United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2019
Eliminate Network Distribution of Child Exploitation Act or the END Child Exploitation Act This bill extends the period of time, from 90 days to 180 days, that electronic communication service providers and remote computing service providers (providers) must preserve the contents of a report that is submitted to the CyberTipline of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Further, providers may voluntarily preserve the contents of a report for longer than 180 days to reduce the proliferation of or to prevent the online sexual exploitation of children.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2019
Public Health Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2019 This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to (1) update its public health data systems; and (2) provide grants to state and local public health agencies to increase collaboration and information sharing in support of disease and health condition detection and public health emergency preparedness, among other objectives.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2019
This resolution calls for (1) technology and application (app) development companies to establish an app rating board to establish new criteria for age-appropriate app ratings, and (2) technology companies to manufacture internet-ready devices with user-friendly parental controls and default safety settings.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2019
Protecting Critical Services for Mothers and Babies Act This bill expands the application of rules for cooperative and small employer charity pension plans to include certain nonprofit medical-research organizations that have the primary purpose of delivering services to mothers and children. (These rules exempt specified employers from certain minimum funding requirements for employee pension plans.)
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2019
Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction In the Nation Act or the NOPAIN Act This bill temporarily establishes separate payments for certain non-opioid treatments under the Medicare prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services and the payment system for ambulatory surgical center services. The bill applies to pain management treatments that are able to replace or reduce opioid consumption, as shown through clinical trials or data.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2019
Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Through Promoting Competition Act of 2019 This bill prohibits, subject to certain exceptions, the practice of product hopping, which is presumed when a drug manufacturer obtains removal of a drug from the Food and Drug Administration's approved drug list, discontinues a drug, or markets a reformulation of an already approved drug during a certain period after which the manufacturer has been notified that a competing drug manufacturer has applied for generic drug approval.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2019
Humane Cosmetics Act of 2019 This bill generally prohibits animal testing in the evaluation of cosmetic products, and it prohibits the sale or transport of cosmetics developed using animal testing. These prohibitions begin one year after enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2019
This resolution recognizes and honors the importance of statutes giving all persons within the jurisdiction of the United States the full and equal benefit of all laws and proceedings for the security of persons and property as well as the right to enforce contracts, sue and be sued, and give evidence in court. The resolution also reaffirms commitment to the Thirteenth Amendment, Fourteenth Amendment, and Fifteenth Amendment and the laws declaring that all persons born in the United States are citizens and are equally protected by the law.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2019
Fair Access for Individuals to Receive Leave Act or the FAIR Leave Act This bill repeals the limitation on the aggregate number of workweeks of leave husbands and wives employed by the same employer may be entitled to under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2019
Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2019 This bill modifies, expands, and reauthorizes through FY2024 the Family Violence and Prevention Services program, which funds emergency shelters and supports related assistance for victims of domestic violence. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants and enter cooperative agreements with state and tribal domestic violence coalitions, and community-based organizations, to support prevention services. Depending on the type of organization, grant recipients must use funding to (1) provide technical assistance; (2) promote evidence-informed prevention strategies; (3) implement coordinated, community responses to reduce risk factors for family violence; and (4) develop prevention partnership strategies, among other uses. Further, HHS must award specified grants to organizations that provide population-specific services in underserved communities and to community-based organizations that provide culturally competent domestic violence services to racial and ethnic minority groups. The bill also establishes a grants program for tribal domestic violence coalitions to support the provision of local, tribal, family domestic or dating violence services and requires HHS to award a grant for the administration of a hotline dedicated to serving Indians affected by domestic violence. In addition, the bill modifies certain program-wide definitions; changes the requirements for specified grant applications, eligibility criteria, and use of funds; and makes other technical revisions.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2019
This joint resolution eliminates the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, which prohibits discrimination based on sex. The amendment was proposed to the states in House Joint Resolution 208 of the 92nd Congress, as agreed to in the Senate on March 22, 1972. The amendment shall be part of the Constitution whenever ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2019
This resolution expresses support for meeting key goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including achieving gender equality, ending extreme poverty, and improving public health. The resolution also states that the agenda's Sustainable Development Goals form a critical blueprint to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people can live in peace and prosperity by 2030.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2019
This resolution expresses support for the designation of National Vitiligo Awareness Day and recognizes the importance of providing support for individuals diagnosed with vitiligo. (Vitiligo is a condition in which skin color is lost in patches.)
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2019
College Affordability Act This bill reauthorizes and revises the Higher Education Act of 1965, including to revise federal student financial aid programs, consolidate federal student loans and expand loan forgiveness , increase college access and success for certain students, and revise accountability measures. Specifically, the bill revises financial aid programs, including to (1) increase the maximum federal Pell Grant award, (2) provide incentives for states to fund public institutions of higher education (IHEs), and (3) increase and make permanent funding for minority-serving IHEs. The bill also revises federal student loan programs, including to (1) replace existing student loan repayment plans with one income-based repayment plan and one fixed repayment plan, (2) allow existing borrowers to lower their payments by switching to the new plans, and (3) expand public service loan forgiveness programs (e.g., TEACH grants) and create appeal processes for denied applications. In addition, the bill increases college access and success for certain students (e.g., students with low-income, children, or the disabled) through investments and practices, such as student support services and accelerated learning opportunities. Finally, the bill revises accountability measures for IHEs (including for-profit IHEs), job training programs, college accrediting agencies, and lenders. In particular, the bill updates the performance goals of the Office of Federal Student Aid and requires the Department of Education to be responsible for the oversight of the office.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2019
Medicare Hearing Act of 2019 This bill expands Medicare coverage to include hearing aids and hearing rehabilitation and treatment services, in accordance with specified limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2019
Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy Act or the SHIELD Act This bill establishes a duty to report election interference from foreign entities, applies existing campaign advertising requirements to online advertisements, and generally limits political spending and election interference by foreign entities. Specifically, a political committee must report certain foreign contacts involving an offer of unlawful election assistance to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Election Commission. The bill establishes criminal penalties for violations of these requirements. Existing requirements for political advertisements and electioneering communications apply to internet and digital advertisements, including requirements related to disclosures and contributions. Additionally, large online platforms must maintain a public database of certain political advertisements. The bill places limitations on political spending by foreign entities. Specifically, foreign entities may not (1) contribute to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda, or (2) make disbursements for certain internet activity referring to a candidate or a political issue. A candidate is prohibited from offering to share nonpublic campaign information with certain foreign entities. The bill also prohibits (1) the dissemination of false statements regarding federal elections or public endorsement, or (2) the intentional hindering of voting or registering to vote. The bill establishes criminal penalties and a private right of action with respect to these prohibitions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2019
Stop College Closures Act of 2019 This bill revises provisions related to the recognition of an accrediting agency or association as a reliable authority on the quality of education or training offered by an institution of higher education (IHE). Specifically, an accreditor must (1) monitor the growth of programs at IHEs that are experiencing significant enrollment decline; (2) require, review, and approve the mandatory teach-out plan submitted by an IHE upon the occurrence of certain events indicating a potential school closure; and (3) respond to student complaints and monitor, assess, and submit such complaints to the Department of Education and the relevant state agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2019
Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act This bill establishes an alternative formula to calculate Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefits for those who receive pensions for certain non-covered employment. (The existing formula is known as the windfall elimination provision.) The alternative formula adjusts an individual's total lifetime earnings based on the proportion of covered earnings (i.e., earnings subject to Social Security payroll taxes). It applies to individuals who (1) first become eligible for benefits after 2021, (2) have earnings from non-covered service performed after 1977 and (3) have less than 30 years of coverage (i.e., years in which a beneficiary is considered to have contributed a substantial amount into the Social Security trust funds). Beneficiaries receive the higher benefit amount as calculated under the alternative method or the existing formula. In addition, the bill provides rebates for certain beneficiaries currently impacted by the existing formula. The Social Security Administration must include non-covered earnings in Social Security account statements, and the Government Accountability Office must study the availability of certain information related to retirement plans maintained by state and local governments.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
This joint resolution nullifies a rule issued by the Department of Education (ED) on September 23, 2019. The rule revised the process for a student loan borrower to obtain a discharge from a student loan if an institution of higher education misrepresented a material fact. Among other requirements, the 2019 rule requires each borrower to apply to ED for a defense to repayment. However, under the previous 2016 rule, an application could be submitted on behalf of an entire group (e.g., veterans).
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the scope of downward attribution rules to 50% of stock ownership in applying constructive ownership rules to controlled foreign corporations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2019
This resolution recognizes the importance of education on, prevention, and treatment of substance use disorder and honors those in recovery from substance use disorder and the allies who support them.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2019
Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act This bill requires the Department of Labor to train relevant personnel on how to effectively detect and assist law enforcement in preventing human trafficking.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2019
Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 This bill establishes several programs and requirements relating to the prices of prescription drugs. In particular, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate prices for certain drugs (current law prohibits HHS from doing so). Specifically, HHS must negotiate maximum prices for (1) insulin products; and (2) at least 25 single source, brand-name drugs that do not have generic competition and that are among the 125 drugs that account for the greatest national spending or the 125 drugs that account for the greatest spending under the Medicare prescription drug benefit and Medicare Advantage (MA). The negotiated prices must be offered under Medicare and MA, and may also be offered under private health insurance unless the insurer opts out. The negotiated maximum price may not exceed (1) 120% of the average price in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom; or (2) if such information is not available, 85% of the U.S. average manufacturer price. Drug manufacturers that fail to comply with the bill's negotiation requirements are subject to civil and tax penalties. The bill also makes a series of additional changes to Medicare prescription drug coverage and pricing. Among other things, the bill (1) requires drug manufacturers to issue rebates to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for covered drugs that cost $100 or more and for which the average manufacturer price increases faster than inflation; and (2) reduces the annual out-of-pocket spending threshold, and eliminates beneficiary cost-sharing above this threshold, under the Medicare prescription drug benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2019
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Modernization Act or the PSLF Modernization Act This bill revises provisions related to the public service loan forgiveness program. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to establish a comprehensive database identifying each qualified public service employer and each position offered by such employer that is a public service job. ED must also establish a process whereby an employer may submit a certification that it is a qualified public service employer. In addition, the bill prohibits ED from requiring a borrower to apply for and be denied loan cancellation pursuant to the public service loan forgiveness program as a condition of eligibility for loan forgiveness under the Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. ED must also develop and make publicly available an online tool where borrowers may learn more about the expanded program, determine their eligibility for forgiveness, and identify any requirements for participation.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2019
School Shooting Safety and Preparedness Act This bill requires the Department of Education to publish an annual report on indicators of school crime and safety. Such report shall collect specified information, including (1) the number of school shootings that have taken place nationwide; (2) the age, gender, race, ethnicity, and nationality of each victim; (3) the motivation of the shooter; (4) how the shooting was stopped; and (5) the number and type of firearms and ammunition used in each shooting.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2019
Pell Grant Restoration Act This bill restores a student's Pell Grant eligibility for any period of time during which the student qualified for, or would have qualified for, federal student loan forgiveness due to school closure, assertion of a defense against repayment, or institutional fraud or misconduct. Specifically, this bill provides that Pell Grants received by a student during that period of time do not count toward the student's lifetime Pell Grant eligibility period (currently 12 full-time semesters).
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2019
Reauthorizing Security for Supreme Court Justices Act of 2019 This bill permanently authorizes the Marshal of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court Police to provide security protection for Supreme Court Justices (and their official guests) and officers and employees of the Supreme Court. Additionally, it permits such protection to be provided in any location—not just in any state.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2019
HOPE (Heightening Opportunities for Pathways to Education) for FAFSA Act This bill revises the application process for a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Specifically, the Department of Education (ED) shall not require an applicant to provide income or asset information if the applicant indicates they received a federal benefit (e.g., supplemental nutrition assistance or Social Security disability) at some time during the previous 24 months. ED shall use a data retrieval tool to obtain such information for any other applicant. The bill raises to $34,000 the amount of household income below which a student shall be considered to have an expected family contribution (EFC) equal to zero. EFC is used to calculate individual financial aid awards, and an EFC of zero means that a student's family is deemed unable to contribute to educational expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2019
Rare disease Advancement, surveillance Research, and Education Act of 2019 or the RARE Act of 2019 The bill reauthorizes through FY2024 the National Institutes of Health Rare Disease Regional Centers of Excellence and expands activities to facilitate research and increase awareness of rare diseases and conditions. (Rare diseases and conditions are those with a prevalence of fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States.) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may expand infrastructure and activities to track the epidemiology of up to four rare diseases and conditions and incorporate this information into a National Rare Disease or Condition Surveillance System. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality must expand its activities to increase health care providers' awareness of rare diseases and conditions. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, or another appropriate entity, must update the 2010 report Rare Diseases and Orphan Products: Accelerating Research and Development.
United States · United States Congress · 30 August 2019
Excellence in Maternal Health Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish specified grant programs to support positive maternal health care outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women and their infants. Specifically, grants must be used to (1) develop best practices to reduce preventable maternal mortality; (2) train health care professionals about reducing and preventing discrimination when providing maternal health services; (3) support the collaboration of professionals across health settings with respect to maternal health; and may be used to (4) establish evidence-informed, integrated health care services to pregnant and postpartum women and their infants. HHS also must contract with an independent research organization to study and make recommendations about best practices for reducing and preventing discrimination in the provision of maternal health services. HHS also must meet certain reporting requirements for specified maternal and child health care grant programs.
United States · United States Congress · 23 August 2019
Student and Taxpayer Protection Act This bill requires the Department of Education to establish performance metrics and a disclosure template to enable programs of training that prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation to be eligible to receive federal student aid funds.
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
Prevent Gun Trafficking Act This bill makes gun trafficking a federal crime. Specifically, the bill prohibits (1) knowingly purchasing, acquiring, or attempting to purchase or acquire a firearm from or through a federal firearms licensee for the possession of a third party; or (2) soliciting, hiring, demanding, or ordering another person to purchase, or attempt to purchase, a firearm for the person or transferring the firearm to a third party. Firearms obtained in violation of this prohibition are subject to the forfeiture provisions of the federal criminal code. The prohibition does not apply to a firearm lawfully acquired as a bona fide gift between family members or transferred to an agent of a lawful business for the lawful use in such business. A person who commits a gun trafficking offense is subject to a fine, a prison term of up to 10 years, or both. In addition, the bill prohibits the sale or disposition of a firearm or ammunition to persons who intend to unlawfully sell or dispose of the firearm or ammunition.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act of 2019 This bill provides for Medicare coverage of certain audiologist services. Specifically, the bill expands coverage to include diagnostic and treatment services that are furnished by audiologists and that would otherwise be covered if provided by a physician, including incidental services, regardless of whether such services are provided pursuant to a referral from, or under the supervision of, a physician or other health care practitioner.
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
Protecting Access to Spinal Surgeries Act This bill extends an exception to the application of site-neutral payment rates under the Medicare inpatient prospective payment system. Currently, certain long-term care hospitals that primarily treat spinal cord injuries are excluded from such payment rates through FY2019 if they meet certain other criteria (e.g., a significant number of discharges of out-of-state patients in FY2014). The bill extends this exception through FY2024.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
Child Care Protection Improvement Act of 2019 This bill establishes an interagency task force, chaired by the Administration for Children and Families, to support states in conducting required criminal background checks for childcare staff members. Specifically, the task force must consult with relevant state agencies and develop recommendations and best practices. This includes evaluating how agencies are responding to interstate requests for information about staff, or prospective staff, who have lived in another state within the preceding five years. The task force must submit a final report with its recommendations within one year of the first meeting of the task force.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2019
Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act This bill revises requirements regarding the sale and delivery of electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes, e-hookah, e-cigars, and vape pens). Specifically, the bill subjects the sale and delivery of these systems to certain requirements, including tax, licensing, and labeling requirements; prohibits the sale and delivery of these systems to anyone under the legal age to purchase tobacco products; and requires the U.S. Postal Service to implement regulations to prohibit the mailing of these systems. The bill does not apply to products approved by the Food and Drug Administration for tobacco cessation or any other therapeutic purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2019
Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act This bill eliminates veterans' copayments for medication, hospital care, and medical services related to preventive health services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill expands the definition of preventive health services to include (1) evidence-based items or services that have an A or B rating in the recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force; (2) immunizations that have a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with respect to the individual involved; and (3) with respect to women, the preventive care and screenings provided for in the Health Resources and Services Administration Preventive Services Guidelines in effect as of January 1, 2017.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019
Equality in Medicare and Medicaid Treatment Act of 2019 This bill requires the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test a payment model that addresses social determinants of health and health disparities, particularly with respect to minorities, underserved areas, and high-risk individuals. The bill also generally incorporates consideration of such factors into the selection, implementation, and evaluation of other models, including the decision as to whether to expand a model's duration and scope.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2019
Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from requiring payment from a veteran for any contraceptive item or service that is required to be covered by health insurance plans without a cost-sharing requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2019
Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2025, and otherwise revises, grants administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to support youth suicide early-intervention and prevention strategies. Specifically, the bill requires SAMHSA to award a portion of such grants for statewide training programs on emotional well-being, mental health, and suicide awareness and prevention for elementary and secondary school students and staff.
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
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act of 2019 This bill provides funding for (1) the conservation or restoration of wildlife and plant species of greatest conservation need; (2) the wildlife conservation strategies of states, Indian tribes, or territories; or (3) wildlife conservation education and recreation projects. The Department of the Interior must use a portion of the funding for a grant program. The grants must be used for innovative recovery efforts for species of greatest conservation need, species listed as endangered or threatened species, or the habitats of such species.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2019
Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection Act This bill directs the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to establish a new program—the Law Enforcement Officers Suicide Data Collection Program—to prevent and understand law enforcement suicides. Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies may submit to the FBI, and the FBI must report on, data about suicides and attempted suicides of current and former officers.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2019
Relief for Defrauded Students Act of 2019 This bill provides statutory authority for specific borrower defenses to repayment under the Federal Direct Loan program. Specifically, the bill allows a defense to repayment of a loan under the program if (1) the institution of higher education (IHE) made a substantial misrepresentation of the nature of its educational program, its financial charges, or the employability of its graduates; (2) the IHE made an act or omission in violation of state law; or (3) the IHE made any other act or omission as specified by the Department of Education (ED). Under current law, ED is required to specify in regulation which acts and omissions of an IHE may be asserted by a borrower as a defense to repayment under the program. The bill requires ED, upon determination that a borrower is entitled to student loan relief, to cancel any outstanding balance of principal and interest due on each loan and return to the borrower the amount of any payments made on each loan.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2019
Bill's Promise Act This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study and report on how individuals on federal pretrial release are monitored.
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.
![Official portrait of Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m001208_200.jpg)