United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2019
Protect Against Conflict by Turkey Act or the PACT Act This bill imposes sanctions and various restrictions related to Turkey's military invasion of northern Syria. The President shall impose visa- and asset-blocking sanctions on specific Turkish officials connected to the invasion, including Turkey's Minister of National Defense. The Department of State shall report to the President and Congress as to (1) other Turkish officials involved with the invasion; and (2) foreign persons that knowingly provided defense articles, services, or technology to Turkey that could be used in the invasion of northern Syria. Such foreign persons shall also be subject to visa- and asset-blocking sanctions. The President shall impose financial sanctions on the large Turkish state-owned bank known as Halk Bankasi or Halkbank and on any financial institutions that the State Department determines to have knowingly facilitated significant transactions for the Turkish Armed Forces or Turkey's defense industry related to the invasion. The President shall impose sanctions on Turkey's government pursuant to the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. A U.S. defense article, service, or technology may not be transferred to Turkey's government if it (1) is covered under the Arms Export Control Act, and (2) may be used by Turkey in military operations in northern Syria. The President may not exercise certain emergency waiver authority related to the Arms Export Control Act in relation to this prohibition. The bill calls for reports on (1) the national security impact of the invasion and, (2) the net worth of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his family.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2019
United States-Turkey Relations Review Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of State to report to Congress an assessment of Turkey. The report shall include (1) an assessment conducted with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states as to Turkey's ability and willingness to fulfill its NATO obligations, (2) a review of the bilateral U.S.-Turkey relationship, and (3) an assessment of the posture of U.S. forces in Turkey and the surrounding region.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2019
This resolution expresses Congress's opposition to the decision to end U.S. efforts to prevent Turkey's military operations against Kurdish forces in northeast Syria. It also calls on (1) Turkey to immediately cease unilateral military action in northeast Syria and respect existing agreements, (2) the United States to continue supporting Syrian Kurdish communities through military and humanitarian support and ensure that the Turkish military acts with restraint, and (3) the White House to present a clear and specific plan for the enduring defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2019
Stop Debt Collection Abuse Act of 2019 This bill applies certain consumer protections regarding debt collection to debt owed to a federal agency and to debt buyers. A federal agency that is a creditor may not sell or transfer a debt to a debt collector until 90 days after the obligation becomes delinquent or defaults. Specified notice to the consumer of such a sale or transfer is required. A collector of debt owed to a federal agency may not collect any interest, fee, charge, or expense that is (1) unreasonable in relation to actual costs, (2) not authorized by a contract between the debt collector and the federal agency, or (3) greater than 10% of the amount collected. The Government Accountability Office must report on the use of debt collectors by federal, state, and local government agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2019
Community Bank Deposit Access Act of 2019 This bill specifies that certain custodial deposits shall not be considered to be brokered deposits, which are subject to additional regulatory requirements, including those related to liquidity. The bill generally defines a custodial deposit as a deposit made by a certain entity serving as an agent, trustee, or custodian at an insured depository institution for the purpose of providing deposit insurance for the benefit of a third party.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2019
VA Overpayment Accountability Act This bill prescribes procedures by which the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and debt collectors shall correct errors submitted to consumer reporting agencies about the indebtedness of certain veterans. Specifically, the bill requires these corrections for veterans who are indebted due to participation in a VA benefits program. The bill also requires the VA to update its information technology for the processing of VA benefits. Lastly, the bill requires the VA to self-audit to determine the frequency by which overpayments are made to individuals participating in VA benefits programs.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2019
Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act or the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement a pilot program to assess the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder through a method where veterans train service dogs for veterans with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2019
Shift Back to Society Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Justice to establish a pilot program that awards matching grants to historically black colleges and universities to provide educational programs for eligible offenders to facilitate re-entry into the community. An eligible offender is a convicted criminal offender who has been released from incarceration for not longer than one year or who is scheduled to be released from incarceration within one year. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on the results of the pilot program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2019
Credit Access and Inclusion Act of 2019 This bill allows for the reporting of certain positive consumer-credit information to consumer reporting agencies. Specifically, a person or the Department of Housing and Urban Development may report information related to a consumer's performance in making payments either under a lease agreement for a dwelling or pursuant to a contract for a utility or telecommunications service. However, information about a consumer's usage of any utility or telecommunications service may be reported only to the extent that the information relates to payment by the consumer for such service or other terms of the provision of that service. Furthermore, an energy-utility firm may not report a consumer's outstanding balance as late if the firm and the consumer have entered into a payment plan and the consumer is meeting the obligations of that plan. Specified provisions that establish civil liability with respect to furnishers of information to consumer reporting agencies shall not apply to any violation of the bill. The Government Accountability Office must report on the consumer impact of such reporting.
United States · United States Congress · 20 August 2019
National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2019 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to designate 9–8–8 as the universal telephone number for a national suicide prevention and mental-health crisis hotline.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
Negro Leagues Baseball Centennial Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Negro National League, a professional baseball league that was formed in response to African-American players being banned from baseball's major leagues. The design of the coins shall be emblematic of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and its mission to promote tolerance, diversity, and inclusion. All surcharges from sales of these coins shall be paid to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to fund educational and outreach programs and exhibits.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2019
Otto Warmbier North Korea Nuclear Sanctions Act of 2019 This bill imposes financial sanctions and restrictions related to North Korea. The Department of the Treasury shall restrict correspondent and payable-through accounts that are used to facilitate significant transactions or provide services to sanctioned entities, specifically North Korean financial institutions, companies, and certain North Korean individuals, such as those named in certain executive orders. (Correspondent and payable-through accounts are often maintained by foreign financial institutions in U.S. banks to access the U.S. financial system.) Treasury shall use its vote and voice in international financial institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to oppose the provision of assistance by such institutions to governments that fail to enforce the sanctions provided under this bill. The Export-Import Bank may not guarantee, insure, or extend credit in relation to exports to entities sanctioned under this bill. Treasury shall support increasing use of the IMF administrative budget for technical assistance to help IMF members fight money laundering and funding for terrorism. Various sanctions and restrictions under this bill shall be suspended if the President certifies to Congress that (1) North Korea has committed to suspending its weapons of mass destruction programs and engaging in multilateral talks on limiting such programs, or (2) it is in U.S. national security interests to do so.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2019
Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act This bill revises requirements regarding the sale and delivery of electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes, e-hookah, e-cigars, and vape pens). Specifically, the bill subjects the sale and delivery of these systems to certain requirements, including tax, licensing, and labeling requirements; prohibits the sale and delivery of these systems to anyone under the legal age to purchase tobacco products; and requires the U.S. Postal Service to implement regulations to prohibit the mailing of these systems. The bill does not apply to products approved by the Food and Drug Administration for tobacco cessation or any other therapeutic purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019
Housing Accountability Act of 2019 This bill provides statutory authority for the requirement for an entity receiving low-income housing assistance payments for existing public housing units to maintain decent, safe, and sanitary conditions for any structure covered under a payment contract. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) shall develop a process by which a Performance-Based Contract Administrator shall, on a semiannual basis, conduct a survey of the tenants of each such structure to identify consistent or persistent problems with the structure's physical condition or its manager's performance. A structure shall be referred to HUD for remediation if the administrator identifies such a problem based on the survey or any other observation made by the administrator during the normal course of business. HUD may impose a penalty on the structure's owner if the structure does not satisfactorily meet this bill's requirements or is repeatedly referred to HUD for remediation by an administrator through the process. Collected amounts shall be used solely for supporting safe and sanitary conditions at applicable structures or for HUD designated tenant relocation, with priority given to tenants of the penalized structure. This bill shall not apply to voucher program property.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2019
1921 Silver Dollar Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 500,000 $1 silver coins in commemoration of the centennial of the re-minting of the Morgan silver dollar that was designed by George T. Morgan and the minting of the Peace silver dollar that commemorated the declaration of peace between the United States and the Imperial German government. Treasury may issue such coins only for a one-year period, beginning on January 1, 2021. All surcharges received from sales of such coins shall be paid as follows: 40% to the American Numismatic Association for numismatic educational activities; 40% to the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, to educate and commemorate activities related to World War I and its enduring impact; and 20% to the Nevada State Museum in Carson City, Nevada, to support the preservation of the historic features of the museum related to the U.S. mint, the design of interpretive programs that connect visitors to the significance of minting in the United States, the Comstock Lode, and the American West, and to support the activities of the Nevada Division of Museums and History.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2019
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act of 2019 This bill provides funding for (1) the conservation or restoration of wildlife and plant species of greatest conservation need; (2) the wildlife conservation strategies of states, Indian tribes, or territories; or (3) wildlife conservation education and recreation projects. The Department of the Interior must use a portion of the funding for a grant program. The grants must be used for innovative recovery efforts for species of greatest conservation need, species listed as endangered or threatened species, or the habitats of such species.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2019
Reforming Disaster Recovery Act of 2019 This bill provides statutory authority for certain procedures related to the Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBR-DR) Program and adds new program requirements, including with respect to coordination of benefits, precertification for grant assistance, and allocation of grant funds. Additionally, the bill expands CDBG-DR assistance to Puerto Rico. Finally, the bill establishes the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Reserve Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2019
Support Technology and Research for Our Nation's Growth and Economic Resilience Patents Act of 2019 or the STRONGER Patents Act of 2019 This bill makes several patent-related changes, including with respect to how the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) conducts administrative patent validity reviews. When deciding inter partes reviews (IPRs) and post-grant reviews (PGRs), the USPTO's Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) shall give patent claim terms their ordinary and customary meanings as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art (the same standard used in court). If a court has already construed a patent claim, the USPTO shall consider that construction. The bill makes various changes relating to such proceedings, such as by (1) raising the burden of proof to invalidate a patent claim; (2) establishing that a challenged patent claim is presumed valid; (3) imposing standing requirements as to who may file an IPR or PGR, where none currently exist except for some timing requirements; (4) restricting when multiple challenges may be filed against the same patent; and (5) limiting IPRs and PGRs when a court or the International Trade Commission has ruled on the obviousness or novelty of the same patent claims. This bill also (1) makes it easier to get an injunction after a court finding of the infringement of a valid patent, by a presumption that further infringement would cause irreparable injury and the remedies available at law are inadequate; (2) authorizes the USPTO to keep and spend the fees that it collects; and (3) makes bad faith patent demand letters an unfair or deceptive act in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
City and State Diplomacy Act This bill establishes within the Department of State the Office of Subnational Diplomacy, which shall supervise federal support for engagement by state and municipal governments with foreign governments. The head of the office shall be the Ambassador-at-Large for Subnational Diplomacy, who shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
Social Security Disability Insurance Return to Work Act This bill (1) directs the Social Security Administration (SSA) to establish new disability classifications under the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program; (2) limits OASDI benefits with respect to individuals for whom medical improvement is deemed likely or expected; (3) requires the SSA to establish a process for such individuals to return to employment and receive an adjusted benefit amount; and (4) otherwise modifies provisions related to OASDI benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
Financial Stability Oversight Council Improvement Act of 2019 The bill requires the Financial Stability Oversight Council, prior to determining that a U.S. nonbank financial company shall be supervised by the Federal Reserve Board and therefore subject to certain prudential standards, to first determine that certain alternative actions would not mitigate the threat the company may pose to U.S. financial stability
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019
Improve Well-Being for Veterans Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to award grants for a period of three years to eligible entities for the provision of suicide prevention services to veterans and their families. Under the bill, eligible entities include tribally designated housing entities, community-based organizations, and other private entities that meet certain requirements. Entities must submit an application to receive financial assistance that includes a description of the services they propose to provide, among other elements. The bill requires the VA to equitably distribute grants across geographic regions and areas with the most need. Additionally, the VA shall give preference to entities that are experienced in providing suicide prevention services. Entities receiving funding must notify service recipients that funding is wholly or partially from the VA.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019
Protecting People From Surprise Medical Bills Act This bill makes a series of changes relating to health care costs and billing practices. Among other things, the bill applies in-network cost-sharing requirements to certain emergency and related non-emergency services that are provided out-of-network; requires health insurers to include in-network and out-of-network deductibles, as well as out-of-pocket maximum limitations, on enrollee insurance cards; requires health insurers to provide online and print directories of in-network health care providers; and prohibits health care providers from billing individuals for services more than a year after such services are provided.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2019
Modern Employment Reform, Improvement, and Transformation Act of 2019 or the MERIT Act of 2019 This bill revises provisions related to federal employment, including the furlough and removal of federal employees, the calculation of federal employee retirement benefits, and the length of the probationary employment period. Specifically, the bill repeals the process for taking action against a federal employee for unacceptable performance, accelerates the process for removal or suspension based on performance or actions, and prohibits grievances based on adverse personnel actions and reductions in force. The bill also authorizes an agency to remove a senior executive from the civil service for performance-related reasons, and it revises provisions covering performance- or conduct-related actions against senior executives. The bill authorizes agencies to furlough employees for such cause as will promote the efficiency of the service, and it prohibits appeals to the Merit Systems Protection Board based on short-term furloughs or furloughs due to a lapse in appropriations (i.e., government shutdown). Additionally, the bill limits the retirement benefits of a federal employee who is removed due to a felony conviction related to their official duties by prohibiting felonious service from being taken into account when calculating the employee's annuity. The bill also authorizes an agency to order the repayment of a bonus or award when performance or conduct issues are discovered and such bonus or award would not have been paid had such issues been known when they were made. Lastly, the bill extends from one year to two years the probationary period for competitive service appointments and members of the Senior Executive Service.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2019
This bill permits the postmaster of the Scipio A. Jones Post Office in Little Rock, Arkansas, to accept and display in the lobby of such post office a portrait, painted by artist Wade Hampton, of Scipio A. Jones.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2019
Keep Physicians Serving Patients Act of 2019 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to use specified data regarding physician wages and office rent when determining certain geographic adjustment factors for the payment of physician services under Medicare. With respect to such payment, the bill also makes permanent certain minimum adjustments to the work geographic index and extends to all localities certain minimum adjustments to the practice expense index.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019
Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 This bill directs various departments to assess whether political developments in Hong Kong justify changing Hong Kong's unique treatment under U.S. law. Hong Kong is part of China but has a largely separate legal and economic system. The Department of State shall report annually to Congress as to whether Hong Kong is sufficiently autonomous from China to justify its unique treatment. The report shall assess whether China has eroded Hong Kong's civil liberties and rule of law as protected by Hong Kong's Basic Law. The Department of Commerce shall report annually to Congress on China's efforts to use Hong Kong to evade U.S. export controls and sanctions. The President shall provide Congress an assessment as to whether to withdraw from the U.S.-Hong Kong extradition treaty, and what actions are needed to protect U.S. citizens and national security interests, if Hong Kong (1) amends its laws to allow the rendition of individuals to countries that lack defendants' rights protections, or (2) passes a national security law. The State Department shall allow otherwise qualified Hong Kong residents to obtain visas to work or study in the United States, even if the applicant had been arrested for participating in certain nonviolent protests supporting human rights or the rule of law. The President shall report to Congress a list of individuals responsible for abducting and torturing people for exercising internationally recognized human rights in Hong Kong. The bill bars such individuals from entering the United States and imposes sanctions on them.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019
Active Cyber Defense Certainty Act This bill limits the prosecution of computer fraud and abuse offenses where the conduct constituting an offense involves a response to, or defense against, a cyber intrusion.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019
Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Schools Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of the Interior to study the sites associated with the life and legacy of Julius Rosenwald, a part-owner and President of Sears, Roebuck and Company and a noted philanthropist. The study shall include a special focus on the Rosenwald Schools (the 5,357 schools and related buildings that were constructed in 15 southern states between 1912 and 1932). In conducting such study, Interior shall (1) determine which sites are of national significance, (2) prioritize the study of any Rosenwald Schools recommended to Interior by the State Historic Preservation Officer of any of the states in which such schools exist, and (3) determine the suitability and feasibility of designating one or more units of the National Park System to include those Rosenwald Schools and other sites representing Julius Rosenwald's life and legacy.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2019
Mental Health Parity Compliance Act This bill revises the mental health parity rules to require private health insurance plans that offer both medical and mental health coverage to prepare a comparative analysis of nonquantitative treatment limitations (NQTLs). (NQTLs are limitations on the scope or duration of benefits for treatment, such as preauthorization requirements.) The comparative analysis must be available for the Department of Health and Human Services upon request and must include (1) a description of the NQTL and the specific services to which it applies, (2) the factors used to determine when the NQTL will apply, and (3) a description of how the NQTLs applicable to mental health or substance use disorder benefits are comparable to, and no more stringent than, the NQTLs applicable to medical or surgical benefits, among other information.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2019
CECL Consumer Impact and Study Bill of 2019 This bill directs the Securities and Exchange Commission and federal financial regulators to report on the implementation of the Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL) accounting standard and its impact on credit availability, capital requirements, financial institutions, and nonfinancial institutions. Required compliance with the CECL standard is delayed until one year after submission of this report.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2019
75th Anniversary of the End of World War II Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 coins, 500,000 $1 coins, and 750,000 half-dollar coins in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. The coins shall be emblematic of the sacrifices made by millions of people of the United States 75 years ago in bringing an end to World War II. The design on each coin shall represent the World War II Victory Medal, which was awarded to all 16 million U.S. military personnel who served from December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946. The bill requires all sales of such coins include specified surcharges, which shall be paid by Treasury to the congressionally designated National WWII Museum to fund its educational mission of telling the story of the U.S. experience in World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2019
Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2019 This bill establishes several prohibitions, requirements, and standards relating to prior authorization processes under Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Specifically, the bill prohibits MA plans from instituting additional prior authorization requirements for surgeries (including related items) that are furnished to a patient during other surgeries for which prior authorization was not required or was already received. Additionally, MA plans must (1) establish an electronic prior authorization program that meets specified standards, including the ability to provide real-time decisions in response to requests for items and services that are routinely approved; (2) annually publish specified prior authorization information, including the percentage of requests approved and the average response time; and (3) meet other standards, as set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, relating to the quality and timeliness of prior authorization determinations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2019
Collegiate Freedom of Association Act This bill addresses freedom of association protections for college students. Specifically, this bill gives students (or groups of students) enrolled at institutions of higher education (IHEs) the right to form or join social organizations, including single-sex social organizations. In addition, the bill prohibits IHEs that participate in federal student aid programs from taking actions that require or coerce students or social organizations to waive their rights; taking adverse actions against students who are members of single-sex social organizations, or against single-sex social organizations, based solely on the membership practice of limiting membership to only individuals of one sex; or placing recruitment restrictions on single-sex social organizations, which are not imposed upon other student organizations, without the written agreement of the organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2019
Partnership Fund for Peace Act of 2019 This bill requires the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to establish the Partnership Fund for Peace for promoting economic development in Palestine and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. Specifically, the bill directs the USAID to establish this fund to finance (1) small and medium-sized Palestinian entrepreneurs and companies in order to promote the private sector and create jobs in Palestinian territories, and (2) people-to-people peacebuilding programs that support reconciliation between Palestinians and Israelis. An economic partnership, entrepreneur, or company requesting support from the fund must include a Palestinian entrepreneur or company as a partner. A people-to-people partnership requesting support from the fund must include a nonprofit organization that brings Palestinians and Israelis together for reconciliation or nonprofit organizations that further reconciliation between Arab and Jewish citizens of Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2019
Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2019 This bill repeals specified limitations, for purposes of Medicare participation, on self-referrals by newly constructed or expanded physician-owned hospitals.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2019
This resolution expresses the support of the House of Representatives for recognized standards of education, training, and skills to deliver substance use disorder counseling and recognizes the addiction professionals who provide these services.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 2019
This resolution recognizes the 75th anniversary of the amphibious landing of the allied forces on D-Day, June 6, 1944, at Normandy, France, during World War II. The resolution expresses appreciation to the members of the U.S. and allied forces who participated in the operations, as well as all others who contributed to the success of the operations; recognizes the landing as a decisive point in history that led to world leadership and a free people committed to modern liberal democracy and all its tenets; recognizes the importance of World War II history and D-Day as symbols of the costs of freedom, the perils of fascism, and the nature of U.S. global alliances and partnerships; thanks the young people of the allies for their involvement in events celebrating the anniversary of the Normandy landings; calls for expanding educational efforts about the lessons of World War II; recognizes the efforts of France and the people of Normandy to preserve the world heritage represented by the Normandy beaches and the sunken material remains of the landings by inscribing these on the UNESCO World Heritage List; requests the President to issue a proclamation recognizing the living veterans of the campaign; and calls on the people of the United States to observe the 75th anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2019
Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act of 2019 This bill increases the rehabilitation tax credit and modifies certain requirements for the credit. The bill increases the rate of the credit to 30% for smaller projects (rehabilitation expenditures not exceeding $3.75 million) and caps the credit for such projects at $750,000 for all taxable years. The bill also allows taxpayers to transfer all or a portion of the credits that are allowable for smaller projects. The bill expands the types of buildings eligible for rehabilitation by decreasing the rehabilitation threshold from 100% to 50% of project expenses. It also eliminates the basis adjustment requirement for the credit and modifies rules relating to the eligibility of tax-exempt use property for the credit.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2019
Huntington's Disease Parity Act of 2019 This bill waives, for individuals diagnosed with Huntington's Disease, the 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage. Current law generally applies this waiting period to individuals deemed eligible for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2019
Lowering Prescription Drug Costs and Extending Community Health Centers and Other Public Health Priorities Act This bill addresses prescription drugs and extends several health care, research, and workforce programs. Currently, a generic drug manufacturer is awarded 180 days of exclusivity on the market if it is the first applicant to file an application with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the exclusivity period begins upon the first applicant's commercial marketing. The bill authorizes the FDA to approve a subsequent generic drug application prior to the first applicant's first date of commercial marketing if certain conditions are met. The bill prohibits a brand-name, generic, or biosimilar drug manufacturer from entering into certain agreements to resolve or settle a patent infringement claim in connection with the sale of a drug or biological product. Such an agreement, with specified exclusions, is a violation of the bill if the filer of the subsequent generic application receives something of value and agrees to limit or forego research, development, manufacturing, marketing, or sales of the generic drug or biological product. The developer of a drug or biological product, such as a generic or biosimilar version of a drug, may bring a civil action against the license holder of an approved drug if the holder has declined to make available sufficient quantities of the approved drug for the developer's testing. The bill also extends several health care, research, and workforce programs, including the National Health Service Corps, through FY2020.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2019
This resolution condemns Iranian state-sponsored terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and officials and Iranian dissidents and expresses support for the people of Iran who are engaged in legitimate and peaceful protests against the Iranian regime.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019
National Right-to-Work Act This bill repeals those provisions of the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act that permit employers, pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement that is a union security agreement, to require employees to join a union as a condition of employment (including provisions permitting railroad carriers to require, pursuant to such an agreement, payroll deduction of union dues or fees as a condition of employment).
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019
Unauthorized Spending Accountability Act of 201 9 This bill establishes a three-year budgetary level reduction schedule with respect to unauthorized programs funded through the annual appropriations process. The term "budgetary level" refers to an allocation provided to the congressional appropriations committees under section 302(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 by a congressional budget resolution or a deeming resolution. The schedule applies to programs included in the Congressional Budget Office's annual report listing programs that are funded through the appropriations process and have an authorization of appropriations that has either expired or will expire during the year. For the first year after a program's authorization has expired, the bill requires the budgetary level to be reduced by 10% of the funds appropriated for the program in the expiring fiscal year. The bill then requires reductions of 15% in the second and third years before terminating the program at the end of the third unauthorized year. Programs that are reauthorized during the three-year period are exempt from the budgetary level reductions if the reauthorization contains a sunset provision limiting the authorization of appropriations period to no more than three years. The bill establishes the Spending and Accountability Commission to review all mandatory spending programs and submit to Congress a legislative proposal to establish an authorization cycle for discretionary spending programs. The commission may recommend legislation to replace the budgetary level reductions required by this bill with reductions in mandatory spending. The commission's reauthorization schedule must limit reauthorizations to three years, include the budgetary level reductions established by this bill, and establish a mechanism for replacing the budgetary level reductions with reductions to mandatory spending programs. The House of Representatives must consider the commission's proposal using specified expedited legislative procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019
Fentanyl Sanctions Act This bill establishes programs to address illicit opioid trafficking and imposes sanctions on foreign individuals and entities involved in such activities. The President shall impose sanctions on foreign individuals and entities identified as opioid traffickers or those that own, control, or supply opioid precursors. The sanctions include bans on (1) receiving loans, (2) foreign exchange transactions, (3) property transactions, and (4) certain investments that fall under U.S. jurisdiction. The President may waive sanctions on certain parties for national security and humanitarian concerns. The President shall report to Congress about the implementation of such sanctions and also on cooperative efforts with Mexico and China to combat illicit opioid trafficking. The bill establishes the Commission on Synthetic Opioid Trafficking, which shall develop a strategy to combat the flow of synthetic opioids into the United States. The commission shall report on various topics including the scope of illicit trafficking in other countries and the deficiencies in other countries' regulation of pharmaceutical and chemical production. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) shall establish a program to assist in enforcement efforts and sanctions against illicit opioid traffickers, with a focus on illicit finance. ODNI shall periodically report to Congress about the intelligence community's counter-narcotics efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019
Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act of 2019 This bill removes the requirement that a health care practitioner apply for a separate waiver through the Drug Enforcement Administration to dispense certain narcotic drugs (e.g., buprenorphine) for maintenance or detoxification treatment (i.e., substance use disorder treatment). Further, the bill directs the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to conduct a national campaign to educate health care practitioners and encourage them to integrate substance use disorder treatment into their practices.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019
National Museum of the American Latino Act This bill establishes the National Museum of the American Latino in the Smithsonian Institution. The purposes of the museum are to (1) illuminate Latino contributions to the story of the United States; (2) provide for the collection, study, research, publication, and establishment of exhibitions and programs related to Latino life, art, history, and culture; and (3) provide for collaboration with Smithsonian Institution museums and research centers and other museums and educational institutions in the United States and abroad to promote the study and appreciation of Latino life, art, history, culture, and its impact on society in the United States. The bill establishes a Board of Trustees for the museum to advise and assist the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian on all matters related to the administration and preservation of the museum. The Director of the museum shall manage the museum and may carry out educational and liaison programs in support of its goals. The Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services shall establish and carry out specified grant programs and a scholarship program, including a grant program to promote the understanding of the Latin American diaspora in the United States. The Board of Regents shall designate a site for the museum and is authorized to design and construct it.
![Official portrait of Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h001072_200.jpg)