United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2024
Pay Our Troops Act This bill provides continuing appropriations for military pay for any period during which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2025 are not in effect (i.e., a government shutdown). Specifically, the bill provides FY2025 continuing appropriations for the pay and allowances of (1) members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components, who perform active service during the period; and (2) civilian employees and contractors of the Department of Defense (and the Department of Homeland Security in the case of the Coast Guard when the Coast Guard is not operating as a service in the Department of the Navy) who are providing support to such members of the Armed Forces. If a government shutdown occurs, the bill provides the continuing appropriations until the earlier of (1) the enactment into law of specified appropriations legislation, or (2) January 1, 2026.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2024
This resolution condemns the rise of antisemitism around the world and encourages greater international cooperation to counter antisemitism. The resolution also welcomes the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism (an international framework launched in July 2024 that includes policies to monitor and combat antisemitism) and calls upon states and international bodies to embrace these guidelines.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2024
This concurrent resolution expresses Congress’s support for the designation of Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Day and recognizes the significance of the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Further, it commends the nearly 1 million veterans who belong to the organization and thanks them for their service to their fellow veterans and the country.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2024
This bill increases the annual limit on the tax credit for qualified railroad track maintenance expenses (also referred to as the short line railroad tax credit) and expands eligibility for claiming the credit. Under current law, the tax credit is limited each tax year to $3,500 multiplied by the sum of the number of miles of railroad track owned or leased by the taxpayer (miles owned or leased) and the number of railroad track miles assigned to the taxpayer by a Class II or III railroad (miles assigned). This bill increases the annual limit to $6,100 multiplied by the sum of miles owned or leased and miles assigned. The $6,100 amount used in the calculation of the tax credit limit is adjusted for inflation for tax years beginning after 2025. The bill also expands eligibility for the tax credit to include gross expenses for maintaining railroad tracks owned or leased as of January 1, 2024. Under current law, the tax credit is limited to gross expenses for maintaining railroad tracks owned or leased as of January 1, 2015.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2024
This resolution supports the designation of National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month and National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Day. The resolution supports (1) the education of members of the Armed Forces, veterans, their families, and the public about post-traumatic stress; and (2) efforts by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to foster cultural change around the issue of post-traumatic stress. The resolution also encourages the leadership of the Armed Forces to support treatment of members of the Armed Forces who suffer from post-traumatic stress.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2024
This resolution supports the designation of a National Day of Light and recognizes the continued importance of the United States as the world leader in light-based science and technology.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2024
This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 290 NW Peacock Boulevard in Port St. Lucie, Florida, as the "Trooper Zachary Fink Post Office Building".
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2024
Israel Security Assistance Support Act This bill specifies that no federal funds may be used to withhold, halt, reverse, or cancel the delivery of defense articles or defense services to Israel. Also, no funds may be used to pay the salary of any Department of Defense (DOD) or Department of State employee who acts to limit defense deliveries to Israel. Additionally, DOD and the State Department shall ensure prompt delivery of all defense articles and services expected to be delivered to Israel in FY2024 and FY2025. Unobligated funds for operation and maintenance for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, diplomatic programs for the Office of the Secretary of State, and the National Security Council may not be spent until each office certifies to Congress that any withheld defense articles or services are delivered to Israel. DOD and the State Department must obligate any remaining funds for assistance to Israel. DOD and the State Department must periodically report to Congress on defense articles and services provided to Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2024
Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act This bill imposes sanctions against foreign persons (individuals and entities) who assist the International Criminal Court (ICC) in investigating, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting certain individuals. The bill categorizes as protected persons (1) any U.S. individual, U.S. entity, or person in the United States, unless the United States is a state party to the Rome Statute of the ICC and provides formal consent to ICC jurisdiction; and (2) any foreign person that is a citizen or lawful resident of a U.S. ally that is not a state party to the Rome Statute or has not consented to ICC jurisdiction. If the ICC attempts to investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute a protected person, the President must impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions against the foreign persons that engaged in or materially assisted in such actions, as well as against foreign persons owned by, controlled by, or acting on behalf of such foreign persons. The President must also apply visa-blocking sanctions to the immediate family members of those sanctioned. Upon enactment, the bill rescinds all funds appropriated for the ICC and prohibits the subsequent use of appropriated funds for the ICC.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2024
This bill authorizes the Department of State to expand certain passport application processing services and directs related changes. The bill requires the State Department to increase (1) the number of companies certified to provide expedited processing (formally known as hand-carry courier services ) of passport applications, and (2) the daily maximum number of passport applications that passport offices may accept from certified passport expeditors. The bill also authorizes the State Department to designate notaries public, among others, as passport acceptance agents. Additionally, the bill provides that passports issued 180 days or more after the bill's enactment shall expire on the passport holder's birthday.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2024
This joint resolution nullifies the rule titled Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles and published by the Environmental Protection Agency on April 18, 2024. The rule established and modified requirements for certain light-duty or medium-duty vehicles (e.g., cars, trucks, and sports utility vehicles that are under a certain weight), including requirements related to (1) emission standards, such as a greenhouse gas emission standard; (2) the durability of batteries for certain electric and hybrid vehicles; and (3) measuring fuel economy.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2024
Jackie Robinson Commemorative Site Act This bill designates the Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida, as the Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site. It also makes the site a part of the African American Civil Rights Network established under the African American Civil Rights Network Act of 2017. In addition, the bill directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the site to evaluate its national significance and determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the site as a national historic landmark.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2024
Safeguarding American Workers' Benefits Act This bill modifies identification requirements for taxpayers claiming the child tax credit and the earned income tax credit. Such taxpayers must provide Social Security account numbers for themselves and for dependent children who have not attained age 17.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2024
This resolution opposes efforts to place one-sided pressure on Israel regarding Gaza, including calls for an immediate cease-fire. The resolution also (1) expresses that the House of Representatives stands with Israel as it defends itself, and (2) reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2024
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 400 Whitehead Street in Key West, Florida, as the "Jimmy Buffett Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2024
Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2024 This bill requires or authorizes certain actions related to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The bill requires the Department of Justice to appoint an assistant U.S. attorney in each judicial district to coordinate and supervise the investigation and prosecution of various crimes related to postal services (for example, assault on a postal service employee, breaking into a post office, or obstruction of mails). The bill also requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend sentencing guidelines to provide that the assault or robbery of a postal employee shall be treated the same as the assault of a law enforcement officer. Additionally, the bill authorizes appropriations for the USPS to install high security collection boxes and replace older versions of the universal mailbox key with electronic versions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2024
Better Examiner Standards and Transparency for Veterans Act of 2024 or the BEST for Vets Act of 2024 This bill provides that only health care professionals who are licensed and not barred from practice may furnish medical disability examinations under the Department of Veterans Affairs pilot program related to using contract physicians for disability examinations. Health care professionals include physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2024
Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act or the VETS Safe Travel Act This bill makes certain veterans eligible for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck Program at no cost if they meet the program's background check and security requirements. Veterans who are eligible for this fee waiver are those who are in the patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and require the use of a wheelchair, prosthetic limb, or other assistive device to aid with mobility due to (1) loss, or loss of use, of a limb; (2) full or partial paralyzation; or (3) permanent blindness. The VA and the TSA must develop and implement a process under which eligible veterans may receive the PreCheck Program benefit. Further, the VA and the TSA must develop and implement a process to provide disabled veterans with effective outreach about TSA programs that are designed to improve the screening process for passengers with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2024
Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a national mercury monitoring program. Under the program, the EPA must track and report on long-term changes of mercury concentrations in air, water, soil, and fish and wildlife. In addition, the EPA must establish an online database for mercury data.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2024
This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) titled National Performance Management Measures; Assessing Performance of the National Highway System, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Measure and published on December 7, 2023. Under current law, each state must set targets for and report on the progress of performance metrics related to the U.S. surface transportation system. The rule establishes a specific measure for assessing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with transportation (GHG measure). The rule also requires state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations to establish declining carbon dioxide (CO2) targets for the GHG measure and report to the FHWA on their progress towards achieving these targets.
![Official portrait of Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/116_rp_fl_18_mast_brian_200.jpg)