United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2020
Federal Frontline Worker Leave Protection Act This bill restores annual leave that is lost by federal employees who respond to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. The bill applies retroactively.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2020
Local Chamber, Tourism, and 501(c)(6) Protection Act of 2020 This bill modifies the Paycheck Protection Program implemented by the Small Business Administration in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) to include certain entities and exclude certain individuals. Specifically, the bill expands the program to encompass organizations with 300 or fewer employees that (1) operate under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code (other than a professional football league), or (2) are a destination marketing organization engaged in promoting communities and facilities to businesses and leisure travelers. The bill also narrows the definition of payroll costs under the program to exclude any compensation of an employee who is a registered lobbyist from the calculation for loan amounts or for allowable uses of funds provided under the program.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2020
FEMA Empowering Essential Deliveries Act or the FEED Act This bill authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve state, local, and Indian tribal government plans to partner with small and mid-size restaurants and nonprofit organizations to provide nutritious meals to individuals in need. Specifically, during the period following the President's emergency declaration of March 13, 2020, and under any subsequent major disaster declaration that supersedes it, FEMA may approve plans from state, local, and Indian tribal governments that (1) establish contracts with small and mid-sized restaurants and nonprofits, including faith-based organizations and soup kitchens, to prepare healthy meals for people in need; and (2) provide for partnerships with nonprofit organizations to purchase directly from food producers and farmers. FEMA shall waive federal matching requirements under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act during such period.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2020
Health Care Workforce Protection Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to extend the authorized stay period for certain alien health care workers to until at least 60 days after the end of the declared emergency period stemming from the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak. This extension shall apply to an alien (1) who was admitted into the United States as a health care worker on an H-1B nonimmigrant visa (specialty professions); (2) who served as a health care worker in the United States during the emergency period; and (3) whose employment was terminated during the emergency period, unless the termination was for cause.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2020
COVID - 19 Hate Crimes Act This bill requires a designated officer or employee of the Department of Justice to facilitate the expedited review of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) hate crimes and reports of COVID-19 hate crimes. It defines COVID-19 hate crime as a violent crime that is motivated by two things: (1) the actual or perceived characteristic (e.g., race) of any person, and (2) the actual or perceived relationship to the spread of COVID-19 of any person because of that characteristic. The designated officer or employee must periodically report on the status of each case reviewed.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2020
SNAP COVID-19 Anti-Hunger Restaurant Relief for You Act of 2020 This bill modifies the Restaurant Meals Program under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to make additional individuals and food retailers eligible to use and participate in the program during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2020
Health Care Opportunities for Transportation Security Administration Employees Act This bill allows employees of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to enroll or change their enrollment in a health insurance plan during a national emergency, such as the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, and during the 30-day period following the end of the emergency. The bill also increases the biweekly government contribution towards health insurance plans for part-time TSA employees to match that contributed for full-time employees.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2020
This resolution recognizes the significance of the 45th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. The resolution honors the contributions of Vietnamese Americans and honors the service of members of the U.S. Armed Forces and the South Vietnamese forces who fought in Vietnam, including those who gave their lives.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2020
Domestic Violence Public Health Emergency Guidance Act This bill requires the Department of Justice to issue guidance to law enforcement agencies on best practices for addressing domestic violence and protecting the safety of law enforcement officers during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2020
Supporting State and Local Leaders Act This bill repeals the prohibition against granting federal, state, and local governments a tax credit for paid sick and paid family and medical leave.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2020
Western Water Storage Infrastructure Act This bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to provide grants to support qualifying water storage projects in western states. For such grants, Interior may enter into agreements for the design, study, construction, upgrade, or capital repair of qualifying federal and nonfederal water storage projects.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2020
This resolution expresses strong support for the goals and theme of 2020 National Crime Victims' Rights Week— Seek Justice, Ensure Victims' Rights, Inspire Hope .
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020
Emergency Ensuring Access to SNAP (EATS) Act of 2020 This bill temporarily suspends eligibility requirements for certain students under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) during a public health emergency declaration due to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), allowing students enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education who would have lost eligibility due to such requirements to continue to receive SNAP benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020
Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020 This bill establishes and provides funding for the Emergency Connectivity Fund, from which the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must provide support for certain schools or libraries to purchase specified telecommunications equipment during the public health emergency declared because of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the FCC shall provide funds to certain elementary schools, secondary schools, or libraries to purchase telecommunications equipment or services (e.g., Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, and routers) for use by students, staff, or patrons at locations that include locations other than the schools or libraries. Priority must be given to students, staff, or patrons who do not have access to such equipment or services. Following the emergency period, funding recipients are authorized to use purchased equipment for appropriate purposes but may not sell or transfer such equipment for anything of value, except for upgraded equipment of the same type.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020
Public Accountability on Nominations Offered that Result in Admissions to Military Academies Act of 2020 or the PANORAMA Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to create a uniform online portal for congressional nominations to military service academies. DOD must (1) establish standard classifications that cadets, midshipmen, and academy applicants may use to self-identify gender, race, ethnicity, and other demographic information; and (2) annually report such demographics.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020
Equal Access to COVID-19 Relief Act This bill expands access to specified assistance related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) by providing that the receipt of legal gaming revenue shall not disqualify a person from receiving certain benefits. Under current law, businesses that derive more than one-third of their gross annual revenue from legal gaming activities are ineligible for Small Business Administration loans.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020
This resolution recognizes the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and addresses environmental challenges. It urges (1) the President to issue a proclamation recognizing the anniversary; and (2) governments and people to continue building upon the Paris Agreement and other efforts to ensure that future generations inherit a livable, sustainable, and ecologically rich planet. The resolution reaffirms that immediate action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to protect our planet, public health, and overall well-being of all people and wildlife. In addition, it encourages the American people to mark Earth Day by working to address environmental challenges, educate others about the need for year-round action, and honor the stewardship ethic for which Senator Gaylord Nelson stood.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020
Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Act of 2020 This bill establishes a student loan repayment program for public health professionals. As a condition of participation, recipients must agree to complete a period of full-time employment with a state, tribal, or local public health agency.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2020
Healthcare Broadband Expansion During COVID-19 Act This bill temporarily expands the Rural Health Care Program of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). It also establishes and provides funding for the Emergency Rural Health Care Connectivity Fund through FY2022 to carry out the Rural Health Care Program. Currently, the FCC subsidizes 65% of the cost of broadband for eligible public and nonprofit rural health care facilities through the Rural Health Care Program. This bill expands the program to encompass health care providers not located in rural areas, including mobile and temporary facilities, and it increases the subsidy rate to 85%. The bill also requires the FCC to (1) promulgate regulations to expedite the receipt of funds under the program, and (2) release funding for all requests within a designated time frame.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2020
Coronavirus Community Relief Act This bill provides $250 billion for certain localities affected by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Specifically, the bill provides funding for FY2020 for units of local government with a population of 500,000 or less. Payment shall be made within 30 days after submission of a specified certification by the locality. The amount of the payment is proportional to population. Local governments shall use the funds provided to cover only those costs that (1) are necessary and related to the public health emergency caused by COVID-19, and (2) were incurred during the period of March 1-December 30, 2020. The Office of Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury shall conduct monitoring and oversight of the receipt, disbursement, and use of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2020
Coronavirus Immigrant Families Protection Act This bill addresses immigration issues related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and otherwise makes changes to certain COVID-19 response activities, benefits, and programs. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) must temporarily limit in-person immigration proceedings, and, during the COVID-19 emergency, DHS, DOJ, and the Department of State shall not take certain adverse immigration actions. In addition, an individual's use of certain assistance related to COVID-19 may not be considered in current or future immigration determinations concerning that individual. The bill includes pandemics within the scope of specified disaster and emergency laws and modifies nutrition and other benefits during such emergencies. For example, states may receive Medicaid payments for COVID-19 testing, vaccines, and treatment for certain unlawful aliens, and individuals who use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number may receive cash assistance related to the COVID-19 response. In addition, individuals may not be excluded from participating in COVID-19 response programs due to actual or perceived immigration status. To ensure the availability of information related to COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must (1) establish programs for eligible community-based organizations to develop preparedness materials that are culturally and linguistically appropriate, and (2) translate materials and operate telephone hotlines in specified languages. Agencies that receive funding under a law enacted in response to COVID-19 must also provide information about programs and opportunities in such languages.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2020
Protect Our Post Offices Act This bill appropriates $25 billion to the U.S. Postal Service, to remain available through FY2022 for revenue forgone due to the coronavirus pandemic. The appropriations are designated as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2020
All Dependent Children Count Act This bill extends the 2020 recovery rebates of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to all taxpayer dependents.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2020
This resolution recognizes the contributions of frontline workers and essential critical-infrastructure personnel and reaffirms the responsibility of Congress to meet the needs of such workers with respect to personal protective equipment and necessary tools to safely carry out their jobs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2020
This bill allows taxpayers to claim a tax deduction for charitable contributions even if they do not otherwise itemize their deductions. The bill also directs the Department of the Treasury to make or guarantee loans to tax-exempt charitable organizations. The aggregate amount of such loans may not exceed $60 billion. Treasury must give priority in making such loans to organizations that are providing direct assistance to the COVID-19 (i.e., the coronavirus disease 2019) response effort.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2020
This resolution calls on all public officials to condemn and denounce anti-Asian sentiment, racism, discrimination, and religious intolerance related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and calls on federal law enforcement officials, working with state and local officials, to take specified steps. It calls on federal officials to expeditiously investigate and document all credible reports of hate crimes and incidents and threats against the Asian-American community and prosecute perpetrators. The resolution recommits U.S. leadership to (1) prioritize language access and inclusivity in communication practices, and (2) combat misinformation and discrimination that put Asian Americans at risk.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2020
Medical Supply Chain Emergency Act of 2020 This bill directs the President to use existing authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 with respect to the production of ventilators, N-95 respirator masks, and specified personal protective equipment to address COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). (That act confers upon the President a broad set of authorities to influence domestic industry in order to provide essential materials and goods needed for the national defense.) The President must (1) make a determination that such items are essential for the national defense, (2) identify private-sector capacity to produce these items, and (3) exercise authorities under the act to require emergency production of them at a reasonable price. In addition, the President shall coordinate the allocation of these items based on requests from governors and the needs of the states as determined by the number of COVID-19 cases and the proportion of the population at higher risk of the disease in a given state. The bill makes specified funds available for these efforts. Equipment produced under these authorities but unused at the termination of the COVID-19 emergency declared on March 13, 2020, shall be deposited into the Strategic National Stockpile.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Securing America From Epidemics Act This bill authorizes the United States to participate in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), an alliance of countries and private partners whose mission is to finance and coordinate the development of vaccines for high-priority, epidemic-potential threats. The President must submit a report outlining (1) planned U.S. contributions to, and participation in, CEPI; (2) the manner and extent to which the United States shall participate in the governance of CEPI; and (3) how participation in CEPI supports U.S. government strategies and programs in health security and biodefense.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
This bill establishes the congressional COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) Aid Oversight Panel to report on the use and impact of COVID-19 aid on financial markets and institutions. The bill also authorizes the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program to audit and investigate COVID-19 aid programs.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic Notarization Act of 2020 This bill allows a notary public commissioned under state law to remotely notarize electronic records and requires recognition of notarizations performed under the laws of other states. Under the bill, a notary public may remotely notarize electronic records occurring in or affecting interstate commerce if (1) the individual and the notary public are able to electronically communicate by sight and sound simultaneously (i.e., by video chat); (2) the notary verifies the individual's identity and records the notarization; and (3) the notarization complies with other requirements, such as those relating to the attachment of a stamp or seal to the electronic record. Additionally, the bill allows a notary public to remotely notarize electronic records involving an individual located outside of the United States, subject to certain requirements. The bill also requires U.S. courts and states to recognize notarizations, including remote notarizations of electronic records, that occur in or affect interstate commerce and are performed by a notary public commissioned under the laws of other states.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2020
Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act This bill imposes various restrictions related to China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region, including by prohibiting certain imports from Xinjiang and imposing sanctions on those responsible for human rights violations there. Goods manufactured or produced in Xinjiang shall not be entitled to entry into the United States unless Customs and Border Protection (1) determines that the goods were not manufactured by convict labor, forced labor, or indentured labor under penal sanctions; and (2) reports such a determination to Congress and to the public. The President shall periodically report to Congress a list of foreign entities and individuals knowingly facilitating (1) the forced labor of Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and members of other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang; and (2) efforts to contravene U.S. laws regarding the importation of forced labor goods from Xinjiang. The President shall impose property-blocking sanctions on the listed individuals and entities and impose visa-blocking sanctions on the listed individuals. Securities issuers required to file annual or quarterly reports with the Securities Exchange Commission shall disclose in such reports certain information related to Xinjiang, including instances where the issuer knowingly (1) engaged in activities with an entity helping to create mass surveillance systems in Xinjiang, (2) engaged in activities with an entity running or building detention facilities for Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang, or (3) acquired a significant amount of textiles produced in Xinjiang. After being notified of such a disclosure, the President shall determine whether to investigate if sanctions or criminal charges are warranted.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2020
CFTC Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and generally revises provisions related to the CFTC. Among other things, the bill exempts certain companies from the mandatory swaps clearing requirements if they have less than $10 million in assets, provides for the regulation of digital commodities, exempts certain charitable organizations from commodity trading advisor and commodity pool operator registration requirements, provides that the CFTC's authority to enforce prohibitions regarding fraud and other disruptive trading practices applies to foreign activities, eliminates the double-sided confirmation requirement for swap data repositories, and expands whistleblower protections.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2020
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that it is the policy of the United States to (1) ensure and promote the meaningful and effective participation of women in all aspects of overseas conflict prevention, management, and resolution; and (2) work toward preventing the use of gender-based violence in armed conflict and ensuring accountability for victims and survivors of such violence. It is further the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should (1) adopt a feminist foreign policy that places the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls at its center; and (2) respect, protect, and fulfill the rights of women and girls.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2020
Menstrual Equity in the Peace Corps Act This bill requires the Peace Corps to ensure access to menstrual hygiene products for its volunteers who require them, either by increasing stipends for such products or providing such products to its volunteers.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2020
Securing All Livestock Equitably Act of 2020 or the SALE Act of 2020 This bill requires all livestock purchased by a dealer in cash sales and all inventories of, or receivables or proceeds from, such livestock to be held by the dealer in a trust until all unpaid cash sellers of the livestock have been paid. The bill exempts from the requirement any dealer whose average annual purchases of livestock do not exceed $100,000. The bill also specifies requirements regarding enforcement, preserving a trust, notifying lien holders, and purchasing or transferring livestock that is subject to a trust.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2020
This resolution condemns transnational white supremacist extremism, supports law enforcement and intelligence agencies in their efforts to stop white supremacist acts of terror, and urges the Department of State to add violent foreign white supremacist groups to the foreign terrorist organization list.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2020
This resolution (1) supports the designation of National Blueberry Month; and (2) recognizes the contributions of American growers and their families, and that purchasing American grown blueberries supports farmers, jobs, and the economy.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2020
This resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Women's History Month and recognizes the women and organizations that continue to promote the teaching of women's history.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2020
This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the social, economic, and historic contributions that Minor League Baseball has made to American life and culture.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2020
Hmong and Lao Refugee Deportation Prohibition Act of 2020 This bill defers the removal of qualified individuals to Laos for 72 months beginning from this bill's enactment. To qualify for deferral, an individual must (1) be born in Laos or the French colonial administration that preceded the present-day country of Laos, (2) have been ordered removed to Laos before this bill's enactment, and (3) have resided in the United States on or before January 1, 2011. An individual receiving deferral under this bill shall be authorized for employment.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020
Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area Act This bill establishes the Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area in Alabama, consisting of land in Bibb, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, Washington, and Wilcox Counties. The Center for the Study of the Black Belt at the University of West Alabama shall prepare and submit a management plan for the heritage area.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020
Original Black History Month Resolution of 2020 This resolution recognizes the importance of commemorating Black History Month to acknowledge the achievements of African Americans throughout history.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2020
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4150 Chicago Avenue in Riverside, California, as the "Woodie Rucker-Hughes Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2020
Monarch Action, Recovery, and Conservation of Habitat Act of 2020 or the MONARCH Act of 2020 This bill provides support for the conservation of western monarch butterflies (the monarch butterfly population that overwinters along the coast of California and breeds across California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah). Specifically, the bill establishes the Western Monarch Butterfly Rescue Fund. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must use amounts in the fund to provide grants for the conservation of such butterflies. In addition, USDA must transfer amounts from the fund to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to implement the Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Plan, which was prepared by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2020
This resolution condemns Stephen Miller for his political rhetoric and policies that are inconsistent with the trust and confidence placed in him as a Senior Advisor to the President. The resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Miller should immediately resign, and if he does not resign, the President should remove him from office.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2020
Leave No Americans Behind Act of 2020 This bill eliminates the loan repatriation program, which requires persons who need to be evacuated from foreign countries during situations such as war or natural disasters to reimburse the U.S. government for certain evacuation costs.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020
Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the legacy of Harriet Tubman as an abolitionist. The Secretary may issue coins under this bill only during the period of January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022. All surcharges received by Treasury from the sale of such coins must be paid to Project Legacy in Brooklyn, New York, for the purpose of accomplishing and advancing its mission.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2020
No Public Charge Deportation Act of 2019 This bill repeals the provision generally providing for the deportability of an alien who becomes a public charge (an alien who has received certain public benefits for a certain amount of time) within five years of entering the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2020
High Speed Rail Corridor Development Act of 2020 This bill revises and reauthorizes through FY2024 the high-speed rail corridor development competitive grant program of the Department of Transportation (DOT). In awarding grants, the bill requires DOT to prioritize (1) projects that involve the purchase of electrified next generation passenger rail equipment, and (2) applications for projects that provide for a greater non-federal share of the cost of such projects. DOT must also for each fiscal year set aside 50% of funds for projects with a federal share that does not exceed 50% of the project net capital cost.