Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Preventing Iranian Destabilization
of Iraq Act of 2016''.

SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

    It shall be the policy of the United States to impose sanctions
with respect to terrorist organizations and foreign countries,
including the Government of Iran, that threaten the peace or stability
of Iraq or the Government of Iraq.

SEC. 3. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN FOREIGN PERSONS
              THREATENING PEACE OR STABILITY IN IRAQ.

    (a) Sanctions Required.--The President shall impose the sanctions
described in subsection (b)(1)(A) and the Secretary of State or the
Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee of one of such
Secretaries) shall impose the sanctions described in subsection
(b)(1)(B) with respect to any foreign person that the President, acting
through the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security
(or a designee of one of such Secretaries), as the case may be,
determines--
            (1) to have knowingly committed, or to pose a significant
        risk of committing, an act or acts of violence that have the
        purpose or effect of--
                    (A) threatening the peace or stability of Iraq or
                the Government of Iraq; or
                    (B) undermining efforts to promote economic
                reconstruction and political reform in Iraq or to
                provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people;
            (2) has knowingly materially assisted, sponsored, or
        provided financial, material, or technological support for, or
        goods or services to or in support of, any activity described
        in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1); or
            (3) is owned or controlled by, or has acted or purported to
        act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, a foreign
        person that has carried out any activity described in
        subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) or paragraph (2).
    (b) Sanctions Described.--
            (1) In general.--The sanctions described in this subsection
        are the following:
                    (A) Asset blocking.--The exercise of all powers
                granted to the President by the International Emergency
                Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to the
                extent necessary to block and prohibit all transactions
                in all property and interests in property of a person
                determined by the President to be subject to subsection
                (a) if such property and interests in property are in
                the United States, come within the United States, or
                are or come within the possession or control of a
                United States person.
                    (B) Aliens ineligible for visas, admission, or
                parole.--
                            (i) Visas, admission, or parole.--An alien
                        who the Secretary of State or the Secretary of
                        Homeland Security (or a designee of one of such
                        Secretaries) knows or has reasonable grounds to
                        believe meets any of the criteria described in
                        subsection (a) is--
                                    (I) inadmissible to the United
                                States;
                                    (II) ineligible to receive a visa
                                or other documentation to enter the
                                United States; and
                                    (III) otherwise ineligible to be
                                admitted or paroled into the United
                                States or to receive any other benefit
                                under the Immigration and Nationality
                                Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
                            (ii) Current visas revoked.--
                                    (I) In general.--The issuing
                                consular officer, the Secretary of
                                State, or the Secretary of Homeland
                                Security (or a designee of one of such
                                Secretaries) shall revoke any visa or
                                other entry documentation issued to an
                                alien who meets any of the criteria
                                described in subsection (a), regardless
                                of when issued.
                                    (II) Effect of revocation.--A
                                revocation under subclause (I) shall
                                take effect immediately and shall
                                automatically cancel any other valid
                                visa or entry documentation that is in
                                the alien's possession.
            (2) Inapplicability of national emergency requirement.--The
        requirements of section 202 of the International Emergency
        Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701) shall not apply for
        purposes of the imposition of sanctions under this section.
            (3) Penalties.--A person that is subject to sanctions
        described in paragraph (1)(A) shall be subject to the penalties
        set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the
        International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to
        the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act
        described in subsection (a) of that section.
            (4) Exception to comply with united nations headquarters
        agreement.--Sanctions under paragraph (1)(B) shall not apply to
        an alien if admitting the alien into the United States is
        necessary to permit the United States to comply with the
        Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations,
        signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force
        November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United
        States, or other applicable international obligations.
    (c) Waiver.--
            (1) In general.--The President may, on a case-by-case basis
        and for periods not to exceed 90 days, waive the application of
        sanctions in this section with respect to a foreign person if
        the President certifies to the appropriate congressional
        committees at least 15 days before such waiver is to take
        effect that such waiver is vital to the national security
        interests of the United States.
            (2) Sunset.--The provisions of this subsection and any
        waivers issued pursuant to this subsection shall terminate on
        the date that is 3 years after the date of the enactment of
        this Act.
    (d) Implementation Authority.--The President may exercise all
authorities provided to the President under sections 203 and 205 of the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704)
for purposes of carrying out this section.
    (e) Regulatory Authority.--
            (1) In general.--The President shall, not later than 90
        days after the date of the enactment of this Act, promulgate
        regulations as necessary for the implementation of this
        section.
            (2) Notification to congress.--Not less than 10 days before
        the promulgation of regulations under subsection (a), the
        President shall notify and provide to the appropriate
        congressional committees the proposed regulations and the
        provisions of this Act and the amendments made by this Act that
        the regulations are implementing.
    (f) Definitions.--In this section--
            (1) Foreign person.--The term ``foreign person'' means--
                    (A) an individual who is not a United States
                person;
                    (B) a corporation, partnership, or other
                nongovernmental entity which is not a United States
                person; or
                    (C) any representative, agent or instrumentality
                of, or an individual working on behalf of a foreign
                government.
            (2) United states person.--The term ``United States
        person'' has the meaning given that term in section 576.317 of
        title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on June 22,
        2016.
            (3) Admitted; alien.--The terms ``admitted'' and ``alien''
        have the meanings given those terms in section 101(3) of the
        Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(3)).
            (4) Definition.--In this section, the term ``appropriate
        congressional committees'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee
                on the Judiciary, the Committee on Ways and Means, and
                the Committee on Financial Services of the House of
                Representatives; and
                    (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the
                Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the
                Senate.
            (5) Knowingly.--The term ``knowingly'', with respect to
        conduct, a circumstance, or a result, means that a person has
        actual knowledge, or should have known, of the conduct, the
        circumstance, or the result.
            (6) Government of iraq.--The term ``Government of Iraq''
        has the meaning given that term in section 576.310 of title 31,
        Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on June 22, 2016.
            (7) Person.--The term ``person'' has the meaning given that
        term in section 576.311 of title 31, Code of Federal
        Regulations, as in effect on June 22, 2016.
            (8) Property; property interest.--The terms ``property''
        and ``property interest'' have the meanings given those terms
        in section 576.312 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, as
        in effect on June 22, 2016.
    (g) Sunset.--This section shall cease to be effective beginning on
January 1, 2022.

SEC. 4. DETERMINATIONS WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN IRANIAN PERSONS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
Government of Iran has committed acts of violence, and pose a
significant risk of committing further acts of violence that have the
purpose of threatening the peace or stability of Iraq or the Government
of Iraq.
    (b) Determinations With Respect to Certain Iranian Persons.--
            (1) In general.--The President shall, not later than 45
        days after the date of the enactment of this Act, determine
        whether the Iranian persons listed in paragraph (2) are
        responsible for engaging in activities described in section
        3(a).
            (2) Iranian persons listed.--The Iranian persons referenced
        in paragraph (1) are the following:
                    (A) The Supreme Leader of Iran.
                    (B) The President of Iran.
                    (C) Members of the Council of Guardians.
                    (D) Members of the Expediency Council.
                    (E) The Minister of Intelligence and Security.
                    (F) The Commander of the Iran's Revolutionary Guard
                Corps.
                    (G) The Minister of Defense.
            (3) Report.--
                    (A) In general.--The President shall submit to the
                appropriate congressional committees a report on the
                determinations made under paragraph (1) together with
                the reasons for those determinations and an
                identification of the Iranian persons that the
                President determines are responsible for engaging in
                activities described in section 3(a).
                    (B) Form.--A report submitted under subparagraph
                (A) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may
                contain a classified annex.
            (4) Effect of determination by reason of report or request
        under this section.--If an Iranian person listed in paragraph
        (2) is determined by the President to be responsible for
        engaging in activities described in section 3(a), the President
        shall impose the sanctions described in section 3(b) on the
        Iranian person.
            (5) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``appropriate
        congressional committees'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee
                on Ways and Means, and the Committee on Financial
                Services of the House of Representatives; and
                    (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the
                Committee on Finance, and the Committee on Banking,
                Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.

SEC. 5. REPORT ON IRANIAN ACTIVITIES IN IRAQ.

    (a) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter for a period not to exceed 5
years, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report on Iranian activities in Iraq.
    (b) Matters To Be Included.--The report required by subsection (a)
shall include a description of the following:
            (1) Iran's support for Iraqi militias or political parties,
        including weapons, financing, and other forms of material
        support.
            (2) A list of referrals to the relevant United Nations
        Security Council sanctions committees by the United States
        Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
    (c) Form.--The President may submit the report required by
subsection (a) in classified form if the President determines that it
is necessary for the national security interests of the United States
to do so.
    (d) Definition.--In this section, the term ``appropriate
congressional committees'' means--
            (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
        Armed Services, the Committee on Ways and Means, and the
        Committee on Financial Services of the House of
        Representatives; and
            (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
        Armed Services, the Committee on Finance, and the Committee on
        Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.

Output: Preventing Iranian Destabilization of Iraq Act of 2016 This bill declares it shall be the policy of the United States to impose sanctions with respect to terrorist organizations and foreign countries, including the government of Iran, that threaten the peace or stability of Iraq. The bill directs the President to impose sanctions to block transactions in property and interests in property in the United States of, and the Department of State or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deny admissions into the United States or revoke the visa of, any foreign person that State or DHS determines:   has knowingly committed, or poses a significant risk of committing, violence that threatens the peace or stability of Iraq or that undermines economic reconstruction, political reform, or humanitarian efforts in Iraq; has knowingly materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, any such act; or is owned or controlled by, or has acted on behalf of, a foreign person that has carried out any such act or activity.    Such admissions-related sanctions shall not apply if a person's admission is necessary to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations or other applicable international obligations. The President may waive the application of sanctions under this bill for up to 90 days if the President provides prior certification that the waiver is vital to U.S. national security interests.  The sanction provisions of this bill shall cease to be effective on January 1, 2022. It is the sense of Congress that the government of Iran has committed acts of violence, and poses a significant risk of committing further acts of violence, that threaten the peace or stability of Iraq.  The bill directs the President to determine whether specified Iranian officials are responsible for engaging in acts or activities described in this bill and, if so, to impose admissions-related sanctions on such officials. The President must report, every 180 days for 5 years, on Iranian activities in Iraq, including Iran's support for Iraqi militias or political parties.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Sea Grant College Program
Act Amendments of 2002''.

SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO FINDINGS.

    Findings.--Section 202(a)(6) of the National Sea Grant College
Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1121(a)(6)) is amended by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``, including strong collaborations between
Administration scientists and scientists at academic institutions.''.

SEC. 3. REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO NATIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM.

    (a) Quadrennial Strategic Plan.--Section 204 (c)(1) of the National
Sea Grant College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1123 (c)(1)) is amended to
read as follows: ``The Secretary, in consultation with the panel, sea
grant colleges, and sea grant institutes, shall develop at least every
4 years a strategic plan which establishes priorities for the national
sea grant college program, provides an appropriately balanced response
to local, regional, and national needs, and is reflective of
integration with the strategic plans of the Department of Commerce and
of NOAA.''.
    (b) Allocation of Funding.--Section 204(d)(3)(B) of the National
Sea Grant College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1123(d)(3)(B)) is amended.--
            (1) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end of
        clause (ii);
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iv) encourage and promote coordination
                        and cooperation between the research,
                        education, and outreach programs of the
                        Administration and those of academic
                        institutions; and''.
    (c) Ensuring Equal Access.--Section 208(a) of such Act (33 U.S.C.
1127(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``The Secretary
shall strive to ensure equal access for minority and economically
disadvantaged students to the program carried out under this
subsection.''.

SEC. 4. TERMS OF MEMBERSHIP FOR SEA GRANT REVIEW PANEL.

    Section 209(c)(2) of the National Sea Grant College Program Act (33
U.S.C. 1128(c)(2)) is amended by striking the first sentence and
inserting the following: ``The term of office of a voting member of the
panel shall be 3 years for a member appointed before the date of
enactment of the National Sea Grant College Program Act Amendments of
2002, and 4 years for a member appointed or reappointed after the date
of enactment of the National Sea Grant College Program Act Amendments
of 2002. The Director may extend the term of office of a voting member
of the panel appointed before the date of enactment of the National Sea
Grant College Program Act Amendments of 2002 by up to 1 year.''.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Subsections (a) and (b) of section 212 of the
National Sea Grant College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1131) are amended to
read as follows:
    ``(a) Authorization.--
            ``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated
        to the Secretary to carry out this title--
                    ``(A) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
                    ``(B) $77,500,000 for fiscal year 2005;
                    ``(C) $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;
                    ``(D) $82,500,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
                    ``(E) $85,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
            ``(2) Priority research.--In addition to the amount
        authorized under paragraph (1), there are authorized to be
        appropriated for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2008--
                    ``(A) $5,000,000 for competitive grants for
                university research on biology and control of zebra
                mussels and other important non-native species as
                identified in section 1301(b)(4)(A) of the
                Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control
                Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4171(b)(4)(A));
                    ``(B) $5,000,000 for competitive grants for
                university research on oyster diseases, oyster
                restoration, and oyster-related human health risks;
                    ``(C) $5,000,000 for competitive grants for
                university research on the biology, prevention, and
                forecasting of harmful algal blooms, including
                Pfiesteria piscicida; and
                    ``(D) $3,000,000 for competitive grants for
                research contributing to the fisheries extension
                program to enhance, not supplant, existing core program
                funding.
    ``(b) Limitations.--
            ``(1) Administration.--There may not be used for
        administration of programs under this title in a fiscal year
        more than 5 percent of the lesser of--
                    ``(A) the amount authorized to be appropriated
                under this title for the fiscal year; or
                    ``(B) the amount appropriated under this title for
                the fiscal year.
            ``(2) Use for other offices or programs.--Sums appropriated
        under the authority of subsection (a)(2) shall not be available
        for administration of this title by the National Sea Grant
        Office, for any other Administration or department program, or
        for any other administrative expenses.''.
    (b) Distribution of Funds.--Such section is further amended by
striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
    ``(c) Distribution of Funds.--In any fiscal year in which the
appropriations made pursuant to subsection (a)(1) exceed the amounts
appropriated for fiscal year 2003 for the purposes described in such
subsection, the Secretary shall distribute the excess amounts (except
amounts used for the administration of programs) solely to--
            ``(1) State sea grant programs on a merit reviewed,
        competitive basis to support, enhance, and reward programs that
        are best managed and carry out the highest quality research,
        education, extension, and training programs; and
            ``(2) national strategic initiatives.''.

Output: National Sea Grant College Program Act Amendments of 2002 - Amends the National Sea Grant College Program Act to include an emphasis on management and collaboration between academia and the scientists and programs of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).Requires the Secretary of Commerce's strategic plan to be developed at least every four years and integrate with the strategic plans of the Department of Commerce and of NOAA. Requires the Secretary to strive for equal access for minority and economically disadvantaged students to the graduate and post-graduate fellowship program.Revises and expands the terms of membership for the sea grant review panel.Authorizes appropriations for: (1) FY 2004 through 2008; and (2) competitive research grants concerning zebra mussels, oysters, harmful algal blooms, and additional support to the fisheries extension program. Limits the percentage of funds available for administration.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Energy Carbon Capture
and Storage Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2007''.

SEC. 2. CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND
              DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.

    Section 963 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16293) is
amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by striking ``research and
        development'' and inserting ``and storage research,
        development, and demonstration'';
            (2) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``research and development'' and
                inserting ``and storage research, development, and
                demonstration''; and
                    (B) by striking ``capture technologies on
                combustion-based systems'' and inserting ``capture and
                storage technologies related to energy systems'';
            (3) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the
                end;
                    (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the
                end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) to expedite and carry out large-scale testing of
        carbon sequestration systems in a range of geological
        formations that will provide information on the cost and
        feasibility of deployment of sequestration technologies.''; and
            (4) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
    ``(c) Programmatic Activities.--
            ``(1) Energy research and development underlying carbon
        capture and storage technologies.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out
                fundamental science and engineering research (including
                laboratory-scale experiments, numeric modeling, and
                simulations) to develop and document the performance of
                new approaches to capture and store carbon dioxide.
                    ``(B) Program integration.--The Secretary shall
                ensure that fundamental research carried out under this
                paragraph is appropriately applied to energy technology
                development activities and the field testing of carbon
                sequestration activities, including--
                            ``(i) development of new or improved
                        technologies for the capture of carbon dioxide;
                            ``(ii) modeling and simulation of
                        geological sequestration field demonstrations;
                        and
                            ``(iii) quantitative assessment of risks
                        relating to specific field sites for testing of
                        sequestration technologies.
            ``(2) Field validation testing activities.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall promote, to
                the maximum extent practicable, regional carbon
                sequestration partnerships to conduct geologic
                sequestration tests involving carbon dioxide injection
                and monitoring, mitigation, and verification operations
                in a variety of candidate geological settings,
                including--
                            ``(i) operating oil and gas fields;
                            ``(ii) depleted oil and gas fields;
                            ``(iii) unmineable coal seams;
                            ``(iv) saline formations; and
                            ``(v) deep geologic systems that may be
                        used as engineered reservoirs to extract
                        economical quantities of heat from geothermal
                        resources of low permeability or porosity.
                    ``(B) Objectives.--The objectives of tests
                conducted under this paragraph shall be--
                            ``(i) to develop and validate geophysical
                        tools, analysis, and modeling to monitor,
                        predict, and verify carbon dioxide containment;
                            ``(ii) to validate modeling of geological
                        formations;
                            ``(iii) to refine storage capacity
                        estimated for particular geological formations;
                            ``(iv) to determine the fate of carbon
                        dioxide concurrent with and following injection
                        into geological formations;
                            ``(v) to develop and implement best
                        practices for operations relating to, and
                        monitoring of, injection and storage of carbon
                        dioxide in geologic formations;
                            ``(vi) to assess and ensure the safety of
                        operations related to geological storage of
                        carbon dioxide; and
                            ``(vii) to allow the Secretary to
                        promulgate policies, procedures, requirements,
                        and guidance to ensure that the objectives of
                        this subparagraph are met in large-scale
                        testing and deployment activities for carbon
                        capture and storage that are funded by the
                        Department of Energy.
            ``(3) Large-scale testing and deployment.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct not
                less than 7 initial large-volume sequestration tests
                for geological containment of carbon dioxide (at least
                1 of which shall be international in scope) to validate
                information on the cost and feasibility of commercial
                deployment of technologies for geological containment
                of carbon dioxide.
                    ``(B) Diversity of formations to be studied.--In
                selecting formations for study under this paragraph,
                the Secretary shall consider a variety of geological
                formations across the United States, and require
                characterization and modeling of candidate formations,
                as determined by the Secretary.
            ``(4) Preference in project selection from meritorious
        proposals.--In making competitive awards under this subsection,
        subject to the requirements of section 989, the Secretary shall
        give preference to proposals from partnerships among
        industrial, academic, and government entities.
            ``(5) Cost sharing.--Activities under this subsection shall
        be considered research and development activities that are
        subject to the cost-sharing requirements of section 988(b).
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section--
            ``(1) $90,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
            ``(2) $105,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; and
            ``(3) $120,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.''.

Output:
Department of Energy Carbon Capture and Storage Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2007 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary of Energy to: (1) carry out fundamental science and engineering research to develop and document new approaches to capture and store carbon dioxide; (2) ensure that fundamental research is appropriately applied to energy technology development activities and the field testing of carbon sequestration activities; (3) promote regional carbon sequestration partnerships to conduct geologic sequestration tests involving carbon dioxide in a variety of geological settings; and (4) conduct at least seven initial large-volume sequestration tests for geological containment of carbon dioxide.

Directs the Secretary, in making competitive awards, to give preference to proposals from partnerships among industrial, academic, and government entities.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Stop Government Propaganda Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Since 1951, the following prohibition on the use of
        appropriated funds for propaganda purposes has been enacted
        annually: ``No part of any appropriation contained in this or
        any other Act shall be used for publicity or propaganda
        purposes within the United States not heretofore authorized by
        Congress.''.
            (2) On May 19, 2004, the Government Accountability Office
        (GAO) ruled that the Department of Health and Human Services
        violated the publicity and propaganda prohibitions by creating
        fake television new stories for distribution to broadcast
        stations across the country.
            (3) On January 4, 2005, the GAO ruled that the Office of
        National drug Control Policy violated the publicity and
        propaganda prohibitions by distributing fake television news
        stories to broadcast stations from 2002 to 2004.
            (4) In 2003, the Department of Education violated publicity
        and propaganda prohibitions by using of taxpayer funds to
        create fake television news stories promoting the ``No Child
        Left Behind'' program violated the propaganda prohibition.
            (5) An analysis of individual journalists, paid for by the
        Department of Education in 2003, which ranked reporters on how
        positive their articles portrayed the Administration and the
        Republican Party, constituted a gross violation of the law
        prohibiting propaganda and the use of taxpayer funds for
        partisan purposes.
            (6) The payment of taxpayer funds to journalist Armstrong
        Williams in 2003 to promote Administration education policies
        violated the ban on covert propaganda.
            (7) The payment of taxpayer funds to journalist Maggie
        Gallagher in 2002 to promote Administration welfare and family
        policies violated the ban on covert propaganda.
            (8) Payment for and construction of 8 little red
        schoolhouse facades at the entranceways to the Department of
        Education headquarters in Washington, DC to boost the image of
        the ``No Child Left Behind'' program was an inappropriate use
        of taxpayer dollars.
            (9) Messages inserted into Social Security Administration
        materials in 2004 and 2005 intended to further grassroots
        lobbying efforts in favor of President Bush's Social Security
        privatization plan is an inappropriate use of taxpayer funds.
            (10) The Department of Health and Human Services ignored
        the Government Accountability Office's legal decision of May
        19, 2004, and failed to follow the GAO's directive to report
        its Anti-Deficiency Act violation to Congress and the
        President, as provided by section 1351 of title 31, United
        States Code.
            (11) Despite numerous violations of the propaganda law, the
        Department of Justice has not acted to enforce the law or
        follow the requirements of the Anti-Deficiency Act.
            (12) In order to protect taxpayer funds, stronger measures
        must be enacted into law to require actual enforcement of the
        ban on the use of taxpayer funds for propaganda purposes.

SEC. 3. DEFINITION.

    In this Act, the term ``publicity'' or ``propaganda'' includes--
            (1) a news release or other publication that does not
        clearly identify the Government agency directly or indirectly
        (through a contractor) financially responsible for the message;
            (2) any audio or visual presentation that does not
        continuously and clearly identify the Government agency
        directly or indirectly financially responsible for the message;
            (3) an Internet message that does not continuously and
        clearly identify the Government agency directly or indirectly
        financially responsible for the message;
            (4) any attempt to manipulate the news media by payment to
        any journalist, reporter, columnist, commentator, editor, or
        news organization;
            (5) any message designed to aid a political party or
        candidate;
            (6) any message with the purpose of self-aggrandizement or
        puffery of the Administration, agency, Executive branch
        programs or policies, or pending congressional legislation;
            (7) a message of a nature tending to emphasize the
        importance of the agency or its activities;
            (8) a message that is so misleading or inaccurate that it
        constitutes propaganda; and
            (9) the preparation, distribution, or use of any kit,
        pamphlet, booklet, publication, radio, television, or video
        presentation designed to support or defeat legislation pending
        before Congress or any State legislature, except in
        presentation to Congress or any State legislature itself.

SEC. 4. PROHIBITION ON PUBLICITY OR PROPAGANDA AND ENFORCEMENT.

    (a) In General.--The senior official of an Executive branch agency
who authorizes or directs funds appropriated to such Executive branch
agency for publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States,
unless authorized by law, is liable to the United States Government for
a civil penalty of not less than $5,000 and not more than $10,000, plus
3 times the amount of funds appropriated.
    (b) Responsibilities of the Attorney General.--The Attorney General
diligently shall investigate a violation of subsection (a). If the
Attorney General finds that a person has violated or is violating
subsection (a), the Attorney General may bring a civil action under
this section against the person.
    (c) Actions by Private Persons.--
            (1) In general.--A person may bring a civil action for a
        violation of subsection (a) for the person and for the United
        States Government. The action shall be brought in the name of
        the Government. The action may be dismissed only if the court
        and the Attorney General give written consent to the dismissal
        and their reasons for consenting.
            (2) Notice.--A copy of the complaint and written disclosure
        of substantially all material evidence and information the
        person possesses shall be served on the Government pursuant to
        Rule 4(d)(4) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The
        complaint shall be filed in camera, shall remain under seal for
        at least 60 days, and shall not be served on the defendant
        until the court so orders. The Government may elect to
        intervene and proceed with the action within 60 days after it
        receives both the complaint and the material evidence and
        information.
            (3) Delay of notice.--The Government may, for good cause
        shown, move the court for extensions of the time during which
        the complaint remains under seal under paragraph (2). Any such
        motions may be supported by affidavits or other submissions in
        camera. The defendant shall not be required to respond to any
        complaint filed under this section until 20 days after the
        complaint is unsealed and served upon the defendant pursuant to
        Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
            (4) Government action.--Before the expiration of the 60-day
        period or any extensions obtained under paragraph (3), the
        Government shall--
                    (A) proceed with the action, in which case the
                action shall be conducted by the Government; or
                    (B) notify the court that it declines to take over
                the action, in which case the person bringing the
                action shall have the right to conduct the action.
            (5) Limited intervention.--When a person brings an action
        under this subsection, no person other than the Government may
        intervene or bring a related action based on the facts
        underlying the pending action.
    (d) Rights of the Parties.--
            (1) Government action.--If the Government proceeds with the
        action, it shall have the primary responsibility for
        prosecuting the action, and shall not be bound by an act of the
        person bringing the action. Such person shall have the right to
        continue as a party to the action, subject to the limitations
        set forth in paragraph (2).
            (2) Limitations.--
                    (A) Dismissal.--The Government may dismiss the
                action notwithstanding the objections of the person
                initiating the action if the person has been notified
                by the Government of the filing of the motion and the
                court has provided the person with an opportunity for a
                hearing on the motion.
                    (B) Settlement.--The Government may settle the
                action with the defendant notwithstanding the
                objections of the person initiating the action if the
                court determines, after a hearing, that the proposed
                settlement is fair, adequate, and reasonable under all
                the circumstances. Upon a showing of good cause, such
                hearing may be held in camera.
                    (C) Proceedings.--Upon a showing by the Government
                that unrestricted participation during the course of
                the litigation by the person initiating the action
                would interfere with or unduly delay the Government's
                prosecution of the case, or would be repetitious,
                irrelevant, or for purposes of harassment, the court
                may, in its discretion, impose limitations on the
                person's participation, such as--
                            (i) limiting the number of witnesses the
                        person may call;
                            (ii) limiting the length of the testimony
                        of such witnesses;
                            (iii) limiting the person's cross-
                        examination of witnesses; or
                            (iv) otherwise limiting the participation
                        by the person in the litigation.
                    (D) Limit participation.--Upon a showing by the
                defendant that unrestricted participation during the
                course of the litigation by the person initiating the
                action would be for purposes of harassment or would
                cause the defendant undue burden or unnecessary
                expense, the court may limit the participation by the
                person in the litigation.
            (3) Action by person.--If the Government elects not to
        proceed with the action, the person who initiated the action
        shall have the right to conduct the action. If the Government
        so requests, it shall be served with copies of all pleadings
        filed in the action and shall be supplied with copies of all
        deposition transcripts (at the Government's expense). When a
        person proceeds with the action, the court, without limiting
        the status and rights of the person initiating the action, may
        nevertheless permit the Government to intervene at a later date
        upon a showing of good cause.
            (4) Interference.--Whether or not the Government proceeds
        with the action, upon a showing by the Government that certain
        actions of discovery by the person initiating the action would
        interfere with the Government's investigation or prosecution of
        a criminal or civil matter arising out of the same facts, the
        court may stay such discovery for a period of not more than 60
        days. Such a showing shall be conducted in camera. The court
        may extend the 60-day period upon a further showing in camera
        that the Government has pursued the criminal or civil
        investigation or proceedings with reasonable diligence and any
        proposed discovery in the civil action will interfere with the
        ongoing criminal or civil investigation or proceedings.
            (5) Government action.--Notwithstanding subsection (b), the
        Government may elect to pursue its claim through any alternate
        remedy available to the Government, including any
        administrative proceeding to determine a civil money penalty.
        If any such alternate remedy is pursued in another proceeding,
        the person initiating the action shall have the same rights in
        such proceeding as such person would have had if the action had
        continued under this section. Any finding of fact or conclusion
        of law made in such other proceeding that has become final
        shall be conclusive on all parties to an action under this
        section. For purposes of the preceding sentence, a finding or
        conclusion is final if it has been finally determined on appeal
        to the appropriate court of the United States, if all time for
        filing such an appeal with respect to the finding or conclusion
        has expired, or if the finding or conclusion is not subject to
        judicial review.
    (e) Award to Private Plaintiff.--
            (1) Government action.--If the Government proceeds with an
        action brought by a person under subsection (c), such person
        shall, subject to the second sentence of this paragraph,
        receive at least 15 percent but not more than 25 percent of the
        proceeds of the action or settlement of the claim, depending
        upon the extent to which the person substantially contributed
        to the prosecution of the action.
            (2) No government action.--If the Government does not
        proceed with an action under this section, the person bringing
        the action or settling the claim shall receive an amount which
        the court decides is reasonable for collecting the civil
        penalty and damages. The amount shall be not less than 25
        percent and not more than 30 percent of the proceeds of the
        action or settlement and shall be paid out of such proceeds.
        Such person shall also receive an amount for reasonable
        expenses which the court finds to have been necessarily
        incurred, plus reasonable attorneys' fees and costs. All such
        expenses, fees, and costs shall be awarded against the
        defendant.
            (3) Frivolous claim.--If the Government does not proceed
        with the action and the person bringing the action conducts the
        action, the court may award to the defendant its reasonable
        attorneys' fees and expenses if the defendant prevails in the
        action and the court finds that the claim of the person
        bringing the action was clearly frivolous, clearly vexatious,
        or brought primarily for purposes of harassment.
    (f) Government Not Liable for Certain Expenses.--The Government is
not liable for expenses which a person incurs in bringing an action
under this section.
    (g) Fees and Expenses to Prevailing Defendant.--In civil actions
brought under this section by the United States, the provisions of
section 2412(d) of title 28 shall apply.
    (h) Whistleblower Protection.--
            (1) In general.--Any employee who is discharged, demoted,
        suspended, threatened, harassed, or in any other manner
        discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment
        by his or her employer because of lawful acts done by the
        employee on behalf of the employee or others in furtherance of
        an action under this section, including investigation for,
        initiation of, testimony for, or assistance in an action filed
        or to be filed under this section, shall be entitled to all
        relief necessary to make the employee whole.
            (2) Relief.--Relief under this subsection shall include
        reinstatement with the same seniority status such employee
        would have had but for the discrimination, 2 times the amount
        of back pay, interest on the back pay, and compensation for any
        special damages sustained as a result of the discrimination,
        including litigation costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. An
        employee may bring an action in the appropriate district court
        of the United States for the relief provided in this
        subsection.

SEC. 5. JUDICIAL NOTICE.

    The courts of the United States shall take cognizance and notice of
any legal decision of the Government Accountability Office interpreting
the application of this Act.

SEC. 6. POINT OF ORDER.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Reduction of salary.--It shall not be in order in the
        House of Representatives or the Senate to consider a bill,
        amendment, or resolution providing an appropriation for an
        agency that the Government Accountability Office has found in
        violation of this Act unless the appropriations for salary and
        expenses for the head of the relevant agency contains a
        provision reducing the salary of the head by an amount equal to
        the illegal expenditure identified by the Government
        Accountability Office. If the illegal expenditure exceeds the
        annual salary of the agency head, then the point of order shall
        continue until the remaining amount is subtracted from the
        salary of the agency head.
            (2) Compliance.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply if the
        agency is complying with the decision of the Government
        Accountability Office.
    (b) Supermajority Waiver and Appeal.--This section may be waived or
suspended in the Senate only by an affirmative vote of \3/5\ of the
Members, duly chosen and sworn. An affirmative vote of \3/5\ of the
Members of the Senate, duly chosen and sworn, shall be required in the
Senate to sustain an appeal of the ruling of the Chair on a point of
order raised under this section.

Output:
Stop Government Propaganda Act - Imposes a civil penalty on a senior official of an Executive branch agency who authorizes or directs funds appropriated to such agency for publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States.

Instructs the Attorney General to diligently investigate such a violation, and if the Attorney General finds that a person has committed such a violation or is committing such a violation, authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action against that person.

Allows a private person to bring a civil action for such a violation for the person and for the U.S. Government in the name of the Government. Permits the dismissal of such an action only if the court and the Attorney General give written consent to the dismissal and their reasons for consenting. Prohibits any person other than the Government from intervening or bringing a related action based on the facts underlying the pending action.

Specifies the rights of the parties with regard to such an action. Allows the Government to elect to pursue its claim through any alternate remedy available to it.

Sets forth requirements for whistleblower protections.

States that the U.S. courts shall take cognizance and notice of any legal decision of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) interpreting the application of this Act.

Prohibits a point of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider legislation providing an appropriation for an agency that the GAO has found in violation of this Act, unless the appropriations for salary and expenses for the head of the relevant agency contains a provision reducing the salary of the head by an amount equal to the illegal expenditure.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Work-Life Balance Award Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Employer.--The term ``employer''--
                    (A) means any person (as defined in section 3(a) of
                the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C.
                202(a))) engaged in commerce or in any industry or
                activity affecting commerce; and
                    (B) includes any agency of a State, or political
                subdivision thereof.
        The term does not include the Government of the United States
        or any agency thereof.
            (2) Work-life balance policy.--The term ``work-life balance
        policy'' means a workplace practice designed to enable
        employees to achieve a satisfactory work-life balance.
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Labor.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF AWARD.

    (a) In General.--There is established in the Department of Labor an
annual award to be known as the Work-Life Balance Award (hereinafter
referred to as the ``Award'') for employers that have developed and
implemented work-life balance policies.
    (b) Plaque.--The Award shall be evidenced by a plaque bearing the
title ``Work-Life Balance Award''.
    (c) Application.--
            (1) In general.--An employer desiring consideration for an
        Award shall submit an application to the Work-Life Balance
        Advisory Board established under section 4, at such time, in
        such manner, and containing such information as such Board may
        require.
            (2) Reapplication.--An employer may reapply for an Award,
        regardless of whether the employer has been a previous
        recipient of such Award.
    (d) Display on Web Site.--The Secretary shall make publically
available on its Web site the names of each recipient of the Award.
    (e) Presentation of Award.--After receiving recommendations from
the Board established under section 4, the Secretary (or the
Secretary's designee) shall present annually the Award to employers
that meet the criteria developed under section 4(b)(1).

SEC. 4. WORK-LIFE BALANCE ADVISORY BOARD.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established within the Department of
Labor a Work-Life Balance Advisory Board (hereinafter referred to as
the ``Board'').
    (b) Duties.--The Board shall--
            (1) subject to the approval by the Secretary, not later
        than 180 days after the initial meeting described under
        subsection (f)(1)(B), develop criteria to determine recipients
        of the Award. In developing such criteria, such Board shall--
                    (A) identify those work-life balance policies,
                which if properly implemented, will permit employees to
                achieve a work-life balance;
                    (B) take into consideration an employer's record of
                compliance, or noncompliance, with Federal and State
                labor laws; and
                    (C) seek input from all interested parties to
                assist in making a determination of the recipients of
                the Award, including input from stakeholders;
            (2) develop a process for receiving and processing
        applications;
            (3) recommend recipients of the Award from among those
        applications submitted to the Board in accordance with section
        3(c);
            (4) present to the Secretary the names of the employers
        that the Board recommends as recipients of the Award in
        accordance with the criteria developed under paragraph (1); and
            (5) set an annual timetable for fulfilling the duties
        described under this subsection.
    (c) Revisions.--The Board, subject to the approval of the
Secretary, may make revisions, as appropriate, to the criteria
developed under subsection (b)(1) from time to time.
    (d) Membership.--
            (1) Numbers and appointment.--Subject to paragraphs (2)
        through (5), the Board shall be composed of 9 members appointed
        by the Secretary as follows:
                    (A) 1 member, who shall serve as chairperson of the
                Board, representing the public.
                    (B) 1 member representing a State or local
                government.
                    (C) 1 member representing a nonprofit employer.
                    (D) 2 members representing private industry or
                industry organizations.
                    (E) 2 members representing labor organizations.
                    (F) 2 members representing families and children.
            (2) Recommendations.--In appointing any member of the Board
        under paragraph (1) who is not the chairperson of such Board,
        the Speaker and the minority leader of the House of
        Representatives, and the majority and minority leader of the
        Senate, each shall submit to the Secretary recommendations with
        the names of proposed members of the Board, and from such
        submissions the Secretary shall appoint the members of the
        Board in accordance with such paragraph.
            (3) Limitation.--The Secretary may not appoint any Member
        of Congress to the Board.
            (4) Political affiliation.--Not more than 4 members of the
        Board appointed under paragraph (1) may be of the same
        political party.
            (5) Qualifications.--Members of the Board shall be
        individuals with knowledge of and experience with work-life
        balance policies.
    (e) Terms.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided under paragraphs (2)
        and (3), each member of the Board shall be appointed for 2
        years and may be reappointed.
            (2) Terms of initial appointees.--As designated by the
        Secretary at the time of appointment, of the members of the
        Board first appointed, 4 shall each be appointed for a 2-year
        term and the remainder shall each be appointed for a 3-year
        term.
            (3) Vacancies.--Any member of the Board appointed to fill a
        vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which
        the member's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only
        for the remainder of that term. A member may serve after the
        expiration of that member's term until a successor has taken
        office.
    (f) Operations.--
            (1) Meetings.--
                    (A) In general.--Except for the initial meeting of
                the Board under subparagraph (B), the Board shall meet
                at the call of the Chairperson or a majority of its
                members.
                    (B) Initial meeting.--The Board shall conduct its
                first meeting not later than 90 days after the
                appointment of all of its members.
            (2) Voting and rules.--A majority of members of the Board
        shall constitute a quorum to conduct business. The Board may
        establish by majority vote any other rules for the conduct of
        the business of the Board, if such rules are not inconsistent
        with this section or other applicable law.

SEC. 5. REGULATIONS.

    The Secretary may prescribe regulations to carry out the purposes
of this Act.

Output:
Work-Life Balance Award Act - Establishes in the Department of Labor an annual Work-Life Balance Award for employers that have developed and implemented work-life balance policies.

Establishes a Work-Life Balance Advisory Board to develop criteria to determine recipients of the Award.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``United States-Cuba Trade Act of
2017''.

SEC. 2. REMOVAL OF PROVISIONS RESTRICTING TRADE AND OTHER RELATIONS
              WITH CUBA.

    (a) Authority for Embargo and Sugar Quota.--
            (1) In general.--Section 620(a) of the Foreign Assistance
        Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2370(a)) is repealed.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 1610(f)(1)(A) of title
        28, United States Code, is amended by striking ``section 620(a)
        of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2370(a)),''.
    (b) Trading With the Enemy Act.--
            (1) In general.--The authorities conferred upon the
        President by section 5(b) of the Trading With the Enemy Act (50
        U.S.C. 4305(b)), which were being exercised with respect to
        Cuba on July 1, 1977, as a result of a national emergency
        declared by the President before that date, and are being
        exercised on the day before the effective date of this Act, may
        not be exercised on or after such effective date with respect
        to Cuba.
            (2) Regulations.--Any regulation in effect on the day
        before the effective date of this Act pursuant to the exercise
        of authorities described in paragraph (1) shall cease to be
        effective on such effective date.
    (c) Exercise of Authorities Under Other Provisions of Law.--
            (1) Removal of prohibitions.--Any prohibition on exports to
        Cuba that is in effect on the day before the effective date of
        this Act under the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C.
        4601 et seq.) (as continued in effect pursuant to the
        International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et
        seq.)) shall cease to be effective on such effective date.
            (2) Authority for new restrictions.--The President may, on
        and after the effective date of this Act--
                    (A) impose export controls with respect to Cuba
                under section 5, 6(j), 6(l), or 6(m) of the Export
                Administration Act of 1979 (as continued in effect
                pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers
                Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.)); and
                    (B) exercise the authorities the President has
                under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
                with respect to Cuba pursuant to a declaration of
                national emergency required by that Act that is made on
                account of an unusual and extraordinary threat to the
                national security, foreign policy, or economy of the
                United States, that did not exist before the date of
                the enactment of this Act.
    (d) Repeal of Cuban Democracy Act of 1992.--The Cuban Democracy Act
of 1992 (22 U.S.C. 6001 et seq.) is repealed.
    (e) Repeal of Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD)
Act of 1996.--
            (1) Repeal.--The Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity
        (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (22 U.S.C. 6021 et seq.) is repealed.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) Visa revocation.--Section 428(c)(2) of the
                Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 236(c)(2)) is
                amended--
                            (i) by striking subparagraph (K); and
                            (ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (L)
                        through (P) as subparagraphs (K) through (O),
                        respectively.
                    (B) Effect of determination.--Section 606 of the
                Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility
                Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-208; 8 U.S.C. 1255 note) is
                repealed.
                    (C) Property immune from attachment.--Section 1611
                of title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking
                subsection (c).
                    (D) International claims.--Sections 514 and 515 of
                the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 (22
                U.S.C. 1643l and 1643m) are repealed.
    (f) Repeal of Provisions Imposing Certain Restrictions on
Assistance to Former Soviet Countries.--
            (1) In general.--Section 498A of the Foreign Assistance Act
        of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2295a) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a)(11) by striking ``and
                intelligence facilities, including the military and
                intelligence facilities at Lourdes and Cienfuegos,''
                and inserting ``facilities,'';
                    (B) in subsection (b)--
                            (i) in paragraph (4) by inserting ``and''
                        after the semicolon;
                            (ii) by striking paragraph (5); and
                            (iii) by redesignating paragraph (6) as
                        paragraph (5); and
                    (C) by striking subsection (d).
            (2) Definitions.--Section 498B(k) of the Foreign Assistance
        Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2295b(k)) is amended by striking
        paragraphs (3) and (4).
    (g) Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000.--The
Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C.
7201 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 906(a)(1) (22 U.S.C. 7205(a)(1)), by
        striking ``Cuba,'';
            (2) in section 908 (22 U.S.C. 7207)--
                    (A) by striking subsection (b);
                    (B) in subsection (a)--
                            (i) by striking ``Prohibition'' and all
                        that follows through ``(1) In general.--
                        Notwithstanding'' and inserting ``In General.--
                        Notwithstanding'';
                            (ii) by striking ``for exports to Cuba
                        or'';
                            (iii) by striking paragraph (2); and
                            (iv) by redesignating paragraph (3) as
                        subsection (b) and by moving such subsection,
                        as so redesignated, 2 ems to the left; and
                    (C) in subsection (b), as redesignated by
                subparagraph (B)(iv), by striking ``paragraph (1)'' and
                inserting ``subsection (a)'';
            (3) by striking section 909 (22 U.S.C. 7208);
            (4) by striking section 910 (22 U.S.C. 7209); and
            (5) by redesignating section 911 (Public Law 106-387; 114
        Stat. 1549A-72) as section 909.
    (h) Repeal of Prohibition on Transactions or Payments With Respect
to Certain United States Intellectual Property.--Section 211 of the
Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999
(as contained in section 101(b) of division A of Public Law 105-277;
112 Stat. 2681-88) is repealed.
    (i) Sugar Quota Prohibition Under Food Security Act of 1985.--
Subsection (c) of section 902 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (Public
Law 99-198; 99 Stat. 1444) is repealed.

SEC. 3. TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES.

    Any common carrier, as defined in section 3 of the Communications
Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 153), is authorized to install, maintain, and
repair telecommunications equipment and facilities in Cuba, and
otherwise provide telecommunications services between the United States
and Cuba. The authority of this section includes the authority to
upgrade facilities and equipment.

SEC. 4. TRAVEL.

    (a) In General.--Travel to and from Cuba by individuals who are
citizens or residents of the United States, and any transactions
ordinarily incident to such travel, may not be regulated or prohibited
if that travel would be lawful in the United States.
    (b) Transactions Incident to Travel.--Transactions ordinarily
incident to travel that may not be regulated or prohibited under
subsection (a) include the following:
            (1) Transactions ordinarily incident to travel or
        maintenance in Cuba.
            (2) Normal banking transactions involving foreign currency
        drafts, traveler's checks, or other negotiable instruments
        incident to that travel.

SEC. 5. NEGOTIATIONS WITH CUBA.

    (a) Negotiations.--The President should take all necessary steps to
advance negotiations with the Government of Cuba--
            (1) for the purpose of settling claims of nationals of the
        United States against the Government of Cuba for the taking of
        property by such government; and
            (2) for the purpose of securing the protection of
        internationally recognized human rights.
    (b) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``national of the
United States'' and ``property'' have the meanings given those terms in
section 502 of the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 (22
U.S.C. 1643a).

SEC. 6. EXTENSION OF NONDISCRIMINATORY TRADE TREATMENT.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--
            (1) In general.--It is the sense of the Congress that--
                    (A) the United States should promote democratic
                change and economic reform by normalizing trade
                relations with Cuba; and
                    (B) upon the enactment of this Act, it will no
                longer be necessary for the United States to continue
                to use article XXI of the GATT 1994 with respect to
                Cuba, understanding that the President retains full
                authority to invoke article XXI of the GATT 1994 and
                comparable provisions in other Uruguay Round Agreements
                in the future in all appropriate circumstances.
            (2) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``GATT 1994''
        and ``Uruguay Round Agreements'' have the meanings given those
        terms in section 2 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (19
        U.S.C. 3501).
    (b) Extension of Nondiscriminatory Treatment to the Products of
Cuba.--
            (1) Harmonized tariff schedule amendments.--Subdivision (b)
        of general note 3 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
        United States is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``to section 401 of the Tariff
                Classification Act of 1962,''; and
                    (B) by striking ``Cuba''.
            (2) Repeal of section 401 of the tariff classification act
        of 1962.--Section 401 of the Tariff Classification Act of 1962
        (Public Law 87-456; 76 Stat. 78) is repealed.
            (3) Termination of application of title iv of the trade act
        of 1974 to cuba.--
                    (A) Extension of nondiscriminatory treatment.--
                Nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations
                treatment) shall apply to the products of Cuba.
                    (B) Termination of application of title iv.--Title
                IV of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2431 et seq.)
                shall cease to apply to Cuba.
            (4) Effective date.--This section, and the amendments made
        by this section, shall apply with respect to goods entered, or
        withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the 15th
        day after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (c) Report to Congress.--The President shall submit to Congress,
not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, a
report on trade relations between the United States and Cuba.

SEC. 7. PROHIBITION ON LIMITING ANNUAL REMITTANCES.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the
Secretary of the Treasury may not limit the amount of remittances to
Cuba that may be made by any person who is subject to the jurisdiction
of the United States, and the Secretary shall rescind all regulations
in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act that so limit the
amount of those remittances.
    (b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in subsection (a) may be
construed to prohibit the prosecution or conviction of any person
committing an offense described in section 1956 of title 18, United
States Code (relating to the laundering of monetary instruments), or
section 1957 of such title (relating to engaging in monetary
transactions in property derived from specific unlawful activity).

SEC. 8. REQUIREMENT TO REPORT TO CONGRESS PRIOR TO DENIAL OF FOREIGN
              TAX CREDIT WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

    (a) In General.--Subclause (II) of section 901(j)(2)(B)(i) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``such country
becomes'' and inserting ``the date on which the President reports to
Congress that such country has been determined to be''.
    (b) Effective Date.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the amendment
        made by this section shall apply to any determination regarding
        whether a foreign country is described in subparagraph (A) of
        section 901(j)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which is
        made after the date of the enactment of this Act.
            (2) Nonapplication to countries subject to denial of
        foreign tax credit.--Nothing in this section, or the amendment
        made by this section, shall be construed to alter, amend, or
        otherwise affect the application of subsection (j) of section
        901 of such Code to any country which has been determined to be
        a country described in paragraph (2)(A) of such subsection on
        or before the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 9. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    Except as provided in sections 6 and 8, this Act and the amendments
made by this Act shall take effect 60 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act.

Output: United States-Cuba Trade Act of 2017 This bill repeals the embargo on trade with Cuba. The bill: (1) makes ineffective certain prohibitions on exports to Cuba; (2) extends nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations) to Cuban products; (3) prohibits regulation or banning of travel to and from Cuba by U.S. citizens or residents or of any transactions incident to travel; and (4) repeals the President's authority to continue direct restrictions on trade with Cuba. The President shall: (1) conduct negotiations with Cuba on settling claims of U.S. nationals for the taking of property by the Cuban government, and (2) engage in bilateral dialogue with Cuba on securing the protection of internationally recognized human rights. The President may establish specified export controls and trade restrictions with respect to Cuba.  The President may impose export controls and exercise certain emergency economic authorities with respect to Cuba only if there is an unusual threat to U.S. national security.  The bill repeals: (1) the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992; (2) the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996; (3) the prohibition against allocation of the annual sugar quota to a country unless such country verifies that it does not import Cuban sugar for reexport to the United States; (4) the prohibition on transactions or payments respecting certain U.S. intellectual property; and (5) restrictions on assistance to any independent state of the former Soviet Union that engages in trade with, or provides other support to, Cuba.  Cuba is removed from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, subject to agricultural and medical export restrictions.  Common carriers may provide telecommunications services, including installations and repairs, between the United States and Cuba.  The Department of the Treasury may not limit the amount of remittances to Cuba that may be made by any person subject to U.S. jurisdiction.  The Internal Revenue Code is amended to require the President to report to Congress on a country's status prior to the denial of foreign tax credits for certain foreign countries.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Marine Energy Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF MARINE AND HYDROKINETIC RENEWABLE ENERGY.

    Section 632 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42
U.S.C. 17211) is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by
striking ``electrical''.

SEC. 3. MARINE AND HYDROKINETIC RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH AND
              DEVELOPMENT.

    Section 633 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42
U.S.C. 17212) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 633. MARINE AND HYDROKINETIC RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH AND
              DEVELOPMENT.

    ``The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the
Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, shall carry out a program of research, development,
demonstration, and commercial application to accelerate the
introduction of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy production
into the United States energy supply, giving priority to fostering
accelerated research, development, and commercialization of technology,
including programs--
            ``(1) to assist technology development to improve the
        components, processes, and systems used for power generation
        from marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy resources;
            ``(2) to establish critical testing infrastructure
        necessary--
                    ``(A) to cost effectively and efficiently test and
                prove marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy devices;
                and
                    ``(B) to accelerate the technological readiness and
                commercialization of those devices;
            ``(3) to support efforts to increase the efficiency of
        energy conversion, lower the cost, increase the use, improve
        the reliability, and demonstrate the applicability of marine
        and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies by participating
        in demonstration projects;
            ``(4) to investigate variability issues and the efficient
        and reliable integration of marine and hydrokinetic renewable
        energy with the utility grid;
            ``(5) to identify and study critical short- and long-term
        needs to create a sustainable marine and hydrokinetic renewable
        energy supply chain based in the United States;
            ``(6) to increase the reliability and survivability of
        marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies;
            ``(7) to verify the performance, reliability,
        maintainability, and cost of new marine and hydrokinetic
        renewable energy device designs and system components in an
        operating environment, and consider the protection of critical
        infrastructure, such as adequate separation between marine and
        hydrokinetic devices and projects and submarine
        telecommunications cables, including consideration of
        established industry standards;
            ``(8) to coordinate and avoid duplication of activities
        across programs of the Department and other applicable Federal
        agencies, including National Laboratories and to coordinate
        public-private collaboration in all programs under this
        section;
            ``(9) to identify opportunities for joint research and
        development programs and development of economies of scale
        between--
                    ``(A) marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy
                technologies; and
                    ``(B) other renewable energy and fossil energy
                programs, offshore oil and gas production activities,
                and activities of the Department of Defense;
            ``(10) to support in-water technology development with
        international partners using existing cooperative procedures
        (including memoranda of understanding)--
                    ``(A) to allow cooperative funding and other
                support of value to be exchanged and leveraged; and
                    ``(B) to encourage the participation of
                international research centers and companies within the
                United States and the participation of United States
                research centers and companies in international
                projects;
            ``(11) to identify, in conjunction with the Secretary of
        Commerce and other relevant Federal agencies, the potential
        environmental impacts, including potential impacts on fisheries
        and other marine resources, of marine and hydrokinetic
        renewable energy technologies, measures to prevent adverse
        impacts, and technologies and other means available for
        monitoring and determining environmental impacts; and
            ``(12) to identify, in conjunction with the Commandant of
        the United States Coast Guard and other relevant Federal
        agencies, the potential navigational impacts of marine and
        hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies and measures to
        prevent adverse impacts on navigation.''.

SEC. 4. NATIONAL MARINE RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND
              DEMONSTRATION CENTERS.

    Section 634 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42
U.S.C. 17213) is amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting the
following:
    ``(b) Purposes.--The Centers (including each Center that has been
established as of the date of enactment of the Marine Energy Act), in
coordination with the Department and the National Laboratories, shall--
            ``(1) advance research, development, demonstration, and
        commercial application of marine and hydrokinetic renewable
        energy technologies;
            ``(2) support in-water testing and demonstration of marine
        and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies, including
        facilities capable of testing--
                    ``(A) marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy
                systems of various technology readiness levels and
                scales;
                    ``(B) a variety of technologies in multiple test
                berths at a single location; and
                    ``(C) arrays of technology devices; and
            ``(3) serve as information clearinghouses for the marine
        and hydrokinetic renewable energy industry by collecting and
        disseminating information on best practices in all areas
        relating to developing and managing marine and hydrokinetic
        renewable energy resources and energy systems.''.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 636 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42
U.S.C. 17215) is amended by striking ``$50,000,000 for each of the
fiscal years 2008 through 2012'' and inserting ``$60,000,000 for each
of fiscal years 2018 through 2022''.

Output: Marine Energy Act This bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to revise and reauthorize through FY2022 the program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application to accelerate the introduction of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy production. The program must give priority to fostering accelerated research, development, and commercialization of technology. The meaning of "marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy" is expanded to include all forms of energy, not just electricity, from: (1) waves, tides, and currents in oceans, estuaries, and tidal areas; (2) free flowing water in rivers, lakes, and streams; (3) free flowing water in man-made channels; and (4) differentials in ocean temperature (ocean thermal energy conversion). National Marine Renewable Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Centers must support in-water testing and demonstration of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies, including facilities capable of testing: (1) marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy systems of various technology readiness levels and scales, (2) a variety of technologies in multiple test berths at a single location, and (3) arrays of technology devices.