United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2019
Bahamas TPS Act of 2019 This bill designates the Bahamas as a temporary protected status (TPS) country for 18 months from the enactment of this bill. (Qualified nationals of a TPS-designated country shall have work authorization and may not be removed from the United States while the designation is in effect.) A Bahamian national shall qualify for temporary protected status if the individual (1) has been continuously physically present in the United States since the bill's enactment, (2) meets certain admissibility and eligibility requirements generally required for such status, and (3) registers with the Department of Homeland Security.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2019
This resolution expresses support for the designation of National Voting Rights Month, encourages people to uphold the right to vote, encourages Congress to pass certain voting rights legislation, recommends the development of a curriculum in public schools and universities regarding voting, encourages the U.S. Postal Service to issue a special Fannie Lou Hamer stamp during the month of September, and invites Congress to allocate funds for public service announcements regarding elections.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2019
Barriers to Suicide Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a program to facilitate the installation of evidence-based suicide deterrents on bridges, including suicide prevention nets and barriers. DOT may award competitive grants to states and local governments to carry out the program. The Government Accountability Office must conduct a study to identify the types of structures, other than bridges, that attract a high number of individuals attempting suicide-by-jumping and the types of nets or barriers that are effective at reducing such suicides.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2019
Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act of 2019 This bill expands the Food and Drug Administration's authority to regulate cosmetics, including with respect to safety standards, product recalls, and product testing. The bill also generally prohibits the use of animal testing for the purpose of developing cosmetics.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2019
This concurrent resolution (1) calls upon the Members of Congress and all people of the United States to observe September 11, 2019, as a National Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of those who lost their lives or were injured in the September 11, 2001, attacks, and in tribute to those who came to the aid of those in need and to the defense of the United States; and (2) recognizes the heroic actions of first responders and other citizens in New York, the District of Columbia, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2019
This resolution reaffirms the House of Representatives' commitment to media diversity and expresses its pledge to eliminate barriers to such diversity.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2019
TPS for Victims of Hurricane Dorian Act of 2019 This bill designates the Bahamas as a temporary protected status (TPS) country for 18 months from the enactment of this bill. (Qualified nationals of a TPS-designated country shall have work authorization and may not be removed from the United States while the designation is in effect.) A Bahamian national shall qualify for temporary protected status if the individual (1) has been continuously physically present in the United States since the bill's enactment, (2) meets certain admissibility and eligibility requirements generally required for such status, and (3) registers with the Department of Homeland Security.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2019
Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act or the Broadband DATA Act This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to change the way broadband data is collected, verified, and reported. Specifically, the FCC must collect and disseminate granular broadband service availability data (broadband maps) from wired, fixed-wireless, satellite, and mobile broadband providers. To do this, the FCC is required to establish the Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric (a dataset of geocoded information for all broadband service locations, atop which broadband maps are overlaid) as the vehicle for reporting broadband service availability data. Additionally, the FCC must put forth specified requirements for service availability data collected from broadband providers, and it must create a challenge process to enable the submission of independent data challenging the accuracy of FCC broadband maps.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2019
Mapping Accuracy Promotes Services Act or the MAPS Act This bill makes it unlawful to willfully, knowingly, or recklessly submit inaccurate broadband coverage information or data (mapping data) to the Federal Communications Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2019
Rare disease Advancement, surveillance Research, and Education Act of 2019 or the RARE Act of 2019 The bill reauthorizes through FY2024 the National Institutes of Health Rare Disease Regional Centers of Excellence and expands activities to facilitate research and increase awareness of rare diseases and conditions. (Rare diseases and conditions are those with a prevalence of fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States.) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may expand infrastructure and activities to track the epidemiology of up to four rare diseases and conditions and incorporate this information into a National Rare Disease or Condition Surveillance System. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality must expand its activities to increase health care providers' awareness of rare diseases and conditions. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, or another appropriate entity, must update the 2010 report Rare Diseases and Orphan Products: Accelerating Research and Development.
United States · United States Congress · 30 August 2019
Excellence in Maternal Health Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish specified grant programs to support positive maternal health care outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women and their infants. Specifically, grants must be used to (1) develop best practices to reduce preventable maternal mortality; (2) train health care professionals about reducing and preventing discrimination when providing maternal health services; (3) support the collaboration of professionals across health settings with respect to maternal health; and may be used to (4) establish evidence-informed, integrated health care services to pregnant and postpartum women and their infants. HHS also must contract with an independent research organization to study and make recommendations about best practices for reducing and preventing discrimination in the provision of maternal health services. HHS also must meet certain reporting requirements for specified maternal and child health care grant programs.
United States · United States Congress · 30 August 2019
Strengthening Financial Aid for Students Act (Strengthening FAFSA) This bill increases the income protection allowance levels used to calculate a working student's expected family contribution and need for financial assistance. An income protection allowance is an amount for basic living expenses that is protected from being considered income available for postsecondary educational expenses. The bill also raises from 12 to 14 the total number of semesters during which a student may receive a federal Pell Grant.
United States · United States Congress · 27 August 2019
Universal Prekindergarten and Early Childhood Education Act of 2019 This bill authorizes through FY2025 a grant program for states to establish or expand full-day prekindergarten programs that (1) permit each three- or four-year old child in the state to be voluntarily enrolled by the child's parent, regardless of income, in the program at the public school in which the child would be enrolled for kindergarten; (2) run the length of the regular school year; and (3) are taught by teachers who possess equivalent or similar qualifications to those of teachers of other grades in the school. The federal share of such a grant shall not exceed 80% of the costs of carrying out these activities. Grant funds received under the program shall be used to supplement and not supplant other federal early childhood education funds in the state.
United States · United States Congress · 23 August 2019
Student and Taxpayer Protection Act This bill requires the Department of Education to establish performance metrics and a disclosure template to enable programs of training that prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation to be eligible to receive federal student aid funds.
United States · United States Congress · 23 August 2019
This concurrent resolution recognizes the disparity in wages paid to Black women and its impact on women, families, and the nation, and reaffirms Congress' support for ensuring equal pay and closing the gender wage gap.
United States · United States Congress · 20 August 2019
National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2019 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to designate 9–8–8 as the universal telephone number for a national suicide prevention and mental-health crisis hotline.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 2019
No Federal Funding for Confederate Symbols Act This bill prohibits federal funds from being used for the creation, maintenance, or display of any Confederate symbol on federal public land or other federal property. An exception to such prohibition is provided (1) if the use of such funds is necessary to allow for the removal of the Confederate symbol to address public safety; or (2) in the case of a Confederate symbol created, maintained, or displayed in a museum or educational exhibit. The Department of Defense shall redesignate the following military installations with such designation as it determines appropriate: Fort Rucker, Alabama, Fort Benning, Georgia, Fort Gordon, Georgia, Camp Beauregard, Louisiana, Fort Polk, Louisiana, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Fort Hood, Texas, Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, Fort Lee, Virginia, and Fort Pickett, Virginia.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2019
Improving Benefits for Underserved Veterans Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to publish a report regarding veterans who receive VA benefits, including those who receive benefits under the Transition Assistance Program. Information in the report must be disaggregated by sex and minority group member status.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2019
Safe Landings Act This bill addresses technology needs and safety risks in the aviation industry. Among other things, the bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop technology for a cockpit system that provides an alert to pilots when an airplane is not aligned to land on an intended runway surface, creates an FAA Task Force on Human Factors in Aviation Safety to review and provide recommendations related to aviation safety, directs the Department of Transportation to establish a program to investigate and develop new approaches to data analysis for understanding the factors in aviation safety incidents and identifying emerging risks of future safety incidents, requires the FAA to gather data and report on the use of instrument approach procedures as backup for visual approaches and issue guidance on the most effective techniques to use for such procedures, and directs the FAA to reform and update the notices to airmen (NOTAM) system.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2019
This resolution recognizes the contributions and sacrifices made by Sikh Americans and expresses respect for all Sikhs who practice their faith. The resolution also recognizes the historical, cultural, and religious significance of Guru Nanak's 550th birthday. Additionally, the resolution recognizes the discrimination Sikh Americans have faced.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2019
Funding Attorneys for Indigent Removal (FAIR) Proceedings Act This bill expands access to counsel for aliens in immigration proceedings and provides for protections related to such proceedings. An alien shall have the privilege of being represented by counsel in any immigration proceeding, whereas currently this privilege is statutorily provided for only in removal proceedings. Similarly, the Department of Justice (DOJ) may provide counsel at government expense to aliens in any immigration proceeding, whereas currently DOJ is statutorily authorized to provide counsel to aliens only in removal proceedings and at no expense to the government. Under this bill, DOJ shall provide counsel to children and vulnerable individuals in such proceedings, at government expense if necessary. If DOJ fails to do so, certain limits on filing a motion to reopen removal proceedings (such as the time limit for filing) shall not apply, and the alien's removal shall be stayed upon the motion's filing. The bill establishes the Immigration Counsel Account and a surcharge on various immigration fees. The surcharge shall be deposited into the account to be used to provide counsel under this bill. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall provide each alien, generally at the beginning of proceedings, a complete copy of the alien's case file in DHS possession, unless the alien waives this right in writing. Failure to provide such documents shall delay the alien's removal proceeding. DHS shall facilitate for all detained aliens access to counsel and programs that inform such aliens of their immigration-related rights and obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2019
Green Jobs and Opportunity Act This bill requires the Department of Labor to address current and future workforce shortages within the clean energy technology sector. Labor must monitor trends and shortages within the sector, recommend ways to prepare the workforce to meet the demands of a clean energy economy, and provide grants to establish training programs for occupations or fields of work with such shortages. Labor must also establish a National Advisory Committee on the Clean Energy Technology Workforce to provide advice on preparing the workforce to transition to a clean energy economy.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
Negro Leagues Baseball Centennial Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Negro National League, a professional baseball league that was formed in response to African-American players being banned from baseball's major leagues. The design of the coins shall be emblematic of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and its mission to promote tolerance, diversity, and inclusion. All surcharges from sales of these coins shall be paid to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to fund educational and outreach programs and exhibits.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
Improving Oversight of Women Veterans' Care Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit an annual report on women veterans' access to gender-specific services under arrangements entered into by the VA with non-VA medical providers for the provision of hospital care or medical services. The bill also requires the VA to establish a policy under which (1) the environment of care standards and inspections at VA medical centers include specified elements, and (2) no medical center is eligible for a five-star rating unless it meets the environment of care standards.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2019 This bill establishes the United States Commission on Hate Crimes. The commission must investigate and report on the following: whether hate crimes have increased; factors that contributed to an increase in hate crimes, if one is determined to exist; policies or actions by law enforcement agencies to reduce the commission of hate crimes; and the impact of underreporting on hate crimes statistics and prevention.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
This resolution encourages law enforcement departments to use the National Night Out as an opportunity to improve relationships with the communities they serve.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 programs that raise public awareness about breast health, educate health care providers to encourage early detection of breast cancer, and provide support for young women diagnosed with breast cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
Contact Lens Prescription Verification Modernization Act This bill revises the requirements for the verification of prescriptions related to the purchase of contact lenses. Specifically, online sellers of prescription contact lenses must provide consumers with a method to transmit a digital copy of their prescriptions to such sellers. Online sellers also must encrypt protected health information they send by email. Additionally, the bill prohibits any seller of prescription contact lenses from using telephone calls with an artificial or prerecorded voice (i.e., robocalls) to verify a consumer's prescription.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
Food for Thought Act of 2019 This bill directs the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to implement a pilot program to award grants to community colleges so they may provide free meals, including snacks, to eligible students. The FNS must provide grants to community colleges that reflect varying (1) student body size; (2) full-time student enrollment; (3) geographic location, including urban, rural, or suburban campuses; (4) minority serving institutions; and (5) residential character, including race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. The FNS may give priority to community colleges (1) with prepared food infrastructure, or those that can identify outside sources of support to help develop such infrastructure; (2) that serve more than 300 students who are eligible for Federal Pell Grants; or (3) that are located within proximity of a school in a high poverty area that receives special assistance payments under the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
This resolution recognizes the 71st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and urges the U.S. government, as well as U.N. member states, to promote human rights globally.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2019
This resolution commends the Global Fund to Fight AIDS and its partners for their contributions to ending the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The resolution also affirms previous U.S. commitments to provide 33% of the fund's budget, including for the Sixth Global Fund Replenishment, as demonstrated by legislation passed by the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019
Even Playing Field Act This bill addresses pay equity for amateur athletes and other personnel. It permits a national governing body of an amateur sports organization eligible to be recognized, or to continue to be recognized, only if it provides equal investment, working conditions, and wages and other compensation to all amateur athletes, without discrimination based on sex. National governing bodies must report periodically to Congress regarding pay equity. Each report shall include (1) the median compensation for amateur athletes, coaches, trainers, managers, administrators, and officials, disaggregated by race, gender, and employment category; and (2) the minimum and maximum compensation paid to such personnel, disaggregated by race, gender, and employment category.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019
Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act This bill establishes limitations on separating alien children from parents and on detaining families, and also addresses other immigration-related matters. A child may be separated from a parent or legal guardian at or near a port of entry or U.S. border only if (1) a state court has made a relevant ruling, such as terminating the parent's rights; (2) a qualified child welfare agency official has ruled that separation is in the child's best interest; or (3) a specified official makes certain determinations, such as concluding that a child is a trafficking victim. A child may not be separated from a parent or guardian solely to deter migration or promote compliance with immigration laws. This bill establishes presumptions (1) in favor of family unity and keeping siblings together, and (2) against detention. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall (1) document all child separations, (2) develop training for officers handling separations, (3) publish guidance on how to locate a separated child, (4) periodically provide a parent or guardian information about a separated child, and (5) pay for counsel to represent unaccompanied alien children in removal proceedings. The Flores settlement (an agreement imposing conditions on the treatment of detained alien minors) and a related court holding shall apply to the detention of families. The bill also contains provisions relating to the detention of aliens, including (1) requiring medical assessments of detained children, (2) imposing health-related standards for detention facilities, and (3) requiring DHS to provide sufficient funds for alternatives to detention programs.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019
Protection of American Jobs in Cross-Border Rail Operations With Mexico Act This bill requires the Department of Transportation to issue regulations that restrict the operation of trains originating in Mexico within the United States to crews comprised entirely of U.S. citizens and nationals.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019
American Opportunity Accounts Act This bill requires federally funded and managed savings accounts (American Opportunity Accounts) to be established for American children who are under the age of 18. The bill also increases and modifies (1) estate and gift taxes, and (2) capital gains taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019
Black Lung Benefits Disability Trust Fund Solvency Act This bill extends until December 31, 2029, the excise tax on coal from U.S. mines. The tax is a source of funding for the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2019
Violence Against Women Veterans Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to take actions to improve assistance to veterans who experience domestic violence or sexual assault. Specifically, the bill requires the VA to implement a program to assist veterans who have experienced or are experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault in accessing VA benefits. The VA shall carry out the program in partnership with domestic violence shelters and programs, rape crisis centers, state domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions, and other appropriate service providers. The bill authorizes the VA to establish local coordinators to provide outreach under the program to effectively assist veterans who have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault. The VA must consult with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a national task force to develop a comprehensive national program to address domestic violence and sexual assault among veterans by integrating VA facilities, services, and benefits into existing networks of community-based domestic violence and sexual assault services. The VA must consult with DOJ to conduct a national baseline study to examine the scope of the problem of domestic violence and sexual assault among veterans and spouses of veterans. Finally, the bill requires the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans to include in its biennial report an assessment of the effects of intimate partner violence on women veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019
Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the exportation of Native American cultural items, archaeological resources, and objects of antiquity that were illegally obtained; provides for the return of such items, including voluntary returns; and establishes and revises related criminal penalties. The bill requires the Department of the Interior and the Department of State to each designate a liaison to facilitate and hold trainings and workshops on the voluntary return of human remains or cultural items. Additionally, Interior must refer individuals and organizations to Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations to facilitate the voluntary return of human remains or cultural items; convene an interagency working group; and convene a tribal working group consisting of representatives of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to provide advice on issues concerning the return of, and illegal trade in, human remains or cultural items. The bill also increases from 5 years to 10 years the maximum prison term for an individual convicted of selling, purchasing, using for profit, or transporting for sale or profit human remains or cultural items that were illegally obtained.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019
Honoring Family-Friendly Workplaces Act This bill directs the Department of Labor to establish a national certification program to award certifications to recognize employers that have a commitment to helping employees balance employment responsibilities and family obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019
This resolution congratulates the U.S. Women's National Team for its win on July 7, 2019, of the 2019 Federation Internationale de Football Association Women's World Cup and for becoming the most successful team in international women's soccer.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2019
This resolution affirms that Americans have the right to participate in boycotts in pursuit of civil and human rights at home and abroad, as protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2019
Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2025, and otherwise revises, grants administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to support youth suicide early-intervention and prevention strategies. Specifically, the bill requires SAMHSA to award a portion of such grants for statewide training programs on emotional well-being, mental health, and suicide awareness and prevention for elementary and secondary school students and staff.
![Official portrait of Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c001072_200.jpg)