United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2018
Restoring Community Oversight of Sober Living Homes Act of 2018 This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to remove substance use disorder services from the list of essential health benefits that must be covered by health plans. The bill also amends the Fair Housing Act to address state and local zoning laws regarding recovery facilities (buildings that are occupied by individuals who are handicapped by drug addiction or alcoholism and that prohibit controlled substances and alcohol). The bill specifies that federal anti-discrimination laws do not bar any state or local zoning laws that prohibit recovery facilities in residential areas. Recovery facilities must also comply with all state and local zoning laws in order to receive federal funds.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2018
Afghan Allies Protection Amendments Act of 2018 This bill amends the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 to authorize, in addition to any unused visas in prior fiscal years, up to 4,000 visas in FY2019 for the Afghan special immigrant visa program. That program provides special immigrant visa status for Afghans (and certain family members) who are threatened because of their work as translators, interpreters, or support staff for the U.S. government or its Armed Forces in Afghanistan. The bill also requires that the period of employment for Afghans eligible for the special visa end by December 31, 2021, and that Afghans seeking special immigrant status must apply to the Chief of Mission in Afghanistan by that same date.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2018
Burn Pits Accountability Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) and the military departments to evaluate whether each member of the Armed Forces has been (1) based or stationed where an open air burn pit was used to dispose of waste, or (2) exposed to toxic airborne chemicals. Members located where an open burn pit was used or exposed to toxic airborne chemicals must be enrolled in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, unless the member elects not to enroll. The evaluations must be included in periodic health assessments, physical exams conducted immediately prior to separation from active duty, and deployment assessments. DOD must share the results of the evaluations with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2018
Welcomes the U.S.-North Korea summit which follows the South Korea-North Korea summit on April 27. Urges the President, the Supreme Leader of North Korea, and regional leaders to engage diplomatically to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2018
Celebrates the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the state of Israel. Encourages equitable treatment of Israel in international fora and the diplomatic recognition of Israel from governments worldwide. Reiterates support for a negotiated Israeli-Palestinian settlement leading to a two-state solution.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2018
Homeland Procurement Reform Act or the HOPR Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) procure certain critical equipment of the quality and innovation necessary to carry out effectively their security, enforcement, and investigative missions; and (2) ensure that funds appropriated or otherwise available to its frontline operational components are used for the procurement of covered items only if they meet specified criteria (e.g., that the supplier agree to store items not assembled in the United States in a locked area, report theft of insignia before delivery to the government, destroy defective items with which the insignia is included, and maintain records of such destruction). "Frontline operational component" includes: (1) U.S. Customs and Border Protection, (2) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, (3) the Transportation Security Administration, (4) the Coast Guard, and (5) the Secret Service. "Covered items" include: (1) body armor components intended to provide ballistic protection for an individual, (2) helmets that provide head protection, (3) respiratory protection equipment, and (4) any other critical safety item as determined appropriate by DHS. The maximum uniform allowance for an agent of a frontline operational component shall be $1,200. This bill: (1) does not apply to any procurements by a vessel in foreign waters, nor in response to a situation covered by a presidential disaster declaration; and (2) applies to contracts entered into by DHS or any of its component agencies on or after October 1, 2018.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2018
School Watch and Tactics Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Justice to develop, disseminate, and publish best practices for occupation-specific education for school resource officers.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2018
Stephen Michael Gleason Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Stephen Michael Gleason.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2018
I mproving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to permit a Member of Congress to use a VA facility to meet with constituents during normal business hours.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018
This bill transfers specific real property currently administered by the U.S. Coast Guard in Jupiter Island, Florida, to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, for inclusion in the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018
Condemns the attack in the United Kingdom on Sergei Skripal, a former Russian intelligence officer, and his daughter Yulia on March 4, 2018. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States stands in firm partnership with the United Kingdom, and (2) Russian aggression across all domains should not be accepted.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018
Supports: (1) U.S.-Israel cooperation to counter Iran's destabilizing activities, (2) enhancing Israel's deterrence capabilities, (3) including Israel in the first tier of countries receiving strategic trade authorization, and (4) the U.S. declaration recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
Mass Violence Prevention Reform Act This bill makes it unlawful to transfer or receive an assault rifle during the 60-day period following enactment. An individual who knowingly violates the prohibition is subject to criminal penalties. During the 60-day moratorium, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives must make recommendations to Congress: (1) on a legal definition of "assault weapon" and (2) on other policies related to firearms that are in the interest of public health.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
Behavioral Awareness Training Act of 2018 This bill creates a new licensing requirement for federal firearms dealers. Specifically, an applicant for a federal license to deal in firearms must successfully complete an online behavioral awareness training course.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2018
School Resource Officer Assessment Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Justice and the Department of Education to conduct and submit to Congress a survey of the assignment of school resource officers at public elementary and secondary schools.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2018
School Watch and Training Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Justice to develop, implement, and report on national standards and best practices for school resource officers.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2018
This bill transfers specific real property currently administered by the U.S. Coast Guard in Jupiter Island, Florida to the Department of the Interior, for inclusion in the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge. The Coast Guard may be reimbursed funds to complete due diligence requirements prior to final disposition of the property.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2018
Calls for the international community to demand that North Korea dismantle its labor camp system and for North Korea to cease human rights abuses and release political prisoners.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2018
United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2018 This bill extends Military Financing Program grants for Israel through FY2023. The Department of Defense shall conduct a joint assessment with Israel regarding: (1) precision guided munitions needed by Israel in a sustained armed confrontation with Hezbollah and other armed groups and terrorist organizations, and (2) related U.S. assistance and resupply planning. The President may utilize the Special Defense Acquisition Fund to transfer precision guided munitions and related defense articles and services to reserve stocks for Israel. Authorities for loan guarantees and the war reserves stockpile for Israel are extended through FY2023. The Department of Homeland Security shall establish a seven-year grant program with Israel to support: (1) cybersecurity research and development, and (2) commercialization of cybersecurity technology. The U.S. Agency for International Development may enter into memoranda of understanding with Israel to advance common goals on energy, agriculture and food security, democracy, economic growth, education, and health. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shall continue to work with the Israel Space Agency to pursue peaceful space exploration and science initiatives. The President may enter into a cooperative project agreement with Israel to carry out research and joint production of defense articles and services to detect and destroy unmanned aerial vehicles (i.e., drones) that threaten the United States or Israel. The bill states that it is U.S. policy to ensure that Israel maintains its qualitative military edge.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2018
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Economic Exclusion Act This bill expands sanctions against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The President shall report to Congress regarding: foreign and domestic supply chains that significantly aid the IRGC; Iranian state-owned entities that provide support to terrorist entities, including Mahan Air; and foreign persons owned or controlled by the IRGC, including companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange or companies with a value in excess of $100 million. The bill states that it is U.S. policy to prevent Iran's membership in the World Trade Organization and similar international bodies as long as Iran remains a state sponsor of terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2018
WeissSat-1 Resolution This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that: as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Office of Education is undergoing internal reviews and assessments in determining the appropriate structure of the office going forward, the CubeSat (small satellite) Launch Initiative must continue to thrive and expand as a priority of Congress; and NASA should prioritize awareness of the CubeSat Launch Initiative in annual budget proposals.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2018
Deterring and Defeating Rocket and Missile Threats to Israel Act of 2018 This bill authorizes the President to provide assistance to Israel, under jointly agreed-upon exceptional circumstances, for procurement of missile defense systems (including the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow systems) and missile defense development.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2018
Raise the Age Act This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it unlawful for a licensed gun dealer, importer, manufacturer, or collector to sell or deliver a semiautomatic center-fire rifle that has the capacity to accept more than five rounds to an individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is under age 21. The prohibition does not apply if the individual under age 21 is a full-time law enforcement officer or active-duty member of the Armed Forces. Additionally, the Federal Bureau of Investigation must report to Congress on the operation of its public access line, including the protocols and procedures with respect to information sharing.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 2018
Reaffirms that it is U.S. policy to support the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Moldova. Supports the Strategic Dialogue as a means to strengthen U.S.-Moldova relations and enhance Moldova's democratic, economic, and security reforms. Encourages enhanced U.S. partnerships with Moldova's government, private sector, and civil society and a focus of U.S. assistance on strengthening democratic institutions, diversifying and securing energy supplies, and promoting rural economic growth, trade, and job creation. Encourages Moldova to continue implementing democratic reforms. Encourages the President to expedite the implementation of Public Law 113-96 providing for U.S. international broadcast programming to counter Russian disinformation. Supports efforts to counter disinformation campaigns in Eastern Europe. Affirms Moldova's right to: (1) determine its own partnerships free of external pressure, and (2) associate with the European Union or any regional organization. Calls upon the Russian Federation to withdraw its military forces from the internationally recognized territory of Moldova, refrain from economic threats against Moldova, and cease support of separatist movements within Moldova. Supports efforts to resolve the Transnistria issue through a comprehensive settlement that secures Moldova's sovereignty and territorial integrity while providing a special status for the Transnistrian region within Moldova. Urges all parties to refrain from unilateral actions that may undermine efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution or jeopardize existing agreements. Encourages Transnistrian leaders and the Moldovan government to continue negotiations toward a political settlement. Affirms that Moldova's stability and security is a U.S. priority that can only be achieved if the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Moldova and other European countries are respected.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2018
Preserving Recreation, Oceans, Tourism, Environment, and Coastal Towns in Florida Act or the PROTECT Florida Act This bill extends the moratorium until June 30, 2029, on oil and gas exploration, preleasing or leasing in certain areas of the Gulf of Mexico. The bill amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to establish a moratorium until June 30, 2029, on oil and gas exploration, preleasing or leasing in the (1) Straits of Florida Planning Area, and (2) the area in the South Atlantic Planning Area that is south of the northernmost lateral seaward administrative boundary of Florida.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2018
Concentrating on High-Value Alzheimer's Needs to Get to an End (CHANGE) Act of 2018 This bill makes a series of changes to Medicare and the directives of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation in order to address Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, such as incorporating certain cognitive impairment detection tools and diagnostic service referrals into the Medicare annual wellness visit.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2018
Civil Defense Accountability Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to report to Congress regarding current notification protocols for ballistic missile threats. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must conduct, and report on, a study to identify best practices of at least 13 states, including Hawaii, Alaska, California, Washington, and other states bordering or not bordering on an ocean or the Gulf of Mexico, regarding civil defense emergencies. The bill requires key officials (defined to include the heads of DOD, FEMA, and the FCC) to submit to Congress and make publicly available unclassified reports on the actions of their respective departments or agencies regarding the ballistic missile false alarm that occurred on January 13, 2018, in Hawaii. Each report shall include recommendations for corrective actions to diminish the possibility of another ballistic missile false alarm. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must submit to Congress and publish online a report regarding the ability of HHS and health care providers to respond to attacks in the United States with biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear weapons. HHS must (1) develop and implement a public outreach program in coordination with state and local governments regarding recommendations in such report for improving readiness in responding to such attacks, and (2) consider the report's recommendations when issuing grants under the Public Health Emergency Preparedness cooperative agreement and the Hospital Preparedness Program.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2018
Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing School Violence Act of 2018 or the STOP School Violence Act of 2018 This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to revise and reauthorize through FY2028 the Secure Our Schools grant program. This grant program provides grants to states, local governments, and Indian tribes to improve security, including the placement and use of metal detectors and other deterrent measures, at schools and on school grounds.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 2018
Pay Our Protectors Not Our Politicians Act of 2018 This bill provides FY2018 appropriations for military pay during any period in which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2018 are not in effect. The appropriations provided by this bill are available until the earlier of: (1) the enactment into law of specified appropriations legislation, or (2) January 1, 2019. The bill provides continuing appropriations for pay and allowances of: members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components, who perform active service; members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who perform inactive-duty training; civilian personnel or contractors of the Department of Defense (and the Department of Homeland Security [DHS] in the case of the Coast Guard) who are providing support to members of the Armed Forces; and DHS employees who are performing national security activities. It also provides continuing appropriations for payments related to: death gratuities, funeral and burial expenses, authorized funeral travel and travel related to the dignified transfer of remains and unit memorial services, and the temporary continuation of a basic allowance of housing for dependents of members dying on active duty. The bill also prohibits Members of Congress from being paid when a government shutdown is in effect during the 116th and succeeding Congresses. During the 115th Congress, congressional pay must be withheld during a government shutdown and released at the end of the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2018
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 567 East Franklin Street in Oviedo, Florida, as the "Sergeant First Class Alwyn Crendall Cashe Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2018
Servicemembers Improved Transition through Reforms for Ensuring Progress Act or the SIT-REP Act This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to require educational institutions, in order to be eligible for educational payments, to adopt policies that prohibit penalizing student veterans for late VA assistance payments. Such policies shall: (1) permit a veteran who provides the institution with a certificate of VA assistance eligibility to attend courses for a period without VA payment; and (2) ensure that the educational institution will not impose penalties such as late fees, course denial, or requiring an individual to borrow additional funds because of delayed VA payments.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2018
Healthcare Tax Relief Act This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to delay the imposition of an annual fee on health insurance providers until after December 31, 2018.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2018
Securing Our Schools Act of 2018 This bill establishes a pilot program under which the Department of Justice may award one-year grants to local education agencies for the purpose of purchasing and installing devices that allow for the immediate notification of appropriate officials in case of emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 2018
Affirms the President's December 6, 2017, proclamation recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and announcing the relocation of the U.S. Embassy to Israel as soon as practicable. Opposes and calls for the repeal of United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/ES-10/19 of December 21, 2017, which criticizes U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital. Reaffirms that a sustainable peace agreement will only result from direct, bilateral negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians and cannot be imposed by international organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2018
Iran Human Rights and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act This bill directs the President to identify and impose sanctions against senior members of the government of Iran and other persons who are responsible for or complicit in committing serious human rights violations, or engaging in censorship, the diversion of goods intended for the people of Iran, or public corruption. The President shall identify and impose U.S. entry and financial sanctions against persons who are responsible for or complicit in the politically-motivated intimidation, detention, or trial of: (1) U.S. citizens or legal permanent resident aliens in Iran; or (2) Iranians, Iranian residents, or persons of Iranian origin outside of Iran. The President shall impose U.S. entry sanctions against specified family members of identified persons. The Department of State shall submit to Congress a strategy to prevent elements of the Iranian regime from engaging in hostage-taking or the prolonged arbitrary detention of U.S. citizens or legal permanent resident aliens. The bill authorizes the consolidation of certain Iran-related reports.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2018
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow distributions from qualified tuition programs (known as 529 plans) to be used for certain expenses in connection with a homeschool (whether treated as a homeschool or a private school for purposes of state law). The expenses include: curriculum and curricular materials, books or other instructional materials, online educational materials, tuition for tutoring or educational classes outside of the home (if the tutor or instructor is not related to the student), dual enrollment in an institution of higher education, and educational therapies for students with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 2017
National Law Enforcement Museum 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 that are emblematic of the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, DC, and the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers throughout the history of the United States. All sales of such coins shall include specified surcharges, which shall be distributed to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Inc., for educational and outreach programs and exhibits.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2017
Puppy Protection Act of 2017 This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to require the Department of Agriculture to expand standards that govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals to include new requirements for commercial dog dealers. Specifically, the standards must require dog dealers to provide to dogs: (1) adequate housing, exercise, and veterinary care; (2) appropriate and nutritious food; (3) continuous access to potable water; and (4) meaningful socialization with humans and compatible dogs for at least 30 minutes each day. The standards must also include requirements for breeders to use safe breeding practices and make all reasonable efforts to find humane placement for retired breeding dogs.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2017
Welfare of Our Friends Act of 2017 or the WOOF! Act This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from licensing a dealer of dogs whose previous licenses have been suspended or revoked in the last 10 years if the license is for operating a facility that the dealer previously used. Further, USDA may not issue or renew a license to: (1) the dog dealer's immediate family members, (2) a person who resides at the same address as the dog dealer, or (3) certain legal entities if such dealer holds an ownership interest in the entity.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2017
Fair Access to Insurance for Retired (FAIR) Heroes Act of 2017 This bill permits a veteran who is disability-retired for a condition or injury incurred during service in the U.S. Armed Forces to choose health care coverage through Medicare or TRICARE. (TRICARE is a Department of Defense managed health care program for uniformed service members, military retirees, and their dependents.)
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2017
Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2017 This bill amends the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 to: (1) exclude the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from specified activities that it currently carries out in conjunction with the the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and (2) increase and extend funding through FY2024. The Corps shall approve specified water infrastructure projects and issue guidance on information required to be included in applications for projects requiring its approval. The EPA (currently, the Corps and the EPA): may enter into agreements to make secured loans, and shall establish a uniform system to service the federal credit instruments made available; may collect and spend fees, subject to specified limitations, and may appoint a financial entity to assist in servicing the federal credit instruments; shall set aside for each fiscal year at least 15% of the amounts made available for that fiscal year for small community water infrastructure projects; and shall publish pilot program implementation reports on a public Internet site. The bill modifies the date of the Government Accountability Office report to Congress on projects receiving assistance under the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2017
Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act of 2017 This bill expresses the sense of Congress that veterans treatment courts are a successful program aimed at helping veterans charged with non-violent crimes receive the help and the benefits to which they are entitled. The Department of Justice (DOJ) shall establish a Veteran Treatment Court Program to provide assistance to state circuit court systems that have adopted or filed a notice of intent to establish such a program. The DOJ program shall include veterans treatment court grant programs carried out pursuant to laws establishing other incarceration alternatives programs.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2017
Fallen Warrior Battlefield Cross Memorial Act This bill states that the Department of Veterans Affairs may not prohibit the display of a Battlefield Cross in any national cemetery. "Battlefield Cross" means a memorial monument in honor of fallen members of the Armed Forces that may include a replica of an inverted rifle, boots, helmets, and identification tag.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2017
Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act or the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award cooperative agreements to state and local health departments to expand activities related to Alzheimer's disease, including activities involving early detection, support for caregivers, and public awareness.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2017
Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2017 This bill modifies various provisions of federal firearms laws. Among other things, it does the following: prohibits certain firearm transfers between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check; and requires states to implement plans to improve the submission of mental health and criminal history records to the national instant criminal background check system.
![Official portrait of Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/116_rp_fl_18_mast_brian_200.jpg)