United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2019
Life-Sustaining Prescription Drug Price Relief Act of 2019 This bill establishes a series of oversight and disclosure requirements relating to the prices of life-sustaining prescription drugs. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to review at least annually all life-sustaining drugs for excessive pricing; HHS must also review prices upon petition. HHS must create a public database with its determinations for each drug and report its overall findings and related activities. Under the bill, a price is considered excessive if the domestic average manufacturing price exceeds 110% of the average price for the drug in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Japan. If a price does not meet this criteria, or if pricing information is unavailable in at least three of the aforementioned countries, the price is still considered excessive if it is higher than reasonable in light of specified factors, including cost, revenue, and the size of the affected patient population. The bill also requires drug manufacturers, subject to civil penalties, to (1) report specified financial information for life-sustaining drugs, including research and advertising expenditures; and (2) negotiate the prices of excessively priced life-sustaining drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit with HHS.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2019
Election Technology Research Act of 2019 This bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and other agencies to support research on voting systems. NIST, in collaboration with the NSF, must carry out research related to the security and integrity of voting systems. NIST shall make an award to an institution of higher education or a nonprofit organization to establish a Center of Excellence in Election Systems. The NSF, in collaboration with other agencies, shall award basic research grants to increase the understanding of cyber and other threats to voting systems and to inform the development of technologies, processes, and policies that contribute to more secure, fair, and accessible elections. The NSF shall award grants to institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations to establish at least one multidisciplinary center for elections systems research and education. NIST shall establish and make available common data format specifications for auditing, voter registration, and other elements of voting systems. The General Accountability Office must report on, among other things, the extent to which NIST's efforts to assist in the development of voluntary voting systems guidelines have resulted in market-ready standardized voting equipment and software.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2019
This resolution recognizes the victims of communist regimes and requests that the President issue a yearly proclamation declaring the National Day for the Victims of Communism.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2019
This resolution supports the Three Seas Initiative in its efforts to (1) increase energy resilience and infrastructure connectivity across Central and Eastern Europe; and (2) further the process of building a Europe that is undivided, secure, prosperous, and free.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2019
This concurrent resolution calls for an end to the consumption and trade of dog and cat meat and urges nations to adopt and enforce laws banning that trade.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2019
This bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to issue a Diabetes Prevention Semipostal Stamp, with all proceeds being transferred to the National Diabetes Prevention Program.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2019
Time to Rescue United States Trusts Act or the TRUST Act This bill establishes congressional rescue committees to develop recommendations and legislation to improve critical social contract programs. A critical social contract program is a federal program for which a federal trust fund is established (e.g., Social Security, Medicare, and federal highway programs), with outlays of at least $20 billion during the year preceding the year in which this bill is enacted, and for which the amount of dedicated federal funds and federal trust fund balances will be inadequate to meet the total amount of outlays of the program that would otherwise be made. Each rescue committee may develop recommendations and legislation to improve the program for which it was established, including by (1) increasing the duration of positive balances of the federal trust fund established for the program, and (2) providing for the solvency of the federal trust fund established for the program during a 75-year period. Congress must use specified expedited legislative procedures to consider legislation that is approved and submitted by the rescue committees.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2019
Public Safety Retirees Healthcare Protection Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from $3,000 to $6,000 the amount excludible from the gross income of public safety officers for distributions from governmental retirement plans for health and long-term care insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2019
Vision Zero Act of 2019 This bill permits states to use funding under the surface transportation block grant program, the highway safety improvement program, and the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program to develop and implement vision zero plans for local government entities to eliminate transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries in such localities within a specified timeframe, not to exceed 20 years.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2019
Low-Dose Radiation Research Act of 201 9 This bill requires the Department of Energy to conduct a research program on low-dose and low-dose-rate radiation to enhance the scientific understanding of the effects of exposure and to improve risk-assessment and risk-management methods. Low-dose radiation means a dose of less than 100 millisieverts. Low-dose-rate radition means a radiation dose rate of less than 5 millisieverts per hour. (For comparison, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission limits an adult's annual occupational radiation dose to 50 millisieverts and dose rate to approximately .025 millisieverts per hour.)
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2019
This resolution expresses support for the designation of National Vitiligo Awareness Day and recognizes the importance of providing support for individuals diagnosed with vitiligo. (Vitiligo is a condition in which skin color is lost in patches.)
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2019
Advancing Research to Prevent Suicide Act This bill directs the National Science Foundation to award competitive, merit-reviewed grants to institutions of higher education (or their consortia) to support multidisciplinary, fundamental research with potential relevance to suicide, including potential relevance to prevention and treatment.
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 · 15 October 2019
This resolution expresses support for the designation of National Wildlife Refuge Week. The resolution acknowledges the importance of national wildlife refuges for their recreational opportunities and contribution to local economies. Finally, the resolution reaffirms the support of the House of Representatives for wildlife conservation and the National Wildlife Refuge System.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2019
National World War II Memorial Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the National World War II Memorial in the District of Columbia. The design of the coins shall be emblematic of the memorial and the service and sacrifice of American soldiers and civilians during World War II. All surcharges received from the sale of such coins shall be paid to the Friends of the National World War II Memorial to support the National Park Service in maintaining and repairing the memorial, and for educational and commemorative programs.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2019
Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy Act or the SHIELD Act This bill establishes a duty to report election interference from foreign entities, applies existing campaign advertising requirements to online advertisements, and generally limits political spending and election interference by foreign entities. Specifically, a political committee must report certain foreign contacts involving an offer of unlawful election assistance to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Election Commission. The bill establishes criminal penalties for violations of these requirements. Existing requirements for political advertisements and electioneering communications apply to internet and digital advertisements, including requirements related to disclosures and contributions. Additionally, large online platforms must maintain a public database of certain political advertisements. The bill places limitations on political spending by foreign entities. Specifically, foreign entities may not (1) contribute to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda, or (2) make disbursements for certain internet activity referring to a candidate or a political issue. A candidate is prohibited from offering to share nonpublic campaign information with certain foreign entities. The bill also prohibits (1) the dissemination of false statements regarding federal elections or public endorsement, or (2) the intentional hindering of voting or registering to vote. The bill establishes criminal penalties and a private right of action with respect to these prohibitions.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2019
Expanding Disability Access to Higher Education Act This bill establishes and revises programs to increase access to higher education for students with disabilities and increase their graduation rates. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to award additional funds under existing TRIO programs (i.e., programs designed to identify and support disadvantaged students) to increase the number of individuals with disabilities served by such programs; award grants to institutions of higher education to establish offices of accessibility on their campuses to support students and staff with disabilities; and collect data on students served by TRIO programs and Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, including with respect to student persistence in such programs, graduation rates, postsecondary enrollment rates, and supports provided to enrolled students. The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office to review and report on how ED and TRIO program agencies identify and support students with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2019
Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act This bill establishes an alternative formula to calculate Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefits for those who receive pensions for certain non-covered employment. (The existing formula is known as the windfall elimination provision.) The alternative formula adjusts an individual's total lifetime earnings based on the proportion of covered earnings (i.e., earnings subject to Social Security payroll taxes). It applies to individuals who (1) first become eligible for benefits after 2021, (2) have earnings from non-covered service performed after 1977 and (3) have less than 30 years of coverage (i.e., years in which a beneficiary is considered to have contributed a substantial amount into the Social Security trust funds). Beneficiaries receive the higher benefit amount as calculated under the alternative method or the existing formula. In addition, the bill provides rebates for certain beneficiaries currently impacted by the existing formula. The Social Security Administration must include non-covered earnings in Social Security account statements, and the Government Accountability Office must study the availability of certain information related to retirement plans maintained by state and local governments.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
Fair Sugar Policy Act of 2019 This bill makes several modifications to the Department of Agriculture's sugar program. Among other modifications, the bill decreases the rate for price support loans, repeals the marketing allotments, revises the administration of import quotas, and repeals the Feedstock Flexibility Program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
Fiscal State of the Nation Resolution This concurrent resolution requires the congressional budget committees to conduct an annual joint hearing to receive a presentation from the Comptroller General regarding (1) the Government Accountability Office's audit of the financial statement of the executive branch, and (2) the financial position and condition of the federal government.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2019
Support And Value Expectant Moms and Babies Act of 2019 or the SAVE Moms and Babies Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from approving any new drug (either as a brand-name drug or a generic) intended to terminate a pregnancy and imposes additional restrictions on such drugs that are already approved. Under the bill, an already-approved drug intended to terminate a pregnancy may be dispensed to a patient only with a prescription. Furthermore, the FDA may not approve any labeling change that would authorize (1) using the drug after 70 days of gestation, or (2) dispensing the drug by any means other than in-person administration by the prescribing health care practitioner. The FDA must also impose additional restrictions on such already-approved drugs, including by (1) requiring the prescribing health care practitioner to receive a special certification, (2) prohibiting the practitioner to also act as the dispensing pharmacist, and (3) requiring the practitioner to have the ability to provide surgical intervention to the patient. The bill also rescinds any investigational use exemption already granted to such a drug if the bill would have prohibited the FDA from granting the exemption. (Currently, the FDA may grant an exemption to certain market approval requirements if a drug is intended solely for use in safety and effectiveness investigations.)
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2019
This concurrent resolution supports existing regulations with the goals of (1) reducing greenhouse gas emissions and oil usage, and (2) protecting national security and human health and welfare. The concurrent resolution also supports policies that will help meet these goals, such as policies that achieve maximum feasible reductions in oil use.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2019
Protect America’s Wildlife and Fish In Need of Conservation Act of 2019 or the PAW and FIN Conservation Act of 2019 This bill nullifies the 2019 rules relating to the listing of endangered or threatened species and the designation of critical habitats. Among other things, the restored rules automatically give threatened species the same protections as endangered species; revise requirements governing when an agency must consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service about endangered species, threatened species, or their habitats; prohibit economic assessments from being considered in listing decisions; and revise the criteria used for designating critical habitats for the species.
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
Stop Vaping Ads Act of 2019 This bill generally prohibits electronic advertisements of electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes or vape pens).
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2019
Clean Industrial Technology Act of 2019 or the CIT Act of 2019 This bill provides incentives for the nonpower industrial sector to reduce nonwater greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish an industrial emissions reduction technology research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program. Under the program, DOE must award grants and fund demonstration projects to develop and evaluate technologies designed to increase (1) the industrial competitiveness of the United States, and (2) the emission reductions of nonpower industrial sectors. DOE may also enter into contracts and cooperative agreements for these purposes. In addition, DOE must establish an Industrial Technology Innovation Advisory Committee to provide advice to DOE and the Office of Science and Technology Policy about the program. Finally, DOE must establish a technical assistance program to promote the commercial application of emission reduction technologies in nonpower industrial sectors.
United States · United States Congress · 30 August 2019
Chronic Absenteeism Reduction in Every School (CARES) Act This bill allows local educational agencies to use specified federal funds for mentoring programs and other activities that address chronically absent students (i.e., students who miss 10% or more of school days). Such activities may include, among other things implementing data collection systems that assist schools in collecting and tracking attendance data; creating data-sharing and confidentiality agreements between schools, social service agencies, city and county governments, and partner agencies or community organizations working with students; partnering with local health, transportation, and service providers to target intervention efforts; training and integrating school personnel for mentoring; and implementing evidence-based restorative justice strategies aimed at reducing suspensions in order to keep students in school.
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 · 6 August 2019
This resolution recognizes the contributions and sacrifices made by Sikh Americans and expresses respect for all Sikhs who practice their faith. The resolution also recognizes the historical, cultural, and religious significance of Guru Nanak's 550th birthday. Additionally, the resolution recognizes the discrimination Sikh Americans have faced.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2019
This joint resolution nullifies the rule issued October 24, 2018, that lessens requirements for states to obtain waivers from certain requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
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 · 30 July 2019
ARPA-E Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill revises and reauthorizes through FY2024 the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The bill expands the goals of ARPA-E to include the development of energy technologies that (1) provide transformative solutions to improve the management, clean-up, and disposal of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel; and (2) improve the resilience, reliability, and security of infrastructure to produce, deliver, and store energy. The bill also authorizes DOE to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to evaluate how well ARPA-E is achieving its goals and missions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 programs that raise public awareness about breast health, educate health care providers to encourage early detection of breast cancer, and provide support for young women diagnosed with breast cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
Stemming Warming and Augmenting Pay Act of 2019 or the SWAP Act. This bill imposes a tax on combusted fossil fuel greenhouse gas emissions. The tax is equal to $30 per metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions beginning in 2021. The tax increases by 5% plus inflation each year and increases by $3 per ton every two years if the previous year's emission goals are not met. The revenue from such tax is divided (1) 70% for the reduction of payroll taxes; (2) 10% for additional payments to Social Security beneficiaries, and (3) 20% to establish a carbon trust fund for block grants to offset higher energy costs for low-income households, climate adaptation, energy efficiency, carbon sequestration, and research and development programs. The bill also amends the Clean Air Act to impose a 12-year moratorium on regulations that limit greenhouse gas emissions. This moratorium may be lifted if certain emission targets are not met.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act of 2019 This bill provides for Medicare coverage of certain audiologist services. Specifically, the bill expands coverage to include diagnostic and treatment services that are furnished by audiologists and that would otherwise be covered if provided by a physician, including incidental services, regardless of whether such services are provided pursuant to a referral from, or under the supervision of, a physician or other health care practitioner.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
Raise Wages, Cut Carbon Act of 2019 This bill imposes excise taxes on fossil fuels and fluorinated greenhouse gases and uses revenues from such taxes to reduce social security taxes. The bill annually increases funding beginning in FY2020 for the low-income home energy assistance program and the weatherization assistance program for low-income persons. It also directs the Social Security Administration to distribute to Social Security retirement beneficiaries 10% of environmental tax revenues beginning in FY2020. The bill imposes taxes on (1) the manufacturer, producer, or importer of coal (including lignite and peat), petroleum and petroleum products, and natural gas ($40 per ton in 2020 with a 2.5% increase each year emission reduction targets are not met); (2) any imported taxable product sold or used by its importer; and (3) fluorinated greenhouse gases. The bill requires a supermajority of either the House of Representatives or the Senate to change the revenue neutrality established by this bill. The bill also amends the Clean Air Act to suspend certain regulations that limit greenhouse gas emissions. The suspensions expire if emissions targets are not reached after a specified time period.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
Hospital Price Transparency and Disclosure Act This bill specifies the format that hospitals must disclose the standard charges for items and services by requiring them to submit such charges to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and requiring the CMS to post the charges on its website.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
Trauma-Informed Modernization of Eldercare for Holocaust Survivors Act or the TIME for Holocaust Survivors Act This bill includes matters concerning Holocaust survivors in federal grants and programs that serve older adults. Specifically, the bill includes an individual's status as a Holocaust survivor within the scope of the greatest social needs for purposes of such programs. Under current law, these programs must target populations with the greatest economic and social needs. Additionally, among other activities, the Administration on Aging must establish a national center to provide resources, training, and technical assistance related to delivering services to older individuals who experience the long-term and adverse consequences of trauma. In addition, the administration may designate within it a person responsible for implementing and coordinating services for individuals who are Holocaust survivors.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019
This resolution recognizes (1) the importance of reminding U.S. citizens of the vital importance of democracy, and (2) the sacrifices of past generations to preserve the freedoms and principles of the United States. The resolution encourages (1) state and local governments to also recognize the importance of helping individuals understand the vital importance of democracy, and (2) the people of the United States to reflect on and appreciate the contributions made by the democratic system of government created by the Constitution to a more free and stable world.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019
Protection of American Jobs in Cross-Border Rail Operations With Mexico Act This bill requires the Department of Transportation to issue regulations that restrict the operation of trains originating in Mexico within the United States to crews comprised entirely of U.S. citizens and nationals.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019
Great Lakes Water Protection Act This bill restricts the diversion of waste streams into the Great Lakes from publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities. The bill also establishes the Great Lakes Green Infrastructure Grant Program to make grants to Great Lakes states to develop green infrastructure projects.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019
Climate and Health Protection Act This bill provides statutory authority for the Climate and Health Program within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2019
Teacher Education for Computer Science Act or the Teach CS Act This bill authorizes the Department of Education to award grants to institutions of higher education for establishing and maintaining teacher education programs for computer science. It also includes computer science as an eligible education category with respect to receiving various teacher preparation grants and graduate fellowships.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2019
Resilience Revolving Loan Fund Act of 2019 This bill authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to enter into agreements with any state or Indian tribal government to make capitalization grants for the establishment of hazard mitigation revolving loan funds. Such funds shall provide funding assistance to local governments to carry out projects to reduce disaster risk in order to decrease the loss of life and property, the cost of insurance claims, and federal disaster payments.
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.
![Official portrait of Rep. Lipinski, Daniel [D-IL-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000563_200.jpg)