Peer-to-Peer Computer Programs, Tax Refund Loans & Aliens with Ph.D. from US Institution: September 30, 2008

The House was out yesterday and the Senate had a short day. Not really any bills of interest were introduced, however, there were some bills of note introduced over the past weekend as the Members stayed in DC to work on the financial rescue/bailout package.

Here are three bill introduced in the House on the 27th.

The first bill seems important to me in this new age of so many 'peer-to-peer' programs. The bill is to ensure both sides of the 'peer-to-peer' are aware they are hooked up to such program.

By Mrs. BONO MACK (R-CA)(for herself, Mr. BARROW (D-GA), and Mr. BARTON (R-TX)):
H.R. 7176. A bill to prohibit the installation on a computer of certain ``peer-to-peer'' file sharing software without first providing notice and obtaining consent from the owner or authorized user of the computer; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Source: GPO [H10299]

Finally, I think this next bill is also important. It deals with the many 'lenders' who offer 'tax refund loans' and works to improve advertising and disclosure requirements for the lenders.

By Mrs. MCCARTHY (D-NY):
H.R. 7188. A bill to amend the Truth in Lending Act to establish certain advertising and disclosure requirements with respect to tax refund anticipation loans, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Financial Services. Source: GPO [H10299]

And this final bill will probably bring some controversy. It allows aliens who receive a Ph.D. from US institution in certain areas to be admitted for permanent residence. If this will keep the best and brightest in the US, then I'm behind it.

By Mr. FLAKE (R-AZ):
H.R. 7184. A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize certain aliens who have earned a Ph.D. degree from a United States institution of higher education in a field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics to be admitted for permanent residence and to be exempted from the numerical limitations on H-1B nonimmigrants; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Source: GPO [H10299]