United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Pandemic Healthcare Access Act This bill preserves the eligibility of health savings account (HSA) participants covered by any health plan during the coronavirus emergency period. The coronavirus emergency period is the period beginning on March 13, 2020, and ending on the later of (1) the last day on which a presidential declaration of emergency under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act with respect to the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19) is in effect, or (2) the last day on which a presidential declaration of national emergency under the National Emergencies Act with respect to the coronavirus is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2020
Veterans' True Choice Act of 2020 This bill allows covered veterans to receive coverage under TRICARE Select, a health care program of the Department of Defense (DOD). Veterans covered by this bill include those with service-connected disabilities, former prisoners of war, Purple Heart recipients, Medal of Honor recipients, those discharged from service due to disability, and those entitled to disability compensation. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must reimburse DOD's costs of enrolling eligible veteran beneficiaries in the program. A covered veteran may not concurrently receive medical care from DOD and the VA.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2020
Equal Treatment of Faith-Based Organizations Act of 2020 This bill provides statutory authority for certain restrictions on conditions for financial assistance and program participation imposed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with respect to faith-based organizations. Specifically, HHS shall not impose specified conditions on faith-based organizations regarding the receipt of HHS funds or the participation in HHS programs, such as requirements to disclose religious affiliation, if those conditions are not imposed on organizations that are not faith-based. In addition, HHS shall not require any organization to refer a beneficiary who objects to the religious character of that organization to an alternative provider. States and local governments that administer HHS funds must adhere to these requirements, as well. Under current law, these restrictions apply to HHS financial assistance and programs through an executive order concerning the administration of federal grants and programs related to faith-based organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2600 Wesley Street in Greenville, Texas, as the "Audie Murphy Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2020
K2 Veterans Toxic Exposure Accountability Act of 2020 This bill addresses toxic exposure of members of the Armed Forces deployed to Karshi-Khanabad (K-2) Air Base in Uzbekistan between October 1, 2001, and December 31, 2005. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to conduct a study and report on such exposure. Based on the results of the study, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must determine (1) whether a positive association exists between such exposure and the occurrence of a diagnosed illness in humans, and (2) whether a presumption of service-connection is warranted. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific conditions diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded. If the VA determines a presumption of service-connection is not warranted, notice must be published and include an explanation of the basis for the determination. The bill also requires the VA to remove previous presumptions if evidence indicates such presumption is not warranted. The bill requires the VA to establish and maintain a registry for individuals who were deployed to K-2 during the specified time frame. Finally, DOD must provide access to information upon request by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for purposes of a study regarding the effects of exposure to toxic substances at K-2.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2020
Lawful Interstate Transportation of Firearms Act This bill revises criminal provisions related to the interstate transportation of firearms and ammunition. An individual may transport a firearm between two places (e.g., states) where it is legal to possess, carry, or transport the firearm. During transport, the firearm must be unloaded and secured or securely stored. Additionally, an individual may transport ammunition, or a detachable magazine or feeding device, between two places where it is legal to possess, carry, or transport the ammunition, magazine, or feeding device. During transport, the ammunition, magazine, or feeding device must not be loaded into a firearm and must be securely stored. The term transport includes staying in temporary lodging; stopping for food, fuel, vehicle maintenance, an emergency, or medical treatment; and any other activities that are incidental to the transportation. The bill prohibits the arrest or detention of an individual for a state or local firearm or ammunition violation unless there is probable cause to believe the individual failed to comply with the provisions of this bill, and there is probable cause to believe the individual committed another crime.
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 · 13 February 2020
Clergy Act of 2020 This bill establishes a two-year window for certain members of the clergy and Christian Science practitioners to revoke their exemption from Social Security and Medicare taxes on ministerial earnings. Under current law, such individuals who object to participation in public insurance programs on religious or conscientious grounds may apply to the Internal Revenue Service for an irrevocable exemption and will not receive Social Security or Medicare benefits in retirement unless they have qualifying credits from other employment.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020
Protect Our Military Families' 2nd Amendment Rights Act This bill broadens the scope of allowable firearm transactions involving active duty service members and their spouses. Specifically, the bill allows a licensed gun dealer, importer, or manufacturer to sell or ship a firearm or ammunition to the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty outside the United States. (Current law already allows a licensed dealer, importer, or manufacturer to sell or ship a firearm or ammunition to a member of the Armed Forces on active duty outside the United States.) The bill also specifies that, for purposes of federal firearms laws, a member of the Armed Forces on active duty, or his or her spouse, is a resident of the state in which (1) the member or spouse maintains legal residence, (2) the permanent duty station of the member is located, and (3) the member maintains a home from which he or she commutes to the permanent duty station.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020
Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act This bill prohibits a state from receiving certain federal law enforcement grants if it takes certain immigration-related actions. Specifically, a state is barred from receiving such grants if it (1) issues a driver license to an individual who does not have proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the United States, or (2) prohibits a local or state government entity or official from sharing immigration enforcement information with the Department of Homeland Security.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2020
Save Rural Communities Act of 2020 This bill establishes several requirements under Medicare regarding certified rural emergency access centers, including payment, certification, and participation requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2020
Second Amendment For Every Registrable Voter Act or the SAFER Voter Act This bill reduces the minimum age—from 21 years to 18 years—at which an individual may obtain a handgun from a federally licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, importer, or collector.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2020
Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of the Interior or the Department of Commerce to publish online, subject to privacy or administrative limitations, the best scientific and commercial data available that are the bases for the determination of whether a species is an endangered species or a threatened species, including each proposed regulation for the listing of a species.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2020
This bill directs the Department of Transportation to revise its regulations to increase the gross combination weight rating for a single commercial motor vehicle covered under Group B (Heavy Straight Vehicle) to 30,001 pounds. Currently, the gross combination weight rating for a single vehicle under Group B is 26,001 pounds or more.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2020
Personalized Care Act of 2020 This bill revises provisions relating to health savings accounts (HSAs), including to redefine eligible individual for HSA purposes to allow increased participation in HSAs, increase the limit on contributions to HSAs, permit the payment of health insurance premiums from HSAs, include within the definition of qualified medical expenses periodic fees paid for medical services and amounts paid by a member of a health care sharing ministry, treat periodic provider fees as deductible medical expenses, allow payment of over-the-counter medicines or drugs from HSAs, and lower the 20% penalty for nonqualified distributions from HSAs to 10%. .
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2020
Revamping American Infrastructure Act of 2020 This bill addresses the use of performance-based standards by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Specifically, DOT must invite the public to identify DOT regulations, guidance, and policies that establish prescriptive requirements for regulated entities that can be replaced with performance-based standards; submit and implement a plan to address feedback from the public that includes a detailed plan to replace the regulations, guidance, and policies with such standards; and ensure that its regulations, guidance, and policies issued are issued as performance-based standards.
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2020
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4650 East Rosedale Street in Fort Worth, Texas, as the "Dionne Phillips Bagsby Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2020
This resolution (1) disapproves of the Speaker of the House of Representatives' decision to refuse to transmit to the Senate the two articles of impeachment adopted on December 18, 2019, and (2) demands that the Speaker immediately transmit the articles to the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2020
This bill authorizes the posthumous award of the Medal of Honor to Doris Miller in light of his acts of valor as a member of the U.S. Navy during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019
This bill prohibits the Fish and Wildlife Service from awarding specified wildlife conservation grants to entities that fund or support certain persons or entities that are credibly alleged to have committed gross human rights violations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2019
Interstate Milk Freedom Act of 2019 This bill prohibits federal regulation of the interstate traffic of unpasteurized milk or milk products packaged for direct human consumption under specified circumstances. Specifically, the prohibition applies if (1) such products would be considered adulterated or misbranded or otherwise in violation of federal law solely because they are unpasteurized; (2) the products are allowed by the state of origin to be distributed for direct human consumption by any means; (3) they are produced, packaged, and moved in compliance with the laws of such state; and (4) they are moved from the state of origin with the intent to transport them to another state that allows the distribution of such products for direct human consumption.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2019
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 315 Addicks Howell Road in Houston, Texas, as the "Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2019
Continuity for Operators with Necessary Training Required for ATC Contract Towers Act of 2019 or the CONTRACT Act of 2019 This bill exempts certain air traffic controllers from a required reduction in their retirement annuity payment on account of earnings from certain work performed while entitled to such annuity. Under current law, retired Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers receive an annuity payment during the period between the mandatory retirement age of 56 and the social security minimum age of 62. Such annuity payment is required to be reduced by a certain percentage of any excess earnings during this period. The bill exempts from such reduction in annuity payments an air traffic controller who participates in the Air Traffic Control Contract Program (a public-private partnership for air traffic control services) following mandatory retirement.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2019
American Security Drone Act of 2019 This bill bans the procurement or use by the federal government of commercial off-the-shelf drones or other unmanned aircraft systems manufactured or assembled by certain entities, including entities subject to influence or control by China, with exceptions. Federal funds may not be used to purchase or operate such a drone or system, or a system to counter unmanned aircraft systems, that is manufactured or assembled by such an entity. The Government Accountability Office shall report regarding such drones or systems procured by federal agencies from foreign entities.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2019
No Taxation Without Representation Act This bill excludes from the gross income of bona fide residents of the District of Columbia income derived from sources within the District of Columbia and income connected with a trade or business in the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2019
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1305 U.S. Highway 90 West in Castroville, Texas, as the "Lance Corporal Rhonald Dain Rairdan Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2019
This resolution (1) disapproves of the actions led by the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, to conduct work related to matters of impeachment in a closed and classified setting; (2) requires all impeachment related matters to be done in an open setting and in public view; and (3) demands the Speaker and the chair of each committee engaged in an impeachment inquiry of any kind to give each Member of the House a minimum of 48-hours notice before conducting such matters.
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 · 15 October 2019
This resolution directs various committees of the House of Representatives to investigate whether Robert Hunter Biden's business dealings were ethical and proper given Joseph R. Biden, Jr.'s role as Vice President.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2019
This bill defines a full-time health care practitioner for the purpose of participation in the student loan repayment plan for public service employees. Specifically, the bill establishes a definition that encompasses an individual employed as a health care practitioner at a nonprofit or public hospital or facility who is prohibited from being directly employed by such hospital or facility under state law.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2019
Support And Value Expectant Moms and Babies Act of 2019 or the SAVE Moms and Babies Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from approving any new drug (either as a brand-name drug or a generic) intended to terminate a pregnancy and imposes additional restrictions on such drugs that are already approved. Under the bill, an already-approved drug intended to terminate a pregnancy may be dispensed to a patient only with a prescription. Furthermore, the FDA may not approve any labeling change that would authorize (1) using the drug after 70 days of gestation, or (2) dispensing the drug by any means other than in-person administration by the prescribing health care practitioner. The FDA must also impose additional restrictions on such already-approved drugs, including by (1) requiring the prescribing health care practitioner to receive a special certification, (2) prohibiting the practitioner to also act as the dispensing pharmacist, and (3) requiring the practitioner to have the ability to provide surgical intervention to the patient. The bill also rescinds any investigational use exemption already granted to such a drug if the bill would have prohibited the FDA from granting the exemption. (Currently, the FDA may grant an exemption to certain market approval requirements if a drug is intended solely for use in safety and effectiveness investigations.)
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 · 12 September 2019
NASA Enhanced Use Lease Authority Act of 2019 This bill extends through 2029 and revises the authority of the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) to lease its non-excess real property and related personal property. The bill expands the purposes for which NASA may enter such leases for in-kind consideration to include (1) maintaining, constructing, modifying, or improving facilities; (2) carrying out aeronautical and space research, development, testing, and evaluation activities; and (3) providing services to NASA, including launch services and payload processing services. The annual report with respect to such leasing shall include information on (1) the value and nature of in-kind consideration, and (2) the controls in place that ensure that NASA takes advantage of such consideration.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
State Veterans Home Inspection Simplification Act This bill alters certain requirements relating to inspection and certification of Medicare skilled nursing facilities that are also state veterans homes. Specifically, the bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to treat state veterans homes that are inspected and determined to meet applicable standards set by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as also meeting applicable standards for skilled nursing facilities under Medicare. The CMS must also use VA inspection reports for such facilities in lieu of state inspection reports for purposes of the Nursing Home Compare website.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the inclusion of any Social Security or tier I railroad retirement benefits in gross income for income tax purposes. The bill also: (1) appropriates funds to cover reductions in transfers to the Social Security and Railroad Retirement Trust Funds resulting from the enactment of this bill, and (2) expresses the sense of Congress against using tax increases to provide revenue necessary to carry out this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2019
Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act of 2019 This bill phases in a new funding formula for determining benefit amounts under the windfall elimination provision (WEP). (The WEP reduces Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefits for those who receive pensions for certain non-covered employment.) The new formula adjusts an individual's total lifetime earnings based on the proportion of those earnings subject to Social Security payroll taxes. It applies to individuals who (1) become eligible for old-age or disability benefits after 2060, and (2) have earnings from non-covered service performed in a year after 1977. Beneficiaries who become eligible for benefits between 2022 and 2060 receive the higher of their benefit calculated under the existing WEP or the new formula. In addition, certain beneficiaries currently impacted by the WEP receive an additional payment. The Social Security Administration must include non-covered earnings in Social Security account statements and must study the feasibility of partnering with certain pension systems to address data sharing issues related to non-covered pensions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2019
This resolution reaffirms the U.S. commitment to promoting religious freedom in China and urges U.S. officials to make concerted efforts to address the issue of religious persecution in China. The resolution also calls on China to release all religious prisoners and ensure that detainees are treated humanely.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2019
Red Light Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation to withhold from states allocations of federal highway funds in FY2020 and thereafter if such states enact laws to provide drivers' licenses or other identification cards to aliens unlawfully present in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2019
Healthcare Freedom Act of 2019 This bill expands the availability of health savings accounts. It renames such accounts as "health freedom accounts" and allows all individuals to receive increased tax deductions for contributions to such accounts. The term "qualified medical expenses" is expanded to include costs associated with direct primary care, health care sharing ministries, and medical cost sharing organizations. The bill also excludes employer contributions to health freedom accounts from employee gross income for income tax purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
Federal Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act of 2019 This bill modifies the general prohibition on female genital mutilation. Specifically, the bill prohibits this conduct when it occurs in or affects interstate or foreign commerce. (A 2018 court ruling held the criminal offense of female genital mutilation to be unconstitutional because the statute did not include any jurisdictional elements, such as a requirement that the charged offense have a connection to or effect on interstate commerce.)
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act of 2019 This bill eliminates the Optional Practical Training Program or any successor program, unless Congress expressly authorizes such a program. (The program provides an F-1 student visa holder temporary employment authorization before or after completion of the student's studies, or both.)
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
Veterans Health Savings Account Act This bill allows veterans who receive hospital care or medical services under any law administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs to remain eligible to participate in or contribute to a health savings account.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019
Improve Well-Being for Veterans Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to award grants for a period of three years to eligible entities for the provision of suicide prevention services to veterans and their families. Under the bill, eligible entities include tribally designated housing entities, community-based organizations, and other private entities that meet certain requirements. Entities must submit an application to receive financial assistance that includes a description of the services they propose to provide, among other elements. The bill requires the VA to equitably distribute grants across geographic regions and areas with the most need. Additionally, the VA shall give preference to entities that are experienced in providing suicide prevention services. Entities receiving funding must notify service recipients that funding is wholly or partially from the VA.
![Official portrait of Rep. Gohmert, Louie [R-TX-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/116_rp_tx_1_gohmert_louie_200.jpg)