United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2020
This resolution declares that Congress and the President will have a duty to act in 2021 on the self-determination choice of the people of Puerto Rico if the territory's plebiscite chooses statehood. The resolution (1) recognizes that implementation legislation will need to include measures to phase-in the equal treatment of the territory and its residents in federal laws, and (2) states that such measures should implement equality for Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans as expeditiously as possible.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2020
Improving Housing Outcomes for Veterans Act of 2020 This bill requires the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to provide medical center staff and homelessness service providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with information related to best practices for the collaboration on activities under the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Coordinated Entry program. The VA must also ensure that the information and related resources are accessible to VA medical center staff and homelessness service providers. Additionally, the bill requires the VHA to communicate with VA employees who have responsibilities related to homelessness assistance programs regarding (1) the measurement of performance by the VA's Homeless Program Office, and (2) how to obtain and provide feedback about the performance measures.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2020
This concurrent resolution (1) calls on the Members of Congress and all people of the United States to observe September 11, 2020, as a National Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of those who lost their lives or were injured in the September 11, 2001, attacks and in tribute to those who came to the aid of those in need and to the defense of the United States; and (2) recognizes the heroic actions of first responders and other citizens in New York, New York, the District of Columbia, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2020
Global Learning Loss Assessment Act of 2020 This bill requires the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to report on the impact of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic on learning and global basic education programs. Such report shall include (1) an assessment of the global learning loss that will result from protracted school closures; (2) evaluations of the effectiveness, cost, accessibility, and reach of the most commonly used forms of distance learning in low-resource contexts; and (3) a description of the tools and resources needed for the USAID to support continued distance learning, safe school reopening, remedial and accelerated learning, and reenrollment campaigns.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2020
Protect Black Women and Girls Act of 2020 This bill establishes an Interagency Task Force to examine the conditions and experiences of Black women and girls to identify and assess the efficacy of policies and programs of federal, state, and local governments designed to improve outcomes for such individuals and to make recommendations to improve such policies and programs. The task force shall (1) cover issues involving Black women and girls in education, economic development, health care, justice and civil rights, and housing; and (2) submit recommendations at specified intervals to Congress, the President, and each state or local government on policies, practices, programs, and incentives that may be adopted to improve outcomes. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights shall conduct a comprehensive study and collect data with respect to the effects on Black women and girls of a wide range of specified economic, health, criminal justice, and social services factors.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2020
This resolution recognizes the importance of the relationship between the United States and Mongolia, as well as the continued democratic development of Mongolia. The resolution also encourages expanded U.S. efforts to support Mongolia in certain areas, particularly with respect to economic development.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2020
21st Century Community Learning Centers Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020 This bill expands the allowable uses for subgrants provided under the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program for the 2020-2021 school year. Specifically, the bill allows eligible entities (e.g., local educational agencies and community-based organizations) that are awarded program subgrants for community learning centers to use these subgrants to (1) carry out activities that advance student academic achievement and support student success, regardless of whether such activities are conducted in person, virtually, during school hours, or when school is in session; and (2) provide in-person care during the regular school day and when full-time in-person instruction is not available to students. (Currently, the program only supports academic enrichment opportunities for children during non-school hours or periods when school is not in session.)
United States · United States Congress · 1 September 2020
VA Precision Medicine Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement the Precision Medicine for Veterans Initiative to identify and validate brain and mental health biomarkers among veterans, with specific consideration for depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and traumatic brain injury. The VA must develop data privacy and security measures to ensure the information of veterans participating in the initiative is kept private and secure. Additionally, the VA must make de-identified data collected under the initiative available for research purposes both within and outside of the VA. Data collected under the initiative may not be sold. The VA must also assess the feasibility and advisability of coordinating efforts of the initiative with the Million Veterans Program.
United States · United States Congress · 1 September 2020
Testing, Researching, and Expanding Alternative Treatments Act or the TREAT Act This bill addresses Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pilot programs related to complementary and integrative health services. Specifically, the bill requires the VA to expand the pilot program on using complementary and integrative health services (e.g., meditation) to complement pain management and mental health treatment for veterans. The bill also requires the VA to implement a three-year pilot program to provide complementary and integrative health services (e.g., animal therapy) to eligible veterans for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety. Eligible veterans are those who are enrolled in the VA health care system and have received care from the VA or rehabilitation or counseling services from a Vet Center within the last two years. The VA must enter agreements with academic researchers to study the effectiveness of the treatments in the pilot program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 August 2020
Military Suicide Prevention in the 21st Century Act This bill requires the Department of Defense to carry out a two-year pilot program to pre-program suicide prevention resources onto smart devices issued to members of the Armed Forces and to provide training on these resources.
United States · United States Congress · 28 August 2020
Foster Youth Dental Act of 2020 This bill expands Medicaid coverage of current and former foster youth, particularly with respect to dental services. Specifically, the bill requires state Medicaid programs to cover early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services, including dental services, for current and former foster youth under the age of 26. States must set a special payment rate, based on rates in the private sector, for dental services provided to such individuals; the bill provides an enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) for excess expenses that result from such payments. The bill's requirements take effect 80 days after the date of enactment of the bill. The bill also accelerates the application of certain provisions that require a state Medicaid program to cover former foster youth from other states until the age of 26; such provisions currently apply to former foster youth who reach the age of 18 on or after January 1, 2023. The bill instead applies these provisions to former foster youth who reach the age of 18 on or after the date of enactment of the bill.
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 2020
Diversity in Defense Act of 2020 This bill adds certain diversity-related requirements for the U.S. Armed Forces, including (1) the appointment of a Chief Diversity Officer in military components of the Department of Defense (DOD) and in the Coast Guard; (2) the establishment of a Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council in DOD to, among other things, align diversity and inclusion with DOD strategic goals; (3) enhanced reporting on diversity and inclusion; (4) requiring a mentoring and career counseling program; (5) developing plans to increase recruitment and retention of female and minority members in the Armed Forces, (6) establishing in DOD the Office of the Special Inspector General for Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Armed Forces to examine the effect of military justice and personnel policies on racial and ethnic disparities; (7) tracking investigations of supremacist, violent extremist, and criminal gang activity in the Armed Forces; and (8) improving responses to pregnancy and childbirth for members of the Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 2020
This resolution condemns QAnon and rejects the conspiracy theories it promotes. The resolution encourages the Federal Bureau of Investigation and all federal law enforcement agencies to continue to strengthen their focus on preventing violence, threats, harassment, and other criminal activity by extremists motivated by fringe political conspiracy theories.
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 2020
Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act This bill establishes several grant programs and otherwise requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take actions to improve mental and behavioral health and prevent burnout among health care providers. Specifically, HHS must award grants to (1) health professions schools, state or local governments, or nonprofits to provide training for health care providers on suicide prevention, other behavioral health issues, and strategies to improve well-being; and (2) health care providers, prioritizing those in COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) hot spots, to establish or expand programs to promote mental and behavioral health among health care providers involved with COVID-19 response efforts. HHS must also study issues related to, and develop policy recommendations on, preventing burnout and improving mental and behavioral health among health care providers, removing barriers to accessing care and treatment, and identifying strategies to promote resiliency. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must conduct a campaign to encourage health care providers to seek support and treatment for mental and behavioral health concerns.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 2020
Health Standards To Advance Transparency, Integrity, Science, Technology Infrastructure, and Confidential Statistics Act of 2020 or the Health STATISTICS Act of 2020 This bill directs various departments and agencies to undertake activities concerning the collection, reporting, and use of public health data. Specifically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must take certain actions, including establishing a working group, to develop uniform standards for reporting public health data. Furthermore, the CDC must, in consultation with the National Institutes of Health, establish specific standards within 30 days for reporting COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) data, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must disseminate this data subject to privacy and other requirements. HHS may also award grants to entities that report public health data to support the adoption of uniform standards. In addition, the Office of Management and Budget must issue directives concerning federal health data collection that address, for example, the use of determinants of health data and access to data for evidence-building initiatives. The bill also directs the National Center for Health Statistics to expand an existing program that links different federal datasets to facilitate statistical public health research, including to address social determinants of health. The program must assess the availability of datasets, use existing authorities to link these datasets, and support linkage to a specified database of death record information. Additionally, the CDC shall support research entities and public health departments to increase capacity for statistical public health research.
United States · United States Congress · 14 August 2020
Chinese Research Funds Accounting Act This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on federal funding made available to entities located in China or majority owned or controlled by the Chinese Communist Party for research in the five years prior to enactment of this bill. Not later than 120 days after the enactment of this bill, the GAO shall brief Congress on the data that is available with respect to federal funding made available to such entities for research.
United States · United States Congress · 14 August 2020
This resolution condemns terrorist attacks and religious persecution against Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan. The resolution supports the resettling of Sikhs and Hindus from Afghanistan as refugees in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020
Delivering for America Act This bill prohibits the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from making changes to operations or levels of service from those that were in effect on January 1, 2020. Specifically, the USPS may not, during the period beginning on enactment of this bill and ending on the last day of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency or January 1, 2021, whichever is later, implement or approve any change to the operations or the level of service that would impede prompt, reliable, and efficient services, including changes in the nature of services that will generally affect service on a nationwide basis; revisions of service standards; closures or consolidations of post offices or reduction of facility hours; prohibitions on payment of overtime pay to USPS officers or employees; changes that would prevent the USPS from meeting its service standards or that would reduce measurements of performance concerning those standards; changes that would have the effect of delaying mail, allowing non-delivery to a delivery route, or increasing the volume of undelivered mail.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 2020
Fighting Emerging Narcotics Through Additional Nations to Yield Lasting Results Act or the FENTANYL Results Act This bill creates two programs, establishes a reporting requirement, and otherwise modifies provisions to facilitate global cooperation against synthetic drug trafficking. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of State to establish a program to provide capacity-building assistance for law enforcement agencies of specified countries to identify, track, and detect certain synthetic drugs (e.g., fentanyl). The State Department must also carry out an international exchange program for drug demand reduction experts to provide educational and professional development on demand-reduction matters relating to the illicit use of narcotics and other drugs. The bill requires the State Department to include new sections in its annual international narcotics control strategy report that contain (1) an assessment of the countries likely involved in the trafficking of synthetic opioids; and (2) policies of responding to new psychoactive substances. The bill also expands the definition of major illicit drug producing country to include countries that produce synthetic drugs. Under current law, foreign assistance may be withheld from such countries.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 2020
Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2020 This bill extends through FY2025 authority for debt-for-nature swaps and debt buyback programs that reduce or convert debt obligations from eligible countries to the United States into funding for nature conservation and protection efforts in that country.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 2020
Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act This bill increases FY2020 funding, raises the maximum age of eligibility, and provides other flexibilities for certain foster care programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 2020
This resolution supports the designation of National Health Center Week and encourages Americans to participate in this week by visiting their local health center.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2020
PFAS Interagency Research Coordination Strategy Act or the PIRCS Act This bill directs the National Science and Technology Council to establish an interagency working group to coordinate federal activities to advance research and development needed to address perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS. These substances are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing. The interagency working group shall (1) provide for interagency coordination of federally funded PFAS research and development, and (2) develop and update every two years a strategic plan for federal support for PFAS research and development.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2020
Military Spouses Retirement Security Act This bill allows a small business employer a tax credit for each employee who is a military spouse and eligible to participate in the employer's defined contribution retirement plan.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2020
This resolution recognizes the role of Lebanon and its institutions as historic examples of democratic values in the Middle East and expresses support for the continuation of democracy and democratic ideals in Lebanon. Further, the resolution recognizes the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as the sole institution entrusted with the defense of the sovereignty of Lebanon and supports strengthening U.S. partnerships with the LAF. The resolution also expresses support for the rights of the Lebanese people, and it encourages Lebanon to combat corruption in government, execute structural reforms, and work with international financial institutions to stabilize the economy.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2020
Ensuring Children and Child Care Workers Are Safe Act of 2020 This bill provides federal support to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) in child care provider settings during the period of community spread of the virus. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must (1) provide technical assistance to states, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations regarding the acquisition and use of protective equipment and training related to COVID-19 transmission prevention, among other things; and (2) publish specified information and facilitate the sharing of best practices related to the safe operation of child care providers. HHS may also make grants for the designated lead agency in a state to provide assistance and guidance to child care providers.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2020
Organ Donation Clarification Act of 2020 This bill specifies that certain payments and pilot programs relating to organ donation do not violate the National Organ Transplant Act, which prohibits the exchange of valuable consideration for human organs. Specifically, it excludes additional types of reimbursements and payments related to organ donation from the definition of valuable consideration , such as costs for (1) dependent care; (2) certain medical expenses for up to 10 years after a donation; (3) paperwork or legal services; and (4) term life insurance policies, subject to some limitations. In addition, the federal government, states, or local governments may carry out pilot programs to evaluate the effects of removing disincentives or providing noncash benefits on the availability of organs for transplant, provided these programs meet ethical and other conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2020
National Response to Exploitation and Sexual Abuse of Children in Unaddressed Emergencies Act or the Child RESCUE Act This bill establishes a temporary working group to report on issues involving child sexual abuse and child sexual abuse materials.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
VA Telehealth Expansion Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to award grants to entities for the expansion of telehealth capabilities and provision of telehealth services to veterans through the VA and the Veterans Community Care Program. The VA must give preference to entities that represent veterans in rural or highly rural areas or entities that operate in a medically underserved community. An entity seeking to establish a telehealth access point for veterans without grant funding is authorized to enter into an agreement with the VA to establish such access point. The VA must assess and report on the barriers veterans face in accessing telehealth services.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Reopen Small Businesses Safely Act This bill requires the Small Business Administration to allow recipients of economic injury disaster loans to use such loans for the purchase of items that are necessary to ensure the health and safety of employees and customers in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Strengthening Behavioral Health Supports for Schools Act of 2020 This bill establishes the Center for School Behavioral Health Technical Assistance within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to provide technical assistance and training, collect data, support research, and disseminate best practices on evidence-based mental health and substance use disorder services in schools and school systems.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Help Independent Tracks Succeed Act or the HITS Act This bill permits taxpayers to treat as currently deductible expenses the cost of qualified sound recording productions not exceeding $150,000 in a taxable year. The bill defines qualified sound recording production as certain sound recordings produced and recorded in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
This bill waives certain eligibility requirements for hospitals participating in the 340B drug discount program (i.e., a program that allows entities to receive covered outpatient drugs at reduced prices from manufacturers) during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. For example, the bill waives the required minimum proportion of low-income patients served for hospitals that were participating or applied to participate in the program prior to the COVID-19 emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Helping Open Properties Endeavor Act of 2020 or the HOPE Act of 2020 This bill establishes an equity facility in the Department of the Treasury to assist commercial mortgage borrowers. Specifically, Treasury must guarantee the purchase by financial institutions of certain equity instruments backed by a commercial mortgage. The bill defines commercial mortgage as a mortgage loan secured by an interest in real property owned for rental income. Borrowers with reduced revenues from their commercial property may qualify for an amount not to exceed 10% of the outstanding amount owed on their commercial mortgage. The bill sets forth eligibility requirements for borrowers, as well as requirements for the equity instruments, including rates, fees, repayment, and the rights of purchasers.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
The American PPE Supply Chain Integrity Act This bill requires the federal government to purchase medical supplies and personal protective equipment from the United States, with exceptions for small purchases. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Veterans Affairs to purchase specified medical supplies (including disinfecting wipes and natural fiber products) and personal protective equipment (including surgical masks, face shields, and foot coverings) from products that are 100% grown, reprocessed, reused, or produced in the United States. The bill makes an exception for purchases for amounts not greater than $150,000. The bill applies the Berry Amendment (which requires the Department of Defense to give preference in procurement to domestically produced, manufactured, or home-grown products) to specified supplies and equipment, such as surgical dressing materials, hospital and surgical clothing, and textile medical supplies and equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund Act of 2020 This bill allows taxpayers to contribute tax refund amounts to a Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund established by this bill. The fund shall make expenditures to provide services to homeless veterans through the development and implementation of new and innovative strategies to prevent and end veteran homelessness.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Repairing Existing Public Lands by Adding Necessary Trees Act or the REPLANT Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) annually for each of the 10 years after enactment of this bill to transmit to Congress an estimate of the sums necessary to be appropriated, in addition to the funds available from other sources, to replant and otherwise treat an acreage equal to the acreage to be cut over that year, plus a sufficient portion of the backlog of lands found to be in need of treatment to eliminate the backlog within the 10-year period. After such 10-year period, USDA shall transmit annually to Congress an estimate of the sums necessary to replant and otherwise treat all lands being cut over and maintain planned timber production on all other forested lands in the National Forest System to prevent the development of a backlog of needed work larger than the needed work at the beginning of the fiscal year. Each reforestation activity included in a renewable resource assessment shall be carried out in accordance with applicable Forest Service management practices and definitions, including those contained in a specified amendment and regulations related to silvicultural practices. The Forest Service shall, based on recommendations from regional foresters, create a priority list of reforestation projects that primarily take place on priority land, promote effective reforestation following unplanned events, and may include activities to ensure adequate and appropriate seed availability. USDA shall give priority to projects on the priority list.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Greyhound Protection Act of 2020 This bill amends a statute that prohibits using wire communications for certain types of gambling to explicitly state that the statute does not authorize gambling on commercial greyhound racing taking place using wire communications. The bill also amends the statute to explicitly state that the statute does not permit transporting animals for conducting or furthering commercial dog racing, live lure training, or field coursing.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Eliminating the Provider Relief Fund Tax Penalties Act of 2020 This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, any grant or other assistance provided by the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Supporting American Families, Employers, Kids and Jobs Act or the SAFE Kids and Jobs Act This bill allows an employer a payroll tax credit for 30% of qualified employee dependent care expenses (i.e., dependent care assistance) paid by the employer in a calendar quarter. The amount of qualified expenses eligible for the credit is limited to $2,500 per employee in any calendar quarter.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020
Stop Predatory Organ Trafficking Act of 2020 This bill authorizes the imposition of visa-blocking sanctions on a foreign individual who has committed or facilitated the trafficking in persons for the purpose of organ removal. The Department of State must report to foreign ministries the names of individuals convicted of crimes related to organ purchasing for consideration regarding the issuance of visas to such individuals. The State Department must also submit an annual report to Congress that includes descriptions of (1) the sources, practices, methods, facilitators, and recipients of trafficking in persons for the purpose of organ removal; and (2) State Department and foreign country activities undertaken to address and prevent such trafficking.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020
Save our Stages Act or the SOS Act This bill authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make grants to eligible live venue operators, producers, promoters, or talent representatives to address the economic effects of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic on certain live venues. Specifically, the SBA may make (1) an initial grant of up to $12 million dollars to an eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative; and (2) a supplemental grant that is equal to 50% of the initial grant. An initial grant must be used for costs incurred between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, but a supplemental grant may be used for expenses incurred through June 30, 2021. Such grants shall be used for specified expenses such as payroll costs, rent, utilities, and personal protective equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2020
Paycheck Protection Small Business Forgiveness Act This bill modifies loan forgiveness under the Paycheck Protection Program established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill provides for automatic forgiveness of a paycheck protection loan that is not more than $150,000 if the recipient submits a one-page form. Such form must allow a recipient to submit specified demographc and expenditure information, and certain individuals (e.g., the President, the Vice President, or the head of an executive department) are not eligible for such forgiveness. Further, the bill prohibits any enforcement or other action against a lender relating to loan origination, forgiveness, or guarantee based on the lender's reliance on certifications or documentation submitted by a loan applicant or recipient.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2020
This resolution requires (on the first legislative day of each month) a reading of the names of members of the Armed Forces who died in the previous month as a result of combat. In addition, this resolution prohibits the Speaker of the House from reading the name of any such member if any family member informs the Speaker that he or she does not wish to have the name of that individual read.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020
ESP Family Leave Act This bill provides that employees who are education support professionals will be considered as meeting the hours of service requirements to become eligible for family or medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, if they have worked a number of hours equal to not less than 60% of the total monthly hours expected for their job descriptions and duties, as assigned for the previous school year. The bill defines an education support professional as an employee within a public school or public institution of higher education which may include (1) paraeducators who provide instructional and noninstructional support; (2) secretarial, clerical, and administrative support staff; (3) custodians and maintenance service workers who provide building and grounds maintenance and repair; (4) skilled trade workers who provide services in schools, e.g., electricians, carpenters, and machinery operators; (5) workers who provide food service; (6) workers who provide school transportation and delivery services; (7) computer audiovisual, and language technical support staff; (8) security staff; (9) nursing, health, and therapy support staff; and (10) other staff that may serve public education students. The Department of Labor may provide a method for calculating leave under the Act for education support professionals.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020
This bill provides FY2020 supplemental appropriations to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program. Under the program, the FCC provides funding for health care providers to purchase telecommunications services, information services, and devices necessary to provide critical connected care services during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. The bill designates the funding as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020
Protecting Access to Loan Forgiveness for Public Servants During the COVID-19 Pandemic Act This bill allows public service employees who are impacted by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency to continue to participate, without disruption, in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Specifically, an individual who was employed in a public service job and who experiences lapse in employment (e.g., a furlough, a layoff, or the individual's resignation due to illness or caregiving responsibilities) because of the COVID-19 public health emergency may continue to participate in the PSLF program without disruption. The bill treats such an individual as employed in a public service job during the emergency and deems a monthly payment made by the individual as a qualifying monthly payment toward loan cancellation under the PSLF program. However, unless the individual would have completed requirements for loan cancellation during the public health emergency, the individual must resume employment in a public service job within six months after the end of the emergency. In addition, the bill directs the Department of Education to develop and make available guidance related to the assistance provided by the bill.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020
Establishing Accreditation Grants for Law Enforcement Act of 2020 or EAGLE Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Justice to provide grants to eligible local law enforcement agencies for activities related to obtaining qualified accreditation or recertification. Such accreditation or recertification shall be provided by a professional law enforcement organization involved in developing standards for law enforcement at the national, state, regional, or tribal level, such as the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.
![Official portrait of Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/116_rp_pa_1_fitzpatrick_brian_200.jpg)