United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2019
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should ensure that the U.S. Postal Service is not privatized and remains an independent establishment of the federal government.
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2019
South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act of 2019 This bill addresses harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in the South Florida ecosystem. An algal bloom is a rapid growth of algae that may create toxic or hypoxic (severely low-oxygen) conditions that are harmful to humans, animals, aquatic ecosystems, and the economy. The Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia must assess potential approaches to reduce harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in the ecosystem. The task force must also submit a plan, based on the assessment, for reducing, mitigating, and controlling harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in the region.
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2019
Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 This bill addresses certain health benefit and home loan programs for veterans. Specifically, the bill extends the presumption of service-connection for certain diseases associated with herbicide (e.g., Agent Orange) exposure to veterans who served (1) offshore of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, or (2) in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone between September 1, 1967, and August 31, 1971. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific disabilities or diseases diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded. The bill extends eligibility for health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and monetary allowance to children with spina bifida who have at least one veteran parent who may have been exposed to an herbicide agent while serving in Thailand between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975. Additionally, the bill revises the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan guaranty program to adjust loan fee rates and eliminate the limit on the amount of a loan for which the VA may provide a guaranty of 25%. Under current law, these loan guarantees are subject to a limit on loan size determined by Freddie Mac. The bill also waives loan fees for active duty Purple Heart recipients. The VA shall permit a VA-approved appraiser to make a housing loan appraisal based solely on information gathered by a person with whom the appraiser has entered into an agreement for such services.
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2019
End Banking for Human Traffickers Act of 2019 This bill establishes requirements related to the use of financial transactions in human trafficking. The bill adds the Secretary of the Treasury as a member of the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking. The task force must submit to Congress recommendations for the revision of anti-money laundering programs specifically targeting severe forms of human trafficking. The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council must review procedures to improve the capability of specified programs to target financial transactions relating to severe forms of human trafficking. The Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence must coordinate with other specified agencies to combat the illicit financing relating to severe forms of human trafficking. The bill provides additional criteria to be considered by the State Department to indicate a country's serious and sustained efforts to eliminate human trafficking. Specifically, the bill adds criteria regarding whether a country has taken or is taking steps to implement a framework for preventing financial transactions involving severe forms of human trafficking.
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2019
Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019 This bill authorizes assistance and weapons transfers to Israel, and extends defense cooperation with Jordan. It establishes additional sanctions related to the conflict in Syria, and allows states to divest from entities boycotting Israel. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2019 The bill reauthorizes through FY2028 Foreign Military Financing to Israel. It extends loan guarantees to Israel through FY2023, and authorizes the President to transfer precision-guided munitions to the country. The bill directs the President to report on steps taken to help Israel secure a strategic trade authorization exception. United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Extension Act The bill extends through 2022 arrangements that allow certain defense articles to be transferred to Jordan on an expedited basis. The bill also directs the President to submit a report to Congress assessing the costs and benefits of establishing a fund to support private investment in Jordan. Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 The bill directs the Department of the Treasury to determine whether the Central Bank of Syria is a primary money-laundering concern and, if so, impose special measures on transactions involving the bank. The bill also imposes sanctions on individuals providing support for the Syrian government. Combating BDS Act of 2019 The bill allows a state or local government to adopt measures to divest its assets from entities using boycotts, divestments, or sanctions to influence Israel's policies. Such measures shall meet various requirements, including those related to written notice and comment.
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2019
Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 This bill establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties (i.e., unlicensed individuals). Specifically, it prohibits a firearm transfer between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check. The prohibition does not apply to certain firearm transfers, such as a gift between spouses in good faith.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2019
Federal Accountability in Chemical Testing Act or the FACT Act This bill requires the reports of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods to include a description of the progress on the development and use of alternative methods for toxicological testing by participating federal agencies. Federal agencies that require or recommend toxicological testing must provide the committee with necessary information.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Permanent Tax Relief for Working Families Act This bill makes permanent the modifications to the child tax credit that were included in P.L. 115-97 (commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act). (The provisions increased the amounts of the credit and created a nonrefundable credit for a taxpayer's dependents who are not qualifying children. Under current law, the provisions are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025.)
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Homeless Veteran Families Act This bill updates the Department of Veterans Affairs per diem payment calculation for entities furnishing services to homeless veterans to include funding for a minor dependent. The rate for per diem payments is the daily cost of care as estimated by the grant recipient or eligible entity. This bill would expand the per diem payment amount for a homeless veteran who has care of a minor dependent to the daily cost of care plus, for each minor dependent, an amount that equals 50% of such daily cost of care.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Protecting and Securing Florida's Coastline Act of 2019 This bill permanently extends the moratorium on oil and gas leasing, preleasing, and related activities in certain areas of the Gulf of Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Veteran Overmedication and Suicide Prevention Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to report on the deaths of covered veterans who died by suicide during the last five years, regardless of whether information relating to such deaths has been reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A covered veteran is any veteran who received VA hospital care or medical services during the five-year period preceding the veteran's death. Among other elements, the report shall include the total number of covered veterans who died by suicide, violent death, or accidental death, as well as certain demographic information.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 This bill addresses certain health benefit and home loan programs for veterans. Specifically, the bill extends the presumption of service-connection for certain diseases associated with herbicide (e.g., Agent Orange) exposure to veterans who served (1) offshore of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, or (2) in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone between September 1, 1967, and August 31, 1971. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific disabilities or diseases diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded. The bill extends eligibility for health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and monetary allowance to children with spina bifida who have at least one veteran parent who may have been exposed to an herbicide agent while serving in Thailand between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975. Additionally, the bill revises the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan guaranty program to adjust loan fee rates and eliminate the limit on the amount of a loan for which the VA may provide a guaranty of 25%. Under current law, these loan guarantees are subject to a limit on loan size determined by Freddie Mac. The bill also waives loan fees for active duty Purple Heart recipients. The VA shall permit a VA-approved appraiser to make a housing loan appraisal based solely on information gathered by a person with whom the appraiser has entered into an agreement for such services.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Defending Domestic Produce Production Act This bill establishes a process by which a core seasonal industry may petition for countervailing and antidumping duties.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2019 This bill allows a qualified individual to carry a concealed handgun into or possess a concealed handgun in another state that allows individuals to carry concealed firearms. A qualified individual must (1) be eligible to possess, transport, or receive a firearm under federal law; (2) carry a valid photo identification document; and (3) carry a valid concealed carry permit issued by any state or be eligible to carry a concealed firearm in his or her state of residence. Additionally, the bill specifies that a qualified individual who lawfully carries or possesses a concealed handgun in another state (1) is not subject to the federal prohibition on possessing a firearm in a school zone, and (2) may carry or possess the concealed handgun in federally owned lands that are open to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2019 This bill establishes requirements regarding audits of certain financial agencies performed by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Specifically, the bill directs the GAO to complete, within 12 months, an audit of the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve banks. In addition, the bill allows the GAO to audit the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve banks with respect to (1) international financial transactions; (2) deliberations, decisions, or actions on monetary policy matters; (3) transactions made under the direction of the Federal Open Market Committee; and (4) discussions or communications among Federal Reserve officers, board members, and employees regarding any of these matters.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Constitutional Amendment This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment limiting Members of the House of Representatives to three terms and Members of the Senate to two terms. Terms beginning before the ratification of this article do not count towards term limits.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2018
Celebrates the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and the subsequent relocation of the U.S. embassy to the city. Reaffirms the friendship between the United States and Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2018
This resolution expresses support for a political solution to the conflict in Syria, condemns the Assad regime and the governments of Russia and Iran for their continued support of war crimes, and calls on the President and the Department of State to work toward a sustainable political transition in Syria.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2018
Honoring All Veterans Act This bill adds the following as a mission statement for the Department of Veterans Affairs: "To fulfill President Lincoln's promise to care for those 'who shall have borne the battle' and for their families, caregivers, and survivors."
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2018
Reinforced Schools Act This bill authorizes local educational agencies, public elementary schools, and public secondary schools to purchase equipment suitable for school security activities from the Department of Defense.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2018
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7521 Paula Drive in Tampa, Florida, as the "Major Andreas O'Keeffe Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2018
Expresses support for: (1) the goals of researching new interventions to prevent and treat malaria; and (2) sustained or enhanced efforts so that once malaria is eliminated in a country, it does not return.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2018
Secure Border Communications Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure that each U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer or agent is equipped with a secure radio or other two-way communication device, supported by system interoperability, that permits communication: (1) between ports of entry and inspection stations; and (2) with other federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement entities. DHS shall: (1) ensure that U.S. Border Patrol agents in remote mission critical locations and at border checkpoints have multi- or dual-band encrypted portable radios, and (2) acquire radios or other devices with the option to connect to commercial mobile broadband networks for deployment in areas where such networks enhance operations and are cost effective. DHS may evaluate new or emerging communications technologies to determine their suitability for border security operations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2018
Full Military Honors Act of 2018 This bill provides full military honors for the funeral of an eligible veteran who: is first interred or inurned in Arlington National Cemetery on or after enactment of this bill, was awarded the medal of honor or the prisoner-of-war medal, and is not entitled to full military honors because of such veteran's grade.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2018
Stop Harmful Discharges Act This bill makes public health and safety (e.g., preventing discharges with cyanobacteria or related toxins) the primary consideration of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers when the Corps manages the Caloosahatchee River and Lake Okeechobee drainage areas in central and southern Florida.
United States · United States Congress · 24 August 2018
Veterans Valuing Our Widows and Widowers Act or the Veterans VOW Act This bill requires the payment of a Medal of Honor special pension to the surviving spouse of a deceased Medal of Honor recipient if that person was married to the recipient for (1) at least one year prior to the veteran's death; or (2) any period of time if a child was born of the marriage or was born to them before the marriage. The bill increases the special pension for a living Medal of Honor recipient to $1329.58 per month.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2018
Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 2018 This bill addresses harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, including to: (1) increase the authorization of appropriations for the national harmful algal bloom and hypoxia program and the action strategy of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia through FY2023, and (2) address harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in the Greater Everglades region of Florida. An algal bloom is a rapid growth of algae that may create toxic or hypoxic (severely low-oxygen) conditions that are harmful to humans, animals, aquatic ecosystems, and the economy.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 501 South Kirkman Road in Orlando, Florida, as the "Napoleon 'Nap' Ford Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Condemns Iranian state-sponsored terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and officials and Iranian dissidents. Expresses support for the people of Iran who are engaged in legitimate and peaceful protests against the Iranian regime.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2018
Affirms the House of Representatives' obligation to fulfill the promises made to senior citizens of the United States regarding access to Medicare and Social Security. Rejects any changes to Medicare or Social Security that diminish benefits for Americans currently enrolled, or soon to be enrolled, in the Medicare Program or the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program. Expresses the House's commitment that these programs should be strengthened and preserved. Expresses support for efforts to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in these programs.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2018
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should take all appropriate measures to ensure that the U.S. Postal Service remains an independent establishment of the federal government and is not subject to privatization.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
National Estuaries and Acidification Research Act of 2018 or the NEAR Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Commerce to arrange with the Ocean Studies Board of the National Academies for the board to conduct a study that: examines the existing science of ocean acidification in estuarine environments, examines the challenges to studying ocean acidification and acidification's interactions with other environment stressors in estuarine environments, provides recommendations for improving future research, and identifies pathways for applying science in management and mitigation decisions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Efficient Drug Disposal Act of 2018 This bill amends the Clean Air Act to exempt certain solid waste incinerators from performance standards, including emission requirements. Specifically, incinerators used by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to destroy contraband or household pharmaceuticals are exempt from these requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2018
Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act This bill specifies that individuals with metastatic breast cancer are not subject to certain waiting periods for disability insurance benefits under the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program and related Medicare coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2018
Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of State to: (1) establish and monitor the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership to coordinate U.S. counterterrorism, military, and law enforcement programs and activities in the Sahel, Maghreb, and adjacent regions of Africa; (2) submit a related counterterrorism strategy to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2018
Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2018 This bill addresses the conservation and sustainability of coral reef ecosystems, including by reauthorizing and expanding the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000; authorizing the Department of the Interior to conduct activities to conserve coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems within national parks, national wildlife refuges, national monuments, and other federal land under its jurisdiction; authorizing Interior to offer financial assistance grants for coral reef conservation projects; establishing the Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies Program; directing the Department of Commerce to develop national guidelines for man-made structures that are suitable as artificial reef habitat for coral and other associated marine species; and ensuring that Commerce places an emphasis on stock assessments for fisheries associated with coral reefs.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018
Condemns all forms of physical, mental, and sexual violence against children and youth globally. Commends the End Violence Against Children Solution Summit 2018 in Stockholm, Sweden, for its leadership.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2018
Anti-Semitism Awareness Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Education when reviewing whether there has been a violation of title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance) based on an individual's actual or perceived shared Jewish ancestry or Jewish ethnic characteristics to consider the definition of "anti-Semitism" as part of its assessment of whether a practice was motivated by anti-Semitic intent. For purposes of this bill, the definition of "anti-Semitism" is the definition set forth by the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism of the Department of State in the Fact Sheet issued on June 8, 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Permanent Tax Relief for Working Families Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the modifications to the child tax credit that were included in P.L. 115-97 (commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act). (The provisions increased the amounts of the credit and created a nonrefundable credit for a taxpayer's dependents who are not qualifying children. Under current law, the provisions are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025.)
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2018
Strengthening Coastal Communities Act of 2018 (Sec. 2) This bill modifies certain boundaries of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Units located in Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. (The John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System consists of those undeveloped coastal barriers and other areas located on the coasts of the United States that are identified and generally depicted on the map on file with the Department of the Interior titled "Coastal Barrier Resources System.") (Sec. 3) Interior must publish digital versions of its Coastal Barrier Resources System maps on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website. Interior must submit to Congress a report regarding the progress and challenges of transitioning from paper to digital maps and a timetable for completion of the digitization.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2018
Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act This bill aligns federal privacy standards for substance use disorder patient records more closely with standards under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, including authorized disclosures and penalty structures for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2018
Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2018 or the BURMA Act of 2018 This bill provides humanitarian assistance for Burma (Myanmar) and Bangladesh and imposes sanctions on Burmese military or security officials responsible for serious human rights abuses. The bill provides humanitarian assistance for Burma, Bangladesh, and the surrounding region, including assistance for the Rohingya minority. The Department of State, the Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. Agency for International Development shall jointly submit to Congress a strategy for promoting economic growth in Burma.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2018
Kittens In Traumatic Testing Ends Now Act of 2018 or the KITTEN Act of 2018 This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit the Department of Agriculture from using cats in experiments that may cause pain or stress, unless the pain or stress is a result of a physical exam or training program.
![Official portrait of Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/116_rp_fl_18_mast_brian_200.jpg)