United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2018
AG and Legal Workforce Act This bill establishes a new H-2C nonimmigrant visa for aliens coming temporarily to the United States to perform agricultural labor or services. In addition, the bill (1) directs the Department of Homeland Security to create an electronic employment-eligibility confirmation system modeled after the E-Verify system, and (2) mandates the use of such a system by employers.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2018
United States Ports of Entry Threat and Operational Review Act This bill directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection to submit to the congressional homeland security and tax committees a threat and operational analysis of U.S. air, land, and sea ports of entry.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2018
Taxpayer Identity Protection Act This bill requires the Internal Revenue Service to submit to Congress a report regarding the Taxpayer Identification Number Perfection Program, including an explanation of the extent to which the information could be used to identify individuals receiving wages without work authorization.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Non-Emergency Ambulance Transportation Sustainability and Accountability Act of 2018 or the NEATSA Act This bill decreases the percentage by which Medicare payments must be reduced in 2019 for nonemergency ambulance transports of end-stage renal disease patients. Beginning in 2020, the bill increases the percentage reduction for certain providers that mostly furnish such services.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2018
History and Tradition Protection Act of 2018 This bill provides that, regarding a civil action for deprivation of rights under color of law, the remedies with respect to a claim shall be limited to injunctive and declaratory relief where the deprivation consists of a violation of a prohibition in the Constitution against the establishment of religion. No fees shall be awarded in proceedings in vindication of civil rights with respect to such a claim concerning the actions of states and localities. With regard to a claim brought against the United States or a federal official acting in his or her official capacity, the bill prohibits the award of reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys to the prevailing party.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2018
Families First Act of 2018 This bill amends rules for the treatment of unaccompanied alien children and asylum-seeking families, and for detaining and removal of various types of aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2018
Advanced Nuclear Fuel Availability Act This bill directs the Department of Energy to develop and deploy high-assay low-enriched uranium for domestic commercial use and to develop a schedule for recovering costs associated with such development.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2018
Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to achieve situational awareness and operational control of the border, including by increasing enforcement personnel. The bill provides funding for infrastructure, law enforcement, and border security, including funds for a border wall along the southern border. The bill provides for: (1) an Integrated Border Enforcement Team Program within DHS; (2) Tunnel Task Forces; (3) a pilot program on the use of electromagnetic spectrum to support border control operations; (4) a Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program; (5) construction of new border ports of entry; (6) a biometric exit data system at certain airports, seaports, and land ports of entry; (7) electronic passport screening and biometric matching; and (8) protections for children apprehended at the border from parental separation and for children in DHS custody. DHS may provide assistance to a foreign country to address migrant flows affecting the United States. DHS may provide six-year renewable contingent nonimmigrant status for certain aliens who were under the age of 16 when they first entered the United States. Adjustment to immigrant status is provided based on a point system. Children of long-term temporary foreign workers are also eligible for such status adjustment. DHS may designate certain groups as a criminal gang. Such individuals may not seek asylum, withholding of removal, or temporary protected status. Indemnification is provided for law enforcement entities sued for complying with DHS detainers. DHS detainer authority is revised. The bill creates a private right of action against a state or local jurisdiction that declines to honor a DHS detainer for a convicted illegal alien who then commits murder, rape, or sexual abuse of a minor. The bill eliminates: (1) the diversity visa program, (2) certain family-based visa categories, and (3) the per-country limit for employment-based immigrants. The per-country limit for family based-immigrants is increased. Asylum and visa screening provisions are revised.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2018
I-14 Expansion and Improvement Act of 2018 This bill amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to include additional routes within The Central Texas Corridor, a high priority corridor on the National Highway System, and to include The Central Louisiana Corridor and The Central Mississippi Corridor as high priority corridors on such system. The bill extends the Central Texas Corridor eastward following highways LA 8, LA 28, and US 84 in Louisiana through Leesville, Fort Polk, Alexandria, Pineville and Vidalia, where it would cross the Mississippi River.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2018
Protecting Rational Incentives in Newsprint Trade Act of 2018 or the PRINT Act This bill directs the Department of Commerce to conduct a study of, and to report to Congress regarding, the economic well-being, health, and vitality of the newsprint industry and the local newspaper publishing industry in the United States, including an assessment of: the trends in demand for newsprint and traditional printed newspapers, in demand for digital or online consumption of news, and in the U.S. pulp and paper industry and the effect of declining demand for newsprint on the health of such industry; measures undertaken by printers and newspaper publishers to reduce costs in response to increased costs for newsprint in the United States, and whether such measures have harmed local news coverage or reduced employment in the newspaper and publishing industries; whether measures undertaken by publishers and printers to reduce costs have harmed local businesses that advertise in local newspapers; and the global production capacity for newsprint in light of the declining demand for newsprint. Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission may not give effect to an affirmative determination in an antidumping or countervailing duty investigation relating to imports of uncoated groundwood paper until the President certifies that he has received the report and has concluded that giving effect to the determination is in the economic interest of the United States. Until such time as the President issues the certification, the administering authority shall order a rate of zero for deposits posted in such an investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2018
Recognizes that the national debt is a threat to national security and that deficits are unsustainable, irresponsible, and dangerous. Commits to restoring regular order to the appropriations process and immediately passing a balanced budget.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Recognizes that the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and all federal law enforcement agencies have a duty to uphold the Constitution and to protect the United States without any partisan or ideological inclination affecting their important work. Calls on DOJ to appoint a special counsel to investigate specified concerns.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2018
Coastal Texas Protection Act This bill requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the completion of the feasibility studies for flood damage reduction, hurricane and storm damage reduction, and ecosystem restoration in the coastal areas of Texas.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2018
Border Wall Trust Fund Act This bill authorizes the Department of the Treasury to accept donations to plan, design, construct, or maintain a barrier along the U.S.-Mexico international border. The Department of Homeland Security shall provide for a commemorative display as an integrated part of the barrier recognizing individuals who contributed to the Border Wall Trust Fund established by this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2018
Putting Our First-Responders First Act of 2018 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow first responders to exclude from gross income certain service-connected disability payments received as part of a pension or annuity after reaching the age of retirement. The bill applies to law enforcement officers, employees in fire protection activities, and individuals who provide out-of-hospital emergency medical care.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2018
Securing Our Schools Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to develop a strategy for securing elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education from homeland security threats.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2018
Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act or the PIRATE Act This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to address unlawful radio broadcasting (called "pirating"), including: making the fine for a pirate radio broadcasting violation up to $100,000 per day (Currently, there is a general penalty of up to $10,000 for any wire and radio communications law violation.); establishing a fine of up to $2,000,000 for any person who facilitates pirate radio broadcasting ("facilitating" includes providing access to property or providing physical goods or services); and requiring the Federal Communications Commission to focus on the top five radio markets twice a year to eliminate pirate radio broadcasting.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2018
Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act of 2018 This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to recklessly dispose of or abandon fetal remains in a landfill or in any navigable waters of the United States. The term "fetal remains" means any part (except a cremated part) of a deceased human fetus following an abortion. A violator is subject to a fine, up to three years in prison, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018
Prevent Trafficking in Our Schools Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security, at the request of the Department of Education (ED), to develop educational materials that ED may use to provide teachers, school leaders, and other personnel of elementary and secondary schools (covered educational personnel) with training in human trafficking awareness and techniques for identifying victims of human trafficking in elementary and secondary schools. The bill sets forth matters that the educational materials must address and requires that such materials emphasize that covered educational personnel who notice indicators of potential human trafficking should contact law enforcement and should not attempt to engage in counter-trafficking operations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018
Make Schools Safe Again Act This bill prohibits the Department of Education and the Department of Justice from authorizing or encouraging a school to have a policy of not referring a student suspected of criminal activity to law enforcement.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2018
Accelerated Payments for Small Businesses Act of 2018 This bill establishes a goal for federal agencies to pay small business invoices within 15 days of receiving a proper invoice if a specific payment date is not established by contract.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018
Supports: (1) U.S.-Israel cooperation to counter Iran's destabilizing activities, (2) enhancing Israel's deterrence capabilities, (3) including Israel in the first tier of countries receiving strategic trade authorization, and (4) the U.S. declaration recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
This bill designates: (1) the federal building and U.S. courthouse located at 1300 Victoria Street in Laredo, Texas, as the "George P. Kazen Federal Building and United States Courthouse," and (2) the jury room located in that courthouse as the "Marcel C. Notzon II Jury Room."
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2018 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to modify requirements for tax-favored retirement savings accounts, employer-provided retirement plans, and retirement benefits for federal judges. With respect to employer-provided plans, the bill modifies requirements regarding: multiple employer plans, automatic enrollment and nonelective contributions, loans, terminating or transferring plans, reporting and disclosure rules, nondiscrimination rules, selecting lifetime income providers, and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation premiums. The bill also increases the tax credit for small employer pension plan startup costs and allows a tax credit for small employers that establish retirement plans that include automatic enrollment. With respect to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), the bill: treats taxable non-tuition fellowship and stipend payments as compensation, repeals the maximum age for traditional IRA contributions, and permits any IRA to be a shareholder of any S corporation that is a bank. The bill makes several modifications to retirement benefits for magistrate judges of the U.S. Tax Court and other federal judges. The bill also modifies various tax provisions to: reinstate and increase the tax exclusion for benefits provided to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders, revise the required distribution rules for pension plans, increase penalties for failing to file tax or retirement plan returns, and require the Internal Revenue Service to share returns and return information with U.S. Customs Border Protection to administer the heavy vehicle use tax.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2018
Advanced Nuclear Energy Technologies Act This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Department of Energy (DOE) to advance the research and development of domestic advanced, affordable, and clean nuclear energy. Specifically, DOE must enter into one or more agreements to carry out at least four advanced nuclear reactor demonstration projects. DOE must establish goals for research relating to advanced nuclear reactors, including by coordinating with members of private industry to advance the demonstration of various designs of advanced nuclear reactors.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2018
Calls for the international community to demand that North Korea dismantle its labor camp system and for North Korea to cease human rights abuses and release political prisoners.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2018
United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2018 This bill extends Military Financing Program grants for Israel through FY2023. The Department of Defense shall conduct a joint assessment with Israel regarding: (1) precision guided munitions needed by Israel in a sustained armed confrontation with Hezbollah and other armed groups and terrorist organizations, and (2) related U.S. assistance and resupply planning. The President may utilize the Special Defense Acquisition Fund to transfer precision guided munitions and related defense articles and services to reserve stocks for Israel. Authorities for loan guarantees and the war reserves stockpile for Israel are extended through FY2023. The Department of Homeland Security shall establish a seven-year grant program with Israel to support: (1) cybersecurity research and development, and (2) commercialization of cybersecurity technology. The U.S. Agency for International Development may enter into memoranda of understanding with Israel to advance common goals on energy, agriculture and food security, democracy, economic growth, education, and health. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shall continue to work with the Israel Space Agency to pursue peaceful space exploration and science initiatives. The President may enter into a cooperative project agreement with Israel to carry out research and joint production of defense articles and services to detect and destroy unmanned aerial vehicles (i.e., drones) that threaten the United States or Israel. The bill states that it is U.S. policy to ensure that Israel maintains its qualitative military edge.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2018
Securing Children in Schools Act of 2018 This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize a grant program for state, local, and tribal governments to place and use metal detectors and other screening technologies at schools and on school grounds.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2018
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Economic Exclusion Act This bill expands sanctions against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The President shall report to Congress regarding: foreign and domestic supply chains that significantly aid the IRGC; Iranian state-owned entities that provide support to terrorist entities, including Mahan Air; and foreign persons owned or controlled by the IRGC, including companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange or companies with a value in excess of $100 million. The bill states that it is U.S. policy to prevent Iran's membership in the World Trade Organization and similar international bodies as long as Iran remains a state sponsor of terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2018
Creating Real and Useful Middle-Class Benefits and Savings (CRUMBS) Act of 2018 This bill excludes up to $2,500 of bonus income received by an employee in 2018 from being considered taxable earnings for the purpose of determining an employee's federal tax liability. The bill defines a "bonus" as wages paid in addition to the compensation ordinarily given, required, optioned, or obligated under an employment contract.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 2018
Ultrasound Informed Consent Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require abortion providers, before a woman gives informed consent to any part of an abortion: (1) perform an obstetric ultrasound on the pregnant woman; (2) provide a simultaneous explanation of what the ultrasound is depicting; (3) display the ultrasound images so the woman may view them; and (4) provide a complete medical description of the images, including the dimensions of the embryo or fetus, cardiac activity if present and visible, and the presence of external members and internal organs if present and viewable. The bill establishes civil penalties for violations. It prohibits construing this bill to require a woman to view the images or penalizing the provider or the woman if the woman declines to look at the images.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2018
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the area to be studied in environmental or historic reviews of broadband infrastructure should be limited to the area of impact.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2018
Uniting and Securing America Act of 2018 or the USA Act of 2018 This bill provides conditional permanent resident status for an alien meeting specified requirements, including having entered the United States when younger than 18 years old and residing in the United States since December 31, 2013. An individual may apply to have such conditional basis removed after meeting specified eligibility requirements. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall cancel the removal of, and adjust to the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence on a conditional basis, an individual who was granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, unless such individual has engaged in disqualifying conduct. The bill repeals provisions that deny an unlawful alien eligibility for higher education benefits on the basis of residence within a state unless a U.S. citizen or national is eligible for such benefits without regard to whether such citizen or national is such a resident. DHS shall: (1) deploy the most practical and effective technology available in order to achieve situational awareness and operational control along the U.S. border; (2) submit to Congress a comprehensive southern border strategy to achieve border control; and (3) begin eradicating the carrizo cane plant and salt cedar along the Rio Grande River. DHS may construct new ports of entry along the northern and southern borders. The bill establishes Operation Stonegarden in DHS to provide border security grants to law enforcement agencies in border or maritime border states that are involved in U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations DHS shall establish a two-year grant program to improve emergency communications in the southern border region for individuals who are at risk of violence and lack cellular and LTE network service. The number of immigration judges is increased. The President shall designate a senior official to coordinate federal and international efforts to strengthen citizen security, the rule of law, and economic prosperity in Central America.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2018
Securing America's Future Act of 2018 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise immigrant visa allocation provisions, including family-related visas. A nonimmigrant classification for parents of adult U.S. citizens is created. The diversity visa program is eliminated. Annual immigration levels are revised. The limit on the worldwide level of employment-based immigrants is increased. The H-2C visa temporary agricultural worker program is revised. A trust fund is established to provide incentives for such workers to return to their country of origin. DNA testing to establish family relationships is authorized. Employment eligibility verification provisions are revised. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall establish an employment verification system. No federal, state, or local government entity or individual may prohibit or restrict a federal, state, or local government entity or official from complying with the immigration laws or assisting related federal law enforcement activities. The bill revises provisions regarding: (1) detention of aliens in removal proceedings; (2) illegal entry and reentry; (3) inadmissibility and deportability of criminal aliens, gang members, drunk drivers, and sex offenders; (4) repatriation; (5) asylum and asylum fraud; (6) unaccompanied alien children; (7) foreign students; and (8) visa fraud. The bill: (1) transfers authority for strengthening the southern border from the Department of Justice to DHS; (2) revises border security provisions; (3) provides for additional border security personnel; (4) authorizes new ports of entry along the northern border and southern borders; (5) authorizes National Guard border security activities; (6) provides contingent nonimmigrant status for certain aliens who entered the United States as minors; (7) authorizes appropriations for specified border barriers and infrastructure; and (8) establishes Operation Stonegarden to make border security grants to law enforcement agencies. DHS shall: (1) submit a southern border threat analysis, (2) establish the Integrated Border Enforcement Team program, (3) implement the Border Security Deployment Program, (4) review social media activities of visa applicants, and (5) establish a biometric exit data system.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2018
Defending U.S. Government Communications Act This bill prohibits federal agencies from procuring or obtaining, renewing or extending a contract to obtain or procure, or entering into a contract with an entity that uses any equipment, system, or service with telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system that is from Huawei Technologies Company, ZTE Corporation, or an entity reasonably believed to be owned or controlled by China.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 2017
Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act This bill amends the federal criminal code to require any health care practitioner who is present when a child is born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion to: (1) exercise the same degree of care as reasonably provided to any other child born alive at the same gestational age, and (2) ensure that such child is immediately admitted to a hospital. The term "born alive" means the complete expulsion or extraction from his or her mother, at any stage of development, who after such expulsion or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been cut. Also, a health care practitioner or other employee who has knowledge of a failure to comply with these requirements must immediately report such failure to an appropriate law enforcement agency. An individual who violates the provisions of this bill is subject to a criminal fine, up to five years in prison, or both. An individual who commits an overt act that kills a child born alive is subject to criminal prosecution for murder. The bill bars the criminal prosecution of a mother of a child born alive for conspiracy to violate these provisions, for being an accessory after the fact, or for concealment of felony. A woman who undergoes an abortion or attempted abortion may file a civil action for damages against an individual who violates this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 2017
Acknowledges: (1) the importance of the U.S.-Egypt partnership in advancing common interests, and (2) Egypt's regional role as a partner in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. Recognizes the necessity for Egypt's leaders to take steps toward education reform that prioritizes impartial instruction of all religions and political reform that prioritizes human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law. Urges the government of Egypt to: (1) enact reforms to ensure that Coptic Christians are given the same rights and opportunities as all other Egyptian citizens; (2) end the culture of impunity for attacks on Christians; and (3) arrest, prosecute, and convict individuals who carry out such attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 2017
This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Don and Deyon Stephens, founders of Mercy Ships.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2017
Open Internet Preservation Act This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 by prohibiting broadband internet access service providers from: (1) blocking lawful content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices; and (2) impairing or degrading lawful internet traffic on the basis of internet content, application, or service, or use of a non-harmful device. These prohibitions do not prevent providers from offering specialized services that are offered over the same network and may share network capacity with the broadband internet access service. The bill allows broadband internet access services to be eligible for federal universal service support funding.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2017
Ensuring Small Scale LNG Certainty and Access Act This bill amends the Natural Gas Act to state that an application under the Natural Gas Act for the importation or exportation of natural gas that does not exceed 0.14 billion cubic feet per day shall be granted without modification or delay.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2017
Ensuring Patient Access to Healthcare Records Act of 2017 This bill amends the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services to develop and update policies that enable certain health-care clearinghouses, plans, and providers to: (1) provide patients with access to information related to their care; (2) develop patient-engagement tools, reports, analyses, and presentations that may demonstrate benefit to patients and health-plan enrollees; and (3) promote transparency regarding the use and disclosure of health information by health-care clearinghouses.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2017
Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act This bill amends the Natural Gas Act to grant the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the exclusive authority to approve or deny an application for the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of a facility to export natural gas from the United States to a foreign country or import natural gas from a foreign country, including a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal. The bill states that nothing in the Natural Gas Act limits the authority of the President under any provision of law that imposes sanctions on a foreign person or government, including a foreign government that is designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, to prohibit imports or exports.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2017
Georgian Fair Business Practices Sanctions Act of 2017 This bill directs the President to periodically submit to Congress a report: (1) determining whether or not the government of Georgia is undermining commitments or contractual agreements made with U.S. business persons operating in Georgia, and (2) identifying current or former Georgian officials who are responsible for such actions. The report shall include a summary of U.S. government and nongovernment investment in Georgia. If the President determines that Georgia has committed such actions, the President shall impose financial and trade assistance sanctions on the government of Georgia and visa and property blocking sanctions on identified officials.
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2017
Adoption Information Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require family planning service projects or programs, as a condition of receiving certain grants or contracts, to assure the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that they will provide each person who inquires about their services with a pamphlet containing a comprehensive list of adoption centers in their state. The bill directs HHS to prepare, annually update, and distribute such pamphlets to such projects or programs.
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2017
Recognizes the importance of Christmas symbols and traditions. Disapproves of attempts to ban references to Christmas. Expresses support for the use of these symbols and traditions by those who celebrate Christmas.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 2017
Directs the Committee on House Administration to issue regulations requiring Members, officers, and employees of the House of Representatives to complete a training program on workplace rights and responsibilities, including anti-discrimination and anti-harassment training, during each congressional session. Requires Members, officers, or employees to certify completion of such training within 90 days after a congressional session begins or within 90 days after beginning service during a session. (Sets forth a special rule requiring such training to be completed within 180 days after the beginning of the second session of the 115th Congress.) Directs the committee to issue regulations requiring that each House employing office post in a prominent location in its office and in each Member's congressional district office a statement of rights and protections provided to House employees under the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, including procedures for responding to and adjudicating allegations of violations of such rights and protections.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2017
Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act of 2017 This bill amends the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) to revise the requirement that 10% of the award of contracts for federal-aid highway, federal public transportation, and highway safety research and development programs be set-aside for small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. This set-aside must include veteran-owned small businesses.