United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2019
Coast Guard Youth STEM Programs Expansion Act This bill authorizes the U.S. Coast Guard, in coordination with the Department of Education, to establish programs for the purpose of improving the mathematics and scientific knowledge and skills of elementary and secondary school students and faculty members. Any such program may also focus on areas of specific Coast Guard expertise.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2019
Transportation Emergency Relief Funds Availability Act This bill revises the treatment of deadlines for federal-aid highways and public transportation projects emergency relief funds awarded by the Department of Transportation (DOT). The bill repeals the current two-year deadline for emergency relief projects to advance to the construction obligation stage. DOT must allow up to six years for projects funded through an emergency relief program to advance to construction. The new six-year deadline starts following the date on which a disaster was declared by a state's governor or the President.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2019
Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act This bill requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student aid programs to share contact information for suicide prevention resources with students. If IHEs distribute student identification cards, then they must include on the cards phone numbers for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the Crisis Text Line, and a campus mental-health center or program. If IHEs do not create such cards, then they must publish the numbers on the IHEs' websites.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2019
Safe Sleep Act of 2019 This bill makes it unlawful to manufacture, sell, or distribute inclined sleepers for infants. Specifically, inclined sleepers for infants are those that are designed for an infant up to one year old and have an inclined sleep surface of greater than 10 degrees.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2019
Defense Language Improvement Act or the DLI Act This bill adds authority for the Defense Language Institute to confer a Bachelor of Arts degree in a foreign language—in addition to the currently authorized Associate degree—upon a graduate of the Institute's Foreign Language Center.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2019
This bill provides that the Department of Defense shall make the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (also known as DD Form 214 or Report of Separation) machine readable and electronically transferable.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2019
Harnessing Opportunity to Maximize Expansion, Capture, and Organization of Minority Innovation in the Next Generation of Research Act of 2019 This bill establishes a commission to review the state of defense research at certain minority institutions of higher education. Such institutions are historically black colleges and universities and other higher education institutions at which at least 50% of the total student enrollment consists of students from ethnic groups that are underrepresented in the fields of science and engineering. The commission shall consider how to advance research capacity at these institutions to address U.S. national security and defense needs. The bill also directs the Department of Defense to require that the system that monitors or records contractor past performance for a grant or contract awarded to an institution includes incentives for the award of a subgrant or subcontract to such minority institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2019
This bill directs the Department of Defense to modernize its forms and surveys that contain terms or classifications that may be considered racially or ethnically insensitive.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2019
Protecting Our Students and Taxpayers Act of 2019 or the POST Act of 2019 This bill modifies requirements for a proprietary (i.e., for-profit) institution of higher education (IHE) to participate in federal student aid programs. Current law requires a proprietary IHE to derive at least 10% of its revenue from sources other than federal student aid. This bill requires a proprietary IHE to derive at least 15% of its revenue from sources other than federal funds (i.e., it replaces the so-called 90/10 rule with an 85/15 rule). Additionally, the bill limits what a proprietary institution may treat as revenue to the school in calculating whether it derives at least 15% of its revenue from sources other than federal funds. Finally, the bill makes compliance with the 85/15 rule a condition of institutional eligibility to participate in federal student aid programs (i.e., failure to comply results in immediate loss of institutional eligibility). Currently, a proprietary IHE must violate the rule for two consecutive years before losing eligibility.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2019
Homeownership for Dreamers Act This bill prohibits federal mortgage providers from limiting insurance eligibility on the basis of the mortgagor's participation in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2019
75th Anniversary of the End of World War II Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 coins, 500,000 $1 coins, and 750,000 half-dollar coins in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. The coins shall be emblematic of the sacrifices made by millions of people of the United States 75 years ago in bringing an end to World War II. The design on each coin shall represent the World War II Victory Medal, which was awarded to all 16 million U.S. military personnel who served from December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946. The bill requires all sales of such coins include specified surcharges, which shall be paid by Treasury to the congressionally designated National WWII Museum to fund its educational mission of telling the story of the U.S. experience in World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2019
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8520 Michigan Avenue in Whittier, California, as the "Jose Ramos Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2019
Domestic Terrorism Documentation and Analysis of Threats in America Act or the Domestic Terrorism DATA Act This bill establishes new requirements to expand the availability of information on domestic terrorism, as well as the relationship between international terrorism and domestic terrorism. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to submit joint reports on domestic terrorism. Additionally, the Science and Technology Directorate within DHS must do the following: create a National Center for the Study of Domestic Terrorism to advance research on trends in domestic terrorism, and report on international terrorism that has a nexus to such trends.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2019
Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act of 2019 or the PAWS Act of 2019 This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide service dogs to veterans with mental illnesses, including post-traumatic stress disorder, regardless of whether they have a mobility impairment.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2019
Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act of 2019 or the PAWS Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a grant program for the purpose of pairing service dogs with eligible veterans. Organizations that receive grants shall provide veterinary health insurance coverage, hardware, and travel expenses for each service dog and veteran participating in the program. Eligible veterans are those who (1) are enrolled in the VA health care system, (2) have been evaluated and treated for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but remain diagnosed with PTSD, (3) may benefit from a service dog, and (4) agree to successfully complete training provided by an eligible organization. Veterans are required to see a VA health care provider at least once every six months to determine whether the veteran continues to benefit from a service dog. Eligible organizations are nonprofit organizations that provide service dogs to veterans with PTSD, meet publicly available standards set forth by the Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans, have expertise in the needs of veterans with PTSD, agree to cover all costs in excess of the grant amount to guarantee the benefits of the program, agree to reaccept or replace a service dog provided to a veteran, and submit an application to the VA. Any improvement in PTSD symptoms as a result of the provision of a service dog shall not affect the veteran's eligibility for any other VA benefits. The Government Accountability Office must report on the grant program.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2019
Every Child Deserves a Family Act This bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or religion in the provision of child welfare programs and services by entities receiving federal funding. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must provide technical assistance to help states follow this requirement, including (1) guidance for bringing state laws into compliance, (2) developing training to increase cultural competency related to social identity, and (3) training for judges and attorneys involved in child welfare cases, among other supports. Additionally, HHS must establish the National Resource Center on Safety, Well-Being, Placement Stability, and Permanency for LGBTQ Children and Youth Involved with Child Welfare Services to provide training, technical assistance, and guidance to applicable state and local agencies and service providers. Further, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act may not be the basis for challenging the application or enforcement of this bill. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on states' compliance with the requirements of the bill no later than three years after enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2019
Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2019 This bill establishes several prohibitions, requirements, and standards relating to prior authorization processes under Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Specifically, the bill prohibits MA plans from instituting additional prior authorization requirements for surgeries (including related items) that are furnished to a patient during other surgeries for which prior authorization was not required or was already received. Additionally, MA plans must (1) establish an electronic prior authorization program that meets specified standards, including the ability to provide real-time decisions in response to requests for items and services that are routinely approved; (2) annually publish specified prior authorization information, including the percentage of requests approved and the average response time; and (3) meet other standards, as set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, relating to the quality and timeliness of prior authorization determinations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2019
Biliteracy Education Seal and Teaching Act or the BEST Act This bill directs the Department of Education to award renewable two-year grants to states to establish or improve, and carry out, Seal of Biliteracy programs to recognize student proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in both English and a second language.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2019
State Flexibility for Family First Transitions Act This bill provides states with the option to extend by two years a child-welfare demonstration project scheduled to end in FY2019. A state extending a demonstration project shall provide a plan to the Department of Health and Human Services specifying how the project will transition by FY2021 to comply with provisions in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 relating to childcare institutions, foster family homes, and assessment standards for qualified residential-treatment programs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2019
Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2019 This bill authorizes and establishes procedures for federal courts to issue extreme risk protection orders. An extreme risk protection order is a federal court order that prohibits a person from purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm or ammunition. A family or household member, or a law enforcement officer, may petition for an extreme risk protection order with respect to an individual who poses a risk to themselves or others. The bill also expands the categories of persons who are prohibited from purchasing, shipping, transporting, possessing, or receiving a firearm or ammunition. Specifically, it adds, as a new category, persons who are subject to an extreme risk protection order.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2019
Creating Opportunities through Defense Engineering Requirements Act of 2019 or the CODER Act of 2019 This bill modifies processes for the acquisition of software for the Department of Defense (DOD). It requires DOD to establish guidance for the use of pathways for the rapid acquisition of software applications and upgrades that are intended to be fielded within one year: An applications pathway shall provide for the use of rapid development and implementation of applications to be used with commercially available hardware. An upgrades pathway shall provide for the rapid development and insertion of software upgrades for hardware systems solely used by DOD. The bill requires DOD to establish software development and acquisition training and management programs enabling software personnel to earn a certification in software development and acquisition.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2019
Strengthening Loan Forgiveness for Public Servants Act This bill directs the Department of Education to cancel 15%, 15%, 20%, 20%, and 30% of the amount a borrower owes after 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 years of public service employment, respectively, on a federal student loan made after this bill's enactment. Currently, the loan is forgiven if the borrower is not in default and has made 120 monthly payments on such loan while employed as a public service employee.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2019
Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2019 This bill revises provisions of the low-income housing tax credit and renames it as the affordable housing credit . The bill increases the per capita dollar amount of the credit and its minimum ceiling amount beginning in 2019 and extends the inflation adjustment for such amounts. The bill modifies tenant income eligibility requirements and the average income formula for determining such income. It also revises rules for student occupancy of rental units and tenant voucher payments and prohibits any refusal to rent to victims of domestic abuse. The bill further modifies the credit to establish a 4% minimum credit rate for certain housing projects, repeal the qualified census tract population cap, prohibit local approval and contribution requirements, increase the credit for certain projects designated to serve extremely low-income households, increase the credit for certain bond-financed projects designated by state agencies, eliminate the basis reduction for properties that receive certain energy-related tax benefits, and increase the population cap for difficult development areas (i.e., areas with high construction, land, and utility costs relative to area median gross income). The bill also includes Indian and rural areas as difficult development areas and modifies other requirements relating to casualty losses, acquisition credits, and foreclosures.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 2019
This resolution calls on the United States and North Korea to reunited Korean-American divided family members with their immediate relatives as a humanitarian policy of immediate concern.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 2019
Securing American Science and Technology Act of 2019 This bill establishes a working group and a roundtable related to the security of science and technology. The bill directs the National Science and Technology Council to establish an interagency working group to coordinate activities to protect federally funded research and development from foreign interference, cyberattacks, theft, or espionage and to identify and track threats. The National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Defense shall enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to create a new National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2019
Breaking Barriers for Women Veterans Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement changes to better serve women veterans. Among other requirements, the VA must retrofit its existing medical facilities to support the provision of care to women veterans. Additionally, the VA must ensure its medical facilities have at least one full-time or part-time women's health provider. The bill also requires the VA to establish a training module for community providers that is specific to women veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2019
The College Data Access Act This bill requires the Department of Education to maintain and annually update its online tool allowing users to compare institutions of higher education (i.e., College Scorecard). It also requires an institution of higher education to prominently display, on the institution's website, the most recent version of the institution's College Scorecard.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 13308 Midland Road in Poway, California, as the "Ray Chavez Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
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 · 23 May 2019
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue through at least FY2020 and report on the Women's Health Transition Training pilot program. Among other elements, the report should include the number of female participants by military department, the number of courses held under the program, and the locations where the courses were held.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
National Security Diversity and Inclusion Workforce Act of 2019 This bill requires each national security agency to report on its diversity and inclusion efforts. The bill defines "diversity" as diversity of persons based on gender, race, ethnicity, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and other demographic categories. It also requires each such agency to develop a system to collect and analyze applicant employment data to identify areas for improvement in attracting diverse talent, with emphasis on senior and management positions; conduct periodic interviews with a representative cross-section of the national security workforce to obtain workplace information; sponsor workforce members to participate in a Senior Executive Service candidate development program or similar program; implement performance and advancement requirements for the workforce; create opportunities for senior personnel to participate in outreach events and to discuss issues relating to diversity and inclusion; and expand training on bias in the workplace and flexible work policies. The bill encourages agencies to expand professional development and career advancement opportunities that support their mission and to seek a diverse and talented pool of employment applicants by reaching out to educational organizations and professional associations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
Servicewomen's Health Transition Training Act of 2019 This bill requires U.S. military service departments to encourage separating and retiring female service members to participate in the Women's Health Transition Training Program, which provides information on care available from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill requires military installations that have specified centers for transition assistance to advertise the program.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
Spent Fuel Prioritization Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Energy to prioritize the acceptance of high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel from decommissioned nuclear power reactors located in areas with large populations and a high seismic hazard.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
Women's Health Protection Act of 2019 This bill prohibits state or local governments from imposing certain restrictions on access to abortion services. Specifically, state or local government may not require unnecessary tests or procedures in connection with the provision of abortion services, the same health care provider who provides abortion services to perform such tests or procedures, providers to offer medically inaccurate information to patients before or during abortion services, providers to refrain from prescribing certain drugs, certain hospital facility transfer agreements, one or more medically unnecessary in-person visits, or patients to disclose the reason for seeking abortion services. The bill also prohibits limitations or requirements that both single out and impede access to abortion services based on a number of factors (e.g., restrictions that are reasonably likely to decrease the availability of abortion services in a state). A state or local government also may not prohibit abortions prior to fetal viability nor prohibit abortions after fetal viability in cases where the health care provider determines that continuing the pregnancy poses a risk to the patient's life or health. Additionally, the Department of Justice, individuals, or health care providers may bring a lawsuit to prospectively enjoin a limitation or restriction that is prohibited by this bill. The bill further requires the government defending such a limitation or restriction to show that (1) it significantly advances the safety of abortion services or patient health, and (2) such advancement cannot be met by a less-restrictive measure.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2019 or the DISCLOSE Act of 2019 This bill expands prohibitions and requires additional disclosures related to political spending. Specifically, foreign nationals are further restricted regarding their involvement in election related activity, including by prohibiting their participation in the decision-making process regarding an election expenditure. Existing foreign money prohibitions are expanded to prohibit disbursements for paid internet or digital communications. The Federal Election Commission must perform an audit after each election cycle to determine the incidence of illicit foreign money. In general, organizations making political expenditures must disclose donors who have contributed $10,000 or more during an election cycle. Certain of these organizations, including corporations, must also disclose their beneficial owners. The bill requires organizations to provide additional disclosures on certain political ads, including the donors who contributed the most money to that organization in the last year.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
North Korea Policy Oversight Act of 2019 This bill requires additional reports and briefings related to North Korea. The Department of State shall periodically report to Congress on diplomatic engagement with and by North Korea. The bill contains various additional reporting requirements, such as for the President to report a detailed strategy for implementing certain policies related to achieving North Korea's denuclearization. The State Department shall brief Congress after each high-level U.S.-North Korea diplomatic talk. The President shall notify Congress no later than five days after entering into any agreement with North Korea related to North Korea's nuclear and missile program. The notice shall include the agreement and an assessment of the extent to which the State Department can verify North Korea's compliance with the agreement. The President shall also periodically report on North Korea's compliance with the agreement and other related matters.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
Training Acquisition Leaders and Elevating New Talent Act of 2019 or the TALENT Act This bill authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish a program to temporarily assign a member of the acquisition workforce to a private-sector organization or an employee of such an organization to DOD. Such an arrangement would require the consent of the individual who is assigned, extend for a period no more than two years, and be renewable to a total of four years. A member of the acquisition workforce who is assigned to a private-sector organization shall be considered to be on detail to a regular assignment in DOD. The agreement will address specific terms related to continued status as a federal employee, as well as—for nine-month or longer assignments—eligibility for placement in a new position allowing priority placement. DOD shall consider how assignments under this bill might best be used to help meet its needs concerning training of the acquisition workforce.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
This resolution recognizes the significance of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month as an important time to celebrate the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States. The resolution also recognizes that the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities enhance the rich diversity of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2019
Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution Act of 2019 or the SHIELD Act of 2019 This bill establishes a new criminal offense related to the distribution of intimate visual depictions. Specifically, it makes it a crime to knowingly distribute (or intentionally threaten to distribute) an intimate visual depiction of an individual (1) with knowledge of or reckless disregard for the individual's lack of consent and reasonable expectation of privacy, and (2) without a reasonable belief that distributing the depiction touches a matter of public concern. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2019
Securing the Rights our Veterans have Earned Act of 2019 or the SERVE Act of 2019 The bill expands eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to former members of the Armed Forces who were discharged from service under conditions other than honorable or with an entry-level separation by reason of sexual orientation or gender identity (including by reason of a gender dysphoria diagnosis).
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2019
Mothers of Military Service Leave Act or the MOMS Leave Act This bill provides compensation and credit for retired pay purposes (including computation of years of service for retired pay) for maternity leave taken by members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2019
Military Spouse Hiring Act This bill expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include the hiring of a qualified military spouse. (The WOTC permits employers who hire individuals who are members of a targeted group such as qualified veterans, ex-felons, or long-term unemployment recipients to claim a tax credit equal to a portion of the wages paid to those individuals.) A "qualified military spouse" is any individual who is certified by the designated local agency as being (as of the hiring date) a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2019
This concurrent resolution expresses support for efforts to ensure that all women have access to comprehensive, preventative, and affordable health care services and are able to receive unbiased information about those services.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2019
No Passport Fees for Heroes' Families Act This bill waives the passport fees for certain family members of a member of the Armed Forces if the family members are traveling abroad to visit the Armed Forces member in the hospital. This waiver applies to the husband, wife, domestic partner, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings of an Armed Forces member.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2019
Public Oversight of Detention Centers Act of 2019 or the POD Act of 2019 This bill prohibits certain limitations on the ability of a Member of Congress to access any facility for detaining aliens operated by the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Health and Human Services, or affiliated private contractors. Specifically, the Member must be allowed to enter such a facility within 48 hours of a request to do so, and the facility may not be temporarily modified in a way that alters what the Member would otherwise observe.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2019
Humane Retirement Act This bill requires animal care committees at entities that receive federal funds for biomedical or behavioral research to make reasonable efforts to find parties to adopt dogs and cats that have been retired from research. Prior to euthanizing, the animal care committee must assess the temperament of the dog or cat to determine whether it is suitable for adoption and, if so, make reasonable efforts to offer the dog or cat to an adopting party.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2019
Corporate Duty to Report Act of 2019 This bill requires corporations to report to the Federal Bureau of Investigation the receipt of specified prohibited disbursements from foreign nationals for campaign related public communications. Additionally, when receiving specified disbursements, corporations must inquire whether such disbursements (1) are for campaign purposes, and (2) are made by foreign nationals. The bill establishes fines for violations of this bill.
![Official portrait of Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/6807d8d63e52ea7df920ef05_200.jpg)