United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2020
This bill places restrictions on the collection of debt owed by a consumer, nonprofit organization, or small business during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency period and the following 120 days. Among other things, debt collectors may not during this period charge fees or apply a higher interest rate as a result of nonpayment, commence or continue litigation to collect a debt, enforce a security interest through a repossession or foreclosure, report past due debt to a credit reporting agency, seize assets, or terminate utility service. The bill also prohibits during this period a confession of judgment or similar agreement as a condition to a loan or extension of credit. (A confession of judgment is an agreement to a judgment of liability without notice and opportunity to be heard in court in the event of the default of a borrower.)
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
This bill revises provisions implementing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to preserve certain environmental agreements under the North American Free Trade Agreement and makes technical corrections to specified provisions implementing the USMCA. In addition, the bill allows the Department of the Treasury to subscribe to additional callable capital of the U.S. share of capital stock of the North American Development Bank.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2020
This bill temporarily removes deposit insurance limits for transaction accounts at depository institutions and credit unions. The limits are reinstated January 1, 2022.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2020
This bill requires the Federal Reserve Board to provide interest-free loans to small minority depository institutions and small community development financial institutions during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency period. The board must charge interest on these loans beginning 18 months after the end of the emergency period.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2020
Fair Housing Enforcement Emergency Act of 2020 This bill provides support for fair housing enforcement during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public-health emergency. Specifically, the bill authorizes additional grants under the Fair Housing Initiatives Program and the Fair Housing Assistance Program, both administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); authorizes additional staffing for the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity to respond to fair housing complaints arising out of the emergency; authorizes the office to carry out a national media campaign to inform the public of expanded housing rights during the emergency; and requires HUD to prohibit owners of federally assisted dwellings from showing occupied units to prospective tenants during the emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Relief for Consumers During COVID-19 Act of 2020 This bill places restrictions on the collection of consumer debts during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency period. Among other things, debt collectors may not during such a period enforce a security interest through a repossession or foreclosure, commence or continue litigation to collect a debt, terminate utility service, seize assets, commence or continue an eviction, or charge fees or apply a higher interest rate as a result of nonpayment. After such a period, debt collectors must provide certain repayment options including extending the repayment period for debts. Violations of these provisions are subject to civil enforcement. The Federal Reserve Board must establish a facility to compensate financial institutions for losses caused by the suspension of payments.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Coronavirus Housing Counseling Support Act This bill authorizes additional housing counseling services for low- and moderate-income families provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
This bill provides $1 billion in FY2020 supplemental appropriations to the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund for providing financial and technical assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
This bill prohibits an issuer of securities from purchasing their own securities during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency period and for 120 days thereafter. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may terminate the ban before the end of this period if the SEC (1) determines doing so is in the public interest, and (2) provides notice.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Disaster Protection for Workers' Credit Act This bill provides credit protections to consumers during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak and other major disasters. The bill generally prohibits furnishers of credit information from reporting adverse credit information that is the result of any inaction or action that occurred during the COVID-19 outbreak. It also prohibits any such reporting regarding a consumer who resides in an area covered by a major disaster declaration. Additionally, medical debt related to the COVID-19 outbreak or a major disaster may not be reported to a consumer reporting agency regardless of when the expenses were incurred. Credit reporting agencies are prohibited from including in a credit report any such adverse credit information. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau must create a website that allows consumers to report economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak or a major disaster. Consumers may request the deletion of adverse credit information and request an extension of certain credit protections. Credit reporting agencies must provide unlimited free credit reports and free credit scores upon request (1) during the COVID-19 outbreak or a major disaster, and (2) for a year afterwards. The bill places restrictions on new credit scoring models created or implemented during the COVID-19 outbreak or a major disaster.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
This bill allows interior inspection appraisal requirements with respect to certain loans to be waived through the end of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency period if specified requirements are met. An interior inspection may be waived if (1) an exterior inspection is performed in conjunction with certain contemporaneous verifications, such as video or photographs by the borrower; and (2) an interior inspection may be ordered at a later date.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
State Housing Relief Act of 2020 This bill provides funds for assistance to homeowners to prevent mortgage defaults, foreclosures, and displacements of individuals and families experiencing financial hardship after January 21, 2020. The Department of the Treasury must disburse the funds to state housing finance agencies for the provision of such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
This bill authorizes additional funds for FY2020 and FY2021 for expenditures under the Defense Production Act of 1950 for medical ventilators, personal protection equipment, and other medical supplies to respond to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). The Department of Commerce must report every three months on such expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Emergency Relief for Student Borrowers Act of 2020 This bill establishes federal and private student loan repayment assistance programs during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) national emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Public Health Emergency Shelter Act of 2020 This bill authorizes additional grants under the Emergency Solutions Grants program to assist individuals and families experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness and to otherwise address needs arising from the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public-health emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Relief for Small Businesses and Nonprofits Act This bill places restrictions on the collection of debts owed by small businesses and nonprofit organizations during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency period. Among other things, debt collectors may not during such a period enforce a security interest through a repossession or foreclosure, commence or continue litigation to collect a debt, terminate utility service, seize assets, commence or continue an eviction, or charge fees or apply a higher interest rate as a result of nonpayment. After such a period, debt collectors must provide certain repayment options including extending the repayment period for debts. Violations of these provisions are subject to civil enforcement. The Federal Reserve Board must establish a facility to compensate loan holders for losses caused by the suspension of payments.
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
COVID-19 Emergency Housing Relief Act of 2020 This bill establishes certain flexibilities related to public housing during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus 2019) emergency. For example, the bill suspends work requirements and time limitations on assistance associated with the Move to Work program; suspends the requirement that families residing in public housing must pay a minimum amount in rent; suspends the requirement that families may not be absent from a public housing unit for more than 180 consecutive calendar days; prohibits public housing agencies (PHAs) from terminating a household's eligibility for a housing choice voucher based on the household's failure to enter into a lease for an assisted unit; requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to suspend income reviews, except in certain instances; allows HUD and USDA to suspend or delay certain deadlines relating to PHAs or owners of federally assisted housing; and suspends requirements for owners of federally assisted multifamily housing to remit residual receipts to HUD.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
This bill requires certain issuers of securities to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), during a global pandemic, information related to risks faced by the issuer. Specifically, if the World Health Organization declares a pandemic, an issuer must disclose to the SEC risks faced by the issuer, including risks to health and safety faced by employees and independent contractors; mitigation measures, including those taken to protect the workforce's wages, health care, and leave; and the effect the pandemic may have on the issuer's business, solvency, and workforce. The SEC must make such reports publicly available on its website.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Financial Literacy Education Commission Emergency Response Act This bill requires the Financial Literacy and Education Commission in the Department of the Treasury to convene a special meeting related to the financial impacts of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. The commission must provide on its website resources to help individuals recover from financial hardships related to the COVID-19 emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
This bill requires the Minority Business Development Agency to award a grant to fully implement the Initiative to Build Growth Equity Funds for Minority Businesses, which provides equity capital to invest in minority- and women-owned businesses. Interest earned on grant funds deposited into an interest-bearing account may be obligated and expended to carry out the grant's purposes. The Government Accountability Office shall carry out a biennial audit of the initiative and issue a report to Congress and the Minority Business Development Agency.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
This bill authorizes the United States to contribute to (1) the 19th replenishment of the resources of the International Development Association, (2) the 15th replenishment of the resources of the African Development Fund, and (3) the 7th capital increase for the African Development Bank.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to establish a Small Business Financial Assistance Program to provide loans and loan guarantees to small businesses. Such loans shall be zero-interest loans, provided a recipient does not involuntarily terminate any employee during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. If a recipient demonstrates that its full-time employment has not decreased after one year, the Treasury shall forgive the remaining outstanding principal and interest on such loan or loan guarantee. Further, the Treasury may, upon request, provide applicants with a cash advance on such loans.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
This bill provides for mortgage forbearance for single family and multifamily mortgages during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. Borrowers receiving a forbearance must provide rent relief for any tenants during this period. The bill also generally prohibits repossessions of vehicles and manufactured homes and foreclosures during the emergency. The Federal Reserve Board and the Department of the Treasury must establish a credit program for mortgage servicers affected by the COVID-19 emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
This bill authorizes additional grants under the Community Development Block Grant program for states and local governments to prevent, prepare for, or respond to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public-health emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
This bill temporarily allows financial regulators to waive cost-sharing and program requirements for certain state, territory, and local government grants. Financial regulators may permit these funds to be reprogrammed for purposes related to unemployment, childcare, or healthcare.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Ensuring Affordable Housing Security During the Coronavirus Emergency Act of 2020 This bill provides for housing assistance during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. Specifically, tenants in certain federally assisted housing shall not be required to make rent payments from the date of the bill's enactment until six months after the end of the COVID-19 emergency declaration. The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Agriculture must reimburse public housing agencies (PHAs) and owners of federally assisted housing for these suspended rent payments, including any increase in low-income housing choice voucher assistance payments made by PHAs to compensate for the suspended rent payments.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
This bill requires certain issuers of securities to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on the risks faced by the issuer regarding supply-chain disruption and the issuer's continuity or contingency plans to mitigate these risks.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Interagency Pandemic Guidance for Consumers Act This bill directs financial regulators to issue interagency guidance regarding consumer debt relief options (e.g., deferment, forbearance, and affordable payment plans) in the event of a major disaster or pandemic. Financial regulators must also test financial institutions' response to a pandemic or major disaster every five years and report the results to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Financial Protections and Assistance for America's Consumers, States, Businesses, and Vulnerable Populations Act This bill responds to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency and generally provides for financial assistance and other aid to individuals, businesses, and state and local governments for the duration of the emergency period. Among other things, the bill provides direct payments to individuals of up to $2,000 a month, subject to limits based on adjusted gross income; establishes digital wallets for individuals without bank accounts to receive such payments; provides for the suspension of specified housing and consumer loan payments, evictions, and foreclosures; creates financial assistance programs regarding housing, student loans, and utilities; establishes credit programs for small businesses, nonprofit organizations, farms, independent contractors, minority depository institutions, and community development financial institutions; authorizes funds for housing assistance, elderly assistance, and emergency production of medical supplies; and provides for investigation, oversight, and other requirements regarding COVID-19 aid. The bill also modifies existing provisions, including those regarding deposit insurance for transaction accounts, Federal Reserve Board purchases of municipal bonds, stock buybacks, required disclosures by issuers of securities, international aid programs, and agency guidance concerning pandemics and major disasters.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
This bill requires the Federal Reserve Board to establish a credit facility to provide loans to certain small businesses during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Rental Eviction Moratorium Act of 2020 This bill establishes a moratorium on the initiation of eviction proceedings, except with respect to tenants who have perpetrated certain criminal acts, for a period that lasts until six months after the termination by the Federal Emergency Management Agency of the presidential emergency declaration relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act This bill responds to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak and its impact on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses. The bill provides FY2020 supplemental appropriations for federal agencies to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. The supplemental appropriations are designated as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits. In addition, the bill expands paid sick days, family and medical leave, unemployment compensation, and food assistance programs; provides economic assistance payments of up to $1,500 per individual; eliminates cost-sharing (e.g., deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments) for COVID-19 treatments and vaccines; requires health care facilities to implement a comprehensive infectious disease exposure control plan to protect health care workers; provides grants, loans, and other assistance to hospitals, small businesses, state and local governments, elementary and secondary schools, institutions of higher education, and airports; expands or establishes various tax credits; and establishes requirements for early voting and absentee voting. The bill also modifies or expands a wide range of other programs and policies, including those regarding Medicare and Medicaid, medical product supplies, housing, student loans and financial aid, the federal workforce, veterans benefits environmental and consumer protection requirements, the U.S. Postal Service, aviation workers and the airline industry, and pension and retirement plans.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
This bill establishes requirements for issuers of securities receiving aid in response to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. Issuers receiving aid must comply with specified requirements regarding paid leave, minimum wage, and limits on executive compensation. Until the end of the emergency period, issuers receiving aid must maintain preemergency workforce and compensation levels. Additionally, an issuer receiving aid may not provide executive bonuses, purchase its own company's stocks, pay out dividends to stockholders, or engage in lobbying until the issuer repays the aid. Certain issuers receiving aid must (1) have one-third of their board of directors be elected by employees; and (2) provide additional disclosures including those regarding political expenditures, workforce composition, employee benefits, environmental impacts, federal aid, and financial performance.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2020
Food Worker Pay Standards Act This bill prohibits the federal government from purchasing any meat, meat food product, poultry, poultry food product, or processed food produced by workers in the United States who are compensated at a rate lower than the prevailing rate for wages and fringe benefits for such workers in their locality. The Department of Labor shall determine the prevailing rates and in determining such rates shall take into account any applicable existing collective bargaining agreements in the locality. In no case shall a prevailing rate established pursuant to this bill supersede a worker's wages and benefits agreed to in a collective bargaining agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2020
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into an agreement with the city of Vallejo, California, for the transfer to the VA of Mare Island Naval Cemetery in Vallejo, California, to be maintained as a national shrine.
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 · 26 February 2020
Mary Ann Shadd Cary Post Office Dedication Act Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 500 Delaware Avenue, Suite 1, in Wilmington, Delaware, as the "Mary Ann Shadd Cary Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2020
Helicopter Data and Voice Recorder Requirement Act This bill makes it unlawful for an air carrier to operate a single or multiengine, turbine-powered helicopter with one or more passenger seats and one or more pilots without a flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020
Decrease Noise Levels Act This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to revise its regulations to decrease the threshold for the day-night average sound level that constitutes significant noise from 65 decibels to 60 decibels, and adjust relative ranges of day-night average sound level accordingly. Additionally, the FAA must ensure that its community outreach related to aviation day-night average sound levels contains the results of its evaluation of alternative metrics to the current average day-night level standard, and create a publicly available report that outlines a strategy to reduce the maximum day-night average sound level in all residential areas to 55 decibels within 10 years.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2020
Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020 This bill sets forth requirements related to waste and recycling collection systems for a variety of products and materials, including plastics. The bill makes certain producers of products (e.g., packaging, paper, single-use products, beverage containers, or food service products) fiscally responsible for collecting, managing, and recycling or composting the products after consumer use. In addition, the bill establishes (1) minimum percentages of products that must be reused, recycled, or composted; and (2) an increasing percentage of recycled content that must be contained in beverage containers. Beginning on January 1, 2022, the bill phases out a variety of single-use products, such as plastic utensils. The bill also sets forth provisions to encourage the reduction of single-use products, including by establishing programs to refund consumers for returning beverage containers and by establishing a tax on carryout bags. The bill creates a temporary moratorium on new or expanded permits for facilities that manufacture plastics until regulations are updated to address pollution from the facilities. The Environmental Protection Agency must publish guidelines for a national standardized labeling system for recycling and composting receptacles. Producers must include labels on their products that are easy to read and indicate whether the products are recyclable, compostable, or reusable. Finally, the bill establishes limitations on the export of plastic waste to other countries.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2020
Electric Vehicles for Underserved Communities Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to assess the state of, challenges to, and opportunities for the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in urban areas, particularly in underserved or disadvantaged communities. If practicable, DOE must ensure that relevant programs provide access to electric vehicle infrastructure, address clean transportation needs, and provide improved air quality in such communities.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2020
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1 League in Irvine, California, as the "Tuskegee Airman Lieutenant Colonel Robert J. Friend Memorial Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2020
Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act or the FAIR Act This bill increases by 3.5% the rates of basic pay for federal employees under the statutory pay systems (i.e., the General Schedule, the Foreign Service Schedule, and various schedules related to the Veterans Health Administration) for calendar year 2021. Additionally, it increases by 3.5% the rates of basic pay for prevailing rate employees for FY2021.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2020
This resolution expresses support for Australia, as well as greater collaboration between the United States and Australia to promote wildfire mitigation and prevention.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2020
This resolution encourages the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to maintain and strengthen requirements that keep waterways clean. It also encourages the EPA to end or reverse administrative actions that weaken requirements protecting the nation's waters.
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2020
This concurrent resolution directs the President to terminate the use of U.S. Armed Forces in hostilities against Iran unless (1) Congress has declared war or specifically authorized such use in statute, or (2) such use is necessary and appropriate to defend against an imminent armed attack upon the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2020
No War Against Iran Act This bill prohibits the obligation or expenditure of federal funds for any use of military force in or against Iran unless Congress has either declared war or enacted specific statutory authorization for such use. An exception is made for a presidential exercise of power to introduce Armed Forces into hostilities (or situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated) when there is a national emergency created by an attack upon the United States. The bill further states that no prior authorizations of military force (e.g., against Iraq) may be construed to authorize the use of military force against Iran.
![Official portrait of Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000187_200.jpg)