United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
This resolution expresses concern about the capture and detention of journalist Austin Tice near Damascus, Syria. It encourages the Department of State, the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, and other U.S. government entities to engage with Syria to facilitate Tice's safe release.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Washington, D.C. Admission Act This bill provides for admission into the United States of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, composed of most of the territory of the District of Columbia. The state shall be admitted to the Union on an equal footing with the other states. The Mayor of the District of Columbia shall issue a proclamation for the first elections to Congress of two Senators and one Representative of the state. The bill applies current District of Columbia laws to the state and continues pending judicial proceedings. The state (1) shall consist of all District territory, with specified exclusions for federal buildings and monuments, including the principal federal monuments, the White House, the Capitol Building, the U.S. Supreme Court Building, and the federal executive, legislative, and judicial office buildings located adjacent to the Mall and the Capitol Building; and (2) may not impose taxes on federal property except as Congress permits. The bill maintains (1) the District as the seat of the federal government, and (2) the federal government's authority over military lands and specified other property. The bill provides for expedited consideration of a joint resolution repealing the 23rd Amendment to the Constitution, which provides for the appointment of electors of the President and Vice President.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Homeless Veteran Families Act This bill updates the Department of Veterans Affairs per diem payment calculation for entities furnishing services to homeless veterans to include funding for a minor dependent. The rate for per diem payments is the daily cost of care as estimated by the grant recipient or eligible entity. This bill would expand the per diem payment amount for a homeless veteran who has care of a minor dependent to the daily cost of care plus, for each minor dependent, an amount that equals 50% of such daily cost of care.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
North American Development Bank Improvement Act of 2019 This bill authorizes the Department of the Treasury to provide a capital increase for the North American Development Bank, a financial institution the United States and Mexico created to develop infrastructure that protect the environment along their shared border. Treasury may subscribe to and purchase 150,000 shares of the bank's capital stock, to the extent that funds are appropriated for such a purpose. Treasury shall support projects related to water pollution and conservation, waste treatment, natural gas and energy security, expanding land border crossings, and reducing pollution related to such traffic. It shall also support developing various performance measures at the bank and report to Congress about its progress imposing such measures.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act This bill establishes the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans. The commission shall examine slavery and discrimination in the colonies and the United States from 1619 to the present and recommend appropriate remedies. Among other requirements, the commission shall identify (1) the role of the federal and state governments in supporting the institution of slavery, (2) forms of discrimination in the public and private sectors against freed slaves and their descendants, and (3) lingering negative effects of slavery on living African-Americans and society.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
For the People Act of 2019 This bill addresses voter access, election integrity, election security, political spending, and ethics for the three branches of government. Specifically, the bill expands voter registration and voting access, makes Election Day a federal holiday, and limits removing voters from voter rolls. The bill provides for states to establish independent, nonpartisan redistricting commissions. The bill also sets forth provisions related to election security, including sharing intelligence information with state election officials, protecting the security of the voter rolls, supporting states in securing their election systems, developing a national strategy to protect the security and integrity of U.S. democratic institutions, establishing in the legislative branch the National Commission to Protect United States Democratic Institutions, and other provisions to improve the cybersecurity of election systems. This bill addresses campaign spending, including by expanding the ban on foreign nationals contributing to or spending on elections; expanding disclosure rules pertaining to organizations spending money during elections, campaign advertisements, and online platforms; and revising disclaimer requirements for political advertising. This bill establishes an alternative campaign funding system for certain federal offices. The system involves federal matching of small contributions for qualified candidates. This bill sets forth provisions related to ethics in all three branches of government. Specifically, the bill requires a code of ethics for federal judges and justices, prohibits Members of the House from serving on the board of a for-profit entity, expands enforcement of regulations governing foreign agents, and establishes additional conflict-of-interest and ethics provisions for federal employees and the White House. The bill also requires candidates for President and Vice President to submit 10 years of tax returns.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Social Security Fairness Act of 2019 This bill repeals provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for individuals who receive other benefits, such as a pension from a state or local government job. The bill eliminates the government pension offset , which in various instances reduces Social Security survivors' benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers who also receives government pensions of their own. The bill also eliminates the windfall elimination provision , which in some instances reduces Social Security benefits for individuals who also receive a pension or disability benefit from an employer that did not withhold Social Security taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2019 This bill allows a qualified individual to carry a concealed handgun into or possess a concealed handgun in another state that allows individuals to carry concealed firearms. A qualified individual must (1) be eligible to possess, transport, or receive a firearm under federal law; (2) carry a valid photo identification document; and (3) carry a valid concealed carry permit issued by any state or be eligible to carry a concealed firearm in his or her state of residence. Additionally, the bill specifies that a qualified individual who lawfully carries or possesses a concealed handgun in another state (1) is not subject to the federal prohibition on possessing a firearm in a school zone, and (2) may carry or possess the concealed handgun in federally owned lands that are open to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2018
Recognizes China's postponement of its directive to allow rhinoceros horn and tiger bone to be used for medical and scientific research, and encourages China to maintain its ban on such use of rhinoceros and tiger parts. Condemns: (1) the illegal killing, sale, or trade in the parts and product of rhinoceros and tigers from any source; and (2) the farming of rhinoceros and tigers to meet demand for their body parts. Expresses support for the protection of rhinoceros and tiger populations to prevent extinction.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2018
This bill establishes that certain activities on or below the waters within the U.S. exclusive economic zone that infringe a U.S. patent shall be considered an infringing act that occurs within the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2018
Protecting and Securing Chemical Facilities from Terrorist Attacks Act of 2018 This bill: (1) reauthorizes the Department of Homeland Security's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) Program, and (2) establishes a CFATS Recognition Program with the goal of leveraging CFATS regulations and industry stewardship programs to further enhance security relating to hazardous chemicals.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2018
Uncovering Foreign Influence in the United States Act of 2018 This bill establishes additional disclosure requirements for certain tax-exempt organizations that receive foreign source contributions. The bill also imposes an excise tax on a U.S. person who fails to disclose a political contribution that is made on behalf of or funded by a person other than a U.S. person or bona fide resident of a U.S. possession.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2018
Recognizes: (1) the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month; and (2) the integral role of Latinos and their manifold heritage in the economy, culture, and identity of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2018
Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act This bill amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to make permanent the authorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The bill eliminates the requirement that the funds which are deposited into the LWCF remain in there until appropriated by Congress to carry out the purposes of the LWCF. Funds deposited into the LWCF may be spent without being subject to the appropriations process. These funds are in addition to amounts made available by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 or otherwise appropriated from the LWCF. The President shall submit to Congress detailed account, program, and project allocations as part of the President's annual budget submission. At least 1.5% of the annual authorized funds shall be used for projects that secure recreational public access to existing federal public land for hunting, fishing, and other recreational purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2018
Protecting Our Communities and Rights Act of 2018 This bill authorizes state grants to implement laws that permit courts to issue extreme risk protection orders. An extreme risk protection order is a state court order that prohibits an individual from purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm. Additionally, the bill expands the categories of persons who are prohibited from receiving or possessing a firearm or ammunition. Specifically, it adds a new category of prohibited persons—persons who are subject to a court order that restrains them from possessing a firearm.
United States · United States Congress · 31 August 2018
Trademark Licensing Protection Act of 2018 This bill states that licensing a trademark to a related company does not create an employment relationship between the trademark owner and the company taking the license.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 2018
Threat Assessment, Prevention, and Safety Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish within itself a Joint Threat Assessment and Management Task Force, which shall provide recommendations to Congress and DHS on the development and implementation of a national strategy for preventing targeted violence through threat assessment and management. The task force shall make recommendations relating to the most effective use of existing government infrastructure, workforce, and experience, unit support, training, and school violence prevention. The bill defines "threat assessment and management" as the systematic and evidence-based process of: (1) identifying individuals whose behavior indicates a capacity for committing acts of violence; (2) investigating and gathering information to assess whether such individuals pose a real threat; and (3) the subsequent management of such a threat. DHS shall develop and implement the national strategy and provide information and training services related to it. The bill directs DHS to award grants to governmental and educational entities and nongovernmental organizations to establish community based units for implementing the national strategy.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Timely Review of Infrastructure Act This bill amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to authorize the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to address insufficient compensation of its personnel. FERC must consult with the Office of Personnel Management when making a determination of the appropriate compensation for its personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Homeless Veterans Community Care Act of 2018 This bill requires the outreach program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for homeless veterans and veterans who are at risk of homelessness to include collaboration with federally qualified health centers and primary care associations. The bill also extends certain housing assistance for homeless veterans through FY2020, requires the submission of new reports on outreach activities with respect to homeless veterans, and provides for 2,500 vouchers each for FY2019-FY2020 for certain homeless veterans under a housing program supported by the VA.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2018
Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act This bill establishes the National Park Service and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund and requires 50% of all energy development revenues for FY2019-FY2023 to be deposited into such fund. Amounts deposited in the fund must not exceed $1.3 billion for any fiscal year and must be used for meeting high-priority deferred maintenance needs of the National Park Service.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2018
Authorizes specified committees of the House of Representatives to intervene on behalf of the House in the case of Texas v. United States in order to defend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Authorizes the Office of General Counsel of the House, under the supervision of such committees, to represent them in the intervention.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2018
AG and Legal Workforce Act This bill establishes a new H-2C nonimmigrant visa for aliens coming temporarily to the United States to perform agricultural labor or services. In addition, the bill (1) directs the Department of Homeland Security to create an electronic employment-eligibility confirmation system modeled after the E-Verify system, and (2) mandates the use of such a system by employers.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2018
Accurate Labels Act This bill restricts the authority of state and federal agencies to establish or enforce labeling requirements with respect to the chemical composition of, or radiation emitted by, consumer products. Specifically, such requirements (1) must exempt nonfunctional or naturally occurring substances; (2) must exempt the inclusion of trade secrets; (3) may not preclude the delivery of certain supplemental or clarifying information; (4) shall not apply to a substance if the concentration of the substance in the product is below a specified level; (5) shall not apply, with respect to the emission of radiation, if the level of emission is below a specified level; (6) must allow for certain information to be communicated to consumers electronically or digitally; and (7) must be risk-based and meet other specified standards.
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 · 15 May 2018
Opioid Workforce Act of 2018 This bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2018
Charitable Giving Tax Deduction Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction from gross income (above-the-line deduction) for charitable contributions that are allowed as an itemized deduction under current law.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2018
Securing Our Schools Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to develop a strategy for securing elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education from homeland security threats.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2018
Rural Emergency Medical Center Act of 2018 or the REMC Act of 2018 This bill establishes several requirements under Medicare regarding certified rural emergency medical centers, including payment, certification, and participation requirements.
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 · 11 April 2018
Permitting Litigation Efficiency Act of 2018 This bill modifies conditions and requirements for judicial review of a federal agency's decision with respect to permits for certain construction projects.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018
Securing Our Children Act of 2018 This bill establishes the Presidential Commission on Securing Our Nation's Children. The commission must review and develop recommendations regarding the safety and security of children in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018
Military Installation Non-Adult Offender Reform Act or the MINOR Act This bill directs the Department of Defense to enter into memoranda of understanding with state and local jurisdictions to allow a minor who commits a criminal offense on a federal military installation to be referred to the state or local prosecutor for adjudication.
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
Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy Act or the DRIVE-Safe Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation to issue regulations relating to an apprenticeship program for licensed commercial motor vehicle drivers under the age of 21.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
Agricultural Certainty for Reporting Emissions Act This bill amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to exempt air emissions from animal waste at a farm from specified release notification requirements, recordkeeping requirements, and associated penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
This bill designates: (1) the federal building and U.S. courthouse located at 1300 Victoria Street in Laredo, Texas, as the "George P. Kazen Federal Building and United States Courthouse," and (2) the jury room located in that courthouse as the "Marcel C. Notzon II Jury Room."
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2018
Giving Retirement Options to Workers Act of 2018 or the GROW Act This bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to authorize a new composite multiemployer pension plan, which combines features of defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans. Under a composite plan, employer contributions are set at a fixed rate. Benefits are based on a formula, are paid to participants in the form of life annuities (except for benefits that may be immediately distributed from certain plans with a low value), and may be reduced based on the plan's funded status. The plan sponsor must take corrective actions through a realignment program whenever the plan's projected funded ratio is below 120% for the plan year. The realignment program may include measures such as benefit reductions or proposed contribution increases. A composite plan is not covered by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) or required to pay PBGC premiums. The plan sponsors are also not subject to liability for withdrawing from the plan.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2018
Defending Economic Livelihoods and Threatened Animals Act or the DELTA Act This bill directs the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development to work with Angola, Botswana, and Namibia, and in partnership with donors, the private sector, and local, regional, and nongovernmental entities, to develop a strategy to: (1) promote sustainable natural resource and wildlife management practices in the greater Okavango River Basin, (2) protect migration routes of elephants and other threatened wildlife species, (3) combat wildlife poaching and trafficking, (4) address local health needs, and (5) catalyze economic growth.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2018
Uniting and Securing America Act of 2018 or the USA Act of 2018 This bill provides conditional permanent resident status for an alien meeting specified requirements, including having entered the United States when younger than 18 years old and residing in the United States since December 31, 2013. An individual may apply to have such conditional basis removed after meeting specified eligibility requirements. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall cancel the removal of, and adjust to the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence on a conditional basis, an individual who was granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, unless such individual has engaged in disqualifying conduct. The bill repeals provisions that deny an unlawful alien eligibility for higher education benefits on the basis of residence within a state unless a U.S. citizen or national is eligible for such benefits without regard to whether such citizen or national is such a resident. DHS shall: (1) deploy the most practical and effective technology available in order to achieve situational awareness and operational control along the U.S. border; (2) submit to Congress a comprehensive southern border strategy to achieve border control; and (3) begin eradicating the carrizo cane plant and salt cedar along the Rio Grande River. DHS may construct new ports of entry along the northern and southern borders. The bill establishes Operation Stonegarden in DHS to provide border security grants to law enforcement agencies in border or maritime border states that are involved in U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations DHS shall establish a two-year grant program to improve emergency communications in the southern border region for individuals who are at risk of violence and lack cellular and LTE network service. The number of immigration judges is increased. The President shall designate a senior official to coordinate federal and international efforts to strengthen citizen security, the rule of law, and economic prosperity in Central America.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 2017
Medicare IVIG Access Enhancement Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to establish a three-year demonstration project to evaluate the benefits of providing Medicare coverage and payment for items and services needed for the in-home administration of intravenous immune globulin to treat chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy or multifocal motor neuropathy. Beneficiary participation shall be voluntary.
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 · 21 December 2017
This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Don and Deyon Stephens, founders of Mercy Ships.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2017
Recovering America's Wildlife Act This bill amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to direct the Department of the Treasury to transfer, beginning in FY2018, revenues from energy and mineral development on federal lands totaling $1.3 billion to the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Subaccount of the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Fund, to be available without further appropriation. The bill revises the requirements governing how the funds from the subaccount may be used, including by requiring funds to be used to develop, revise, and implement state wildlife conservation strategies. The bill expands the allowable uses of the subaccount, including by allowing funds to be used for managing invasive and nuisance species and for law enforcement activities that are directly related to the conservation of species of the greatest conservation need. Funds apportioned from the subaccount may not be conditioned upon the provision of public access to private lands, waters, or holdings. The bill specifies what types of funds and donations states may use to meet matching fund requirements. The bill revises the formula used to determine how funds are distributed to states.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2017
Ensuring Small Scale LNG Certainty and Access Act This bill amends the Natural Gas Act to state that an application under the Natural Gas Act for the importation or exportation of natural gas that does not exceed 0.14 billion cubic feet per day shall be granted without modification or delay.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2017
Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act This bill amends the Natural Gas Act to grant the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the exclusive authority to approve or deny an application for the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of a facility to export natural gas from the United States to a foreign country or import natural gas from a foreign country, including a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal. The bill states that nothing in the Natural Gas Act limits the authority of the President under any provision of law that imposes sanctions on a foreign person or government, including a foreign government that is designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, to prohibit imports or exports.
![Official portrait of Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/116_rp_tx_28_cuellar_henry_200.jpg)