United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2020
COVID-19 Testing, Reaching, And Contacting Everyone (TRACE) Act This bill authorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to award grants for testing, contact tracing, monitoring, and other activities to address COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Entities such as federally qualified health centers, nonprofit organizations, and certain hospitals and schools are eligible to receive such grants. In awarding the grants, the CDC shall prioritize applicants that (1) operate in hot spots and medically underserved communities, and (2) agree to hire individuals from the communities where grant activities occur.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2020
Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and others to undertake efforts to reduce health disparities. For example, the bill (1) requires more detailed reporting of demographic and health disparities data, (2) directs certain components of HHS to support health workforce diversity, and (3) increases access to culturally and linguistically appropriate health care. The bill also modifies eligibility and other requirements for Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurance, and other programs to reduce health disparities among vulnerable populations. The bill includes specific provisions with respect to noncitizens; maternal, infant, and child health; mental and behavioral health; and specified conditions that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority groups, such as certain cancers, HIV/AIDs, kidney disease, and diabetes. Additionally, the bill (1) revises health information technology programs to address health disparities; (2) establishes an Office of Health Disparities within HHS, as well as civil rights compliance offices within HHS agencies; and (3) supports health impact assessments and other efforts pertaining to environmental justice and social determinants of health. The Government Accountability Office must report on health workforce diversity and other specified issues related to health care and health disparities.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2020
Domestic Violence Public Health Emergency Guidance Act This bill requires the Department of Justice to issue guidance to law enforcement agencies on best practices for addressing domestic violence and protecting the safety of law enforcement officers during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2020
This resolution supports the goals and ideals of the National Day of Silence (during which students vow to remain silent to bring attention to the harassment and discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and gay people in schools). It requests that the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the National Day of Silence. The bill encourages each state, city, and local educational agency to adopt laws and policies to prohibit name-calling, bullying, harassment, and discrimination against students, teachers, and other school staff regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity or gender expression.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2020
Immediate COVID Testing Procurement Act This bill requires the President, within 24 hours of this bill's enactment, to issue purchase orders for a program of the highest national urgency (commonly known as a DX purchase order) to procure under the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA) supplies to conduct COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) medical testing nationwide. The supplies must have received prior approval from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or have received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration for the detection of COVID-19. The bill waives certain DPA requirements relating to industrial resource and critical technology shortfalls and notification to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020
Equitable Data Collection and Disclosure on COVID-19 Act This bill establishes the Commission on Ensuring Health Equity During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and adds reporting requirements for certain demographic data related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Among other activities, the commission must (1) determine approaches to using data to reduce demographic disparities in COVID-19 prevalence and outcomes, and (2) submit findings and recommendations to Congress on a specified timeline until the end of the public health emergency. During the public health emergency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must publish, and update daily, data on COVID-19 testing, treatment, and outcomes that is disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and other demographic characteristics on the CDC website. In addition, the Indian Health Service shall consult with tribes with respect to COVID-19 data collection and reporting. The Department of Health and Human Services must make a summary of final statistics related to COVID-19 publicly available and report specified information to Congress within 60 days of the end of the public health emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020
National Transit Workforce Training Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Transportation to establish a national transit frontline workforce training center (targeted to both rural and urban transit systems) and award grants to a nonprofit organization with a demonstrated capacity to develop and provide transit career ladder programs through labor-management partnerships and apprenticeships on a nationwide basis. The center must (1) be dedicated to the needs of the frontline transit workforce through standards-based training in the maintenance and operations occupations, and (2) develop and conduct training and educational programs for frontline local transportation employees engaged in government-aid public transportation work.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020
Public Accountability on Nominations Offered that Result in Admissions to Military Academies Act of 2020 or the PANORAMA Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to create a uniform online portal for congressional nominations to military service academies. DOD must (1) establish standard classifications that cadets, midshipmen, and academy applicants may use to self-identify gender, race, ethnicity, and other demographic information; and (2) annually report such demographics.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020
This resolution recognizes the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and addresses environmental challenges. It urges (1) the President to issue a proclamation recognizing the anniversary; and (2) governments and people to continue building upon the Paris Agreement and other efforts to ensure that future generations inherit a livable, sustainable, and ecologically rich planet. The resolution reaffirms that immediate action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to protect our planet, public health, and overall well-being of all people and wildlife. In addition, it encourages the American people to mark Earth Day by working to address environmental challenges, educate others about the need for year-round action, and honor the stewardship ethic for which Senator Gaylord Nelson stood.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2020
STEM Corps Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish a STEM Corps program to enhance the STEM (i.e., science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and computer science workforce of DOD and the defense industry. Under the program, DOD must provide financial assistance to qualified students who pursue a bachelor's or graduate degree in a STEM or computer science discipline in exchange for their commitment to work within DOD in a STEM-related position for a period of not less than four years.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2020
Access to Credit for Small Businesses Impacted by the COVID-19 Crisis Act of 2020 This bill temporarily provides credit unions with an exception to limits on outstanding member business loans. Specifically, for a three-year period, loans used for recovery from the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency do not count towards this limit.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2020
This resolution supports the goals of National Minority Health Month to bring attention to health disparities faced by minority populations and encourages federal and state governments to collect and publish racial and ethnic data related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2020
Public Transit Safety Program Improvement Act This bill modifies requirements for approval of a public transportation agency safety plan to include a requirement that the safety and health committee of the recipient consisting of frontline employee representatives (selected by the labor organization representing the majority of the frontline workforce employed by the recipient) and an equal number of employer or state representatives approve the plan and any updates to the plan.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2020
This resolution supports the goals of National Minority Health Month to bring attention to health disparities faced by minority populations and encourages federal and state governments to collect and publish racial and ethnic data related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2020
Medical Debt Relief Act of 2020 This bill modifies requirements related to the reporting of medical debt. Specifically, a consumer reporting agency may not add certain medical debt information to a consumer credit report. Also, a debt collector may not report certain medical debt information to a consumer reporting agency within a specified time period and must notify the consumer prior to reporting such medical debt.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2020
Integrated Disability Evaluation System Accountability Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to report on the implementation and application of the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (a joint DOD and Department of Veterans Affairs process to determine disability benefits for servicemembers).
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2020
Coronavirus Community Relief Act This bill provides $250 billion for certain localities affected by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Specifically, the bill provides funding for FY2020 for units of local government with a population of 500,000 or less. Payment shall be made within 30 days after submission of a specified certification by the locality. The amount of the payment is proportional to population. Local governments shall use the funds provided to cover only those costs that (1) are necessary and related to the public health emergency caused by COVID-19, and (2) were incurred during the period of March 1-December 30, 2020. The Office of Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury shall conduct monitoring and oversight of the receipt, disbursement, and use of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2020
This resolution recognizes the contributions of frontline workers and essential critical-infrastructure personnel and reaffirms the responsibility of Congress to meet the needs of such workers with respect to personal protective equipment and necessary tools to safely carry out their jobs.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2020
Frontline Health Care Workers Assistance Act This bill directs certain actions to procure equipment necessary to prevent, identify, and mitigate cases of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). The National Response Coordination Center of the Federal Emergency Management Agency must, within seven days, submit a report to Congress and the President that (1) assesses the need for equipment, including personal protective equipment and ventilators, across the United States; and (2) identifies the industry sectors and manufacturers capable of fulfilling purchase orders for such equipment, as well as government-owned and privately owned stockpiles of such equipment that could be refurbished. Within 24 hours, the President must issue a purchase order with the highest priority rating under the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) for a specified number of N-95 respirators and face masks. (DPAS is used to prioritize national defense-related contracts, subcontracts, and purchase orders.) Within seven days of receiving the center's report, the President must also issue priority purchase orders for the equipment identified in the report under authorities provided by the Defense Production Act of 1950. (That act confers upon the President a broad set of authorities to influence domestic industry in order to provide essential materials and goods for the national defense.) The bill waives certain requirements under the act related to congressional notification and authorization and makes specified funds available for these efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2020
Coronavirus Emergency Student Loan Refinancing Act This bill establishes refinancing programs for federal and private student loans. Specifically, the bill establishes a program that allows qualified borrowers to refinance their federal student loans down to lower interest rates. Such refinanced interest rates are (1) calculated based on the type of student loan (e.g., Stafford), and (2) fixed for the period of the loan. In addition, the bill creates the Federal Direct Refinanced Private Loan as a new type of loan. Such loans allow qualified borrowers to refinance their private education loans.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2020
This resolution calls on all public officials to condemn and denounce anti-Asian sentiment, racism, discrimination, and religious intolerance related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and calls on federal law enforcement officials, working with state and local officials, to take specified steps. It calls on federal officials to expeditiously investigate and document all credible reports of hate crimes and incidents and threats against the Asian-American community and prosecute perpetrators. The resolution recommits U.S. leadership to (1) prioritize language access and inclusivity in communication practices, and (2) combat misinformation and discrimination that put Asian Americans at risk.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2020
Medical Supply Chain Emergency Act of 2020 This bill directs the President to use existing authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 with respect to the production of ventilators, N-95 respirator masks, and specified personal protective equipment to address COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). (That act confers upon the President a broad set of authorities to influence domestic industry in order to provide essential materials and goods needed for the national defense.) The President must (1) make a determination that such items are essential for the national defense, (2) identify private-sector capacity to produce these items, and (3) exercise authorities under the act to require emergency production of them at a reasonable price. In addition, the President shall coordinate the allocation of these items based on requests from governors and the needs of the states as determined by the number of COVID-19 cases and the proportion of the population at higher risk of the disease in a given state. The bill makes specified funds available for these efforts. Equipment produced under these authorities but unused at the termination of the COVID-19 emergency declared on March 13, 2020, shall be deposited into the Strategic National Stockpile.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2020
Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2020 This bill directs specified components of the Department of Health and Human Services to take certain actions to address uterine fibroids (i.e., muscular tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus and may cause pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and reproductive issues). Specifically, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), working through the Office of Research on Women's Health, must undertake research activities on uterine fibroids. In carrying out this research, the office must coordinate with specified components of the NIH and other federal agencies. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must (1) collect data from Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program about treatment and services related to uterine fibroids, and (2) develop a report in coordination with federal partners on federal and state expenditures for these treatments and services. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Health Resources Service Administration (HRSA), and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) must disseminate information about uterine fibroids, including the elevated risk for minority women and information regarding available treatments. Specifically, the CDC shall disseminate the information to the public, while HRSA and AHRQ shall disseminate it to health care providers.
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 · 12 March 2020
Air Force Budget Transparency Act of 2020 This bill requires the President's annual budget to include any funds for an Air Force pass-through item in the Defense-wide budget of the Department of Defense (DOD) rather than in the Air Force budget. An Air Force pass-through item is a program, project, or activity for which (1) funds would otherwise be requested for the Air Force; and (2) funds made available for execution will be executed by another department, agency, or element of DOD.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2020
This concurrent resolution permits the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association to sponsor soap box derby races as a free public event on the Capitol grounds on June 13, 2020.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
Oversight and Verification of Expenses and Readiness for Security Engagements Abroad Act of 2020 or the OVERSEA Act of 2020 This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to report on the U.S. Coast Guard's allocation of resources to support its defense readiness mission, including an assessment of the impacts on the Coast Guard's nondefense mission readiness and operational capabilities due to the annual levels of funding provided by the Department of Defense to compensate the Coast Guard for its expenses to fulfill its defense readiness mission.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
Paid Sick Days for Public Health Emergencies and Personal and Family Care Act This bill expands the availability of paid sick time by requiring employers with at least one employee to provide a minimum amount of accrued paid sick time per work week and additional paid sick time in the event of a public-health emergency such as the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19). Specifically, the bill requires employers to grant at least 1 hour of accrued paid sick time to each employee for every 30 hours worked, up to a minimum of 56 hours, or 7 days, of paid sick time per year. Accrued paid sick time may be used for, among other reasons, an absence from work that is taken (1) due to a medical condition or illness or for the diagnosis, care, or prevention thereof; (2) to care for a child, spouse, domestic partner, parent, or other close relative with a medical condition or illness, or for the diagnosis or prevention thereof; (3) during a public-health emergency when the employee's workplace has been closed or the employee has been exposed to a communicable disease and may pose a risk to others; or (4) to care for a child or close relative during such public-health emergency, if such relative has been exposed to a communicable disease or the child's school has been closed. Further, employees are immediately entitled to up to 14 days of additional paid sick time if a public-health emergency is declared. This additional paid sick time may be used during the public-health emergency for the same purposes as accrued paid sick time.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
This bill requires the Architect of the Capitol to remove the bust of Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney from the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the U.S. Capitol to replace it with a bust of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall that must be obtained by the Joint Committee on the Library. Chief Justice Taney authored the 1857 Dred Scott v. Sandford decision that declared African Americans were not U.S. citizens and could not sue in federal courts.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideas of Endometriosis Awareness Month. (Endometriosis is a painful condition in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus.) It also recognizes the need for early detection and treatment of endometriosis, increased education for health care providers, and more culturally competent care.
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 · 4 March 2020
U.S.-Africa Strategic Security Act This bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD), absent a report that addresses specified issues, from using FY2020 funds to reduce the number of U.S. Armed Forces deployed to the U.S. Africa Command Area of responsibility. Specifically, DOD must report on issues including U.S. political and military strategies in the region and the potential effects of a withdrawal.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2020
Pilot Training Enhancement Act This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration to establish a Pilot Manual Reform Task Force to (1) provide recommendations with respect to the Airplane Flight Manual, Flightcrew Operating Manual, Quick Reference Handbook, Flight Crew Training Manual, and Memory Items for aircraft used to provide air transportation; and (2) assess pilot access to flight simulator training devices and pilot simulator training requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2020
This resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Women's History Month and recognizes the women and organizations that continue to promote the teaching of women's history.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2020
Buffalo Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2020 This bill provides for a Congressional Gold Medal to be awarded to the Buffalo Soldier regiments (six all-Black calvary and infantry regiments authorized by Congress in 1866 to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces), in recognition of their vital service to the United States. Following the award of the medal, it shall be given to the National Museum of African American History and Culture of the Smithsonian Institution, where it shall be displayed as appropriate and made available for research.
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
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 · 26 February 2020
This resolution (1) encourages all individuals in the United States during Black History Month to celebrate U.S. history and the important accomplishments and contributions of African Americans, and (2) expresses appreciation for the contributions of and sacrifices made by the soldiers of the Women's Army Corps assigned to the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2020
National Children's Museum Act This bill requires the General Services Administration to enter into a cooperative agreement with the National Children's Museum with respect to the museum's occupancy of a specified space in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. Among other things, the agreement must make the space available to the museum in perpetuity and without charge.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2020
Safe Routes to School Expansion Act This bill expands eligibility under the Highway Safety Improvement Program to include certain safety projects related to safe routes to school infrastructure improvements such as sidewalks, crosswalks, signage, bus stop shelters or protected waiting areas. The bill increases the federal share for the Department of Transportation to fund improvements for pedestrian or bicyclist safety, safety of people with disabilities, and safe routes to school infrastructure.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2020
Guard and Reserve Hazard Duty Pay Equity Act This bill provides hazardous duty incentive pay to members of an Armed Forces reserve component or the National Guard who perform a parachute jump as an essential part of their military duty. Currently, only active duty members are entitled to hazardous duty incentive pay for performing such duties.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020
Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the legacy of Harriet Tubman as an abolitionist. The Secretary may issue coins under this bill only during the period of January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022. All surcharges received by Treasury from the sale of such coins must be paid to Project Legacy in Brooklyn, New York, for the purpose of accomplishing and advancing its mission.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2020
Endometrial Cancer Research and Education Act of 2020 This bill requires the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to expand research and develop certain educational materials on endometrial cancer, respectively. Among other issues, the materials must address certain endometrial cancer disparities and risk factors that affect minority women.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2020
Cooling-Off Period Elimination Act of 2020 This bill makes a state or local law enforcement agency ineligible to receive federal funds under a Department of Justice law enforcement grant program if it has in effect a cooling-off period. A cooling-off period is a period of time following an officer-involved shooting during which investigators are prohibited from communicating with an officer involved in the shooting.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2020
Grand Jury Reform Act of 2020 This bill conditions a state or local government's receipt of funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program on the state's compliance with certain requirements following an incident involving the use of deadly force by a local law enforcement officer that results in a person's death. Specifically, the governor must appoint a special prosecutor to present evidence before a judge to determine whether probable cause exists to criminally charge the law enforcement officer. The hearing must be open to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2020
Police Accountability Act of 2020 This bill establishes a new criminal offense for conduct by certain state or local law enforcement officers in the line of duty that constitutes murder or manslaughter.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2020
This resolution acknowledges the impact of redlining (i.e., geographic discrimination) and states that the federal government has a responsibility to ameliorate its effects.
![Official portrait of Rep. Brown, Anthony G. [D-MD-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b001304_200.jpg)