United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018
STEM K to Career Act This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to require the Department of Education to forgive student loan obligations of borrowers employed as full-time teachers of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) in elementary or secondary schools in which the number of low-income children exceeds a certain percentage. Portions of the student loan debt, including interest, shall be forgiven on the basis of years of service, with 100% forgiven for five years of teacher service. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) an increased tax deduction for expenses by elementary and secondary school teachers for STEM education supplies; (2) a tax credit for the employment of STEM interns; and (3) a tax credit for employment of individuals who participated in an apprenticeship program in a STEM field, with the amount determined according to the degree of completion of a program. Beginning with FY2019, an institution of higher education must use at least 7% of federal work-study funds granted under the HEA to compensate students employed in STEM fields.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2018
Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections for Separated Children Act or the HELP Separated Children Act This bill sets forth Department of Homeland Security apprehension procedures with respect to children involved in immigration enforcement actions, including detention center access to courts, welfare agencies, and consular officials.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2018
Gold Star Spouses Leasing Relief Act This bill amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to permit a widow or widower of a service member who died while in military service to terminate a lease of premises occupied, or intended to be occupied, by the service member or the service member's dependents for a residential, professional, business, agricultural, or similar purpose without penalty within one year of the service member's death.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2018
Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2018 This bill requires the House of Representatives and the Senate to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the U.S. merchant mariners of World War II, in recognition of their service during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2018
Stop Sexual Assault and Harassment in Transportation Act This bill directs certain aviation and rail transportation carriers (i.e., covered entities) and passenger vessels to issue a formal policy with respect to transportation sexual assault or harassment incidents. Such policy shall include a statement that no transportation sexual assault or harassment incident is acceptable under any circumstances. The bill expands the prohibition against interference with cabin or flight crew by including sexual assaults against such personnel and increasing the penalty for such interference. The Department of Transportation (DOT) shall establish a program to annually collect and maintain data from each covered entity on: (1) the number of transportation sexual assault or harassment incidents committed against passengers and personnel, and (2) the number of transportation sexual assault or harassment incidents reported to law enforcement. Such data must be made publicly available on the primary website of DOT.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2018
This bill prohibits federal funds from being used to transfer an F-35 aircraft or related intellectual property or technical data to Turkey unless the President certifies to Congress that Turkey is not: (1) degrading North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) interoperability or member country security, or exposing NATO assets to hostile actors; (2) seeking to import or purchase defense articles from a U.S.-sanctioned foreign country; (3) wrongfully or unlawfully detaining U.S. citizens or lawful permanent resident aliens; or (4) engaging in military action without following international legal norms to prevent civilian casualties.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2018
Food Security Improvement Act of 2018 This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to require Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) benefits to be calculated using a low-cost food plan. The Department of Agriculture must determine the requirements for the low-cost food plan using the diet described in the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion's publication entitled "The Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost, and Liberal Food Plans, 2007" and adjustments specified in this bill. The bill revises the amounts of nutrition assistance block grants for Puerto Rico and American Samoa and requires the amounts to be modified based on adjustments to the low-cost food plan.
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 · 15 May 2018
Executive Cyberspace Coordination Act of 2018 This bill establishes the National Office for Cyberspace within the Executive Office of the President to coordinate cyberspace issues within the federal government. The responsibilities of the office include achieving an assured, reliable, secure, and survivable information infrastructure and related capabilities for the federal government, while promoting national economic interests, security, and civil liberties.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2018
Educators Expense Deduction Modernization Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the deduction from gross income for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers, to: (1) increase from $250 to $500 the annual limit on the expenses that may be deducted, and (2) require the limit to be adjusted for inflation after 2019.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2018
Children's Savings Accounts Offer Parents Plenty of Reasons to Understand and Invest in Tuition Yearly Act or the CSA OPPORTUNITY Act This bill requires that (1) the value of a qualified tuition program be excluded for purposes of a means test under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program or the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits program; and (2) the value of a child's savings account be excluded for purposes of a means test under the TANF program, the SSI benefits program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or the low-income home-energy-assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2018
Directs the Department of Commerce to transmit to the House of Representatives, by 14 days after the adoption of this resolution, copies of any document, correspondence, or other communication that refers or relates to: (1) the addition of a question on citizenship to the 2020 decennial census of population; and (2) the December 12, 2017, letter from Arthur E. Gary, General Counsel, Justice Management Division, Department of Justice, to Ron Jarmin, Acting Director, Bureau of the Census.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2018
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that compensation of public school teachers should be comparable to other college graduates with years in the workforce where the teachers are employed.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2018
Supports: (1) the designation of National Small Business Week, (2) efforts to encourage consumers to shop locally, and (3) efforts to increase awareness of the value of locally owned small businesses and the impact of locally owned small business on the U.S. economy. Honors the vital role of small business and entrepreneurs in the United States during such week. Recognizes: (1) the important role of the Small Business Administration as a valuable resource for the U.S. entrepreneur, (2) the importance of creating policies that promote a business friendly environment for small business owners free of unnecessary regulations, and (3) the National Small Business Person of the Year and the National Lender of the Year. Encourages young entrepreneurs to pursue their passions and create more start-up businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2018
Medical Cannabis Research Act of 2018 This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to establish a new, separate registration process for manufacturers of cannabis for research. The Drug Enforcement Administration must assess whether there is an adequate and uninterrupted supply of research cannabis and register additional manufacturers.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2018
Celebrates the contributions of small businesses and entrepreneurs in every U.S. community. Supports the designation of National Small Business Week. Recognizes the importance of creating policies that promote an environment in which small businesses may succeed. Supports efforts to: (1) encourage consumers to utilize small businesses, and (2) increase awareness of the value of small businesses and their impact on the U.S. economy.
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
Women's Equality Workforce Oversight Act or the WE Work Act This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study to determine which federal agencies have the greatest impact on women's participation in the workforce and evaluate the impact of those agencies. Such agencies shall include, at a minimum: the Department of Labor, specifically the Women's Bureau; the Department of Transportation; the Small Business Administration, including the Office of Women's Business Ownership; and any apprenticeship program that receives funding from a federal agency. The study shall examine, among other things, each agency's policies and procedures for improving the participation of women in the workforce and shall also include an analysis of specific barriers to such participation.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2018
Disabled Access Credit Expansion Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for expenditures by an eligible small business to provide access to disabled individuals, to: (1) increase from $10,250 to $20,500 the annual dollar limitation for eligible access expenditures, (2) require the $20,500 limit to be adjusted for inflation after 2018, and (3) increase from $1 million to $2.5 million the gross receipts limitation for an eligible small business.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2018
Special Counsel Transparency Act of 2018 This bill establishes reporting requirements with respect to a special counsel appointed under Department of Justice (DOJ) regulations. Specifically, it establishes these requirements: a special counsel must report periodically on the status of an investigation; a special counsel who is removed from office must report on the status of an investigation, as of the date of dismissal; and DOJ must report on the status of an investigation following the removal of a special counsel.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2018
VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2018 This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct and support research on the efficacy and safety of certain forms of cannabis and cannabis delivery for veterans enrolled in the VA health care system diagnosed with conditions such as chronic pain or post-traumatic stress disorder. Collected data shall be preserved in a manner that facilitates further research.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2018
Recognizes the harmful impact of climate change on the lands, waters, and ecosystems used for outdoor recreation. Expresses support for policies that address the causes and effects of climate change.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2018
FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 This bill reauthorizes and extends the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and associated programs through FY2023 at increased levels. The Department of Transportation's (DOT's) State block grant program is expanded. The Air Traffic Control Contract Program is modified. Grant authority for competitive land use planning and projects by state and local governments is extended. Various requirements are imposed on the FAA, including those for: (1) conducting a review of the relationship between aircraft noise exposure and its effects on communities around airports; (2) establishing a Safety Oversight and Certification Advisory Committee; and (3) convening a multidisciplinary expert review panel to conduct a survey of Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) holders and ODA program applicants to document and assess FAA certification and oversight activities. The General Accountability Office shall conduct a review to assess the workforce and training needs of the FAA Office of Aviation Safety in the anticipated budgetary environment. Safety provisions are outlined, which include safety critical staffing provisions, as well as air service improvement provisions, which include a cell phone voice communication ban. Provisions with regard to aviation consumers with disabilities are also outlined. The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act is amended with respect to wild fire prevention, eligibility for code implementation and enforcement, and program improvements. FAA Leadership in Groundbreaking High-Tech Research and Development Act or the FLIGHT R&D Act Appropriations are authorized with respect to various research and development (R&D) related matters including Safety Research and Development programs. FAA shall appoint an Associate Administrator for Research and Development. Provisions are set forth regarding unmanned aircraft systems, cybersecurity, and FAA R&D activities. The Internal Revenue Code is amended with regard to: (1) expenditure authority from the airport and airway trust fund; and (2) extension of taxes funding such trust fund.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2018
Women's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act of 2018 This bill requires the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to ensure that gender equality and female empowerment considerations are integrated into its strategies, projects, and activities. The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is amended to expand USAID microenterprise assistance authorities to include programs for small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly those that serve and are owned and managed by women. The bill revises requirements for the measurement of poverty levels by implementing partners. It also authorizes the establishment of a USAID office to support efforts to broaden local financial markets and support the development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress on USAID assistance for such enterprises.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2018
Expresses support for the designation of National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Appreciation Week. Recognizes that such personnel implement evidence-based practices to improve student outcomes. Commends the National Alliance of Specialized Instructional Support Personnel for its efforts to promote and improve the availability of specialized instructional support services.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2018
Pink Tax Repeal Act This bill prohibits product manufacturers or service providers from selling substantially similar products at different prices based on the gender of the intended purchaser. If, for example, the only difference between two products is the color, they are substantially similar.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2018
Recognizes the significance of Equal Pay Day to illustrate the disparity between wages paid to men and women, and its impact on women, families, and the nation.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2018
Help Separated Families Act of 2018 This bill helps reunify children of detained or deported parents with their parents, legal guardians, or relatives and expands requirements governing state plans for foster care and adoption assistance to include provisions that assist children separated from detained or deported parents.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018
Recognizes the accomplishments and example of Cesar Estrada Chavez, pledges to promote his legacy, and encourages the people of the United States to commemorate his legacy and to always remember his rallying cry, "Si, se puede!" ("Si, se puede!" is Spanish for "Yes, we can!")
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2018
Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2018 This bill prohibits discrimination, under a federally assisted program, against public school students on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or that of their associates. The bill authorizes federal departments and agencies to terminate the educational assistance of recipients found to be violating this prohibition. An aggrieved individual may assert a violation of this bill in a judicial proceeding and recover reasonable attorney's fees.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2018
Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2018 This bill reauthorizes through FY2023 and revises the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018
Treating Barriers to Prosperity Act of 2018 This bill allows the Appalachian Regional Commission to support projects and activities addressing drug abuse, including opioid abuse. Such projects and activities may include those that: facilitate the sharing of best practices among states, counties, and other experts in the region with respect to reducing drug abuse; initiate or expand programs designed to eliminate or reduce the harm to the workforce and economic growth of the region that results from drug abuse; attract and retain relevant health care services, businesses, and workers; and develop relevant infrastructure, including broadband infrastructure that supports the use of telemedicine.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018
Permits the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police and its auxiliary to sponsor as free public events on the Capitol grounds: the 37th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, on May 15, 2018, to honor the law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty during 2017; and the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition, on May 14, 2018, to allow law enforcement representatives to exhibit their ability to demonstrate Honor Guard programs and provide for a bag pipe exhibition.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018
2020 Census Accountability Act This bill requires the Bureau of the Census to establish the Task Force on the 2020 Census, which shall report to Congress on: existing and potential policies and measures that promote full participation in the decennial census by all residents of the United States; potential negative impacts on minority populations resulting from the addition of a citizenship question to the census, including potential impacts on congressional reapportionment, legislative redistricting, and distribution of federal funds; civil rights issues that could be affected with the addition of a citizenship question to the census; and a potential decrease in participation related to the addition of citizenship questions. The task force shall terminate following the 2020 decennial census.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
Global Electoral Exchange Act This bill directs the Department of State to establish and administer a Global Electoral Exchange Program to promote the utilization of sound election administration practices in the United States and foreign countries. The State Department shall maintain a publicly available website detailing the Global Electoral Exchange Program.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2018
Nurses for Under-Resourced Schools Everywhere Act or the NURSE Act This bill establishes a competitive demonstration grant program through which the Department of Education (ED) shall award matching funds to increase the number of school nurses in public elementary and secondary schools served by an eligible entity. An eligible entity is a state educational agency or local educational agency (LEA) in which at least 20% of students are eligible to participate in the school lunch program. In awarding grant funds, ED shall give priority to high-need LEAs that demonstrate the greatest need for new or additional nursing services. A high-need LEA is one in which at least 40% and no fewer than 15,000 students are eligible to participate in the school lunch program.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2018
Expresses support for the designation of a National Animal Rescue Day to create awareness for animal rescue programs throughout the year and address the challenge of overpopulation through continued spaying and neutering.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2018
Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2018 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to grant automatic citizenship to all qualifying children adopted by a U.S. citizen parent. (Currently, an adopted child must have been under 18 years old as of February 27, 2001, in order to qualify for automatic citizenship.) An individual born outside of the United States who was adopted by a U.S. citizen parent shall automatically become a U.S. citizen when the following conditions have been fulfilled: the individual was adopted by a U.S. citizen before the individual reached age 18, the individual was physically present in the United States in the citizen parent's legal custody pursuant to a lawful admission before the individual reached age 18, the individual never acquired U.S. citizenship before the enactment of this bill, and the individual was lawfully residing in the United States on the date of enactment of this bill. An individual who meets such criteria, except for lawfully residing in the United States on the date of enactment of this bill, shall automatically become a U.S. citizen on the date on which the individual is physically present in the United States pursuant to a lawful admission. A visa may not be issued to such an individual unless: the individual was subjected to a criminal background check, and the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State coordinated with law enforcement agencies to ensure that appropriate action is taken regarding any unresolved criminal activity. Automatic citizenship may not be granted to an individual who was deported for an offense that involved the use of physical force against another person.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2018
Directing Implementation of Sanctions and Accountability for Russian Mischief Act or the DISARM Act This bill directs the President to impose property-blocking and U.S. entry sanctions against certain senior Russian foreign political figures or oligarchs and parastatal entities (and associated individuals) not currently subject to sanctions.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2018
Celebrates the successes and contributions of Latinas in the United States and recognizes the changes still to be made to ensure Latinas can realize their full potential as equal members of society.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2018
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 701 6th Street in Hawthorne, Nevada, as the "Sergeant Kenneth Eric Bostic Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2018
Advancing Mutual Interests and Growing our Success Act or the AMIGOS Act This bill makes Portuguese nationals eligible to enter the United States as nonimmigrant traders and investors as provided for under the Immigration and Nationality Act if Portugal provides reciprocal nonimmigrant treatment to U.S. nationals.
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.