United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2014
Ensuring Equal Access to Treatments Act of 2014 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, with respect to the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department (OPD) services, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create certain additional groups of covered OPD services that classify separately, from those that do not utilize such a drug, procedures that utilize a drug (other than contrast agents and diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals) that both has a cost above the drug packaging threshold and functions as a supply when used in a diagnostic test or procedure.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2014
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the definition of "passive activity," for purposes of the passive loss tax rules, any qualified research activity carried on by a high technology research small business pass-thru entity. Defines "high technology research small business pass-thru entity" as any domestic pass-thru entity if: (1) more than 75% of the entity's expenditures are paid or incurred in connection with qualified research, or (2) more than 50% of the entity's expenditures constitute qualified research expenses. Designates a high technology research entity as a small business if such entity has 250 or fewer full-time employees and does not have aggregate gross assets in excess of $150 million.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2014
Designates the railroad station located at 2955 Market Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, commonly known as 30th Street Station, as the "William H. Gray III 30th Street Station."
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2014
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: students and families should maintain the right and responsibility of determining where to enroll for postsecondary education; the federal government, in conjunction with states and accreditors, has a responsibility and the tools to ensure that the significant taxpayer funds that are invested in student aid each year are appropriately spent; the federal government could play a positive role in making information regarding postsecondary education available to prospective students; the Administration should work collaboratively with the higher education community to make that information more consumer friendly and accessible to students and their families; and the Administration's proposal to rate postsecondary institutions through an oversimplified federal rating system will lead to less choice, diversity, and innovation and should be rejected.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2014
Protection and Accountability Regulatory Act of 2014 - Nullifies the following proposed rules of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): (1) Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units, (2) Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units, and (3) Carbon Pollution Standards for Modified and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units. Prohibits the Administrator of the EPA from issuing or implementing for five years any rule that is substantially similar to the proposed rules unless a federal law is enacted specifically authorizing such a rule.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2014
No Subsidies Without Verification Act of 2014 - Disallows the health plan premium assistance tax credit or cost-sharing reduction under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act before the first date of the first coverage month beginning on or after the date on which the process to verify an individual's household income and coverage requirements of such individual for purposes of determining eligibility for, and the accurate amount of, the credit or reduction, respectively, has been completed. Requires for such verification: (1) completion of a manual or electronic review of the information required of an applicant for enrollment in a plan, and (2) resolution of any inconsistency of such information with records of the Departments of the Treasury or Homeland Security (DHS) or the Social Security Administration. Exempts individuals from the penalty for not maintaining minimum essential coverage for any month with respect to which a premium tax credit is being claimed and that begins before the date on which the verification process has been completed. Suspends, until the coverage month beginning after eligibility verification has been completed, the premium tax credit and reduced cost-sharing in the case of individuals for whom the subsidy was allowed before enactment of this Act. Provides a special enrollment period for an individual who terminated enrollment in a qualified plan during the period of suspension.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2014
Coal Country Protection Act or the Protecting Jobs, Families, and the Economy From EPA Overreach Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from promulgating any regulation or guidance that limits or prohibits new carbon dioxide emissions from a fossil fuel-fired power plant until it is certified: (1) by the Secretary of Labor that the regulation or guidance will not generate a loss of employment, (2) by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that it will not result in a loss in the gross domestic product, (3) by the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration that it will not generate an increase in electricity rates, and (4) by the Chairperson of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the President of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation that it will not effect the reliability of electricity delivery.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 2014
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for producing electricity from an Indian coal production facility, to eliminate: (1) the requirement that such a facility be placed in service before January 1, 2009, and (2) the limitation on the period during which such coal is required to be produced and sold.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2014
Modifies the definition of "antique firearm" under the federal criminal code and the Internal Revenue Code to cover any firearm manufactured in or before the calendar year that is 100 years before the year in which a determination is made as to whether the firearm is an antique firearm (currently, any firearm manufactured in or before 1898).
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2014
Elimination of Tariffs on Education for Children's Act or the ETEACH Act - Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to grant duty-free treatment to electronic educational devices designed or intended primarily for children.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2014
Condemns the charge of apostasy and adultery of Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag in Sudan and her sentence of 100 lashes and the death penalty. Calls for the release from prison of Ibrahim, her 20-month-old son, and newborn daughter. Urges the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prioritize granting Ibrahim asylum or refugee status. Encourages U.S. efforts to support religious freedom within Sudan, including by requiring before normalizing relations or lifting certain sanctions that Sudan abide by international standards of freedom of religion or belief. Recognizes that every individual should have the opportunity to practice his or her religion without fear of discrimination. Reaffirms the commitment of the United State to end religious discrimination and to pursue policies that guarantee the basic human rights of all individuals. Encourages the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to continue their support for religious freedom initiatives.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2014
Fighting Hunger Incentive Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the tax deduction for charitable contributions of food inventory, (2) increase from 10% to 15% of taxpayer aggregate net income the amount of deductible food inventory contributions which a taxpayer may make in any taxable year (15% of the taxable income of C corporations), and (3) set forth rules for determining the basis of contributed food for taxpayers other than C corporations and the fair market value of such food.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2014
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the additional 50% depreciation allowance (bonus depreciation) for qualified property (i.e., property which has a recovery period of 20 years or less and is computer software, water utility property, or qualified leasehold or retail improvement property); (2) make permanent the election to increase the alternative minimum tax (AMT) credit limitation in lieu of bonus depreciation; and (3) allow an additional depreciation allowance for a tree or vine bearing fruits or nuts, in the taxable year in which the tree or vine is planted, or grafted to a plant, in the ordinary course of the taxpayer's farming business.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2014
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the low-income housing tax credit, to make permanent the minimum 9% credit rate for new buildings that are not federally-subsidized and to establish a minimum 4% credit rate for existing buildings that are not federally-subsidized.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2014
Every Child is a Blessing Act of 2014 - Prohibits recovery of damages in certain civil actions based on a claim that, but for the conduct of the defendant, a child, once conceived, would not or should not have been born. Makes such prohibition applicable to claims based on a child's disability, defect, abnormality, race, sex, or other inborn characteristic. Bars such prohibition from being construed to: (1) provide a defense against charges of intentional misrepresentation in state proceedings regulating the professional practices of health care providers and practitioners; (2) provide a defense in any criminal action, including cases of rape or incest; or (3) limit damages in cases where the conduct of the defendant caused personal injury or death to the child or gestational mother.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2014
Startup Innovation Credit Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a qualified small business to elect to use a portion of its tax credit for increasing research expenditures as an offset against its payroll tax liability under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). Defines "qualified small business" as a corporation, a partnership, or a person other than a tax-exempt organization that had gross receipts of less than $5 million for the taxable year and that did not have gross receipts for any period preceding the five-taxable-year period ending with such taxable year. Limits: (1) the number of years a taxpayer may elect to offset payroll taxes under this Act to five, and (2) the annual amount of such offset to $250,000.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2014
Federal Financial Statement Transparency Act of 2014 - Establishes in the executive branch an independent Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) to develop federal financial accounting concepts or standards, giving consideration to the budgetary information needs of executive agencies and the needs of users of federal financial information. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a FASAB operations fund to enable the FASAB to carry out its duties. Requires the Secretary to assess a fee on each sale of a security for deposit into the fund.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2014
Expresses support for: (1) the designation of National Small Business Week, (2) efforts to encourage consumers to shop locally, and (3) efforts to increase awareness of the value of locally owned small businesses and the impact of locally owned small business on the U.S. economy. Honors the vital role of small business and entrepreneurs in the United States during such week. Recognizes: (1) the important role of the Small Business Administration (SBA) as a valuable resource for the U.S. entrepreneur, (2) the importance of creating policies that promote a business friendly environment for small business owners free of unnecessary regulations, and (3) the National Small Business Person of the Year and the National Lender of the Year. Encourages young entrepreneurs to pursue their passions and create more start-up businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2014
Combating Autism Reauthorization Act of 2014 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish and oversee a National Autism Spectrum Disorder Initiative to implement a strategic plan for the conduct and support of research into the disorder and minimize duplication by HHS programs of other federal research activities. Extends through FY2019: (1) the developmental disabilities surveillance and research program; (2) the autism education, early detection, and intervention program; and (3) the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. Adds members appointed by the Speaker and the minority leader of the House of Representatives, and the majority and minority leaders of the Senate, to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to study the demographics and needs of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder, make policy recommendations, and include a survey of public and private stakeholders on the needs of adults with such a disorder, the services and resources available, and the effectiveness of the services and resources.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2014
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the exclusion from gross income of distributions from individual retirement accounts (IRAs) for charitable purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2014
School Attendance Improves Lives Act of 2014 - Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to condition SSI benefits for disabled children aged 16 or 17 on school attendance, except where the Commissioner of Social Security determines that the individual has good medical cause to not attend school for part or all of a month.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2014
Ensuring Seniors Access to Local Pharmacies Act of 2014 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct any prescription drug plan that has in its network one or more pharmacies located in a health professional shortage area, in a medically underserved area, or among a medically underserved population, and that provides a reduction in coinsurance or copayments for covered part D drugs, to extend to any pharmacy located in that area, or among that population, the option to be an in-network pharmacy under terms and conditions comparable to those the plan has agreed upon with other in-network pharmacies located in the area or among that population.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2014
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. should appoint a special counsel, without further delay, to investigate the targeting of conservative nonprofit advocacy groups by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2014
PACE Pilot Act of 2014 - Amends title XI (General Provisions, Peer Review, and Administrative Simplification) of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to waive applicable general and Medicaid requirements of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for Elderly (PACE) in order to conduct demonstration projects through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovations (CMMI) that involve PACE. Prohibits the Secretary, however, as part of a CMMI demonstration, from waiving: (1) the requirement to offer items and services under Medicare without limitations, and (2) certain requirements regarding enrollment in and disenrollment from PACE programs. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary should use waiver authority under this Act to provide, in a budget neutral manner, PACE programs with increased operational flexibility to support their ability to improve and innovate and to reduce technical and administrative barriers that have hindered enrollment.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2014
No Bonuses for Tax Delinquent IRS Employees Act of 2014 - Prohibits the payment of any performance award (including, but not limited to, bonuses, step increases, and time off) to an employee of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) who owes an outstanding federal tax debt.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2014
America's Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the expensing allowance for depreciable business property, to make permanent: (1) the increased $500,000 expensing allowance for such property, (2) the increased $2,000,000 threshold amount for such property over which the amount of the expensing allowance is reduced, (3) expensing of computer software, and (4) rules for the expensing of qualified real property (i.e., leasehold improvement, restaurant, and retail improvement property). Allow an inflation adjustment to the dollar amounts of the expensing allowance for taxable years beginning after 2014. Eliminates the exclusion of air conditioning and heating units from property eligible for the expensing allowance.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2014
American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the formula for calculating the amount of the reseach tax credit and make such revised credit permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2014
Recognizes the 63rd annual observance of the National Day of Prayer. Encourages people of the United States to pray together and reaffirm the importance of prayer in the nation's heritage. Expresses support for the continued annual recognition of such Day.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2014
Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act of 2014 - States that it shall be U.S. policy to: (1) prevent Hezbollah's global logistics and financial network from operating in order to curtail funding of its domestic and international activities; and (2) utilize diplomatic, legislative, and executive avenues to combat Hezbollah's criminal activities in order to block that organization's ability to fund its global terrorist activities. Directs the President to report to Congress: (1) a list of satellite, broadcast, or other providers that knowingly transmit the content of al-Manar TV; and (2) the identity of those providers that have or have not been sanctioned pursuant to Executive Order 13224. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prohibit or impose strict conditions on the opening or maintaining in the United States of a correspondent account or a payable-through account by a foreign financial institution that knowingly: (1) facilitates the activities of Hezbollah or its agents, instrumentalities, affiliates, or successors; (2) facilitates the activities of a person acting on behalf of or owned or controlled by an agent, instrumentality, affiliate, or successor; (3) engages in money laundering to carry out such an activity; (4) facilitates a significant transaction or provides significant financial services to carry out such an activity, including services that involve a transaction of gold, silver, platinum, or other precious metals; or (5) facilitates any of these activities, conspires to facilitate or participate in such an activity, or is owned or controlled by a foreign financial institution that knowingly engages in such an activity. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe reporting, information sharing, and due diligence requirements for domestic financial institutions that maintain a correspondent account or payable-through account in the United States for a foreign financial institution. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such requirements if in the U.S. national security interests, and with congressional notification. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to identify to Congress every 180 days each foreign central bank that carries out an activity prohibited under this Act. Sets forth penalty requirements for specified violations under this Act. Directs the President to designate Hezbollah as: (1) a significant foreign narcotics trafficker if Hezbollah meets meets the criteria set forth under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, and (2) a significant transnational criminal organization if Hezbollah meets the criteria set forth under specified executive orders and statutes. Requires the President to report to Congress which of these criteria the President determines that Hezbollah has not met, if it does not. Directs the Secretary of State to report to Congress regarding Hezbollah's involvement in the trade in rough diamonds outside of the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme. Declares that nothing in this Act shall apply to authorized U.S. intelligence activities. States that any requirement of this Act shall cease to be in effect 30 days after the President certifies to Congress that Hezbollah: (1) is no longer designated as a foreign terrorist organization; (2) is no longer listed in the Annex to Executive Order 13224 (blocking property and prohibiting transactions with persons who commit or support terrorism); and (3) poses no significant threat to U.S. national security, interests, or allies.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2014
Veterans Information Security Improvement Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) carry out certain information security activities, (2) ensure that officials and staff of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) possess specified qualifications in such areas, and (3) coordinate the staffing of related information technology and security offices. Requires the Secretary to ensure that: (1) the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, the head of the Office of Information Security (OIS), and relevant field staff possess certain levels of information technology education, certifications, and experience; (2) Office of Information and Technology (OIT) staff are assigned to the OIS; and (3) subordinate OIT offices maintain appropriate information security functions. Directs the Secretary to ensure that subordinate OIT offices maintain functions to: (1) integrate the VA's security architecture into the VA's overall enterprise architecture strategy, (2) restrict the development of new data warehouses and data marts holding sensitive personal information of veterans, and (3) reduce the number of data marts holding such personal information. Defines: (1) "data mart" as a subset of a data warehouse that contains information for a specific entity of an organization rather than the entire organization, and (2) "data warehouse" as a collection of data designed to support management decision making that contains a wide variety of data presenting a coherent picture of business conditions for an entire organization at a single point in time and whose development includes systems to extract data from operating systems plus installation of a warehouse database system that provides managers flexible access to the data. Requires the Secretary to safeguard VA network infrastructure, computers, and servers. Directs the Secretary to protect the confidentiality of sensitive personal information of veterans by: (1) providing upgrades or phaseouts of outdated or unsupported operating systems to protect against harmful viruses and malicious software, and (2) securing VA web applications and the Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (commonly referred to as the "Vista system," which allows for an integrated inpatient and outpatient electronic health record for patients and provides administrative tools to VA employees). Directs the Secretary to submit certifications to Congress regarding the VA's compliance with information security requirements, including actions required by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Requires the Secretary to submit monthly reports to Congress regarding security vulnerabilities discovered after performing regular scans of VA computers and servers.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2014
Internet Stewardship Act of 2014 - Prohibits the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information from relinquishing or agreeing to relinquish the responsibilities of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) with respect to Internet domain name functions (including the authoritative root zone file, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority functions, or the related root zone management functions) unless such relinquishment is permitted by a statute enacted after the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2014
New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the new markets tax credit, (2) provide for an inflation adjustment to the limitation amount for such credit after 2013, and (3) allow an offset against the alternative minimum tax (AMT) for such credit (determined with respect to qualified equity investments initially made after the enactment of this Act).
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2014
Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to require the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to require that no investigative hearing take place until at least 14 days after the filing of an election petition regarding collective bargaining representation when the NLRB has reasonable cause to believe that the petition raises a question of representation affecting commerce. Requires such hearings to be non-adversarial, and the hearing officer, in collaboration with the parties, to identify any relevant and material pre-election issues. Requires the NLRB, in cases where it finds that a question of representation exists, to: (1) direct an election by secret ballot as soon as practicable but not before 35 calendar days after the filing of the election petition; and (2) certify election results only after it has ruled on each pre-election issue not resolved before the election and any additional issue pertaining to the conduct or results of that election.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2014
Employee Privacy Protection Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to require the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), not earlier than seven days after it makes a final determination of the appropriate bargaining unit in a proposed election regarding collective bargaining representation, to acquire from the employer a list of all employees eligible to vote in the election, which shall: (1) be made available to all parties, and (2) include the employees' names as well as one additional form of personal contact information (such as telephone number, email address, or mailing address) chosen by the employee in writing.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2014
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to tax-exempt qualified tuition programs (529 plans), to: (1) make permanent the allowance for computer technology and equipment expenses and require that such technology and equipment be used primarily by the plan beneficiary (formerly, beneficiary and beneficiary's family); (2) allow contributors to a 529 plan or a plan beneficiary to direct plan investments, but not more frequently than four times per calendar year; (3) permit a recontribution to a 529 plan of amounts refunded to a student who withdraws from an educational institution if the recontribution is made not later than 60 days after the date of such refund and does not exceed the refunded amount; and (4) allow tax-free rollovers to a Roth individual retirement account (Roth IRA) of distributions from a qualified tuition program which has been maintained by the account holder for a 10-year period.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2014
Medical Evaluation Parity for Servicemembers Act of 2014 or the MEPS Act - Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to: (1) provide an individual with a mental health assessment before such individual enlists or is commissioned as an officer in an Armed Force, and (2) use such results as a baseline for any subsequent mental health examinations. Prohibits the Secretary from considering the results of such assessment in determining the assignment or promotion of a member of the Armed Forces. Directs the Secretary to treat such assessment in the same manner as medical records with respect to laws and regulations relating to the privacy of information. Requires the National Institute of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to submit to Congress and the Secretary of Defense (DOD) a report on preliminary mental health assessments of members of the Armed Forces, including recommendations regarding: (1) establishing a preliminary mental health assessment of members of the Armed Forces to establish parity with physical screenings; and (2) the composition of the mental health assessment, best practices, and how to track assessment changes relating to traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2014
Ukraine Support Act - States U.S. policy supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a democratic Ukraine, and in condemning Russia's armed intervention into Ukraine and its illegal annexation of Crimea. Authorizes and encourages the President to provide assistance to support democracy and civil society in Ukraine by: (1) improving democratic governance and anti-corruption efforts; (2) supporting Ukrainian efforts to foster greater unity among people and regions of the country, combat anti-Semitism, and promote respect for religious freedom; (3) supporting the people and government of Ukraine in conducting free and fair elections; (4) assisting Ukraine in diversifying its economy, trade, and energy supplies; and (5) expanding access to independent media and assisting with the protection of journalists and civil society activists. States that it shall be U.S. policy to work with other countries and international institutions to stabilize and reform Ukraine's economy. Expresses the sense of Congress that U.S. loan guarantees for Ukraine should be used to promote anti-corruption efforts and government, banking, and energy sector reforms. Directs Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Incorporated, and the Voice of America (VOA) service to Ukraine and neighboring regions to: (1) provide accurate and accessible news and information; (2) emphasize investigative and analytical journalism to highlight misinformation provided by Russian or pro-Russian media outlets; (3) prioritize programming to target populations and areas where access to uncensored information is limited, especially populations serviced by Russian supported media outlets; (4) increase the number of reporters and organizational presence in eastern Ukraine, especially in Crimea; (5) promote democratic processes, human rights, freedom of the press, and territorial sovereignty; (6) increase programming and content services to Russia; and (7) partner with private sector broadcasters and affiliates to increase distribution. Authorizes FY2014 appropriations for programming in the Ukrainian, Balkan, Russian, and Tatar language services of RFE/RL, Incorporated, and VOA. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) should prioritize investments in Ukraine. States that it shall be U.S. policy to assist Ukraine foster a democratically reformed police force. Directs the Secretary of State to seek to provide enhanced security cooperation with Central and Eastern European North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) specified U.S. assistance to Ukraine under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act should continue, (2) the President is encouraged to draw down Department of Defense (DOD) stocks in order to provide non-lethal assistance to the government of Ukraine, and (3) the Administration should conclude its current review of security assistance for the government of Ukraine. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Administration should provide assistance to the government of Ukraine to recover assets stolen from the government of Ukraine or linked to acts of corruption by former President Viktor Yanukovych, members of his family, and other former or current Ukrainian government officials; and (2) the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development should increase investments in Ukraine and cease new investments in the Russian Federation. Continues specified property-blocking sanctions against certain persons contributing to the situation in Ukraine. Imposes asset and visa/entry sanctions against a foreign person or an alien who on or after November 21, 2013: (1) is responsible for or engaged in actions that undermine democratic processes in Ukraine or that threaten its peace or territorial integrity, acts of significant corruption in Ukraine, or the commission of serious human rights abuses; (2) is a current or former senior official of the Russian Federation who has engaged in any such activity; (3) operates in the arms sector in the Russian Federation that has engaged in any such activity; (4) is a current or former leader of an entity that has engaged in any such activity, or of an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this Act; (5) has materially assisted or provided financial, material, or technological support for any such activity, or of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this Act; or (6) is owned or controlled by, or has acted for or on behalf of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this Act. Subjects violators of such provisions to specified penalties. Authorizes the President to waive the imposition of such sanctions if in the U.S. national interest. Terminates sanctions under this Act at the earlier of: (1) 90 days after the President certifies to Congress that Ukrainian sovereignty is not being violated by the Russian Federation or any other state, or (2) 30 days after any date subsequent to January 1, 2020, on which the President submits to Congress a determination that sanctions termination is in U.S. national security interests. Directs the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury to jointly report to Congress every 180 days for a period not to exceed 2 years regarding foreign financial institutions that: (1) control government of Ukraine state-owned or controlled assets without such government's knowledge; (2) may be complicit in financial activities prohibited under U.S law that are organized under the laws of the Russian Federation, or owned or controlled by a foreign person subject to additional sanctions under this Act; and (3) are aiding the violation of Ukrainian sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, including, the Crimea. Amends the the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act to require the President to fully implement the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act, including sanctions against Russian companies. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should expand the list of 18 Russian officials and others who were engaged in certain actions regarding the death of Sergei Magnitsky, illegal activity by officials of the Russian Federation, or violations of human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2014
Mutual Bank Choice and Continuity Act of 2014 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to authorize a mutual depository to issue mutual capital certificates that qualify as common equity Tier 1 capital for purposes of capital requirements mandated by federal law or regulation. Defines "mutual capital certificate" as a financial instrument issued by a mutual depository that entitles the holder to a payment of fixed, variable, or participating dividends but no voting or member rights, nor is it redeemable until five years after issuance. Defines "mutual depository" as an insured depository institution operating in a non-stock form, including a federal non-stock depository and any form of non-stock depository provided for under state law, whose deposits are insured by an instrumentality of the federal government. Amends the Revised Statutes of the United States to authorize the Comptroller of the Currency to charter mutual national banks either de novo or through conversion of an insured depository institution or insured credit union, in order to establish mutual institutions operating in non-stock form for the deposit of funds, the extension of credit, and other services. Prescribes procedures for voluntary conversion of: (1) a mutual depository to a mutual national bank, (2) a mutual national bank to a stock national bank, or (3) a mutual national bank to a state national bank operating in stock form. Prescribes procedures for: (1) a mutual national bank to reorganize as a federal mutual bank holding company, and (2) a mutual bank holding company organized under state law to convert to a federal mutual bank holding company. Permits a mutual national bank to retain capital at the holding company level in order to comply with the capital requirements of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Grants a tax liable depositor in a savings, demand, or other authorized depository account in a depository institution subsidiary the same rights regarding the federal mutual bank holding company as that depositor would have had if the depository institution subsidiary had been a mutual national bank. Subjects a federal mutual bank holding company to Federal Reserve Board regulation and supervision. Prescribes procedures for a federal mutual bank holding company governing: (1) capital improvement, and (2) insolvency and liquidation. Permits a mutual holding company, including any form of mutual depository holding company under state law, to convert to federal mutual bank holding company status.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2014
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the 15-year recovery period classification for qualified leasehold improvement, restaurant, and retail improvement property, for purposes of the depreciation tax deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2014
Help Americans in Need Develop Their Ultimate Potential Act or HAND UP Act - Establishes a framework for the head of a state entity or of a sub-state entity administering two or more qualified federal programs to participate in a demonstration project, approved by the administering Secretary, that supports individuals and families with the goal of moving them towards self-sufficiency, reducing welfare dependence, and increasing work and earnings. Authorizes the administering Secretary to waive program requirements for purposes of the demonstration. Specifies as qualified federal programs: (1) the TANF program under part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA), (2) the Block Grants to States for Social Services under SSA title XX, (3) activities funded under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, (4) activities funded under the United States Housing Act of 1937, and (5) the supplemental nutrition assistance program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require an annual public housing agency plan for a public housing agency to contain certain demonstration project application information.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2014
Developing an Innovative Strategy for Antimicrobial Resistant Microorganisms Act of 2014 or DISARM Act of 2014 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) recognize the costs of new antimicrobial drugs under the Medicare payment system for the inpatient services of subsection (d) hospitals, (2) provide for additional payment with respect to discharges involving such drugs, (3) publish in the Federal Register a list of the new antimicrobial drugs, and (4) further reduce each of the average standardized payment amounts in a specified manner to maintain budget neutrality in a fiscal year beginning with FY2015. (Generally, a subsection [d] hospital is an acute care hospital, particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system [IPPS] when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.) Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to study the barriers that prevent the development of new antimicrobial drugs and develop recommendations for actions to be taken in order to overcome such barriers.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2014
Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to the hospital readmission reduction program to exclude from the program admissions related to transplants, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), burns, trauma, psychosis, or substance abuse. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in applying requirements for the excess readmission ratio, to provide for a risk adjustment that will take into account a hospital's proportion of inpatients who are full-benefit dual eligible individuals (eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid under SSA title XIX) in order to ensure that hospitals that treat the most vulnerable populations are not unfairly penalized. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study the appropriateness of using a threshold of 30 days for readmissions under the program. Directs the Secretary, in promulgating regulations for the hospital readmission reduction program, to consider the use of V codes for potential exclusions of cases involving noncompliant patients in promulgating applicable regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2014
Special Inspector General for Monitoring the ACA Act of 2014 or the SIGMA Act of 2014 - Establishes the Office of the Special Inspector General for Monitoring the Affordable Care Act to conduct, supervise, and coordinate audits and investigations of the implementation and administration of programs and activities established under, and payment system changes made by, the Affordable Care Act (the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010). Requires the Special Inspector General to be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Requires the Special Inspector General to appoint an Assistant Inspector General for Auditing and an Assistant Inspector General for Investigations. Places the Special Inspector General under the supervision of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), but prohibits federal agencies involved in implementing or administering the Affordable Care Act from preventing or prohibiting the Special Inspector General from initiating, carrying out, or completing any audit or investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2014
Keep the Promise to Seniors Act of 2014 - Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from taking any action (through promulgation of a final or interim final regulation, issuance of regulatory or program guidance, use of federal payment audit procedures, or other enforcement or administrative action, policy, or practice) to implement any provision of the proposed regulation (relating to policy and technical changes to the MedicareAdvantage and part D programs under Medicare) published in the Federal Register on January 10, 2014, insofar as that regulation relates to part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), including its application to MedicareAdvantage- Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plans under part C (Medicare+Choice Program).
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2014
Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act - Amends the Natural Gas Act to require the expedited approval by the Federal Power Commission of applications for the export of natural gas from the United States to a World Trade Organization (WTO) member nation. (Currently, the expedited approval process applies to such applications where the United States has in effect with a foreign country a free trade agreement requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas.) Requires expedited approval of any applications for which a notice has been published in the Federal Register before March 6, 2014.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2014
Recognizes the significance of North Korea's willingness to resume family reunions between North and South Korea. Encourages North Korea to allow Korean Americans to meet with their divided families in North Korea. Calls on North Korea to continue building goodwill that is conducive to peace on the Korean Peninsula.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2014
Condemns Russia's military violation of Ukrainian sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. States that Russia's military intervention: (1) is in breach of its United Nations (U.N.) obligations, and of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances in which it pledged to respect Ukraine's independence and existing borders; and (2) poses a threat to international peace and security. Calls on Russia to remove its military forces from Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, other than those operating in accordance with its 1997 agreement on the Status and Conditions of the Black Sea Fleet Stationing on the Territory of Ukraine, and to refrain from interference in all regions of Ukraine. Declares that the Ukrainian people have the right to determine their own future free from outside interference. Commends the Ukrainian government for its restraint and avoidance of military provocations. Calls on the Ukrainian government to continue to protect the rights of minority populations within Ukraine. Calls for the deployment of independent monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Crimea and other areas of Ukraine. Calls upon the President and the leaders of the other democratic states to not attend the G8 summit in Sochi, Russia, and to consider expelling Russia from the group. Calls on the Administration to work with our European allies and other countries to impose visa, financial, trade, and other sanctions on senior Russian officials and on appropriate Russian entities. States that the United States should participate with its European allies and other countries to provide the Ukrainian government with financial, economic, and technical assistance. Calls on the United States, its European allies, and other countries and international organizations to provide assistance to ensure that new elections scheduled for May 2014 are free and in full accordance with international standards. Supports Ukrainian efforts to achieve energy independence. Affirms the right of all countries in the region to exercise their sovereign rights within their internationally recognized borders free from outside intervention and to conduct their foreign policy in accordance with their determination of the best interests of their peoples.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2014
Preserving Welfare for Needs Not Weed Act - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require a state receiving a TANF grant to maintain policies and practices necessary to prevent assistance under the TANF program from being used in any electronic benefit transfer (via a card) at any establishment that offers marijuana for sale.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2014
Executive Needs to Faithfully Observe and Respect Congressional Enactments of the Law Act of 2014 or the ENFORCE the Law Act of 2014 - Authorizes either chamber of Congress, upon adoption of a resolution declaring that the President or any officer or employee of the United States has established or implemented a policy, practice, or procedure to refrain from enforcing, applying, following, or administering any federal statute, rule, regulation, program, policy, or other law in violation of the constitutional requirement that the President faithfully execute the laws of the United States, to bring a civil action for a declaratory judgment to that effect. Grants jurisdiction to a three-judge panel of a U.S. district court to hear such civil action and provides for an expedited direct appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2014
American Job Creation and Strategic Alliances LNG Act - Amends the Natural Gas Act to deem consistent with the public interest an expedited application and approval process for the importation or exportation of natural gas to a World Trade Organization country.
![Official portrait of Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000376_200.jpg)