United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2019
Transporting Livestock Across America Safely Act This bill requires the Department of Transportation to amend regulations on hours of service for commercial drivers who transport live covered animals (i.e., livestock, honey bees, insects, fish, and crawfish) within a 300 air-mile radius from where the on-duty time of the driver begins. The regulations must (1) exclude from the driver's on-duty time certain activities, such as loading or unloading a commercial motor vehicle; (2) change the driving time requirement to a maximum of not less than 15, and not more than 18, hours within a 24-hour period; (3) permit the driver to take one or more rest periods during the trip, which shall not be included in the calculation of the driving time; (4) require the driver, after completion of the trip, to take a rest break for a period that is five hours less than the maximum driving time; (5) exclude from the calculation of the driving time up to two additional hours, if the driver is within 150 air-miles of the point of delivery; and (6) make inapplicable the requirement that the driver take a 10-hour rest period before driving.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2019
Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2019 This bill temporarily restricts federal funding for Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. Specifically, the bill prohibits, for a one-year period, the availability of federal funds for any purpose to this entity, or any of its affiliates or clinics, unless they certify that the affiliates and clinics will not perform, and will not provide any funds to any other entity that performs, an abortion during such period. This restriction does not apply in cases of rape or incest or where a physical condition endangers a woman's life unless an abortion is performed. The Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture must seek repayment of federal assistance received by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., or any affiliate or clinic, if it violates the terms of the certification required by this bill. Additional funding for community health centers is provided for the one-year period described above (subject to the same abortion-related restrictions and exceptions).
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2019
Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 This bill addresses certain health benefit and home loan programs for veterans. Specifically, the bill extends the presumption of service-connection for certain diseases associated with herbicide (e.g., Agent Orange) exposure to veterans who served (1) offshore of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, or (2) in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone between September 1, 1967, and August 31, 1971. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific disabilities or diseases 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. The bill extends eligibility for health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and monetary allowance to children with spina bifida who have at least one veteran parent who may have been exposed to an herbicide agent while serving in Thailand between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975. Additionally, the bill revises the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan guaranty program to adjust loan fee rates and eliminate the limit on the amount of a loan for which the VA may provide a guaranty of 25%. Under current law, these loan guarantees are subject to a limit on loan size determined by Freddie Mac. The bill also waives loan fees for active duty Purple Heart recipients. The VA shall permit a VA-approved appraiser to make a housing loan appraisal based solely on information gathered by a person with whom the appraiser has entered into an agreement for such services.
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2019
Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019 This bill authorizes assistance and weapons transfers to Israel, and extends defense cooperation with Jordan. It establishes additional sanctions related to the conflict in Syria, and allows states to divest from entities boycotting Israel. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2019 The bill reauthorizes through FY2028 Foreign Military Financing to Israel. It extends loan guarantees to Israel through FY2023, and authorizes the President to transfer precision-guided munitions to the country. The bill directs the President to report on steps taken to help Israel secure a strategic trade authorization exception. United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Extension Act The bill extends through 2022 arrangements that allow certain defense articles to be transferred to Jordan on an expedited basis. The bill also directs the President to submit a report to Congress assessing the costs and benefits of establishing a fund to support private investment in Jordan. Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 The bill directs the Department of the Treasury to determine whether the Central Bank of Syria is a primary money-laundering concern and, if so, impose special measures on transactions involving the bank. The bill also imposes sanctions on individuals providing support for the Syrian government. Combating BDS Act of 2019 The bill allows a state or local government to adopt measures to divest its assets from entities using boycotts, divestments, or sanctions to influence Israel's policies. Such measures shall meet various requirements, including those related to written notice and comment.
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2019
Strengthening Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health Act or the SMASH Act This bill reauthorizes for FY2020-FY2024 and revises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant program that supports state mosquito control programs. Among other changes, the bill expands the grant program so that grants may be used to address emerging, infectious mosquito-borne diseases and to improve existing control programs. The CDC must also give preference to applicants that have (1) a public health emergency due to a mosquito-borne disease, or (2) a control program that is consistent with existing state preparedness plans. The bill also reauthorizes for FY2020-FY2024 and revises the CDC epidemiology and laboratory capacity grant program, which helps public health agencies improve surveillance and response activities related to infectious diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2019
Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from awarding federal family planning grants to entities that provide, or that financially support the provision of, abortions. Specifically, in order to receive such grants, entities must certify that, during the period of the grant, they will not perform abortions or provide funds to entities that perform abortions. Exceptions are made for abortions where (1) the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest; or (2) a physician certifies that the woman suffered from a physical disorder, injury, or illness that would place the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, including a condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy. Hospitals are exempted unless they provide funds to non-hospital entities that perform abortions. HHS must include in an annual report (1) information on grantees who performed abortions under the exceptions, and (2) a list of entities to which grant funds are made available.
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2019
Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Beneficiaries Act This bill directs the Department of Defense to provide chiropractic health care services and benefits through the TRICARE program to uniformed service members who are not on active duty and to uniformed service retirees. (Active duty members of the uniformed services are currently eligible for chiropractic services and benefits through the Chiropractic Health Care Program.)
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2019
Sanctity of Human Life Act This bill declares that (1) the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human and is a person's most fundamental right; (2) each human life begins with fertilization, cloning, or its equivalent, at which time every human has all the legal and constitutional attributes and privileges of personhood; and (3) Congress, each state, the District of Columbia, and each U.S. territory have the authority to protect all human lives.
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2019
Providing Pay for Essential Employees Act This bill provides appropriations to pay the salaries and expenses of federal employees who are working during the lapse in appropriations that began on or about December 22, 2018, and resulted in a partial government shutdown.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
National Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases Control and Accountability Act of 2019 This bill establishes the Office of Oversight and Coordination for Tick-Borne Diseases within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The office must oversee the creation of a national strategy to address Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases and disorders. The national strategy must include program assessments, benchmarks for progress, and recommendations from the previously established Tick-Borne Disease Working Group. The bill also requires HHS to undertake specific actions that promote research, prevention, and treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases and disorders. Among other things, HHS must: support expansive research into the pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of such diseases and disorders; establish a surveillance system to track the prevalence of such diseases and disorders in humans; establish a surveillance system to track the prevalence of disease-carrying ticks; conduct educational campaigns; and hold a series of research symposiums.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
No Abortion Bonds Act This bill imposes taxes on state and local bonds that are used to provide a facility owned or used (for any purpose) by an abortion provider for more than 30 days during a year in which interest is paid on the bond. An entity is not considered an abortion provider solely as a result of performing abortions if (1) the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest; or (2) a woman suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness that would, as certified by a physician, place the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself. The Department of the Treasury may exempt certain hospitals from being considered an abortion provider by making the name of the hospital available on Treasury's public website.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Homeless Veteran Families Act This bill updates the Department of Veterans Affairs per diem payment calculation for entities furnishing services to homeless veterans to include funding for a minor dependent. The rate for per diem payments is the daily cost of care as estimated by the grant recipient or eligible entity. This bill would expand the per diem payment amount for a homeless veteran who has care of a minor dependent to the daily cost of care plus, for each minor dependent, an amount that equals 50% of such daily cost of care.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 This bill addresses certain health benefit and home loan programs for veterans. Specifically, the bill extends the presumption of service-connection for certain diseases associated with herbicide (e.g., Agent Orange) exposure to veterans who served (1) offshore of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, or (2) in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone between September 1, 1967, and August 31, 1971. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific disabilities or diseases 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. The bill extends eligibility for health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and monetary allowance to children with spina bifida who have at least one veteran parent who may have been exposed to an herbicide agent while serving in Thailand between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975. Additionally, the bill revises the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan guaranty program to adjust loan fee rates and eliminate the limit on the amount of a loan for which the VA may provide a guaranty of 25%. Under current law, these loan guarantees are subject to a limit on loan size determined by Freddie Mac. The bill also waives loan fees for active duty Purple Heart recipients. The VA shall permit a VA-approved appraiser to make a housing loan appraisal based solely on information gathered by a person with whom the appraiser has entered into an agreement for such services.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Social Security Fairness Act of 2019 This bill repeals provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for individuals who receive other benefits, such as a pension from a state or local government job. The bill eliminates the government pension offset , which in various instances reduces Social Security survivors' benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers who also receives government pensions of their own. The bill also eliminates the windfall elimination provision , which in some instances reduces Social Security benefits for individuals who also receive a pension or disability benefit from an employer that did not withhold Social Security taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Supporting Home Owner Rights Enforcement Act This bill requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, when deciding whether to issue licenses for hydropower projects, to give equal consideration to minimizing infringement on the useful exercise and enjoyment of property rights held by nonlicensees. In developing recreational resources within project boundaries, licensees must consider private landownership as a means to encourage and facilitate private investment and increased tourism and recreational use.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Hearing Protection Act This bill removes silencers from the definition of firearms for purposes of the National Firearms Act. It also treats persons acquiring or possessing a firearm silencer as meeting any registration and licensing requirements of such Act. The Department of Justice must destroy certain records relating to the registration, transfer, or making of a silencer. The bill also revises the definition of firearm silencer and firearm muffler under the federal criminal code and includes such items in the 10% excise tax category.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Terrorist Deportation Act of 2019 This bill establishes that aliens identified in the terrorist screening database, except for permanent residents, shall be deportable and inadmissible into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may temporarily waive the inadmissibility of such an alien if it is in the national security interests of the United States. DHS shall grant such a waiver only with the unanimous concurrence of the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the Department of State. An alien identified in the terrorist screening database shall be ineligible for various immigration benefits, including asylum, withholding or cancellation of removal, voluntary departure, or adjustment of status. DHS shall determine on an expedited basis the removal of an alien identified in the terrorist screening database, if the alien has not received a waiver and does not have permanent residence status. The alien shall be entitled to various protections, including the privilege of representation by counsel and judicial review.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2019 This bill allows a qualified individual to carry a concealed handgun into or possess a concealed handgun in another state that allows individuals to carry concealed firearms. A qualified individual must (1) be eligible to possess, transport, or receive a firearm under federal law; (2) carry a valid photo identification document; and (3) carry a valid concealed carry permit issued by any state or be eligible to carry a concealed firearm in his or her state of residence. Additionally, the bill specifies that a qualified individual who lawfully carries or possesses a concealed handgun in another state (1) is not subject to the federal prohibition on possessing a firearm in a school zone, and (2) may carry or possess the concealed handgun in federally owned lands that are open to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
This resolution recognizes and affirms the historical connection of the Jewish people to Jerusalem, and commends Israel for protecting the freedom of all faiths to access holy sites in the city. It also condemns efforts at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to rewrite the history of Jerusalem, and supports the decision by the United States and Israel to withdraw from UNESCO.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2018
Expresses: (1) appreciation for the profound public service of former President George H.W. Bush, and (2) deep sympathy to the entire family of the former President.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2018
Celebrates the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and the subsequent relocation of the U.S. embassy to the city. Reaffirms the friendship between the United States and Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2018
Army Security Agency Monument Act This bill directs the Department of the Army to place in Arlington National Cemetery a monument honoring Army Security Agency veterans if the National Army Security Agency Association agrees to certain requirements, including that the association pay the monument's site preparation, construction, and maintenance costs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2018
This bill alters the payment methodology under the Medicare prospective payment system for home health services, including by eliminating the requirement that such methodology include certain behavioral assumptions regarding the implementation of specified changes to units of payment and case-mix adjustment factors.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2018
Expresses support for the designation of National Kinship Care Month. Honors the commitment and dedication of kinship caregivers and advocates. Encourages Congress to implement policies to improve the lives of vulnerable children and families.
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 · 12 September 2018
Iran Payments Accountability Act of 2018 This bill requires the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to determine if the Government of Iran uses certain funds to: (1) sponsor any foreign terrorist organization or Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, (2) engage in violence or hostilities against U.S. civilians or service members, (3) conduct military operations in Syria, or (4) facilitate illicit narcotics activities. The applicable funds are those received by Iran as sanction relief or as a cash payment from the United States in 2016. The Department of State must demand repayment of funds from the Government of Iran if the ODNI determines funds were used for such actions.
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
Turkey International Financial Institutions Act This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to: oppose the extension by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development of loans or financial or technical assistance to Turkey or to any entity for a project in Turkey, and work with other donor countries to develop a lending policy with Turkey that advances human rights. Treasury may waive the IFC restriction for projects to diversify Turkey's energy resources and lessen its dependence on Russian or Iranian oil or gas. Such restrictions: shall terminate after the President certifies to Congress that Turkey is no longer arbitrarily detaining or denying freedom of movement to U.S. citizens (including dual citizens) or locally employed staff of the U.S. mission to Turkey, and shall not apply to loans or financial or technical assistance for humanitarian purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Local Control of School Lunch Act This bill prohibits the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from establishing or applying certain minimum nutrition requirements for the National School Lunch Program. The bill applies to requirements regarding: target 1 sodium, calorie limitations, and the percentage of grains made with enriched or whole grain flour. With respect to grains and meats served in school breakfasts, USDA must apply meal requirements in regulations that were in effect on September 12, 2008. This bill also amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to repeal requirements for school food authorities to use a specified formula (known as paid lunch equity requirements) to establish a price for paid lunches served to students who are not certified to receive free or reduced price meals.
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 · 23 July 2018
This bill amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to allow educational agencies in Missouri to contract with an entity to operate a program for disabled individuals who are 24 years of age or younger under which work is compensated at a subminimum wage if such an individual has received and produces documentation that indicates completion of certain transition services before beginning work.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2018
National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Reauthorization Act This bill amends the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 to reauthorize for FY2018-FY2022 the Urban Search and Rescue Response System.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2018
Lessen Impediments from Taxes for Charities Act or the LIFT for Charities 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.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2018
Preventing Emerging Threats Act of 2018 This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to authorize their personnel to act to mitigate a credible threat that an unmanned aircraft system or unmanned aircraft (i.e., drones) poses to the safety or security of facilities or assets, through a risk-based assessment. DHS may take actions to: detect, identify, monitor, and track the drone, without prior consent; warn the drone's operator; disrupt control of the drone, without prior consent; seize or exercise control of the drone; confiscate the drone; or use reasonable force, if necessary, to disable, damage, or destroy the drone. Any drone seized by DHS or DOJ is subject to forfeiture to the United States. DHS shall: (1) evaluate the threat from drones to U.S. critical infrastructure and to domestic large hub airports; and (2) assess the threat of vehicular terrorism and brief Congress on its findings and on a strategy to improve efforts to support emergency response providers and the private sector to prevent, mitigate, and respond to such threat.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2018
Honoring Veterans' Families Act This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide inscriptions for deceased spouses and children on certain headstones furnished by the VA.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2018
Recognizes the U.S. Navy's need for congressional support to address readiness, training, and modernization challenges that threaten to weaken naval superiority. Finds that failing to provide the U.S. Navy with stable and predictable funding negatively affects its ability to project power, reassure critical allies, and defeat adversaries.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2018
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) failing to provide the U.S. military with full, stable, and on-time funding allows adversaries of the United States to close military capability gaps; and (2) providing full, stable, and on-time funding for the Department of Defense (DOD) is critically necessary to prevent these increased risks. Expresses the House's commitment to ending the funding uncertainty for DOD and to providing resources to U.S. servicemembers.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2018
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Marine Corps faces significant readiness challenges and that failing to provide the Marine Corps with stable, robust, and on-time funding impedes its ability to meet ongoing and unexpected security threats.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Requests that the President include complete and verifiable human rights improvements in North Korea as part of the U.S. negotiating strategy with North Korea, China, and regional allies.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2018
Expresses support for the designation of a national day of remembrance for members of the U.S. Armed Forces who were killed or injured by the terrorist attack on the Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, on October 23, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2018
History and Tradition Protection Act of 2018 This bill provides that, regarding a civil action for deprivation of rights under color of law, the remedies with respect to a claim shall be limited to injunctive and declaratory relief where the deprivation consists of a violation of a prohibition in the Constitution against the establishment of religion. No 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 · 12 June 2018
Transporting Livestock Across America Safely Act This bill requires the Department of Transportation to amend regulations on hours of service for commercial drivers who transport live covered animals (i.e., livestock, honey bees, insects, fish, and crawfish) within a 300 air-mile radius from where the on-duty time of the driver begins. The regulations must: (1) exclude from the driver's on-duty time certain activities, such as loading or unloading a commercial motor vehicle; (2) change the driving time requirement to a maximum of not less than 15, and not more than 18, hours within a 24-hour period; (3) permit the driver to take one or more rest periods during the trip, which shall not be included in the calculation of the driving time; (4) require the driver, after completion of the trip, to take a rest break for a period that is five hours less than the maximum driving time; (5) exclude from the calculation of the driving time up to two additional hours, if the driver is within 150 air-miles of the point of delivery; and (6) make inapplicable the requirement that the driver take a 10-hour rest period before driving.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2018
Countering the Chinese Government and Communist Party's Political Influence Operations Act This bill directs the Department of State to report to Congress on Chinese government and Communist Party political influence operations with respect to the United States, including efforts to: (1) corrupt U.S. governmental or nongovernmental institutions or individuals, (2) coerce U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents or their families or relatives living in China, and (3) undermine democratic institutions and freedoms. The report shall include recommendations with respect to countering such operations, including by establishing a related permanent office in the State Department.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2018
Common Sense Certification Reform Act This bill prohibits the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from requiring the certification of employees for operating power-operated equipment (e.g., cranes) used in construction activities to deliver or retrieve propane containers.
![Official portrait of Rep. Hartzler, Vicky [R-MO-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h001053_200.jpg)