United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2021
Stop CRT Act This bill grants Executive Order 13950 the force and effect of law. That order prohibits federal agencies and contractors from advancing specified policies or training related to race or sex.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2021
Help Wanted Act This bill eliminates certain work search exceptions and flexibilities in the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. Specifically, the bill prohibits states participating in PUA from modifying unemployment work search requirements on an emergency basis to respond to COVID-19. The bill also eliminates a requirement that states be flexible regarding work search requirements for individuals who are unable to search for work because of COVID-19. Similarly, the bill makes individuals who decline to work on the basis of safety concerns related to COVID-19 and claimants who quit working as a direct result of COVID-19 ineligible for PUA.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2021
Combatting Racist Training in the Military Act of 2021 This bill prohibits the Armed Forces and academic institutions of the Department of Defense from promoting specified anti-American and racist theories (e.g., that any race is inherently superior or inferior to any other race). Specifically, the bill prohibits including anti-American and racist theories or materials in curricula, reading lists, seminars, workshops, trainings, or other educational or professional settings in a manner that could appear as sponsorship, approval, or endorsement; contracting with, hiring, or otherwise engaging speakers, consultants, diversity trainers, and other persons for the purpose of advocating anti-American and racist theories; compelling members of the Armed Forces to affirm or profess belief in anti-American and racist theories; and segregating members of the Armed Forces by race in any setting, including educational and training sessions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2021
Military Spouse Hiring Act This bill expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include the hiring of a qualified military spouse. (The WOTC permits employers who hire individuals who are members of a targeted group such as qualified veterans, ex-felons, or long-term unemployment recipients to claim a tax credit equal to a portion of the wages paid to those individuals.) A qualified military spouse is any individual who is certified by the designated local agency as being (as of the hiring date) a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2021
America's Infrastructure Modernization Act This bill reallocates a portion of unobligated funds made available under various COVID-19 relief laws to support surface transportation infrastructure, including for ports, highways, or airports. The funds shall be allocated using the same method specified for the Surface Transportation Block Grant program.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2021
USPIS Surveillance Protection Act This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to implement, conduct, or otherwise carry out the Internet Covert Operations Program (commonly referred to as iCOP) operated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service or any other domestic surveillance program with politically motivated targets.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2021
Resist Executive Amnesty on Defense Installations Act or the READI Act This bill prohibits the use of a military installation to house an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States or undergoing removal proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2021
Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration Act of 2021 or the FAIR Act This bill revises federal laws governing civil asset forfeiture. Specifically, the bill makes various changes to the general rules governing civil forfeiture proceedings. Among the changes, the bill requires counsel for an indigent property owner regardless of whether the owner requests counsel, raises the evidentiary standard from preponderance of the evidence to clear and convincing evidence, and sets forth factors courts must consider in determining whether a forfeiture of facilitating property is excessive. Additionally, the bill eliminates statutory authority for equitable sharing and directs forfeiture proceeds to be deposited into the general fund of the Treasury instead of the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund. Finally, the bill makes changes with respect to the civil forfeiture of money involved in structuring offenses (i.e., structuring currency transactions to evade currency reporting requirements). Among the changes, the bill specifies an evidentiary standard of knowingly for structuring offenses, and requires a prompt probable cause hearing following the seizure of money involved in a structuring offense.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2021
Abortion Providers Loan Elimination Act This bill makes abortion providers ineligible to receive a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program, which was established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19. This prohibition shall not apply to hospitals or entities that exclusively provide abortions (1) where the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or (2) where the pregnancy endangers the life of the mother. The Inspector General of the Small Business Administration must report on the number of paycheck protection loans made to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and to other abortion providers.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021
Woman's Right To Know Act This bill specifies requirements for informed consent that health care providers must obtain before performing an abortion procedure. Providers must present a woman seeking an abortion with an authorization form at least 24 hours before performing the procedure. The form must (1) include specified information concerning gestational age, associated developmental characteristics, and medical risks; (2) disclose penalties that providers may face for failing to obtain the requisite informed consent; and (3) include an affirmation that the individual signing the form understands the information. The form must be signed and witnessed in person and retained in the medical file. Providers do not have to obtain such consent if, in reasonable medical judgment, obtaining it would pose a greater risk of death or substantial physical impairment of a major bodily function, excluding psychological or emotional conditions, of the pregnant woman. The bill also establishes civil penalties for providers who do not comply with these requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021
Making Obligations Right by Enlarging Payments In Lieu of Taxes Act or the MORE PILT Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to develop a modeling tool that calculates the approximate market value of land covered by the payments in lieu of taxes (PILT) program and the approximate amount of local tax revenue the land would generate if privately owned. The PILT program compensates local governments for tax revenue lost due to tax-exempt federal lands within their boundaries. Interior must annually report on the value of land covered by the PILT program, the tax revenue the land would generate if privately owned, and how PILT payments could more accurately reflect that tax revenue.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021
Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act This bill provides for Medicare coverage and payment with respect to certain pharmacist services that (1) are furnished by a pharmacist in a health-professional shortage area, and (2) would otherwise be covered under Medicare if furnished by a physician.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021
This bill directs the President to withdraw the United States from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (the entity tasked with supporting the global response to climate change), and it prohibits the use of funds to carry out U.S. obligations under the framework following this withdrawal.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2021
District of Columbia-Maryland Reunion Act This bill cedes the District of Columbia to Maryland after Maryland's acceptance of the retrocession. Furthermore, the bill declares that the National Capital Service Area in the District shall not be ceded and relinquished to Maryland and shall continue to serve as the permanent seat of the federal government. The bill maintains the exclusive legislative authority and control of Congress over the area. Finally, excluding the District Building, the area shall include the principal federal monuments, the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Supreme Court Building, the federal executive, legislative, and judicial office buildings located adjacent to the Mall and the U.S. Capitol, including any federal real property affronting or abutting such area, such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Energy buildings.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2021
American Critical Mineral Independence Act of 2021 This bill provides support for a domestic supply of critical minerals, establishes deadlines to complete the environmental review of critical mineral projects on federal land, and sets forth related requirements to expedite the review of such projects under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Specifically, the National Science Foundation must award grants to support research to advance critical mineral mining strategies and technologies. The Department of Energy must also provide grants to research, develop, and assess technologies and techniques to recover critical minerals from mine waste and metallurgical activities. If an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement is required for a critical mineral project, then all necessary federal review and permit considerations must be completed within 18 or 24 months, respectively. However, the review may exceed the time limit if the project sponsor agrees. The lead agency of the environmental review of such project must allow a state or another appropriate entity to assume certain federal responsibilities regarding the environmental review of the project upon the request of such entity. Further, the bill authorizes a lead agency to determine that the requirements of NEPA have been satisfied if a state or federal agency acting under state or federal law has addressed specified factors. If the lead agency does not make such a determination, then the agency must enter into an agreement with the project sponsor to set time limits for each part of the permitting process.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2021
Drug Cartel Terrorist Designation Act This bill directs the Department of State to designate the Reynosa/Los Metros faction of the Gulf Cartel and the Cartel Del Noreste faction of Los Zetas as foreign terrorist organizations and to submit a detailed report on those drug cartels and any other cartels it may identify. Based on this report, the State Department must designate as a foreign terrorist organization any such identified cartel (or faction thereof) that meets certain criteria for designation as a foreign terrorist organization.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2021
This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution requiring the Supreme Court to be composed of nine Justices consisting of one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2021
Competition in Professional Baseball Act This bill removes the limited exemption from the antitrust laws for professional baseball clubs. For purposes of this bill, the term antitrust laws means laws to protect against unlawful restraints and monopolies (Clayton Act) and to protect against unfair methods of competition (Federal Trade Commission Act).
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2021
No Taxpayer Funding for the U.N. Population Fund This bill prohibits the use of funds to provide contributions directly or indirectly to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The UNFPA is a United Nations agency that supports access to sexual and reproductive health services, including voluntary family planning, maternal health care, and sexuality education.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2021
This bill provides for the award of Congressional Gold Medals to the Minneapolis Police Department, the Portland Police Department, and those who protected American cities during the riots of summer 2020.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2021
Agricultural Fairs Rescue Act This bill directs the Agricultural Marketing Service of the Department of Agriculture to establish a program to award grants to states or state departments of agriculture to provide support to agricultural fairs for losses sustained by such fairs due to COVID-19. As a condition of receiving a grant, recipients shall agree to (1) prioritize supporting agricultural fairs in the state facing the greatest financial hardship, and (2) use not more than 5% of grant funds for administrative costs incurred in providing support to agricultural fairs.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2021
No Vaccine Passports Act This bill prohibits certain actions related to vaccine passports and proof of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) vaccination. Specifically, a federal agency may not issue a vaccine passport, vaccine pass, or other standardized documentation for the purpose of certifying the COVID-19 vaccination status of a U.S. citizen to a third party, or otherwise publish or share any COVID-19 vaccination record of a U.S. citizen or similar health information. Additionally, proof of COVID-19 vaccination shall not be required to access federal or congressional property or services.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2021
Fire Fauci Act This bill reduces the annual rate of pay of the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to $0. This reduction applies until there is a new director who is not Anthony Fauci, MD. In addition, the Government Accountability Office must audit digital correspondence, policy memoranda, and financial transactions of the Office of the Director of NIAID from October 1, 2019, through December 31, 2021.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2021
Protect Our Police Act This bill provides statutory authority for Executive Order 13809, which was issued on August 28, 2017. The order revoked a 2015 executive order establishing an interagency working group to recommend improvements to the process through which state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies acquire controlled equipment (e.g., firearms or military-style equipment) from the federal government.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2021
Freight Rail Assistance and Investment to Launch Coronavirus-era Activity and Recovery Act of 2021 or the Freight RAILCAR Act of 2021 This bill provides a new tax credit for 50% of freight railcar fleet modernization expenses. The bill defines freight railcar fleet modernization expenses to include amounts for railcar replacement and modernization, railcar scrap amounts, and for railcar facility and technology modernization. The Department of the Treasury must report to Congress on the credit to provide information on the number of times the credit was claimed and the number of railcars scrapped or built as a result of the credit.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2021
Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021 This bill allows certain individuals to sue and recover damages for harm from exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. This action is available only to individuals who were exposed to contaminated water for at least 30 days. The bill prohibits the U.S. government from asserting specified immunity from litigation in response to such a lawsuit. The bill also prohibits an individual who brings such an action from bringing a separate tort action against the United States based on the same harm.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2021
History and Tradition Protection Act of 2021 This bill limits the remedies available for certain civil actions involving the deprivation of rights under color of law. Specifically, remedies will be limited to injunctive and declaratory relief for claims where the deprivation of rights consists of violation of a prohibition in the Constitution against the establishment of religion. Additionally, no attorney's 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 · 26 March 2021
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that, if it creates a presumption of service-connection between the occurrence of a disease and exposure to an herbicide agent while serving in the Armed Forces between January 9, 1962, and June 30, 1976, at a military base in Thailand, such presumption must also apply to exposure at any military base in Thailand, regardless of where on the base the veteran was located or what military job specialty the veteran performed.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2021
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021 This bill provides for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley. After the award the medal shall be given to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2021
Criminalize Fleeing from Immigration Enforcement Act of 2021 This bill revises the federal criminal offense involving flight from an immigration checkpoint or other law enforcement checkpoint at high speed in a motor vehicle. Specifically, the bill retains the existing prohibition on flight from an immigration or other law enforcement checkpoint, but it removes the qualifier that such flight must be at high speed in a motor vehicle. The bill also expands the scope of unlawful flight offenses to include flight from a law enforcement officer who is enforcing immigration laws. An unlawful flight offense is generally punishable by a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. However, an unlawful flight offense that involves high-speed flight in a motor vehicle is punishable by a fine, prison term of up to eight years, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2021
Preventing SBA Assistance from Going to China Act This bill prohibits the Small Business Administration from providing aid, counsel, or assistance to a small business concern that (1) is headquartered in China, or (2) has more than 25% of voting stock owned by citizens of China.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2021
Sanctioning Iranian-Backed Militia Terrorists Act This bill requires the President to impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions with respect to Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada and any foreign person that is a member, agent, or affiliate of, or owned or controlled by, Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada. Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada is an Iranian-backed Iraqi militia that has worked with groups that have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations and has deployed forces to Syria to engage in military operations supporting the Syrian government.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2021
Local Opportunities, Conservation, and American Lands Act or the LOCAL Act This bill directs that the headquarters for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) shall remain located in Grand Junction, Colorado. The Department of the Interior shall study the feasibility of relocating more existing BLM employee positions to Grand Junction or Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming. Interior must determine, among other things, whether such relocation will improve management of federal lands, increase coordination with local communities, and strengthen tourism, conservation, outdoor recreation, grazing, or responsible energy production.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2021
No Amnesty Act This bill prohibits federal agencies from expending funds or resources to implement, administer, or enforce certain executive actions related to immigration, including actions that (1) prioritize the removal of certain aliens, such as those suspected of engaging in terrorism; (2) revoke an earlier executive order that required heightened vetting of aliens seeking admission as refugees; and (3) direct the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs to develop a strategy to address the root causes of migration from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Such executive actions shall have no force or effect.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2021
Secure the Southern Border Act This bill enacts into law several immigration-related executive orders, including orders (1) requiring reports on various issues, such as efforts by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to end policies relating to the release of certain detained aliens; (2) requiring DHS to take actions to construct a physical barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border; and (3) directing DHS to prioritize the removal of certain aliens, including those convicted or charged with any criminal offense.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2021
This resolution urges the U.S. Capitol Police Board to direct the Architect of the Capitol to remove the fencing installed around the perimeter of the U.S. Capitol complex in response to the attacks of January 6, 2021, and it recommends the end of the National Guard's mission in the District of Columbia in response to those attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2021
Transparency for Confucius Institutes Act This bill requires an institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student-aid programs to enter into a program participation agreement if a Confucius Institute operates on the IHE's campus. (Confucius Institutes are Chinese government-funded centers for language education and cultural programming at IHEs.) The agreement must be entered into with the Office of Chinese Language Council International (i.e., Confucius Institute Headquarters, Hanban) and be made publicly available online. Among other requirements, the Confucius Institute must be physically located apart from the IHE's own Chinese language, history, and cultural programs.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2021
Payer State Transparency Act of 2021 This bill requires the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce to calculate the federal tax burden of each state for each calendar year. It also requires the Office of Management and Budget to calculate the total amount of federal outlays received by each state in each fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2021
This resolution honors the life and legacy of former Representative Ronald Wright and extends the condolences of the House of Representatives to his wife and family.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2021
This bill directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of three Congressional Gold Medals to the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) and other law enforcement agencies that protect the U.S. Capitol. Following the award of these medals, one medal shall be given to the USCP, one medal shall be given to the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, and one medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution and displayed with a plaque listing all law enforcement agencies that participate in protecting the Capitol.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2021
Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act This bill requires private health insurance plans to cover diagnosis and treatment of congenital anomalies and birth defects, such as reconstructive services and items. Coverage must include services and items that functionally improve, repair, or restore any body part that is medically necessary for normal bodily functions or appearance, as determined by the treating physician. Coverage limits and cost-sharing requirements for such services and items may not be more restrictive than those applicable to all medical and surgical benefits under the plan.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2021
Stopping Border Surges Act This bill modifies immigration law provisions relating to unaccompanied alien minors and to asylum seekers. For certain unaccompanied inadmissible alien children, generally those not at risk of being trafficking victims nor having a fear of persecution, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall repatriate the child. Currently, only inadmissible unaccompanied aliens from neighboring countries are subject to repatriation, and DHS has discretion whether to repatriate. When HHS releases an unaccompanied child to an individual, it shall provide DHS with certain information about that individual, including Social Security number and immigration status. The bill amends the definition of credible fear of persecution to require that such fear can be established by statements that are more probable than not. The bill also imposes certain rules relating to credible fear interviews, including requirements for recordings and interpreters. If an alien is granted asylum because of fear of persecution in a country, the alien shall be deemed to have renounced asylum status by returning to that country, if there has been no change in the country's conditions. The bill also (1) expands the definition of what constitutes a frivolous asylum application, (2) imposes additional limitations on eligibility for asylum, (3) shortens the deadline for applying for asylum, and (4) extends the time period an alien seeking asylum must wait before receiving employment authorization. Any individual who knowingly and willfully makes materially false statements or uses fraudulent documents in asylum-related proceedings shall be fined or imprisoned up to 10 years, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2021
Do Your Job Act of 2021 This bill eliminates the use of official time by federal employees. Official time is paid time off from assigned duties to perform labor-management relations activities.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2021
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 · 11 March 2021
Gun Owner Registration Information Protection Act This bill prohibits federal funding of, or support for, state databases that list (1) firearms lawfully owned or possessed by individuals, or (2) individuals who lawfully own or possess firearms.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2021
Ensuring Second Amendment Freedoms are Executed Timely Act This bill allows a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer to transfer a firearm to an unlicensed person if a submitted background check remains incomplete after three calendar days (currently, three business days).
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2021
Coin Metal Modification Authorization and Cost Savings Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the United States Mint to modify the metallic composition of circulating coins (including by prescribing reasonable manufacturing tolerances with respect to those coins) if a study and analysis conducted by the Mint indicates that the modification will reduce costs incurred by the taxpayers; be seamless, which shall be determined by verifying that the coins will work interchangeably in most coin acceptors using electromagnetic signature technology; and have as minimal an adverse impact as possible on the public and stakeholders. The Mint must notify Congress before making the modification and provide a justification for the modification.