United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2018
Improving Medicaid Programs and Opportunities for Eligible Beneficiaries Act or the IMPROVE Act This bill establishes a state Medicaid option to provide for medical assistance with respect to coordinated care provided through a health home (i.e., a designated provider or team of health-care professionals) for children with medically complex conditions. States must determine payment methodologies in accordance with specified requirements; payments also temporarily qualify for an enhanced federal matching rate. The bill also makes a series of reductions relating to federal Medicaid expenditures. Among other changes, the bill reduces the federal matching rate for states that do not have required asset-verification programs for determining Medicaid eligibility. Further, drug manufacturers with Medicaid rebate agreements for covered outpatient drugs must disclose drug product information. Manufacturers are subject to civil penalties for knowingly misclassifying drugs. Manufacturers are also required to compensate for rebates that were initially underpaid as a result of misclassification (whether or not such misclassification was committed knowingly). Finally, the bill excludes specified wheelchairs and associated accessories from Medicare's competitive acquisition program (in which rates are set through a competitive bidding program rather than by an established fee schedule).
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2018
This bill establishes that certain activities on or below the waters within the U.S. exclusive economic zone that infringe a U.S. patent shall be considered an infringing act that occurs within the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2018
No Federal Funds for Public Charge Act of 2018 This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to implement, administer, enforce, or carry out the proposed rule of the Department of Homeland Security entitled "Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds." The rule makes aliens who are likely at any time to become a public charge and receive public benefits inadmissible.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2018
Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act of 201 8 This bill establishes a new formula for adjusting benefits under the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program for individuals who receive pensions based on certain non-covered employment. This formula replaces the existing formula (known as the "windfall elimination provision") for making such adjustments to OASDI benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2018
Strengthening Social Security Act of 201 8 This bill modifies the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefits program, including with respect to the determination of (1) a beneficiary's taxable income and primary-insurance amount, (2) widow or widower's benefits, and (3) cost-of-living increases in benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2018
Expresses the policy of the United States to enter into a military treaty alliance of extended deterrence with Israel which would provide Israel with U.S. nuclear protection.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2018
Strengthening Minority-Serving Institutions Act of 2018 This bill permanently extends mandatory funding programs for historically Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions and increases the authorized funding levels for such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2018
Protecting the Health and Wellness of Babies and Pregnant Women in Custody Act or the Pregnant Women in Custody Act This bill amends the federal criminal code to limit the use of restraints and restrictive housing for prisoners who are pregnant or in postpartum recovery. Additionally, it requires the Bureau of Justice Statistics to include, in the National Prison Statistics Program and Annual Survey of Jails, statistics on the health needs of incarcerated pregnant women. A Bureau of Prisons facility must provide appropriate services and programs to address the health and safety needs of women inmates related to pregnancy and childbirth. The Government Accountability Office must study the services and protections for pregnant incarcerated women in state and local correctional settings.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2018
This joint resolution nullifies a rule issued on August 3, 2018, by the Department of Treasury, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Health and Human Services regarding short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans. Short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans are plans that may only offer coverage for a limited amount of time under law and that are exempt from the market requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (e.g., coverage of individuals with preexisting conditions). The rule increases the maximum authorized duration of such plans from less than 3 months (including renewals) to an initial maximum duration of less than 12 months (with a total duration of up to 36 months, including renewals). The rule took effect October 2, 2018.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2018
Recognizes: (1) the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month; and (2) the integral role of Latinos and their manifold heritage in the economy, culture, and identity of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2018
Domestic Offshore Energy Reinvestment Act of 2018 This bill amends the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 to increase the revenue Gulf states (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama) receive for energy projects and eliminate the revenue sharing cap.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2018
Know the Cost Act of 2018 This bill prohibits a health insurance plan or pharmacy benefits manager from restricting a pharmacy from informing an enrollee of any difference between the cost of a drug under the plan and the cost of the drug without health insurance coverage. (Such restrictions are commonly referred to as gag clauses.)
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2018
Strength in Diversity Act of 2018 This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish the Stronger Together Program, through which the Department of Education (ED) shall award competitive grants for the development or implementation of plans to improve diversity or eliminate socioeconomic or racial isolation in public schools and publicly funded early education programs. The grants are available to local educational agencies, a consortium of such agencies, educational service agencies, or other regional educational authorities that have significant achievement gaps and socioeconomic or racial segregation within or across the school districts served by the entity. ED may give priority to an eligible entity that proposes to use funds to support a program that extends beyond one local educational agency. Each recipient of an implementation grant shall implement a high-quality plan that includes: a comprehensive set of strategies designed to improve academic outcomes by increasing diversity, evidence of strong family and community support for these strategies, ambitious but achievable goals to increase diversity over the grant period, collection and analysis of data to provide transparency and support continuous improvement throughout the grant period, and a rigorous evaluation of the proposed project's effectiveness. ED shall establish performance measures to track the progress of each grant recipient.
United States · United States Congress · 28 August 2018
Expanding Access to the Workforce Through Dual Enrollment Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Education to provide grants to eligible entities (i.e., a state, or one or more local educational agencies, public institutions of higher education, or private sector entities) to establish, expand, or support dual or concurrent enrollment programs offering career and technical education.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 2018
Threat Assessment, Prevention, and Safety Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish within itself a Joint Threat Assessment and Management Task Force, which shall provide recommendations to Congress and DHS on the development and implementation of a national strategy for preventing targeted violence through threat assessment and management. The task force shall make recommendations relating to the most effective use of existing government infrastructure, workforce, and experience, unit support, training, and school violence prevention. The bill defines "threat assessment and management" as the systematic and evidence-based process of: (1) identifying individuals whose behavior indicates a capacity for committing acts of violence; (2) investigating and gathering information to assess whether such individuals pose a real threat; and (3) the subsequent management of such a threat. DHS shall develop and implement the national strategy and provide information and training services related to it. The bill directs DHS to award grants to governmental and educational entities and nongovernmental organizations to establish community based units for implementing the national strategy.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Expresses opposition to the completion of Nord Stream II, the gas pipeline that would transport natural gas from Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany. Urges the President to support European energy security through a policy of diversification to lessen reliance on Russia. Supports the imposition of sanctions with respect to Nord Stream II.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Reunite Every Unaccompanied Newborn Infant, Toddler and other children Expeditiously Act or the REUNITE Act This bill directs the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Health and Human Services (HHS), after consultation with humanitarian organizations, child welfare agencies, and states bordering Mexico, to promulgate and publish a rule describing efforts that DHS and HHS will undertake to aid apprehended parents or legal guardians in locating and reuniting with any children (under age 18 with no permanent immigration status) separated from them at or near the port of entry, or within 100 miles of the border. DHS, HHS, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) must provide apprehended parents or legal guardians separated from their children with written notice, in a language understandable to them, of any rules or guidance that may assist them in locating and reuniting with their children. The bill permits DHS and HHS to use DNA testing to determine family relationships subject to certain requirements, after using other commonly-used techniques for determining such relationships. DHS must establish secure alternative programs that incorporate case management services in each DHS field office to ensure appearances by alien parents and children at immigration proceedings and public safety and to provide for community-based alternatives to detention. DHS, DOJ, and HHS shall establish an interagency Office for Locating and Reuniting Children with Parents for facilitating the reunification of children and apprehended parents or legal guardians after entering the United States. The bill requires DOJ to appoint counsel, free of charge, for children and vulnerable aliens (e.g., persons with disabilities and victims of abuse, torture, or violence) in immigration proceedings. The bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to limit bonds for detained aliens to $1,500, except for aliens who have committed an aggravated felony (as defined by the INA).
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Northern Mariana Islands Workforce Stabilization Act This bill establishes a process under which certain long-term residents of the Northern Mariana Islands who are workers or investors with specified temporary visas may obtain lawful permanent resident status.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2018 This bill revises and reauthorizes through FY2023 various programs and activities under the Violence Against Women Act that seek to prevent and respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Among other things, the bill also authorizes new programs, makes changes to federal firearms laws, and establishes new protections to promote housing stability and economic security for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Healthcare Extension and Accessibility for Developmentally disabled and Underserved Population Act of 2018 or the HEADs UP Act This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to support health centers that provide services for individuals with developmental disabilities, including dental care.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Timely Review of Infrastructure Act This bill amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to authorize the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to address insufficient compensation of its personnel. FERC must consult with the Office of Personnel Management when making a determination of the appropriate compensation for its personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct an epidemiological study and report to Congress on the prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) in Vietnam era veterans. The study shall identify the rate of incidence of cholangiocarcinoma in such veterans and in U.S. residents.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Aim Higher Act This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to reauthorize and revise federal financial aid programs for postsecondary education and institutions of higher education.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Condemns Iranian state-sponsored terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and officials and Iranian dissidents. Expresses support for the people of Iran who are engaged in legitimate and peaceful protests against the Iranian regime.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2018
Funding Attorneys for Indigent Removal (FAIR) Proceedings Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the appointment of counsel, at government expense, for aliens in immigration proceedings and to automatically provide to such aliens a complete copy of the their immigration file in the possession of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS must also facilitate access to counsel and legal orientation programs for all aliens in DHS detention facilities. The bill also establishes the Immigration Counsel Account to collect fees for providing access to counsel when required or authorized by this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2018
Higher Education Dream Act of 2018 This bill prohibits institutions of higher education that receive federal student aid from discriminating or taking adverse action against students based on their immigration status, including charging out-of-state tuition to students who would qualify as a resident of the state.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2018
Fairness in Liver Allocation Act of 2018 This bill requires the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network to reform the criteria for liver allocation so that allocation is not based on the donor candidate's place of residence or listing, unless it is necessary to avoid wasting organs.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2018
Stop the Tax Hike on Charities and Places of Worship Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the requirements for determining the unrelated business taxable income of tax-exempt organizations. The bill repeals a provision that requires unrelated business taxable income to be increased by the amount of expenses paid or incurred by a tax-exempt organization for certain fringe benefits for which a tax deduction is not allowed, including benefits relating to transportation, parking, or an on-premises athletic facility. The bill also increases the corporate tax rate from 21% to 22%.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2018
Authorizes specified committees of the House of Representatives to intervene on behalf of the House in the case of Texas v. United States in order to defend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Authorizes the Office of General Counsel of the House, under the supervision of such committees, to represent them in the intervention.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2018
Law Enforcement Retirement Enhancement Act This bill broadens the definition of "law enforcement officer" for purposes of enhanced retirement benefits under the Federal Employees' Retirement System. Specifically, it includes, as a law enforcement officer, a member of the Capitol Police who transfers to a supervisory or administrative position with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2018
Affirms U.S. commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Expresses agreement with the intelligence community's assessment concerning Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election, and condemns President Trump for his efforts to undermine such assessment and for his failure to fulfill his duty to place U.S. interests first.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2018
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should take all appropriate measures to ensure that the U.S. Postal Service remains an independent establishment of the federal government and is not subject to privatization.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2018
Protecting Immigrant Communities from Consumer Fraud Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Justice to make grants for immigration consumer fraud information websites and hotlines. It also establishes a grant program to carry out an outreach campaign to provide: (1) access to legal resources, including free or low-cost legal resources for low-income individuals; (2) workshops educating the public on immigration consumer fraud; and (3) translation services. Grant recipients may not disclose or use personally identifiable information provided by individuals participating in outreach campaigns. The bill requires the Federal Trade Commission to impose and enforce requirements on immigration consultants relating to advertising of immigration services, contracts for such services, and the retention and disposal of client documents. Immigration consultants must disclose in advertising materials and contracts that they are not immigration attorneys and may not represent aliens before an immigration court or the Board of Immigration Appeals.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2018
Condemns the Attorney General's decision in Matter of A-B- seeking to declare domestic violence and gang violence as invalid grounds for seeking asylum.
United States · United States Congress · 3 July 2018
Requests the President and the Department of Health and Human Services to transmit to the House of Representatives copies of all documents and other communications concerning the health and welfare, including long-term implications, of children forcibly separated from their parents or guardians as a result of the President's "zero tolerance" policy.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
By the People Resolution Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should enact various reforms with respect to voter registration and protection, campaign-finance contribution limits and violations, and political advertisements.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Restoring Oversight for Members of Congress Act This bill requires agencies or managers that control access to federal facilities to provide immediate access to Members of Congress, excluding the Vice President, unless access is denied for national security reasons with congressional approval.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2018
Family Unity Rights and Protection Act This bill requires the Departments of Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, State, and Defense to ensure that alien children (i.e., children under the age of 18 removed from their parents or legal guardians at or near a port of entry or within 100 miles of the U.S. border pursuant to a zero tolerance policy for criminal illegal reentry) are reunited at the earliest possible date with their parents and guardians from whom they were separated. It also requires notification of parents and guardians of procedures for reuniting with such children and for the location of such children. The bill requires the creation of an electronic registry for information used to locate such alien children and their parents and guardians. The information in such registry may only be used for locating such children and may not be used in any criminal prosecution or other immigration proceeding. The bill also sets forth conditions on the termination of parental rights in immigration proceedings and requires the consolidation of asylum and immigration proceedings involving alien children.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2018
Puerto Rico Admission Act of 2018 This bill establishes a process to enable the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico to be admitted into the Union as a state.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2018
Social Security Administration Fairness Act This bill (1) provides funding for certain administrative expenses of the Social Security Administration (SSA); (2) makes individuals eligible to receive Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) benefits beginning in the first month of disability; (3) eliminates the Medicare waiting period for recipients of OASDI benefits; and (4) requires the SSA to satisfy certain public-notice and reporting requirements before closing or consolidating a field office or hearing office.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2018
Compassionate Calling and Immigrant Family Reunification Act of 2018 This bill directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promulgate regulations to ensure access to voice service by any alien guardian who is detained or incarcerated under the immigration laws separately from the alien child of such guardian, and by the alien child, to facilitate communications between, and reunification of, such guardian and child. The FCC shall ensure access to voice service: (1) at the facility at which the alien guardian is detained or incarcerated and at the facility at which the alien child is detained, (2) at no charge to the guardian or child, and (3) until the guardian is reunited with the child. The Second Report and Order of the Commission in the matter of Rates for Interstate Inmate Calling Services (adopted October 22, 2015) shall apply, beginning on the date of this bill's enactment. The report adopts comprehensive reform of all aspects of inmate calling services.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2018
Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2018 or the DISCLOSE Act of 2018 This bill expands the ban on election contributions by foreign nationals to include corporations subject to specified levels of ownership or control by foreign nationals. The bill also expands (1) reporting requirements related to campaign contributions, and (2) disclosure requirements related to the funding sources of political advertisements.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2018
Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2018 This bill requires the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to make a determination as to whether a state substantially provides for certain rights and responsibilities applicable to public employees, such as granting such employees the right to form or join a labor organization and to bargain collectively, and if the state does not substantially provide for such rights and responsibilities, then such state shall be subject to nationwide standards prescribed by the FLRA to protect public employee rights. No employer, emergency services employee, or law enforcement officer may engage in a lockout, strike, or any other organized job action of which a reasonably probable result is a measurable disruption of the delivery of emergency or public safety services. No labor organization may violate or attempt to violate this prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2018
Guarantee Access to Arts and Music Education Act of 2018 or the GAAME Act of 2018 This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to specify that Title I funds (which support the instructional needs of students from low-income families) may be used for arts and music programs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2018
Keep Families Together Act This bill prohibits an agent or contractor of the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, or the Department of Health and Human Services from removing a child who is under the age of 18 and has no permanent immigration status from his or her parent or legal guardian at or near the port of entry or within 100 miles of the U.S. border unless: an authorized state court determines that it is in the child's best interests to be removed; a state or county child welfare official with expertise in child trauma and development determines that it is in the child's best interests to be removed because of abuse or neglect; or the Chief Patrol Agent or the Area Port Director authorizes separation based on a documented finding that the child is a trafficking victim or is at significant risk of becoming a victim, a strong likelihood exists that the adult is not the parent or legal guardian, or the child is in danger of abuse or neglect. A child may not be removed from a parent or guardian unless an independent licensed child welfare expert authorizes the separation within 48 hours of such removal. An agency may not remove a child from a parent or legal guardian solely for the policy goals of deterring migration to the United States or of promoting immigration law compliance. The bill sets forth presumptions: (1) in favor of family and sibling unity and parental rights, and (2) that detention is not in the best interests of families and children. The bill limits the prosecution of asylum seekers.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2018
Workers' Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2018 This bill amends the National Labor Relations Act (NRLA) and related labor laws to extend protections to union workers. Specifically, it: revises the definition of "employee" and "supervisor" to prevent employers from removing employees from the protections of the labor laws, prohibits employers from interfering with certain rights granted to employees under the NLRA, expands unfair labor practices to include prohibitions against replacement of worker who strike or discrimination against them, imposes new penalties against employers who violate labor law requirements, allows workers to bring civil actions against employers for labor law violations and unfair labor practices, requires certain disclosures with respect to worker wages, and requires contractors seeking federal contracts over $500,000 to disclose labor law violations when applying for such contracts.