as follows:

(1) The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, done at Paris December 9, 1948 (commonly referred to as the `Genocide Convention’) defines genocide as, among other things, the act of killing members of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, the targeted group. In addition, the Genocide Convention also prohibits conspiracy to commit genocide, as well as `[d]irect and public incitement to commit genocide’.

(2) 133 member states of the United Nations have ratified the Genocide Convention and thereby pledged to prosecute individuals who violate the Genocide Convention’s prohibition on incitement to commit genocide, as well as those individuals who commit genocide directly.

(3) On October 27, 2005, at the World Without Zionism Conference in Tehran, Iran, the President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, called for Israel to be `wiped off the map,’ described Israel as `a disgraceful blot [on] the face of the Islamic world,’ and declared that `[a]nybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of the Islamic nation’s fury.’ President Ahmadinejad has subsequently made similar types of comments.

(4) On December 23, 2006, the United Nations Security Council unanimously approved Resolution 1737, which bans the supply of nuclear technology and equipment to Iran and freezes the assets of certain organizations and individuals involved in Iran’s nuclear program, until Iran suspends its enrichment of uranium, as verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

(5) Following Iran’s failure to comply with Resolution 1737, on March 24, 2007, the United Nations Security Council unanimously approved Resolution 1747, to tighten sanctions on Iran, imposing a ban on arms sales and expanding the freeze on assets, in response to the country’s uranium-enrichment activities.

(6) There are now signs of domestic discontent within Iran, and targeted financial and economic measures could produce a change in Iranian policy. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, the nuclear crisis `is imposing a heavy opportunity cost on Iran’s economic development, slowing down investment in the oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors, as well as in critical infrastructure projects, including electricity’.

(7) Targeted financial measures represent one of the strongest non-military tools available to convince the Government of Iran that it can no longer afford to engage in dangerous, destabilizing activities such as its nuclear weapons program and its support for terrorism.

(8) Foreign persons that have invested in Iran’s energy sector, despite Iran’s support of international terrorism and its nuclear program, have provided additional financial means for Iran’s activities in these areas, and many United States persons have unknowingly invested in those same foreign persons.

(9) There is an increasing interest by States, local governments, educational institutions, and private institutions to seek to disassociate themselves from companies that directly or indirectly support the Government of Iran’s efforts to achieve a nuclear weapons capability.

(10) Policy makers and fund managers may find moral, prudential, or reputational reasons to divest assets from persons that accept the business risk of operating in countries that are subject to international economic sanctions or that have business relationships with countries, governments, or entities with which any United States person would be prohibited from dealing because of economic sanctions imposed by the United States.

SEC. 3. TRANSPARENCY IN UNITED STATES CAPITAL MARKETS.

(a) List of Persons Investing in Iran Energy Sector-

(1) PUBLICATION OF LIST- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of State, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the heads of other appropriate Federal departments and agencies, shall publish in the Federal Register a list of persons, whether within or outside of the United States, that, as of the date of the publication, have made an investment of more than $20,000,000 in the energy sector of Iran. The list shall include a description of the investment made by each such person, including the dollar value, intended purpose, and status of the investment, as of the date of the publication of the list.
(2) PRIOR NOTICE TO PERSONS- Not later than 30 days before the list is published under paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Treasury shall notify each person that the Secretary intends to include on the list.
(3) DELAY IN INCLUDING PERSONS ON THE LIST- After notifying a person under paragraph (2) that the Secretary intends to include such person on the list, the Secretary may delay including such person on the list for not more than 60 days if the Secretary determines and certifies to Congress that such person has taken specific and effective actions to divest or terminate the investment in the energy sector of Iran that resulted in the notification under paragraph (2).
(4) REMOVAL OF PERSONS FROM THE LIST- The Secretary of the Treasury may remove a person from the list under paragraph (1) before the next publication of the list if the Secretary, in consultation with, as appropriate, the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of State, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the heads of other Federal departments and agencies, determines that the person has divested or terminated the investment in the energy sector of Iran that resulted in the Secretary including such person on the list.
(b) Publication on Website- The Secretary of the Treasury shall maintain on the website of the Department of the Treasury the names of the persons on the list published under subsection (a)(1), updating the list as necessary to take into account any person removed from the list under subsection (a)(4).
(c) Definition- In this section, the term `investment’ has the meaning given that term in section 14(9) of the Iran Sanctions Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 note).

SEC. 4. AUTHORITY OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO DIVEST ASSETS FROM CERTAIN COMPANIES INVESTED IN IRAN’S ENERGY SECTOR.

(a) Authority to Divest-

(1) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a State or local government may adopt and enforce measures to divest the assets of the State or local government from, or prohibit investment of the assets of the State or local government in, persons that are included on the most recent list published under section 3(a)(1), as modified under section 3(a)(4).
(2) APPLICABILITY- This subsection applies to measures adopted by a State or local government before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(3) DEFINITIONS- In this subsection:

(A) INVESTMENT OF THE ASSETS OF THE STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT- The term `investment of the assets of the State or local government’ includes–

(i) a commitment or contribution of assets; and
(ii) a loan or other extension of credit of assets.

(B) ASSETS- The term `assets’ refers to public monies and includes any pension, retirement, annuity, or endowment fund, or similar instrument, that is controlled by a State or local government.

(b) Preemption- A measure of a State or local government that is authorized by subsection (a) is not preempted by any Federal law or regulation except to the extent that a person is unable to comply with both the measure and the Federal law or regulation.

SEC. 5. SAFE HARBOR FOR CHANGES OF INVESTMENT POLICIES BY MUTUAL FUNDS.

Section 13 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-13) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

`(c) Safe Harbor for Changes in Investment Policies- Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal or State law, no person may bring any civil, criminal, or administrative action against any registered investment company or person providing services to such registered investment company (including its investment adviser), or any employee, officer, or director thereof, based upon the investment company divesting from, or avoiding investing in, securities issued by companies that are included on the most recent list published under section 3(a)(1) of the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act, as modified under section 3(a)(4) of that Act. For purposes of this subsection the term `person’ shall include the Federal government and any State or political subdivision of a State.’.

SEC. 6. SAFE HARBOR FOR CHANGES OF INVESTMENT POLICIES BY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.

Section 502 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1132) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

`(n) Divestment of Assets in Fiduciaries Investing in Iran- No person shall be treated as breaching any of the responsibilities, obligations, or duties imposed upon fiduciaries by this title, and no action may be brought under this section against any person, for divesting plan assets from, or avoiding investing plan assets in, persons that are included on the most recent list published under section 3(a)(1) of the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act, as modified under section 3(a)(4) of such Act.’.

SEC. 7. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN.

It is the sense of the Congress that–

(1) the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board should initiate efforts to provide a terror-free international investment option among the funds of the Thrift Savings Fund that would invest in stocks in which the International Stock Index Investment Fund may invest under section 8438(b)(4) of title 5, United States Code, other than the stock of companies that do business in any country the government of which the Secretary of State has determined is a government that has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism, for purposes of section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2780), section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371), section 6(j) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2405(j)), as continued in effect pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), or any other provision of law relating to governments that provide support for acts of international terrorism; and

(2) the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board should initiate efforts similar to those described in paragraph (1) to provide a genocide-free international investment option.

SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

(1) IRAN- The term `Iran’ includes any agency or instrumentality of the Government of Iran.

(2) ENERGY SECTOR- The term `energy sector’ refers to activities to develop petroleum or natural gas resources.

(3) PERSON- The term `person’ means a natural person as well as a corporation, business association, partnership, society, trust, any other nongovernmental entity, organization, or group, and any governmental entity or instrumentality of a government.

(4) STATE- The term `State’ includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(5) STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT- The term `State or local government’ includes–

(A) any State and any agency or instrumentality thereof;

(B) any local government within a State, and any agency or instrumentality thereof; and

(C) any public institution of higher education, as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).

SEC. 9. SUNSET.

The provisions of this Act shall terminate 30 days after the date on which the President has certified to Congress that–

(1) the Government of Iran has ceased providing support for acts of international terrorism and no longer satisfies the requirements for designation as a state sponsor of terrorism for purposes of section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2780), section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371), section 6(j) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2405(j)), as continued in effect pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), or any other provision of law relating to governments that provide support for acts of international terrorism;

(2) the Government of Iran has ceased the pursuit, acquisition, and development of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons and ballistic missiles and ballistic missile launch technology; and

(3) the Government of Iran has retracted the statements of the President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, calling for the destruction of Israel.

END

June 2006

Senate

Stopping Iran’s Nuclear Program

Action:
2/9/2005:
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

3/2/2006:
Introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1596-1597)

The Legislation:
IFSA renews and strengthens existing sanctions to choke off funds Iran has to pursue nuclear weapons and urges support for democratic forces in Iran.

• After concealing its nuclear program from the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency for nearly 20 years, Iran is fast approaching the point at which it will have the capability to produce nuclear weapons.
• A nuclear-armed Iran poses a grave threat to U.S. security and our forces in the Middle East and an existential threat to Israel.
• The Security Council must now use its authority to call on Iran to cease all uranium enrichment activities and allow for immediate and full inspection of its nuclear sites. If Iran fails to do so, the Security Council must make clear that Iran will face strong economic and political sanctions.

Confronting Hamas

Action:
Urge members to co-sponsor the McConnell-Biden Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act.

The legislation:
The bill sends a strong and clear message to Hamas by banning direct aid and limits indirect assistance to the Palestinian Authority (PA) until the president can certify that the PA is not controlled by a terrorist group and meets a series of other conditions, such as fighting terrorism and recognizing Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. The bill also prohibits official U.S. contacts with members of Palestinian terrorist groups such as Hamas.

• Hamas, designated as a terrorist group by the United States and the EU, has killed more than 500 people since 1989, including more than two dozen Americans.
• Control of the Palestinian legislature by Hamas – which seeks Israel’s destruction and is committed to violence – is a complete rejection of the very principles that the peace process is based upon.
• Hamas must diarm, renounce and end violence, recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and accept all previous international agreements between Israel and the PA before being seen as a legitimate party.

June 2006

House

Stopping Iran’s Nuclear Program

Action:
Urge members to co-sponsor the Iran Freedom Support Act (IFSA). H.R 282, or thank those who have already co-sponsored. Also urge members to place the dangers posed by Iran’s nuclear program at the top of their agenda as the issue moves forwards to the U.N. Security Council.

The Legislation:
IFSA renews and strengthens existing sanctions to choke off funds Iran has to pursue nuclear weapons. The bill also urges support for democratic forces in Iran and calls for American divestment from foreign companies investing in Iran’s petroleum sector.

• After concealing its nuclear program from the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency for nearly 20 years, Iran is fast approaching the point at which it will have the capability to produce nuclear weapons.
• A nuclear-armed Iran poses a grave threat to U.S. security and our forces in the Middle East and an existential threat to Israel.
• The Security Council must now use its authority to call on Iran to cease all uranium enrichment activities and allow for immediate and full inspection of its nuclear sites. If Iran fails to do so, the Security Council must make clear that Iran will face strong economic and political sanctions.

Confronting Hamas

Action:
5/23/2006
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 361 - 37, 9 Present (Roll no. 181).

5/25/2006
Referred to Senate committee: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

The legislation:
The bill sends a strong and clear message to Hamas by banning direct aid and limits indirect assistance to the Palestinian Authority (PA) until the president can certify that the PA is not controlled by a terrorist group and meets a series of other conditions, such as fighting terrorism and recognizing Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. The bill also prohibits official U.S. contacts with members of Palestinian terrorist groups such as Hamas.

• Hamas, designated as a terrorist group by the United States and the EU, has killed more than 500 people since 1989, including more than two dozen Americans.
• Control of the Palestinian legislature by Hamas – which seeks Israel’s destruction and is committed to violence – is a complete rejection of the very principles that the peace process is based upon.
• Hamas must diarm, renounce and end violence, recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and accept all previous international agreements between Israel and the PA before being seen as a legitimate party.

Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding manifestations of anti-Semitism by United Nations member states and urging action against anti-Semitism by United Nations officials, United… (Agreed to by Senate)

SRES 240 ATS

109th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. RES. 240

Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding manifestations of anti-Semitism by United Nations member states and urging action against anti-Semitism by United Nations officials, United Nations member states, and the Government of the United States, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 15, 2005

Mr. SANTORUM (for himself, Mr. FEINGOLD, Mr. SMITH, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. COLEMAN, Mr. VOINOVICH, Mr. BROWNBACK, Mr. ALLEN, Mr. BURR, Mr. COBURN, Mr. VITTER, Mr. BUNNING, Mr. NELSON of Florida, Mr. NELSON of Nebraska, Mr. MARTINEZ, Mr. DEWINE, and Mr. BIDEN) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding manifestations of anti-Semitism by United Nations member states and urging action against anti-Semitism by United Nations officials, United Nations member states, and the Government of the United States, and for other purposes.

Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, approved by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, recognizes that `the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world’;

Whereas United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379 (1975) concluded that `Zionism is a form of racism and racial discrimination’ and the General Assembly, by a vote of 111 to 25, only revoked Resolution 3379 in 1991 in response to strong leadership by the United States and after Israel made its participation in the Madrid Peace Conference conditional upon repeal of the resolution;

Whereas during the 1991 session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, the Syrian Ambassador to the United Nations repeated the outrageous `blood libel’ that Jews allegedly have killed non-Jewish children to make unleavened bread for Passover and, despite repeated interventions by the Governments of Israel and the United States, this outrageous lie was not corrected in the record of the Commission for many months;

Whereas in March 1997, the Palestinian observer at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights made the contemptible charge that the Government of Israel had injected 300 Palestinian children with HIV (the human immunodeficiency virus, the pathogen that causes AIDS) despite the fact that an Egyptian newspaper had printed a full retraction to its earlier report of the same charges, and the President of the Commission failed to challenge this baseless and false accusation despite the request of the Government of Israel that he do so;

Whereas Israel was denied membership in any regional grouping of the United Nations until the year 2000, which prevented it from being a candidate for any elected positions within the United Nations system until that time, and Israel continues to be denied the opportunity to hold a rotating seat on the Security Council and it is the longest-serving member of the United Nations never to have served on the Security Council although it has been a member of the organization for 56 years;

Whereas Israel continues to be denied the opportunity to serve as a member of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights because it has never been included in a slate of candidates submitted by a regional grouping, and Israel is currently the only member of the Western and Others Group in a conditional status limiting its ability to caucus with its fellow members of this regional grouping;

Whereas the United Nations has permitted itself to be used as a battleground for political warfare against Israel led by Arab states and others, and 6 of the 10 emergency sessions of the United Nations General Assembly have been devoted to criticisms of and attacks against Israel;

Whereas the goals of the 2001 United Nations World Conference Against Racism were undermined by hateful anti-Jewish rhetoric and anti-Israel political agendas, prompting both Israel and the United States to withdraw their delegations from the Conference;

Whereas in 2004, the United Nations Secretary General acknowledged at the first United Nations-sponsored conference on anti-Semitism, that: `It is clear that we are witnessing an alarming resurgence of this phenomenon in new forms and manifestations. This time, the world must not–cannot–be silent.’;

Whereas in 2004, the United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee for the first time adopted a resolution on religious tolerance that includes condemnation of anti-Semitism and `recognized with deep concern the overall rise in instances of intolerance and violence directed against members of many religious communities . . . including . . . anti-Semitism . . .’;

Whereas in 2005, the United Nations held an unprecedented session to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp;

Whereas democratic Israel is annually the object of nearly two dozen redundantly critical resolutions in the United Nations General Assembly, which rarely adopts resolutions relating to specific countries; and

Whereas the viciousness with which Israel is attacked and discriminated against at the United Nations should not be allowed to continue unchallenged: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That–

(1) the Senate–

(A) welcomes recent attempts by the United Nations Secretary General to address the issue of anti-Semitism;

(B) calls on the leadership of the United Nations to officially and publicly condemn anti-Semitic statements made at all United Nations meetings and hold accountable United Nations member states that make such statements; and

(C) strongly urges the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to develop and implement education awareness programs about the Holocaust throughout the world as part of an effort to combat the rise in anti-Semitism and racial, religious, and ethnic intolerance; and

(2) it is the sense of the Senate that–

(A) the President should direct the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations to continue working toward further reduction of anti-Semitic language and anti-Israel resolutions;

(B) the President should direct the Secretary of State to report on acts of anti-Semitism at the United Nations and United Nations agencies by member states; and

(C) projects funded through the Middle East Partnership Initiative and United States overseas broadcasts should include efforts to educate Arab and Muslim countries about anti-Semitism, religious intolerance, and incitement to violence.

Recognizing the 57th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel. (Referred to Senate Committee after being Received from House)

HCON 149 RFS

109th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. CON. RES. 149

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 24, 2005

Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing the 57th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel.

Whereas in May 1948, the State of Israel was established as a sovereign and independent nation;

Whereas the United States was one of the first nations to recognize Israel, only 11 minutes after its creation;

Whereas Israel has provided the opportunity for Jews from all over the world to reestablish their ancient homeland;

Whereas Israel is home to many religious sites which are sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam;

Whereas Israel provided a refuge to Jews who survived the horrors of the Holocaust and the evils committed by the Nazis which were unprecedented in human history;

Whereas the people of Israel have established a unique, pluralistic democracy which includes the freedoms cherished by the people of the United States, including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom of the press, and government by the consent of the governed;

Whereas Israel continues to serve as a shining model of democratic values by regularly holding free and fair elections, promoting the free exchange of ideas, and vigorously exercising in its Parliament, the Knesset, a democratic government that is fully representative of its citizens;

Whereas Israel has bravely defended itself from attacks repeatedly since independence;

Whereas the Government of Israel has successfully worked with the neighboring Governments of Egypt and Jordan to establish peaceful, bilateral relations;

Whereas, despite the deaths of over one thousand innocent Israelis at the hands of murderous, suicide bombers and other terrorists during the past 4 years, the people of Israel continue to seek peace with their Palestinian neighbors;

Whereas the United States and Israel enjoy a strategic partnership based on shared mutual democratic values, friendship, and respect;

Whereas the people of the United States share affinity with the people of Israel and view Israel as a strong and trusted ally; and

Whereas Israel has made significant global contributions in the fields of science, medicine, and technology: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress–

(1) recognizes the independence of the State of Israel as a significant event in providing refuge and a national homeland for the Jewish people;

(2) praises the efforts of President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to create the conditions for peace in the Middle East;

(3) commends the bipartisan commitment of all United States administrations and United States Congresses since 1948 to stand by Israel and work for its security and well-being; and

(4) extends warm congratulations and best wishes to the people of Israel as they celebrate the 57th anniversary of Israel’s independence.

Passed the House of Representatives May 23, 2005.

Attest:

JEFF TRANDAHL,

Clerk.

Prohibit Aid to Saudi Arabia Act of 2005 (Introduced in House)

HR 505 IH

109th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 505

To prohibit assistance to Saudi Arabia.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 1, 2005

Mr. WEINER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To prohibit assistance to Saudi Arabia.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Prohibit Aid to Saudi Arabia Act of 2005′.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:

(1) More than 50 percent of the funding for Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist organization, comes from Saudi Arabia.

(2) In its June 2004 report entitled `Update on the Global Campaign Against Terrorist Financing’, the Council on Foreign Relations reported that `We find it regrettable and unacceptable that since September 11, 2001, we know of not a single Saudi donor of funds to terrorist groups who has been publicly punished.’.

(3) Abu Zubaydah, an al Qaeda operative, admitted to his American interrogators that al Qaeda had struck a deal with the Saudi Royal Family to desist from violence in exchange for Saudi financing.

(4) On May 29, 2004, Saudi security forces allowed 16 kidnappers to escape at a residential compound in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, after killing 16 westerners.

(5) Al Qaeda terrorists who kidnapped and killed American contractor Paul Johnson used official police uniforms and vehicles received from sympathetic Saudi police officials.

(6) Saudi Arabia denied United States officials access to several suspects in the custody of the Government of Saudi Arabia, including a Saudi Arabian citizen in detention for months who had knowledge of extensive plans to inject poison gas in the New York City subway system.

(7) The Saudi Royal Family has provided cash payments in the amount of $5,333 to each family of `martyrs’ killed while trying to murder Israelis.

(8) Saudi Arabia is the center of Wahhabism, the ultra-purist, jihadist form of Islam followed by members of Al Qaeda.

(9) In November 2004, 26 leading Saudi Wahhabi clerics publicly incited the Iraqi people to fight against United States Armed Forces in Iraq.

(10) The Saudi Royal Family has wholly or partly funded 210 Islamic Centers, 1,500 mosques, 202 colleges, and 2,000 schools in countries without Muslim majorities.

(11) The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has reported that Saudi Arabian Government-funded textbooks used both in Saudi Arabia and also in North American Islamic schools and mosques have been found to encourage incitement to violence against non-Muslims.

(12) Khaled bin Ouda bin Mohammed al-Harby, the terrorist who is linked to Osama bin Laden and the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001, returned to Saudi Arabia under an amnesty program in June 2004, and remains in that country, a free man.

(13) In March 2004, a group of Saudi reformers calling for a constitutional monarchy were imprisoned and are still awaiting trial.

(14) In September 2004, the Government of Saudi Arabia issued an edict banning most working Saudis from questioning the policies of the Saudi Arabian Government.

(15) The Government of Saudi Arabia has sought to acquire nuclear weaponry from Pakistan.

SEC. 3. PROHIBITION ON FUNDING FOR SAUDI ARABIA.

No funds appropriated or otherwise made available pursuant to an Act making appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs may be obligated or expended to finance directly any assistance or reparations to Saudi Arabia. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the prohibition on obligations or expenditures shall include direct loans, credits, insurance, and guarantees of the Export-Import Bank of the United States or its agents.