United States · United States Congress · 23 August 2019
Jane's Law This bill makes it a crime to knowingly travel in interstate or foreign commerce with the intent to evade compliance with a court ordered property distribution as part of a separation or divorce settlement. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to two years, or both—and mandatory restitution in the amount of total unpaid property distribution.
United States · United States Congress · 23 August 2019
Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) Veterans Service Recognition Expansion Act of 2019 This bill expands eligibility for internment in national cemeteries to include certain individuals who the Department of Veterans Affairs determines served honorably with a special guerilla unit or irregular forces in Laos in support of the U.S. Armed Forces between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975. Such individuals are eligible if, at the time of their death, they resided in the United States and were a U.S. citizen or alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 2019
No Federal Funding for Confederate Symbols Act This bill prohibits federal funds from being used for the creation, maintenance, or display of any Confederate symbol on federal public land or other federal property. An exception to such prohibition is provided (1) if the use of such funds is necessary to allow for the removal of the Confederate symbol to address public safety; or (2) in the case of a Confederate symbol created, maintained, or displayed in a museum or educational exhibit. The Department of Defense shall redesignate the following military installations with such designation as it determines appropriate: Fort Rucker, Alabama, Fort Benning, Georgia, Fort Gordon, Georgia, Camp Beauregard, Louisiana, Fort Polk, Louisiana, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Fort Hood, Texas, Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, Fort Lee, Virginia, and Fort Pickett, Virginia.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2019
This resolution recognizes the contributions and sacrifices made by Sikh Americans and expresses respect for all Sikhs who practice their faith. The resolution also recognizes the historical, cultural, and religious significance of Guru Nanak's 550th birthday. Additionally, the resolution recognizes the discrimination Sikh Americans have faced.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act This bill establishes a Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture. The commission must (1) report recommendations for a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture in the District of Columbia; (2) develop a fundraising plan to support the establishment, operation, and maintenance of the museum through public contributions; (3) obtain an independent review of this fundraising plan, including an analysis of the resources necessary to fund the construction of the museum and its operations and maintenance in perpetuity without reliance on federal funds; and (4) submit a legislative plan of action to establish and construct the museum. The commission may convene a national conference relating to the museum.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
Negro Leagues Baseball Centennial 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 in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Negro National League, a professional baseball league that was formed in response to African-American players being banned from baseball's major leagues. The design of the coins shall be emblematic of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and its mission to promote tolerance, diversity, and inclusion. All surcharges from sales of these coins shall be paid to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to fund educational and outreach programs and exhibits.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue Enhancement Act This bill establishes a delegation of up to 24 Members of Congress to periodically meet with European Parliament representatives to discuss issues of interest to the United States and the European Union.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 programs that raise public awareness about breast health, educate health care providers to encourage early detection of breast cancer, and provide support for young women diagnosed with breast cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
Climate Action Rebate Act of 2019 This bill imposes a carbon fee on the use, sale, or transfer of certain fossil fuels and fluorinated gases that emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The fee is imposed on producers and importers of such fuels and is deposited into a Climate Action Rebate Fund established by this bill. The bill establishes an gradual emissions reduction schedule for such fuels between 2020 and 2050 (100% reduction). The bill requires payment of an equalization fee by fossil fuels and carbon-intensive imported goods at the border and provides for refunds of comparable exports. The bill rebates up to 70% of net revenues from the fund to low-income individuals as a monthly dividend. Remaining revenues must be used for investment in infrastructure, energy innovation, and assistance for workers and communities to transition to a cleaner energy economy. All carbon fee revenue must be spent in accordance with Buy American requirements and the Davis-Bacon Act (requires payment of local prevailing wage on public works projects for laborers and mechanics),
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
Clean Energy Victory Bond Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to issue Clean Energy Victory Bonds for investment in clean energy projects at the federal, state, and local level.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
Clean School Bus Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish the Clean School Bus Grant Program in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Under the program, DOE must award grants for the replacement of existing school buses with electric buses.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
Trauma-Informed Modernization of Eldercare for Holocaust Survivors Act or the TIME for Holocaust Survivors Act This bill includes matters concerning Holocaust survivors in federal grants and programs that serve older adults. Specifically, the bill includes an individual's status as a Holocaust survivor within the scope of the greatest social needs for purposes of such programs. Under current law, these programs must target populations with the greatest economic and social needs. Additionally, among other activities, the Administration on Aging must establish a national center to provide resources, training, and technical assistance related to delivering services to older individuals who experience the long-term and adverse consequences of trauma. In addition, the administration may designate within it a person responsible for implementing and coordinating services for individuals who are Holocaust survivors.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
Everyday Philanthropist Act This bill allows employers to offer certain employees a tax-advantaged flexible giving account as a fringe benefit. Flexible giving accounts allow employees to set aside up to $2,700 of their annual pretax earnings to make tax-deductible charitable contributions without having to itemize tax deductions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
This resolution recognizes the 71st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and urges the U.S. government, as well as U.N. member states, to promote human rights globally.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2019
This resolution commends the Global Fund to Fight AIDS and its partners for their contributions to ending the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The resolution also affirms previous U.S. commitments to provide 33% of the fund's budget, including for the Sixth Global Fund Replenishment, as demonstrated by legislation passed by the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019
Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act This bill establishes limitations on separating alien children from parents and on detaining families, and also addresses other immigration-related matters. A child may be separated from a parent or legal guardian at or near a port of entry or U.S. border only if (1) a state court has made a relevant ruling, such as terminating the parent's rights; (2) a qualified child welfare agency official has ruled that separation is in the child's best interest; or (3) a specified official makes certain determinations, such as concluding that a child is a trafficking victim. A child may not be separated from a parent or guardian solely to deter migration or promote compliance with immigration laws. This bill establishes presumptions (1) in favor of family unity and keeping siblings together, and (2) against detention. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall (1) document all child separations, (2) develop training for officers handling separations, (3) publish guidance on how to locate a separated child, (4) periodically provide a parent or guardian information about a separated child, and (5) pay for counsel to represent unaccompanied alien children in removal proceedings. The Flores settlement (an agreement imposing conditions on the treatment of detained alien minors) and a related court holding shall apply to the detention of families. The bill also contains provisions relating to the detention of aliens, including (1) requiring medical assessments of detained children, (2) imposing health-related standards for detention facilities, and (3) requiring DHS to provide sufficient funds for alternatives to detention programs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019
Taxpayers Right-To-Know Act This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget to expand the information it publishes in its inventory of agency programs. The inventory must include information such as links to program performance reviews and details regarding financial assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019
Preventing Lead Poisoning Act of 2019 This bill requires coverage under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) of lead blood level assessments. Specifically, CHIP must cover a child's assessment once at the age of 12 months and once at the age of 24 months, or once between the ages of 24 months and 72 months if the child has never been assessed. The bill also provides statutory authority for these requirements (regarding testing intervals) for state Medicaid programs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 401 Main Street in Brawley, California, as the "Helen Fabela Chavez Memorial Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2019
Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act of 2019 This bill sets forth provisions regarding development of geothermal, solar, or wind energy on public lands. The bill directs the Department of the Interior to establish priority areas on covered land (i.e., public land administered by Interior and not excluded under law from the development of geothermal, solar, or wind energy) for geothermal, solar, or wind energy projects. Other areas shall also be considered for the development of renewable energy projects under this bill, consistent with the principles of multiple use. Interior shall establish a program to improve federal permit coordination with respect to renewable energy projects carried out on covered land. Interior and the Department of Agriculture shall seek to issue permits that in total authorize the production of at least 25 gigawatts of electricity from geothermal, solar, or wind energy projects by the end of 2025. The bill provides for the disposition of revenues from the development of wind or solar energy on covered land. The bill establishes the Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund to make funds available to federal, state, and tribal agencies for distribution in regions in which renewable energy projects are located on federal land for (1) restoring and protecting fish and wildlife habitat and corridors for affected species and water resources in areas affected by geothermal, solar, or wind energy development; and (2) preserving and improving recreational access to federal land and water in an affected region.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2019
This resolution states that immigrants and their descendants have made America stronger and naturalized citizens are just as American as those whose families have been in the United States for generations. It also expresses a commitment to keep America open to those who lawfully seek refuge from violence and oppression and those willing to work hard to achieve the American Dream, regardless of race, ethnicity, faith, or country of origin. The resolution strongly condemns as racist the President’s comments about immigrants and those who look to the President like immigrants and states that these have legitimized hatred of new Americans and people of color, including his reference to immigrants and asylum seekers as “invaders.”
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2019
Successful Entrepreneurship for Reservists and Veterans Act or the SERV Act This bill requires (1) the Small Business Administration to report on the veterans interagency task force; and (2) the Government Accountability Office to report on access to credit for small businesses owned and controlled by veterans, Reservists, or their spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2019
This resolution expresses support for the full consolidation of democracy in Ukraine and calls on the Ukrainian Central Election Commission, as well as social media platforms, to ensure that elections meet international democratic standards.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2019
Fair and Open Skies Act This bill prohibits the Department of Transportation (DOT) from issuing a foreign air carrier permit or an exemption from certain air carrier certificate requirements under the United States-European Union Air Transport Agreement of April 2007, unless DOT finds that issuing the permit or exemption would be consistent with Article 17 bis of the agreement, which provides that opportunities created by the agreement do not undermine labor standards or the labor-related rights and principles contained in the laws of the respective parties to the agreement; and imposes conditions on the permit or exemption necessary to ensure compliance with Article 17 bis . The bill modifies policy considerations relating to air carrier certificates to require DOT to consider preventing entry into U.S. markets by flag of convenience carriers (i.e., foreign air carriers established in a country other the home country of their majority owner in order to avoid regulations of the home country) and preventing the undermining of labor standards. In carrying out such air carrier certificate requirements, DOT must consider preventing entry of flag of convenience carriers into U.S. markets as being in the public interest and consistent with public convenience and necessity for safety in air transportation and air commerce. In formulating U.S. international air transportation policy relating to the elimination of discrimination and unfair competition, the Department of State and DOT must include in their considerations the undermining of labor standards.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2019
Accountability for Migrant Deaths Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Health and Human Services to report to Congress within 24 hours of a death of a foreign national while in the respective department's custody. The House of Representatives shall hold a hearing within a week of receiving such a report. Executive privilege may not be asserted with respect to testimony before Congress about such a death.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
Greg LeMond Congressional Gold Medal Act 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 Greg LeMond, in recognition of his contributions to the nation as an athlete, activist, role model, and community leader.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
This bill expands the scope of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans by including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals as minority group members. The committee reports on the issues of minority group members in relation to Department of Veterans Affairs programs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
Northern Triangle and Border Stabilization Act This bill authorizes assistance to the Northern Triangle countries (El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras) to address the causes of migration to the United States and contains provisions related to the handling of such migrants. The Department of State shall create and implement a Northern Triangle strategy to (1) address crime and violence, (2) improve democratic governance, and (3) promote economic development and tackle extreme poverty. The State Department shall (1) help strengthen the capacity of Western Hemisphere countries to accept and care for refugees, and (2) establish Designated Processing Centers in various Latin American countries to process individuals seeking to migrate to the United States. At least 100,000 additional nationals from Northern Triangle countries shall be admitted as refugees each year from FY2020 through FY2024. The bill requires the hiring of additional Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, immigration judges, and related staff. The Department of Homeland Security shall establish standards of minimum care for individuals in CBP custody and additional guidelines and standards relating to children in CBP custody. The bill expands penalties related to smuggling and establishes criminal penalties for certain actions related to evading border controls. The bill contains various other immigration-related provisions, including (1) limits on when asylum applicants may be removed, (2) an expansion of alternatives to detention programs, and (3) a requirement that the Department of Justice provide counsel to children and particularly vulnerable individuals in immigration proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
Redistricting Reform Act of 2019 This bill requires that congressional redistricting be conducted in accordance with a plan developed by (1) a state-established independent commission; or (2) if such a commission fails to enact a plan, a three-judge panel from a U.S. District Court.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
Justice for Victims of Lynching Act of 2019 This bill establishes a new criminal civil rights violation for lynching. Specifically, a person who conspires to commit certain civil rights offenses (e.g., a hate crime act) is subject to criminal penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2019 This bill prohibits commercial conversion therapy, which is a practice or treatment designed to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity or otherwise change behaviors, thoughts, or expressions related to gender or sexual attraction. This prohibition does not apply to treatment that assists an individual undergoing a gender transition or facilitates identity exploration and development.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
Achieving Lasting Electoral Reforms on Transparency and Security Act or the ALERTS Act This bill requires federal agencies and state and local governments to provide notification regarding election cybersecurity incidents. Specifically, federal entities must share information about an election cybersecurity incident with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). If there is credible evidence that an unauthorized intrusion into an election system occurred that put voter information or other systems at risk, DHS must, with limited exceptions, share this information with relevant state and local offices and with appropriate members of Congress. State and local election offices must notify individuals possibly affected by this intrusion.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
This resolution requests that the President condemn the killing of Jamal Khashoggi and take certain actions to encourage other countries to promote press freedom and cease violence against journalists.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019
This resolution expresses support for (1) equal rights and protections for all people, regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity; and (2) the designation of LGBTQ Equality Day on June 26 to commemorate Supreme Court decisions handed down on that day in 2003, 2013, and 2015. The resolution also acknowledges the need for further legislation to ensure that people in the United States are free from all forms of discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019
Safeguard our Elections and Combat Unlawful Interference in Our Democracy Act or the SECURE Our Democracy Act This bill directs the Department of State to identify each foreign person who engaged in U.S. election interference since January 1, 2015. The bill imposes financial and immigration sanctions on these individuals. Specifically, such individuals shall be ineligible to receive a U.S. entry visa and any current visa shall be revoked. The Department of the Treasury must (1) freeze and prohibit a listed foreign person's transactions in property and property interests that are in the United States, and (2) require financial institutions to certify that they have frozen all such assets.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019
Wage Increase Fairness Act This bill prohibits any limitation on the amount of a minimum wage set pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, or of one set by a state or municipality pursuant to such Act. Furthermore, no state or municipality shall adopt any law or ordinance which has the purpose or effect of establishing a minimum wage that distinguishes, classifies, or establishes any requirement on an employer based on its status as excluded from the definition of enterprise under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019
LGBTQ Data Inclusion Act This bill requires federal agencies that collect information through a survey that includes demographic data (where subjects self-report information or a proxy provides information about the subject or responds for all persons in a household) to review existing data sets to determine in which data sets information about sexual orientation and gender identity is not included, and to assess needed changes in survey methods related to asking questions on sexual orientation and gender identity. Agencies that publish reports relying on survey demographic data must include information on sexual orientation and gender identity.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019
Passport Assistance for Disadvantaged Students Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Education to establish a pilot program to award grants to institutions of higher education for the purpose of providing certain students with U.S. passports. Specifically, such grants must (1) reimburse Pell Grant recipients enrolled in study abroad programs for the cost of obtaining passports, or (2) directly pay the cost of passports for such students.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2019
America's Call To Improve Opportunities Now for National Service Act or the ACTION for National Service Act This bill (1) converts the Corporation for National and Community Service into the National and Community Service Administration; (2) reauthorizes programs carried out by the administration; (3) establishes a National Service Foundation to accept and administer gifts on behalf of the administration; and (4) modifies the calculation of national service educational awards. Furthermore, the bill creates a 21st Century American Service Outreach Program to notify individuals age 17 and not more than age 30 about their eligibility to participate in national service programs,; increases living stipends for such volunteers and the cap on such full-time positions; provides a living allowance to members of the National Civilian Community Corps, under specified conditions; and provides an exclusion from gross income, for income tax purposes, for such educational awards and living allowances.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2019
Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2019 This bill prohibits strikes by certain individuals and requires the issuance of rules that provide for federal minimum standard collective bargaining rights and procedures. The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) shall determine for each state whether the laws of such state substantially provide for each of the minimum standard collective bargaining rights and procedures specified by this bill, including the right of public employees and supervisory employees to self-organize, form or join a labor organization, or collectively bargain. The FLRA must issue rules and take actions to establish and administer bargaining rights and procedures for those states that do not substantially provide for them. No employers, emergency services employees, or law enforcement officers may engage in a lockout, strike, or any other organized job action that would probably result in a measurable disruption of the delivery of emergency or public safety services. Furthermore, no labor organization may be the cause of a violation of such prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2019
Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes the Peace Corps through FY2023 and makes various changes to the Peace Corps. Peace Corps volunteers and volunteer leaders shall receive a readjustment allowance of at least $417 for each month of satisfactory service, up from the current minimum of $125 per month. For workers compensation purposes, a Peace Corps volunteer shall be deemed to be paid at the minimum rate of a GS-11 employee on the General Schedule pay scale. Currently, volunteers are treated as minimum rate GS-7 employees for such purposes, while volunteer leaders are already treated as minimum rate GS-11 employees. The bill provides statutory authority for existing practices making certain former Peace Corps volunteers eligible for certain types of civil service employment. The bill also extends the eligibility period in certain instances, such as when a former volunteer applied to an agency where there was a lapse in appropriations. The bill specifies that U.S. nationals are eligible for Peace Corps employment and for related programs. (Individuals born in an outlying U.S. possession are U.S. nationals but do not automatically acquire citizenship through birth in the outlying possession.) The bill authorizes the use of the Peace Corps name as well as the official seal and emblem on the death announcement or grave marker of a person who served in the Peace Corps. The bill makes various changes to the structure and responsibilities of the Peace Corps National Advisory Council.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2019
This resolution commends the people of Tunisia for their commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and free elections, and encourages Tunisia's political leaders to work together to accelerate economic reforms and anti-corruption measures. It also calls on the government to fully implement the Tunisian Constitution of 2014, which includes protections for civil liberties and the establishment of the Constitutional Court.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2019
This resolution supports the designation of Portuguese National Heritage Month. The bill also esteems the integral role of the Portuguese-American community and the manifold heritage of Portugal in the economy, culture, and identity of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2019
This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 and revises the Nutria Eradication and Control Act of 2003, which provided grants to Maryland and Louisiana for a program to eradicate or control nutria (a type of rodent). The program also provided grants to restore marshland damaged by nutria. This bill revises the grant program, including by expanding the program to include grants for eradicating nutria in California as well as grants for restoring wetlands or agricultural lands damaged by nutria.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2019
Encourage New Legalized Immigrants to Start Training Act or the ENLIST Act This bill allows the enlistment in the Armed Forces of certain aliens who have been unlawfully present in the United States. Specifically, such a person is one who (1) was unlawfully present on December 31, 2012, and has been continuously present since that date, (2) was under 15 years of age on the date of initial entry, and (3) is otherwise eligible for original enlistment in a regular military service component. The bill also establishes a process by which the status of such an alien shall be adjusted to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. It includes conditions under which that status may be rescinded upon a separation from the Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2019
Stopping Bad Robocalls Act This bill updates various policies and regulations relating to robocalls. Specifically, the bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to protect consumer privacy as it relates to robocalls. The FCC must update regulations involving certain robocalls that are exempt from criminal liability to include specific requirements identifying classes of parties who may make such calls, parties who may be called, and how many times they may be called. Additionally, the bill removes the requirement that a citation be issued prior to a forfeiture penalty being imposed in cases where violations involving illegal robocalls have been intentional and where inaccurate caller identification information has been provided. The bill also implements a three-year statute of limitation for such violations requiring notice, and a four-year statute of limitation where an intentional violation has occurred. The FCC must promulgate regulations to address requirements for effective call authentication technology as well as to establish a process to streamline the ways in which a private entity may voluntarily share with FCC information relating to an illegal call or text or for calls with misleading or inaccurate caller identification information. Finally, the bill requires the FCC to ensure robocall blocking services provided on an opt-out basis are provided free of cost with transparency and redress options for consumers and callers.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2019
LGBTQ Business Equal Credit Enforcement and Investment Act This bill requires financial institutions to report certain credit application data to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for the purposes of enforcing fair lending laws. Specifically, financial institutions must report this data regarding lesbian-, gay-, bisexual-, transgender-, or queer-owned businesses. Currently, this data is reported regarding women-owned, minority-owned, and small businesses.
![Official portrait of Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/6973c909ded7781a35cc1fd7_200.jpg)