United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2020
This concurrent resolution establishes the Joint Select Committee on the Events and Activities Surrounding China's Handling of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus to investigate and report to Congress and the executive branch, including recommendations on the origins and causes of the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19); certain coronavirus-related policies, decisions, and activities by the government of China; accountability for policies, decisions, and activities related to influencing the World Health Organization's response to the coronavirus outbreak; vulnerabilities in the U.S. domestic and global supply chain to combat a global pandemic due to reliance on Chinese manufacturing; information related to lessons learned from China's handling of the coronavirus; and actions the federal government should take in response to China's handling of the coronavirus.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2020
Agricultural Security Risk Review Act This bill expands the membership of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to include the Secretary of Agriculture. (The committee reviews the national security implications of certain foreign investments in U.S. businesses or real estate, including critical infrastructure or technologies.)
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2020
Pandemic Rapid Response Act This bill establishes the National Commission on the COVID-19 Pandemic in the legislative branch and sets forth its powers, duties, funding, and membership. Specifically, the commission shall (1) investigate the facts and circumstances of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, (2) evaluate lessons learned regarding preparedness and response activities, and (3) report findings and make recommendations on preventing a similar outbreak from occurring in the future. The commission must avoid duplicating the work of other government entities and terminates 60 days after the submission of its final report.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2020
All Dependent Children Count Act This bill extends the 2020 recovery rebates of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to all taxpayer dependents.
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 · 3 March 2020
Securing All Livestock Equitably Act of 2020 or the SALE Act of 2020 This bill requires all livestock purchased by a dealer in cash sales and all inventories of, or receivables or proceeds from, such livestock to be held by the dealer in a trust until all unpaid cash sellers of the livestock have been paid. The bill exempts from the requirement any dealer whose average annual purchases of livestock do not exceed $100,000. The bill also specifies requirements regarding enforcement, preserving a trust, notifying lien holders, and purchasing or transferring livestock that is subject to a trust.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020
Major Richard Star Act This bill provides that a combat-disabled uniformed services retiree with fewer than 20 years of creditable service may concurrently receive, without reduction veterans' disability compensation, and retired pay or combat-related special compensation.
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
Trillion Trees Act This bills establishes requirements and incentives to plant trees and conduct other land management practices for the purposes of capturing and storing carbon.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020
Restoring the Efforts of Local Involvement in Emergencies and Floods Act or the RELIEF Act This bill authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reimburse nonfederal sponsors for work related to the emergency response to a natural disaster.
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 · 10 February 2020
Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for purposes outside the United States related to abortion. Specifically, the bill prohibits funding to certain foreign or domestic organizations that perform or promote abortions, furnish or develop items intended to procure abortions, or provide financial support for an entity that conducts such activities. Current U.S. policy prohibits the provision of federal funds to a foreign nongovernmental organization unless it agrees to not perform or actively promote abortions.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2020
This resolution condemns Iran's state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the international covenants on human rights. Further, it calls on Iran to immediately release all imprisoned or detained Baha'is, and it urges the President and the Department of State to impose sanctions on Iranian officials and others who are responsible for serious human rights abuses, including abuses against Iran's Baha'i community.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2020
The Residential Energy and Economic Savings Act or the TREES Act This bill provides incentives for retail power providers or cities to plant trees to reduce energy costs. Specifically, the Department of Energy (DOE) must establish a program to award grants to retail power providers that partner with nonprofit tree-planting organizations to establish or continue operating tree-planting programs. Under the program, retail power providers must give residential consumers free or discounted trees that provide maximum amounts of shade during the summer or wind protection during the fall and winter. Retail power providers include entities that generate, distribute, or provide retail electricity, natural gas, or fuel oil service. In addition, DOE must annually give an award that designates communities or other areas as the Arbor City of America. The award must recognize communities for superior efforts in increasing tree canopy coverage and assisting residents in reducing energy costs. DOE must give award recipients funding for green infrastructure or green spaces.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019
This resolution recognizes and honors Smokey Bear's 75 years of service to the United States. The resolution also expresses support for Smokey Bear's commitment to preventing unwanted human-caused wildfires and promoting forest health. Finally, the resolution encourages the Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters, and the Ad Council to explore ways Smokey Bear's message can be modernized to reflect current science and differentiate between unwanted human-caused wildfires and beneficial natural and prescribed fires.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2019
ALS Placebo No More Act This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health to collaborate to provide all patients with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease) with access to medicines in clinical trials.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2019
This bill requires the federal government to create a mechanism through which insulin manufacturers may sell their products directly to consumers at current net prices.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2019
American Energy Opportunity Act of 2019 This bill establishes a process for expediting and standardizing the permitting process for certain distributed energy systems. The bill defines such systems as equipment or materials installed in, on, or near a building to support onsite or local energy use, such as solar energy, batteries, and charging systems for electrical vehicles. Specifically, the Department of Energy (DOE) must establish or designate a Distributed Energy Opportunity Board to carry out a program to (1) expedite the process for local permitting and inspection of qualifying distributed energy systems, and (2) facilitate the certification of distributed energy system installers. In addition, DOE must recognize and certify communities as Distributed Energy Opportunity Communities if they adopt and implement a permit-to-build protocol that is established by the board. DOE may award grants to encourage communities to adopt the protocol and standardized inspection processes established by the board.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2019
This resolution recognizes Food for Peace as a critical component of global food security efforts and calls for the prioritization of funding for Food for Peace programs.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2019
Specialty Treatment to Access and Referrals Act of 2019 or the STAR Act This bill authorizes grants for health centers and rural health clinics to conduct pilot programs providing electronic consultations with specialists and related telehealth services.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2019
Indian Buffalo Management Act This bill establishes a permanent program within the Department of the Interior to develop and promote tribal ownership and management of buffalo and buffalo habitat on Indian lands. Specifically, the bill requires Interior to (1) enter into contracts, award grants, and provide technical assistance to Indian tribes and tribal organizations for activities related to buffalo restoration or management; (2) consult with tribes and tribal organizations on initiatives that affect buffalo or buffalo habitat, including efforts to contain or eradicate diseased buffalo; and (3) develop a policy relating to buffalo and buffalo habitat management activities on Indian land. Additionally, Interior may enter into agreements with tribes or tribal organizations to transport surplus buffalo from federal land onto Indian land.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2019
Open Skies Treaty Stability Act This bill prohibits the President from suspending, terminating, or withdrawing the United States from the Open Skies Treaty, unless the Department of Defense and the Department of State jointly certify to Congress that (1) Russia is in material breach of the treaty and is not taking steps to return to compliance, (2) withdrawal from the treaty is in the best interests of U.S. national security, (3) there is a comprehensive strategy to mitigate against reduced military transparency, and (4) other countries that are party to the treaty have been consulted as to Russia's breach and U.S. intentions to withdraw. (The treaty allows participating countries to fly unarmed observation aircraft over each other's territory and places various limits and requirements on such flights.)
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2019
Cruise Passenger Protection Act This bill revises provisions related to passenger vessel security and safety. Among other things, the bill applies to certain passenger vessels that carry at least 250 passengers, directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to determine whether any of the enumerated rights in the international cruise line passenger bill of rights (adopted by the members of the Cruise Lines International Association) are enforceable under federal law, revises passenger vessel security and safety requirements, requires DOT to study the feasibility of having an individual on board each passenger vessel to provide victim support and related safety and security services, and makes additional compensation recoverable for nonpecuniary damages (but not punitive damages) for deaths resulting from a passenger cruise ship accident occurring on the high seas beyond 12 nautical miles from the U.S. shore.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2019
Farmers' Access to Resources and Machinery Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to private activity bond financing for first-time farmers, to (1) increase from $450,000 to $524,200 (adjusted annually for inflation) the amount of bond proceeds that may be used by a first-time farmer to acquire land for farming purposes, (2) repeal the separate dollar limitation on the use of bond proceeds for used farm equipment, and (3) modify the definition of "substantial farmland" to determine farm size by reference to the average (instead of median) size of a farm in the county in which the farm is located.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2019
This resolution recognizes the value of military working dogs and specifically honors the military working dog assigned to the raid of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. It also honors and celebrates the actions of the U.S. Special Operations Forces on October 26, 2019.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2019
Teleabortion Prevention Act of 2019 This bill restricts the use of telehealth for chemical abortions (also known as medication abortions). Specifically, it requires a provider who dispenses or prescribes medication for a chemical abortion to physically examine the patient, be physically present at the location of the chemical abortion, and schedule a follow-up visit. The bill provides an exception for a chemical abortion that is necessary to save the life of a mother whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, injury, or condition. The bill establishes criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to two years, or both—for a provider who does not comply with the requirements. A patient who undergoes a chemical abortion may not be prosecuted.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2019
Dignity for Aborted Children Act This bill requires abortion providers to offer patients specified options concerning the human fetal tissue from an abortion. Specifically, patients must be given an informed consent form specifying the options to (1) take possession of the tissue for transfer to an entity that provides interment or cremations services, or (2) in cases where the tissue is expelled on the provider’s premises, release the tissue to the provider. If the tissue is released to the abortion provider, the provider must ensure the tissue is interred or cremated within seven days of the procedure in a manner consistent with state law regarding the disposal of human remains. Abortion providers must report annually about the aggregate number of abortions performed and other specified information. The bill provides civil or criminal penalties for violations of disposal, informed consent, and reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2019
SOS: Sustaining Outpatient Services Act This bill allows for payment under the Medicare prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services of certain items and services that are furnished at off-campus outpatient departments. Specifically, the bill allows for payment of items and services for which payments to physician specialists (under the Medicare physician fee schedule) did not exceed $2 million during the previous year.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2019
Cold War Service Medal Act This bill authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD) to issue a service medal to members of the Armed Forces who served during the Cold War. The medal may be awarded to service members who (1) served on active duty for at least 24 consecutive months during the Cold War, from September 2, 1945, to December 26, 1991; (2) were deployed outside the continental United States for at least 30 days during the Cold War; (3) were members of a reserve component of the Armed Forces and were called or ordered to active duty to participate in exercises or operations directly related to the Cold War ; or (4) performed such other service in the Armed Forces during the Cold War as DOD may prescribe.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2019
Protect our Elections Act This bill requires each state or local government entity responsible for the administration of federal elections to ensure that each election service provider (i.e., contractor or vendor) is a qualified provider with regard to (1) the ownership and control of the provider, (2) the provider's compliance with cybersecurity best practices, and (3) the provider's reporting of its ownership and control. The bill requires the entity to annually evaluate each provider. It also specifies reporting requirements for providers, subject to civil penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2019
This resolution condemns the persecution of members of any faith and calls on foreign governments to recognize the right of Christians to practice their faith without fear of persecution.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2019
Honest Elections Act This bill modifies registration requirements for foreign agents who engage in political activities, requires that certain disclosures be made in online political communications, and prohibits a state from receiving certain election assistance funds if the state allows ballot harvesting or voting by noncitizens.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2019
Pregnancy Discrimination Amendment Act This bill amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to expand protections against pregnancy discrimination in the workplace.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2019
Countering Turkish Aggression Act of 2019 This bill directs the President to impose sanctions related to Turkey. The President shall impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on (1) specified officials of Turkey's government, such as the president and vice president of Turkey; (2) any foreign person that knowingly sells to, provides support to, or conducts a transaction with Turkey's armed forces; and (3) any foreign person that supplies goods or services that support petroleum production for use by Turkey's armed forces. The President may temporarily stop the application of such sanctions upon certifying to Congress that Turkey (1) is not operating in certain parts of Syria without U.S. support, and (2) has withdrawn its troops and Turkey-supported rebel groups from occupied areas. The President shall impose additional sanctions on Turkey based on Turkey's purchase of a surface-to-air defense system from Russia. No funds may be obligated or expended to transfer to Turkey's armed forces any U.S. defense articles, services, or technology.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2019
Protect Against Conflict by Turkey Act or the PACT Act This bill imposes sanctions and various restrictions related to Turkey's military invasion of northern Syria. The President shall impose visa- and asset-blocking sanctions on specific Turkish officials connected to the invasion, including Turkey's Minister of National Defense. The Department of State shall report to the President and Congress as to (1) other Turkish officials involved with the invasion; and (2) foreign persons that knowingly provided defense articles, services, or technology to Turkey that could be used in the invasion of northern Syria. Such foreign persons shall also be subject to visa- and asset-blocking sanctions. The President shall impose financial sanctions on the large Turkish state-owned bank known as Halk Bankasi or Halkbank and on any financial institutions that the State Department determines to have knowingly facilitated significant transactions for the Turkish Armed Forces or Turkey's defense industry related to the invasion. The President shall impose sanctions on Turkey's government pursuant to the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. A U.S. defense article, service, or technology may not be transferred to Turkey's government if it (1) is covered under the Arms Export Control Act, and (2) may be used by Turkey in military operations in northern Syria. The President may not exercise certain emergency waiver authority related to the Arms Export Control Act in relation to this prohibition. The bill calls for reports on (1) the national security impact of the invasion and, (2) the net worth of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his family.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2019
National World War II Memorial Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the National World War II Memorial in the District of Columbia. The design of the coins shall be emblematic of the memorial and the service and sacrifice of American soldiers and civilians during World War II. All surcharges received from the sale of such coins shall be paid to the Friends of the National World War II Memorial to support the National Park Service in maintaining and repairing the memorial, and for educational and commemorative programs.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2019
Partnering and Leveraging Assistance to Stop Trash for International Cleaner Seas Act or the PLASTICS Act This bill authorizes the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to prioritize and advance global efforts to prevent and reduce marine debris and plastic waste. The State Department and USAID are authorized to work with private-sector and nongovernmental entities to complement such efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2019
Adding Epidemic Diseases to the FDA Priority Review Voucher Program Act This bill expands the priority-review voucher program for tropical diseases to include Middle East respiratory syndrome, Nipah virus, and Rift Valley fever. A voucher entitles the holder to have a future new drug or biological product application acted upon by the Food and Drug Administration within six months.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2019
Hotel Advertising Transparency Act of 2019 This bill requires hotels, and other places of short-term lodging, to include all required fees in the advertised rate.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2019
Protecting America's Food and Agriculture Act of 2019 This bill authorizes U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), every fiscal year, to hire, train, and assign 240 new agricultural specialists until the total number of specialists equals and sustains the requirements identified each year in the Agriculture Resource Allocation Model. The CBP may also hire, train, and assign support staff to assist the specialists and specified levels of agricultural canine teams. In calculating the number of specialists needed at each port of entry through the Agriculture Resource Allocation Model, the Office of Field Operations of the CBP must (1) rely on data collected regarding the inspections and other activities conducted at each such port of entry; and (2) consider volume from seasonal surges, other projected changes in commercial and passenger volumes, the most current commercial forecasts, and other relevant information.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2019
Creating Hope Reauthorization Act This bill permanently reauthorizes a Food and Drug Administration program that awards priority review vouchers to manufacturers of drugs that treat rare pediatric diseases. (A priority review voucher entitles the voucher holder to priority review of a single human drug application.)
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2019
Small Refinery Exemption Fairness Act of 2019 This bill revises requirements under the renewable fuel program to adjust the renewable fuel obligation to account for the full volume of gasoline and diesel produced by exempted small refineries of crude oil. The renewable fuel program requires transportation fuel to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2019
Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act or the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement a pilot program to assess the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder through a method where veterans train service dogs for veterans with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
Negro Leagues Baseball Centennial Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Negro National League, a professional baseball league that was formed in response to African-American players being banned from baseball's major leagues. The design of the coins shall be emblematic of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and its mission to promote tolerance, diversity, and inclusion. All surcharges from sales of these coins shall be paid to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to fund educational and outreach programs and exhibits.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
ARPA-E Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill revises and reauthorizes through FY2024 the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The bill expands the goals of ARPA-E to include the development of energy technologies that (1) provide transformative solutions to improve the management, clean-up, and disposal of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel; and (2) improve the resilience, reliability, and security of infrastructure to produce, deliver, and store energy. The bill also authorizes DOE to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to evaluate how well ARPA-E is achieving its goals and missions.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
Safe from the Start Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of State to direct U.S. foreign assistance to address humanitarian crises in a manner that aims to prevent and respond to gender-based violence at the onset of an emergency. Specifically, the State Department shall focus on (1) preventing gender-based violence, (2) protecting survivors of humanitarian crises from the onset of the emergency, (3) promoting standards and activities to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, and (4) advancing and empowering survivors and at-risk individuals. Activities shall include improving access to post-sexual-assault medical and mental health services and ensuring such services are available to hard-to-reach populations. The State Department may provide support to local and international organizations to achieve its goals.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
This resolution (1) expresses concern over the use of child labor in the mining of cobalt and other minerals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and (2) calls on specified U.S. agencies to develop a strategy and action plan to end such practices.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act of 2019 This bill provides for Medicare coverage of certain audiologist services. Specifically, the bill expands coverage to include diagnostic and treatment services that are furnished by audiologists and that would otherwise be covered if provided by a physician, including incidental services, regardless of whether such services are provided pursuant to a referral from, or under the supervision of, a physician or other health care practitioner.
![Official portrait of Rep. Fortenberry, Jeff [R-NE-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/116_rp_ne_1_fortenberry_jeff_200.jpg)