United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2020
Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 This bill modifies provisions related to the forgiveness of loans made to small businesses under the Paycheck Protection Program implemented in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill establishes a minimum maturity of five years for a paycheck protection loan that has a remaining balance after the application of forgiveness. The bill also extends the covered period during which the recipient of a paycheck protection loan may use such funds for certain expenses while remaining eligible for forgiveness of the loan. Further, the bill prohibits the Small Business Administration from limiting the non-payroll portion of a forgivable covered loan amount. Currently, only 25% of a paycheck protection loan may be allocated to non-payroll expenses such as rent and utilities. The bill extends the period of time in which an employer may rehire or eliminate a reduction in employment, salary, or wages that would otherwise reduce the forgivable amount of a paycheck protection loan. However, the forgivable amount must be determined without regard to a reduction in the number of employees if the recipient is (1) unable to rehire an employee, (2) able to demonstrate an inability to hire a similarly qualified employee, or (3) able to demonstrate an inability to return to the same level of business activity. Lastly, the bill eliminates a provision that makes a paycheck protection loan recipient who has such indebtedness forgiven ineligible to defer payroll tax payments.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2020
National Guard COVID-19 Earned Benefits Guarantee Act This bill requires the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to treat full-time National Guard duty performed in response to the national emergency with respect to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) as a period of not shorter than 90 days (i.e., the threshold usually required for eligibility for certain retirement and education benefits). Members of Congress are excluded and must deploy for not fewer than 90 days to receive similar benefits eligibility.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2020
COVID-19 Dependent Care Flexible Spending Arrangement Rollover Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to issue regulations or other guidance that permit the unused balance as of the end of plan year 2020 of any dependent care flexible spending arrangement to be rolled over to plan year 2021.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2020
Family Savings Flexibility Act This bill (1) increases to $2,750 the maximum amount of unused benefits or contributions remaining in a health flexible or dependent care spending arrangement that may be carried over from the 2020 to the 2021 plan year, (2) increases the maximum contribution amount for health savings accounts, and (3) increases for taxable years beginning in 2020, the exclusion from employee gross income of employer-paid dependent care assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2020
This bill provides for the uniform treatment under existing COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) economic aid programs of nationally recognized statistical rating organizations approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission. This allows entities, securities, and other instruments with a credit rating from such an organization to use the rating to qualify for these aid programs. Furthermore, the Government Accountability Office must report on credit rating quality across organizations, their effect on access to capital markets, and the implementation of this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2020
State Municipal Assistance for Response and Transition Act or the SMART Act This bill provides $500 billion for a Coronavirus Local Community Stabilization Fund to address the economic effects of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic on state, local, and tribal budgets. The bill also expands the uses of payments from the Coronavirus Relief Fund. The bill allows a jurisdiction to use funding from the Coronavirus Local Community Stabilization Fund or Coronavirus Relief Fund for (1) necessary expenditures related to COVID-19 that were not accounted for in the jurisdiction's budget, including the nonfederal share contribution requirement for disaster or emergency assistance; or (2) expenditures the jurisdiction would otherwise be unable to make because of decreased or delayed revenues. Funding from the Coronavirus Local Community Stabilization Fund may be used for expenditures through 2022. The bill (1) reserves specified funds for payments to tribal governments; (2) apportions funds to states based on population, infected population, and revenue lost; (3) provides for payments to counties and municipalities based on lost revenue. The bill conditions funding on each state agreeing to fair and equitable budgeting based on need. The Office of Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury may use amounts appropriated to carry out oversight and recoupment activities under this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2020
COVID-19 Youth Sports and Working Families Relief Act This bill modifies the tax credit for household and dependent care expenses necessary for employment to include expenses for youth physical activities. Youth physical activities include organized individual and team sports, fitness and exercise, recreation, and other physical activities for youth who have attained age 4, but not age 18. The credit is refundable for taxable years beginning in 2020. The bill also increases the dollar amount of the election for dependent care flexible spending arrangements. The bill directs the Department of the Treasury to establish a relief fund for youth sport providers that directly serve youths age 18 and younger. The fund must disburse amounts to (1) alleviate losses sustained due to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), (2) sustain existing organizations that without assistance may fail or have to severely curtail operations, and (3) maintain youth participation capacity.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2020
Black History is American History Act This bill requires entities (e.g., institutions of higher education, libraries, and museums), in order to be eligible for certain grants administered by the Department of Education (ED), to include Black history in their teaching of American history. It also requires Black history to be included in tests administered by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Specifically, the bill mandates the inclusion of Black history as a required component of American history for such entities to be eligible for American History and Civics Academies' competitive grants. These grants support the establishment of (1) Presidential Academies for Teachers of American History and Civics, which offer workshops to teachers of American history and civics to strengthen their knowledge and prepare them to teach in these subjects; and (2) Congressional Academies for Students of American History and Civics, which support high school students in developing an understanding of these subjects. (Currently, Black history is not a required component of American history for either academy.) In addition, ED must give priority to grant applicants that align their activities with programs and resources of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture. The bill also requires the inclusion of Black history in tests administered by the NAEP, which measures student academic achievement in various subjects.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2020
Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 This bill modifies provisions related to the forgiveness of loans made to small businesses under the Paycheck Protection Program implemented in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill establishes a minimum maturity of five years for a paycheck protection loan that has a remaining balance after the application of forgiveness. The bill also extends the covered period during which the recipient of a paycheck protection loan may use such funds for certain expenses while remaining eligible for forgiveness of the loan. Further, the bill prohibits the Small Business Administration from limiting the non-payroll portion of a forgivable covered loan amount. Currently, only 25% of a paycheck protection loan may be allocated to non-payroll expenses such as rent and utilities. The bill extends the period of time in which an employer may rehire or eliminate a reduction in employment, salary, or wages that would otherwise reduce the forgivable amount of a paycheck protection loan. However, the forgivable amount must be determined without regard to a reduction in the number of employees if the recipient is unable to rehire an employee and is able to demonstrate an inability to hire a similarly qualified employee. Lastly, the bill eliminates a provision that makes a paycheck protection loan recipient who has such indebtedness forgiven ineligible to defer payroll tax payments.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2020
Sending Outside Support Act of 2020 or the SOS Act of 2020 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to distribute funds to allow states to establish strike teams that may be deployed to skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities with cases of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) to help with clinical care, infection control, or staffing.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act of 2020 This bill authorizes the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to award additional grants under the Emergency Solutions Grant program to provide rental assistance for short-term and medium-term housing to homeless individuals or families, or those who are at risk of homelessness, and expands eligibility for such additional assistance. For assistance provided under the bill, the term at risk of homelessness shall include individuals and families that have an income below 80% of the median income for the area (rather than 30% of the area median income, as under current law). Rental assistance provided under the bill shall generally be limited to 120% of the HUD-established fair market rent for the area, whereas currently rental assistance under the program is generally limited to 100% of an area's fair market rent. Such assistance may not be conditioned on any prerequisite activities, such as receiving treatment. HUD may, with some limitations, waive requirements or establish alternative requirements related to such assistance if doing so is necessary to respond to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Health Care Protection Act This bill creates a special health insurance enrollment period and provides premium assistance for the COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) continuation of health coverage program in response to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. First, the bill establishes a 30-day special enrollment period for individuals who do not have coverage to enroll in a qualified health insurance plan through a health insurance exchange. Second, the bill provides premium assistance for individuals who have been terminated from employment and elected COBRA continuation coverage between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020. The bill treats 100% of the premium payments as paid for such individuals for not more than six months. Further, individuals who have not elected COBRA coverage but would be eligible for premium assistance under this bill if they had enrolled in COBRA may enroll in such coverage for 60 days after this bill is enacted. Premium assistance is phased out for individuals earning more than $125,000. Additionally, the bill requires employers to provide eligible individuals specified written notice about the premium assistance program, including, among other information, available health plan enrollment options and the date that such assistance expires. The Department of the Treasury must reimburse employers, group health plans, and insurance issuers through a payroll tax credit or refund, as applicable, for unpaid premiums that were treated as paid under this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Expanding Medical Partnerships with Israel to Lessen Dependence on China Act or the EMPIL-DOC Act This bill authorizes a bilateral grant program with Israel to develop health technologies, with an emphasis on the use of technology, personalized medicine, and data in relation to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Technologies to be developed through this program include, among others, artificial intelligence, respiratory assist devices, and diagnostic tests. In addition, the program conditions funding on a matching contribution from the government of Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2020
This resolution thanks the teachers of the United States and promotes the teaching profession by encouraging students, parents, school administrators, and public officials to recognize National Teacher Appreciation Week.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2020
Jumpstarting Our Businesses' Success Credit Act of 2020 or the JOBS Credit Act of 2020 This bill increases the employer tax credit for the retention of employees and coordinates such credit with the Payroll Protection Program. Specifically, it increases the rate of the employee retention credit to 80% of up to $15,000 in employee wages per calendar quarter with an increased annual wage cap of $45,000 for all calendar quarters. The bill increases the maximum credit amount to $36,000. The bill expands the definition of large employer, for credit eligibility purposes, to include employers with more than 1,500 employees and more than $41.5 million in gross receipts in 2019, and requires employers to show a significant decline in gross receipts. It also extends eligibility for the credit to state governmental agencies and Indian tribal governments. The bill also coordinates the credit with the Paycheck Protection Program to allow employers to claim both programs subject to certain restrictions.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2020
Small Business Transparency and Reporting for the Underbanked and Taxpayers at Home Act or the TRUTH Act This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make information regarding economic relief measures implemented in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) publicly available. Specifically, with respect to the Paycheck Protection Program and economic injury disaster loans and emergency grants, the SBA must publish (1) the identity of each recipient of assistance and an explanation of the decision-making process underlying such disbursal; (2) the number of employees of each recipient and the date on which such assistance was disbursed; (3) an identification of each lender or intermediary through which assistance was disbursed; and (4) the amount of assistance disbursed to small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, women, and veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2020
Protect Rural Renters Act of 2020 This bill authorizes additional rental assistance to low-income individuals and families residing in certain rural housing.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2020
Supporting State and Local Leaders Act This bill repeals the prohibition against granting federal, state, and local governments a tax credit for paid sick and paid family and medical leave.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2020
Equity in Student Loan Relief Act This bill establishes a temporary program to suspend payments and interest through September 30, 2020, on Federal Family Education Loans (FFELs) that are not held by the Department of Education (ED). (Currently, payments and interest are suspended through this period on certain Federal Direct Loans and FFELs held by ED.) Specifically, ED must (1) enter into agreements with eligible lenders and guaranty agencies to reduce the interest rate to 0% on FFELs, and (2) make monthly payments to lenders and guaranty agencies to offset the cost of the reduced interest rate. A lender or guaranty agency that enters into an agreement with ED must (1) temporarily waive interest and suspend all payments due from borrowers through September 30, 2020; (2) suspend all involuntary collections; (3) notify borrowers, within 15 days, that their loan payments have been suspended and interest has been waived; and (4) carry out a program, beginning on August 1, 2020, to provide not fewer than six notices to borrowers that normal payment obligations will resume. Additionally, ED must deem each month for which a loan payment was suspended as if the borrower of the loan had made a payment for the purpose of any authorized loan forgiveness program or loan rehabilitation program. Finally, ED must ensure that any suspended payment on such a loan is treated as a regularly scheduled payment made by a borrower for the purpose of reporting information about the loan to a consumer reporting agency.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020
Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020 This bill establishes and provides funding for the Emergency Connectivity Fund, from which the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must provide support for certain schools or libraries to purchase specified telecommunications equipment during the public health emergency declared because of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the FCC shall provide funds to certain elementary schools, secondary schools, or libraries to purchase telecommunications equipment or services (e.g., Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, and routers) for use by students, staff, or patrons at locations that include locations other than the schools or libraries. Priority must be given to students, staff, or patrons who do not have access to such equipment or services. Following the emergency period, funding recipients are authorized to use purchased equipment for appropriate purposes but may not sell or transfer such equipment for anything of value, except for upgraded equipment of the same type.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2020
Public Safety Officer Pandemic Response Act of 2020 This bill creates a presumption that certain public safety officers who contract COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and were on duty during the 45-day period prior to the diagnosis are eligible for certain benefits payable when public safety officers are injured or killed in the line of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2020
Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility Act or the E-BRIDGE Act This bill authorizes the Department of Commerce to award economic development grants for public-private partnerships and certain consortiums to carry out specified broadband projects. Such projects shall be to provide, extend, expand, or improve high-speed broadband service through (1) planning, technical assistance, or training; (2) land acquisition or development; or (3) acquisition, construction, or improvement of facilities. Title to real or personal property acquired or improved with grant funds, or another acceptable possessory interest, must be vested in a public partner or eligible nonprofit organization or association for the useful life of the project. In addition, grant funds may be combined with amounts made available under any other federal program, and Commerce may provide credit toward the non-federal share of a broadband project's cost.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2020
Coronavirus Community Relief Act This bill provides $250 billion for certain localities affected by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Specifically, the bill provides funding for FY2020 for units of local government with a population of 500,000 or less. Payment shall be made within 30 days after submission of a specified certification by the locality. The amount of the payment is proportional to population. Local governments shall use the funds provided to cover only those costs that (1) are necessary and related to the public health emergency caused by COVID-19, and (2) were incurred during the period of March 1-December 30, 2020. The Office of Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury shall conduct monitoring and oversight of the receipt, disbursement, and use of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2020
Made in America Emergency Preparedness Act This bill establishes in the legislative branch a National Commission on United States Preparedness for National Emergencies. Not later than 18 months after this bill's enactment, the commission shall report to the President and Congress regarding (1) which medical, pharmaceutical, and emergency preparedness products are determined to be essential; and (2) actions states should take to be better prepared, national federal stockpile requirements, and national surge capacity infrastructure deficiencies in hospitals and medical centers. States that fail to implement the findings of the commission's report by January 1, 2025, at the state and local level, will lose access to all federal funds for emergency preparedness unless the Department of Homeland Security exempts a state determined to be working to implement such findings in good faith. The bill (1) requires certain medical, pharmaceutical, and emergency preparedness products integral to the response to a national emergency to be manufactured and procured within the United States; and (2) provides for a temporary 100% expensing for firms that incur costs associated with pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturing within the United States, including personal protective equipment and other necessary items.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2020
National Commission on COVID-19 Act This bill establishes the National Commission on COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) in the legislative branch to assess the emergence, spread, and response to the disease in the United States and sets forth its powers, duties, funding, and membership. The commission must issue a report with findings and recommendations concerning, among other topics, surveillance, testing, treatment, and vaccines; medical devices, drugs, and other supplies, including personal protective equipment; preparedness and capacity of the U.S. health care system; certain federal laws and programs such as the Defense Production Act, the Strategic National Stockpile, and others; public health measures such as social distancing; and roles and responsibilities among federal departments, as well as coordination and communication between those departments and other entities, including state, territorial, tribal, and local governments. The commission terminates 60 days after the submission of the final report.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2020
Helping Emergency Responders Overcome Emergency Situations Act of 2020 or the HEROES Act of 2020 This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, wages and other income up to $50,000 of qualified first responders for the period beginning on February 15, 2020, and ending on June 15, 2020. A qualified first responder is any individual (1) who is a physician, nurse, pharmacist, law enforcement officer, corrections officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, or paramedic who provides services in a county with at least one confirmed case of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019); or (2) who provides services in a licensed medical or care facility located in such county. The Department of the Treasury may extend the exclusion for an additional three-month period beyond June 15, 2020, if Treasury determines that the COVID-19 emergency is likely to be ongoing during the extended period.
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 · 26 March 2020
COVID-19 REAL ID Relief Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to grant states an extension until October 1, 2021, of the deadline by which they are required to meet requirements under the Real ID Act of 2005 due to the national emergency declared by the President as a result of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). (Currently, travelers must obtain REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses by October 1, 2020, in order to board domestic flights).
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2020
This resolution calls on all public officials to condemn and denounce anti-Asian sentiment, racism, discrimination, and religious intolerance related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and calls on federal law enforcement officials, working with state and local officials, to take specified steps. It calls on federal officials to expeditiously investigate and document all credible reports of hate crimes and incidents and threats against the Asian-American community and prosecute perpetrators. The resolution recommits U.S. leadership to (1) prioritize language access and inclusivity in communication practices, and (2) combat misinformation and discrimination that put Asian Americans at risk.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2020
Medical Supply Chain Emergency Act of 2020 This bill directs the President to use existing authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 with respect to the production of ventilators, N-95 respirator masks, and specified personal protective equipment to address COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). (That act confers upon the President a broad set of authorities to influence domestic industry in order to provide essential materials and goods needed for the national defense.) The President must (1) make a determination that such items are essential for the national defense, (2) identify private-sector capacity to produce these items, and (3) exercise authorities under the act to require emergency production of them at a reasonable price. In addition, the President shall coordinate the allocation of these items based on requests from governors and the needs of the states as determined by the number of COVID-19 cases and the proportion of the population at higher risk of the disease in a given state. The bill makes specified funds available for these efforts. Equipment produced under these authorities but unused at the termination of the COVID-19 emergency declared on March 13, 2020, shall be deposited into the Strategic National Stockpile.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
This bill establishes the congressional COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) Aid Oversight Panel to report on the use and impact of COVID-19 aid on financial markets and institutions. The bill also authorizes the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program to audit and investigate COVID-19 aid programs.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic Notarization Act of 2020 This bill allows a notary public commissioned under state law to remotely notarize electronic records and requires recognition of notarizations performed under the laws of other states. Under the bill, a notary public may remotely notarize electronic records occurring in or affecting interstate commerce if (1) the individual and the notary public are able to electronically communicate by sight and sound simultaneously (i.e., by video chat); (2) the notary verifies the individual's identity and records the notarization; and (3) the notarization complies with other requirements, such as those relating to the attachment of a stamp or seal to the electronic record. Additionally, the bill allows a notary public to remotely notarize electronic records involving an individual located outside of the United States, subject to certain requirements. The bill also requires U.S. courts and states to recognize notarizations, including remote notarizations of electronic records, that occur in or affect interstate commerce and are performed by a notary public commissioned under the laws of other states.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2020
Medicare Wage Index Parity Act of 2020 This bill provides statutory authority for, and extends, a specified methodology used to calculate the minimum Medicare hospital wage index for all-urban states.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
Cameron's Law This bill increases the rate of the tax credit for clinical testing expenses for rare diseases or conditions from 25% to 50% (orphan drug tax credit). The bill also requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to complete a study and report on enhancing and expanding the infrastructure to track the epidemiology of rare diseases or conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
Preventing Pandemic Profiting Act This bill creates a new criminal offense for price gouging during a state of emergency. Specifically, in a location that has received a state of emergency declaration, the bill prohibits the sale of certain goods or services—those vital and necessary for consumer health, safety, and welfare—at an unconscionably excessive price (e.g., a price higher than the average price during the 30-day period before the emergency declaration was made). A violator is subject to fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
Collegiate Freedom of Association Act 2.0 This bill addresses freedom of association protections for college students in single-sex social organizations. Specifically, the bill prohibits institutions of higher education that participate in federal student-aid programs from taking adverse actions against students who are members or prospective members of single-sex social organizations based solely on the practice of limiting membership to only individuals of one sex; or taking actions that require or coerce members or prospective members of such organizations to waive this prohibition, including as a condition of enrolling in the institution.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2020
1921 Silver Dollar Coin Anniversary Act The Department of the Treasury shall mint and issue $1 coins in recognition of the 100th anniversary of completion of coinage of the Morgan dollar and the 100th anniversary of commencement of coinage of the Peace dollar. Treasury may issue such coins beginning on January 1, 2021.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2020
Emergency Paid Leave Act of 2020 This bill requires the Social Security Administration (SSA) to provide emergency paid leave during each 30-day period that specified employees take leave due to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, an employee may apply to SSA for such leave payments if the employee has been diagnosed with COVID-19, is under self-quarantine at the direction of a governmental entity or health care provider, is caring for another individual who is under such self-quarantine, or is caring for that employee's child because the child's school or child-care provider is closed due to COVID-19. For each 30-day period, the SSA must pay two-thirds of an eligible employee's average monthly pay to a maximum of $4,000. Emergency paid leave benefits are available for up to 90 days from the period during which an employee first files an application for such leave. Available benefits for emergency paid leave are reduced proportionally by any amount of paid leave an employee receives from a state or employer during each 30-day period. Further, emergency paid leave benefits are available retroactively from January 19, 2020, until one year from the date of enactment of this bill. The bill also establishes penalties for fraudulent applications and provides for the review of the SSA’s application determinations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2020
This resolution condemns transnational white supremacist extremism, supports law enforcement and intelligence agencies in their efforts to stop white supremacist acts of terror, and urges the Department of State to add violent foreign white supremacist groups to the foreign terrorist organization list.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2020
This resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Women's History Month and recognizes the women and organizations that continue to promote the teaching of women's history.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020
This bill revises the tax deduction for interest on education loans to provide that the $2,500 limitation on such deduction shall apply separately to each taxpayer claiming the deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2020
Preventing Sexual Harassment in Public Housing Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to take actions related to reporting and investigating housing-related discrimination and harassment, particularly sexual harassment. Specifically, HUD must include in its annual report to Congress tabulations of complaints of discriminatory housing practices filed with HUD or a fair housing assistance program in the preceding year. These tabulations must identify whether a complaint alleged discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, or familial status. HUD must consider a complaint of sexual harassment under the category of discrimination based on sex and must include a separate tabulation of the total number of sexual harassment complaints filed. Additionally, DOJ must establish an initiative to investigate and prosecute allegations of housing-related sexual harassment.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2020
Senior Housing Improvement and Retirement Accounts Act of 2020 or the Senior Housing IRA Act of 2020 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax treatment of gains from the sale or exchange of a principal residence, to (1) allow a qualified individual to contribute the gains from the sale or exchange to a Roth Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) as a qualified rollover contribution which is exempt from contribution limits, and (2) increase the $250,000 limit on the exclusion from gross income for gains from the sale of a principal residence by the amount of the rollover contribution. The bill applies to individuals who (1) have attained the age of 55 before the date of the sale or exchange, (2) have owned and used the property as a principal residence for at least 20 years, and (3) have not previously elected to treat a contribution to a Roth IRA as a qualified rollover contribution under the authority provided by this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2020
This resolution commemorates the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp and honors survivors of the Holocaust, as well as members of the Allied forces who liberated Auschwitz. The resolution urges the United States to improve efforts to combat anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry and intolerance.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2020
Leveraging Information on Foreign Traffickers Act or the LIFT Act This bill requires the Department of State to ensure that the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security receive timely and regular information regarding visa denials based on grounds related to human trafficking. The bill also extends (1) to June 30 the deadline for submission of the annual Trafficking in Persons Report, and (2) through FY2025 the survivor-led Advisory Council on Human Trafficking.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2020
Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act This bill establishes a presumption of service-connection for specified diseases becoming manifest in certain veterans to a degree of disability of 10% or more within 15 years of the veteran's separation from active military, naval, or air service. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific diseases or disabilities 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. Veterans addressed by this bill are those who (1) trained in fire suppression, and (2) served on active duty in a military occupational specialty or career field with a primary responsibility of firefighting or damage control for at least five years in the aggregate.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2020
Fair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act This bill provides a presumption of service-connection for Parkinsonism, bladder cancer, hypertension, and hypothyroidism for veterans who served in Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975. 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.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2020
Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2020 This bill establishes new requirements to expand the availability of information on domestic terrorism, as well as the relationship between domestic terrorism and hate crimes. It authorizes domestic terrorism components within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to monitor, analyze, investigate, and prosecute domestic terrorism. The domestic terrorism components of DHS, DOJ, and the FBI must jointly report on domestic terrorism, including white-supremacist-related incidents or attempted incidents. DHS, DOJ, and the FBI must review the anti-terrorism training and resource programs of their agencies that are provided to federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. It creates an interagency task force to analyze and combat white supremacist and neo-Nazi infiltration of the uniformed services and federal law enforcement agencies. Finally, it directs the FBI to assign a special agent or hate crimes liaison to each field office to investigate hate crimes incidents with a nexus to domestic terrorism.
![Official portrait of Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/115_rp_nj_5_gottheimer_josh_200.jpg)