United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2020
Expanding Child Care Access Grants Act of 2020 This bill establishes a grant program for businesses to provide child care services for their employees. Businesses may also use such grants to partner with child care providers serving children through a child care program in operation prior to March 1, 2020.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2020
Paycheck Protection Small Business Forgiveness Act This bill modifies loan forgiveness under the Paycheck Protection Program established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill provides for automatic forgiveness of a paycheck protection loan that is not more than $150,000 if the recipient submits a one-page form. Such form must allow a recipient to submit specified demographc and expenditure information, and certain individuals (e.g., the President, the Vice President, or the head of an executive department) are not eligible for such forgiveness. Further, the bill prohibits any enforcement or other action against a lender relating to loan origination, forgiveness, or guarantee based on the lender's reliance on certifications or documentation submitted by a loan applicant or recipient.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020
This bill provides FY2020 supplemental appropriations to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program. Under the program, the FCC provides funding for health care providers to purchase telecommunications services, information services, and devices necessary to provide critical connected care services during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. The bill designates the funding as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2020
Reinforcing Utility Restoration After Losses (RURAL) Act This bill provides authority and funding for the Department of Agriculture to establish a loan program for certain rural utility service providers (e.g., electric, telecommunications, or waste disposal service providers) to replace specified losses during a federally declared disaster or emergency. During such a disaster or emergency, interest on the loan shall not accrue, and repayment of principal shall not be required. Borrowers may qualify for partial loan forgiveness if certain requirements are met. The bill also establishes and provides funding for a Rural Utility Bridge Loan Fund to implement the program.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2020
Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to provide grants and other forms of emergency assistance to certain providers of transportation services that have experienced a significant revenue loss as a direct or indirect result of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Treasury must ensure equal access to the assistance for small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses. As a condition of receipt of assistance, Treasury must require that a provider of transportation services agree to (1) use the funds, on a priority basis, to maintain through December 31, 2020, pay, paid administrative leave, and benefits to all employees after making any adjustments required for retirement or voluntary employee separation; and (2) recall or rehire any employee laid off, furloughed, or terminated because of reduced service as a result of COVID-19, to the extent warranted by increased service levels.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2020
This bill extends through December 30, 2022, the coverage period for the Coronavirus Relief Fund to make payments to tribal governments for necessary expenditures incurred as a result of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2020
Flexible Financing for Rural America Act of 2020 This bill allows rural utility service providers to submit to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) a request to adjust the interest rate or modify the terms of certain loans. The request shall include a report summarizing how the adjustment or modification will assist the borrower in providing critical utility services to a rural community. Specifically, on receipt of a request, USDA must adjust the interest rate on the loan to match certain interest rates in effect when the bill is enacted for obligations of comparable maturity to the term remaining on the loan (or a higher rate requested by the borrower), and make modifications to the loan terms as necessary to address changes in the financial position of the borrower due to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency and to promote the financial sustainability of the borrower. In carrying out the adjustments or modifications, USDA shall not impose or collect any fee from, or impose any penalty on, a borrower. The bill also provides funding to implement the adjustments and modifications.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2020
This resolution recognizes the historic importance of patriotic displays in the United States in annual Independence Day celebrations, and it urges cities, towns, counties, and other municipalities to reconsider postponing or canceling their Fourth of July celebrations so that Americans can celebrate in a responsible and appropriate manner.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2020
Direct Interstate Retail Exemption for Certain Transactions Act or the DIRECT Act This bill allows meat and poultry products inspected by State Meat and Poultry Inspection programs to be sold by retail stores, restaurants, or similar retail-type establishments over the internet and shipped by a carrier in commerce (other than for export to a foreign country), provided the meat and poultry products so inspected are shipped directly to household consumers and in normal retail quantities. (Under the inspection programs, the Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service allows states that meet certain requirements to inspect meat and poultry. The state-inspected products are currently limited to intrastate commerce, unless a state opts into a separate Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program.)
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2020
Reinvigorating Lending for the Future Act or the RLF Act This bill reduces reporting requirements for recipients of Revolving Loan Fund grants, which provide funds to capitalize lending programs for businesses that cannot obtain traditional bank financing. Specifically, upon request by a qualifying grantee, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) must release any federal interest in a grant—thereby relieving the grantee of associated federal reporting requirements—if the request is made at least seven years after the final disbursement of the original grant. Currently, the EDA may release the federal interest in a grant beginning 20 years after the grant was awarded.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2020
Mount Rushmore Protection Act This bill prohibits the use of any federal funds to alter, change, destroy, or remove any name, face, or other feature on the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2020
Community Services Block Grant Enhancement Act of 2020 This bill modifies the distribution of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) relief funds with respect to, and temporarily expands eligibility criteria to participate in activities funded by, the Community Services Block Grant. (This grant provides formula-based allotments of federal funds to states, territories, and tribes for anti-poverty activities.) Specifically, the bill exempts funding appropriated for this grant under the CARES Act from a cap on the annual growth of a state's allotment and requires states to distribute COVID-19 relief funding to the local organizations and other eligible entities that carry out block grant activities within specified time frames. In addition, it expands eligibility for programs and activities funded by the block grant to 200% of the federal poverty line (FPL) through FY2022. Under current law, eligibility is set at the FPL, with states authorized to increase eligibility to 125% under certain conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2020
Knowing the Efficiency and Efficacy of Permanent Telehealth Options Act of 2020 or the KEEP Telehealth Options Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on the availability and effects of expanded telehealth services under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Among other information, HHS must detail its actions during the emergency to expand access to telehealth services and must analyze telehealth usage by certain demographic groups. The GAO must report on the efficiency and management of the telehealth expansion and related risks of fraudulent activity.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2020
Just and Unifying Solutions To Invigorate Communities Everywhere Act of 2020 or the JUSTICE Act This bill addresses policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability. The bill funds state and local grants, incentivizes state and local reporting on the use of certain policing practices, creates new federal offenses for certain misconduct, establishes a commission to study the conditions affecting Black men and boys, and establishes best practices and training requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020
This resolution recognizes the historic importance of fireworks displays in the United States and the joy the fireworks industry brings to communities and neighborhoods across the country, and it urges cities, towns, counties, and other municipalities to reconsider postponing or canceling their Fourth of July celebrations so that Americans can celebrate while adhering to appropriate social distancing guidelines.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020
This bill provides authority for the Department of Agriculture during a pandemic to permit activities such as emergency haying and grazing on land that is subject to a contract under the Conservation Reserve Program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2020
American Critical Mineral Exploration and Innovation Act of 2020 This bill addresses the availability, development, and production of domestic critical minerals, including by providing incentives to increase domestic production of critical minerals that are needed to ensure the economic and national security of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2020
DOD Portfolio Management Accountability Act This bill requires the Department of Defense to submit a plan to identify, develop, and acquire databases, analytical and financial tools, and workforce skills to improve the assessment, management, and optimization of weapon system investments, including through consolidation.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2020
Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 This bill modifies provisions related to the forgiveness of loans made to small businesses under the Paycheck Protection Program implemented in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill establishes a minimum maturity of five years for a paycheck protection loan that has a remaining balance after the application of forgiveness. The bill also extends the covered period during which the recipient of a paycheck protection loan may use such funds for certain expenses while remaining eligible for forgiveness of the loan. Further, the bill prohibits the Small Business Administration from limiting the non-payroll portion of a forgivable covered loan amount. Currently, only 25% of a paycheck protection loan may be allocated to non-payroll expenses such as rent and utilities. The bill extends the period of time in which an employer may rehire or eliminate a reduction in employment, salary, or wages that would otherwise reduce the forgivable amount of a paycheck protection loan. However, the forgivable amount must be determined without regard to a reduction in the number of employees if the recipient is (1) unable to rehire an employee, (2) able to demonstrate an inability to hire a similarly qualified employee, or (3) able to demonstrate an inability to return to the same level of business activity. Lastly, the bill eliminates a provision that makes a paycheck protection loan recipient who has such indebtedness forgiven ineligible to defer payroll tax payments.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2020
Small Packer Overtime and Holiday Fee Relief for COVID-19 Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to reduce the fees charged to small meat, poultry, and egg processing plants for inspections that occur during overtime hours or on holidays. The bill also provides funding to implement the requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2020
Farming Support to States Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to establish the Food and Agriculture Emergency Response and Resiliency Program to provide aid for the states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories to carry out activities to respond to urgent and emerging issues in the agriculture economy and food supply chain impacted by COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and related food system threats. The bill also provides funding for the program.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Small Business Expense Protection Act of 2020 This bill amends the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to provide that tax deductions for ordinary business expenses and other tax incidents shall not be affected by the exclusion from gross income of amounts related to loan forgiveness received in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Expanding Medical Partnerships with Israel to Lessen Dependence on China Act or the EMPIL-DOC Act This bill authorizes a bilateral grant program with Israel to develop health technologies, with an emphasis on the use of technology, personalized medicine, and data in relation to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Technologies to be developed through this program include, among others, artificial intelligence, respiratory assist devices, and diagnostic tests. In addition, the program conditions funding on a matching contribution from the government of Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2020
Protecting Life in Crisis Act This bill specifies that federal funds allocated for COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) response efforts may not, in general, be used for abortions. Current law (specifically, language that has historically been included in certain appropriations bills, commonly referred to as the Hyde Amendment) generally prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions. The bill also restricts the use of federal tax credits or other federal funding for health insurance coverage if the coverage includes abortions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2020
Local Chamber, Tourism, and 501(c)(6) Protection Act of 2020 This bill modifies the Paycheck Protection Program implemented by the Small Business Administration in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) to include certain entities and exclude certain individuals. Specifically, the bill expands the program to encompass organizations with 300 or fewer employees that (1) operate under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code (other than a professional football league), or (2) are a destination marketing organization engaged in promoting communities and facilities to businesses and leisure travelers. The bill also narrows the definition of payroll costs under the program to exclude any compensation of an employee who is a registered lobbyist from the calculation for loan amounts or for allowable uses of funds provided under the program.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2020
This bill provides $50 billion in FY2020 supplemental appropriations for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support agricultural producers impacted by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. The supplemental appropriations are designated as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits. USDA may not apply any payment limitations to payments made to producers using funding provided by this bill, except to ensure that the total payments made to producers do not exceed the total damages related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2020
Pandemic Rapid Response Act This bill establishes the National Commission on the COVID-19 Pandemic in the legislative branch and sets forth its powers, duties, funding, and membership. Specifically, the commission shall (1) investigate the facts and circumstances of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, (2) evaluate lessons learned regarding preparedness and response activities, and (3) report findings and make recommendations on preventing a similar outbreak from occurring in the future. The commission must avoid duplicating the work of other government entities and terminates 60 days after the submission of its final report.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2020
Health Care Worker and First Responder Social Security Beneficiaries Choice Act This bill excludes wages from employment in the health care workforce or as a first responder between January 2020 and December 2020 from income limits that apply to certain Social Security benefits. Currently, beneficiaries who are younger than full retirement age and who earn more than specified income thresholds incur a reduction in Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2020
This bill rescinds the appropriation to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts provided for in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The CARES Act appropriated $25 million to the center to prepare for and respond to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2020
Securing All Livestock Equitably Act of 2020 or the SALE Act of 2020 This bill requires all livestock purchased by a dealer in cash sales and all inventories of, or receivables or proceeds from, such livestock to be held by the dealer in a trust until all unpaid cash sellers of the livestock have been paid. The bill exempts from the requirement any dealer whose average annual purchases of livestock do not exceed $100,000. The bill also specifies requirements regarding enforcement, preserving a trust, notifying lien holders, and purchasing or transferring livestock that is subject to a trust.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2020
American Wild Game and Livestock Protection Act This bill requires the Department of the Interior to issue as a final rule the proposed rule titled Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing the Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife . This bill exempts the rule from judicial review.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that ensuring an accurate count of American Indians and Alaska Natives is vital for the 2020 decennial census of population and that an undercount of such population could result in underrepresentation and underfunding for tribal households. The resolution also expresses the sense that federal, state, and local governments and tribal nations should work together to encourage participation in the 2020 decennial census of population.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020
Trillion Trees Act This bills establishes requirements and incentives to plant trees and conduct other land management practices for the purposes of capturing and storing carbon.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020
This bill revises the tax deduction for interest on education loans to provide that the $2,500 limitation on such deduction shall apply separately to each taxpayer claiming the deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2020
Consumer Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2020 This bill makes a series of changes related to health care costs and billing practices. Among other things, the bill applies the in-network cost-sharing amount to certain emergency and related nonemergency services that are provided out-of-network, applies the in-network cost-sharing amount to nonemergency services that are provided out-of-network at an in-network facility unless specified written notice requirements are met, establishes procedures for health insurance plans to negotiate reimbursement amounts paid to out-of-network providers in states without such a process, requires insurance plans to establish publicly available databases that list the contact information for in-network providers and facilities, requires health care providers and insurance plans to provide certain cost estimates for services scheduled at least three days in advance, requires plans to continue benefits for specified long-term care when an insurance plan's contractual relationship with a provider or facility changes or terminates, requires insurance plans to include specified consumer assistance and benefits information on a plan holder's membership card and maintain certain price comparison tools for in-network services, establishes reporting requirements related to air ambulance services, establishes a temporary income tax deduction for specified expenses resulting from out-of-network and emergency services.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2020
Clearing Lines along Electrical At-Risk Zones Act This bill revises requirements related to vegetation management practices and forest management activities. The bill redefines hazard trees as trees that come within 50 feet (rather than 10 feet, as under current law) of an electric power line. Hazard trees are subject to certain management activities under current law. A vegetation management, facility inspection, and operation and maintenance plan shall describe processes for consultation with private landowners with respect to hazard trees identified for removal. Such plans must be approved according to specified deadlines. The bill generally excludes specified forest management activities from certain environmental assessment and environmental impact statement requirements. Specifically, the bill excludes from these requirements (1) the development and approval of a vegetation management, facility inspection, and operation and maintenance plan; and (2) the implementation of routine activities conducted under such a plan. The use of this exclusion shall not be subject to extraordinary circumstances procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2020
Closing Loopholes On SafetyNet Exploitation Act or the CLOSE Act This bill revises eligibility requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) to require each state to implement a financial asset verification program for purposes of determining or redetermining the eligibility of an individual to participate in SNAP. (The financial asset program requires each applicant for or recipient of SNAP benefits to provide authorization for the state to obtain from a financial institution any financial record held by the institution with respect to such applicant or recipient.) The bill only applies to the 50 States and the District of Columbia. The Department of Agriculture must provide states with technical assistance to aid in implementation of a financial asset verification program.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2020
Food Safety Modernization for Innovative Technologies Act This bill provides statutory authority for joint agency jurisdiction over food intended for humans that is produced using animal cell culture technology. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shall oversee tissue collection, cell lines, and cell banks. The FDA shall regulate food derived from cell lines of animals other than livestock or poultry, and the Department of Agriculture shall regulate food derived from cell lines of livestock and poultry.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2020
Working Families Flexibility Act of 2020 This bill revises requirements for the receipt of compensatory time off for private sector employees. Specifically, the bill authorizes private employers to provide compensatory time off to their employees at a rate of one and one-half hours for each hour of employment for which overtime compensation otherwise is required; employees may accrue a maximum of 160 hours of compensatory time. Employers are prohibited from interfering with an employee's right to or not request compensatory time off in lieu of payment of overtime compensation or from requiring an employee to use such compensatory time, and must give their employees 30-days notice before discontinuing a compensatory time policy. Employers are liable to employees for damages from violations of these requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2020
This resolution condemns the actions of Iran with respect to Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752. It also expresses support for the protestors in Iran and condemns Iran for killing citizens protesting their government. In addition, it calls on Iran to refrain from using violence and to protect the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2020
Effective Assistance of Counsel in the Digital Era Act This bill prohibits the Department of Justice from monitoring the contents of a privileged electronic communication between an incarcerated person and his or her legal representative.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2019
Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 This bill establishes and modifies several requirements to address prescription drug prices under Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs. The bill generally limits payment amounts for drugs and biologics under Medicare medical services, reduces cost-sharing under the Medicare prescription drug benefit, modifies certain authorities and requirements under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, revises provisions relating to regulatory approval and commercial availability of generics and biosimilars, and establishes several reporting requirements for drug manufacturers with respect to drug prices.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
Accountable Care in Rural America Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to exclude certain components from a methodology used under the Medicare Shared Savings Program. The program enables accountable care organizations (ACOs) to receive payments for savings stemming from care coordination and management. Specifically, the bill requires the CMS to exclude an ACO's assigned Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries from certain regional adjustments to the ACO's benchmark for savings determinations, and to otherwise ensure that an ACO is not in a less favorable financial position due to its share of assigned beneficiaries in the region.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2019
Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2019 This bill addresses pipeline safety with respect to natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. Among other provisions, the bill reauthorizes appropriations through FY2023 for pipeline safety activities; allows for limited safety-enhancing testing programs to evaluate innovative technologies and operational practices testing the safe operation of natural gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facilities; authorizes the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a confidential and non-punitive voluntary information-sharing system to encourage collaborative efforts to improve inspection information feedback and information-sharing on best practices, processes, and technology deployments with respect to such facilities; establishes a Liquefied Natural Gas division within the Office of Pipeline Safety of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to ensure the safety and oversight of liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, including small-scale LNG facilities, peak shaving facilities, and import or export facilities; creates a Center of Excellence for Liquefied Natural Gas Safety and Training; increases staffing levels in the PHMSA to hire additional personnel with safety expertise; and directs DOT to initiate a study on technologies and measures that reduce the amount of natural gas released during venting and blowdowns of natural gas distribution systems and transmission pipelines.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2019
Worker's Choice Act of 2019 This bill eliminates the exclusive representation of workers by labor organizations and any requirement that workers join labor organizations or pay dues to them.