United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2020
This resolution condemns acts of brutality, racial profiling, and the use of excessive force by law enforcement officers. It also calls for the end of militarized policing practices. The resolution supports strengthening efforts to promote accountability for individual law enforcement officers and police departments. Finally, it calls for the adoption of sound and unbiased law enforcement policies at all levels of government.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2020
Child Care Is Essential Act This bill establishes and provides $50 billion in appropriations for the Child Care Stabilization Fund to award grants to child care providers during and after the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. The bill establishes the fund within the existing Department of Health and Human Services Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program, and the grants must be administered by the existing CCDBG lead agencies of states, tribes, or territories. Child care providers that are currently open or temporarily closed due to COVID-19 are eligible to receive grant awards, which are based on the provider's operating costs before the COVID-19 public health emergency and adjusted to account for the increased costs of providing child care as a result of COVID-19.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2020
Protect our Children from COVID-19 Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study the role of children in transmitting the virus that causes COVID-19 (i.e. coronavirus disease 2019) and disseminate best practices to protect children and adults from the disease in educational settings. HHS must complete these activities by August 1, 2020, and update both the study and best practices quarterly until the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
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 · 26 May 2020
Jump-Start the American Economy Act This bill permits states to provide a maximum of six weeks of reemployment benefits to individuals who were eligible for pandemic unemployment compensation prior to the enactment of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act but who are no longer eligible as a result of becoming reemployed. An individual is not eligible for reemployment benefits if the individual's weekly wages exceed the total amount of unemployment assistance received for the week prior to becoming reemployed and as determined under state law.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2020
Protecting Human Rights During Pandemic Act This bill establishes strategies and reporting requirements related to internationally recognized human rights and COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill requires the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development to submit (1) a strategy for carrying out programs to support democratic institutions, freedom of the press, civil society, and human rights defenders in countries where government measures in response to COVID-19 violated or undermined internationally recognized human rights; and (2) a five-year strategic plan outlining the steps to address persistent human rights issues in the aftermath of COVID-19. The bill also conditions the provision of security assistance to a foreign government on consideration of whether the foreign government used emergency laws, policies, or administrative procedures in violation of internationally recognized human rights. Further, the bill requires the State Department to author initial, monthly, and final reports describing, among other things (1) specified countries' adherence to certain human rights principles in responding to COVID-19, (2) the actions of the U.S. government to address foreign governments' violations of human rights in responding to COVID-19, (3) the impact of such violations on things such as access to health care and the efforts and ability to control the pandemic, and (4) the U.S government's global efforts to counter disinformation and disseminate accurate information about the pandemic. The bill also requires the inclusion of certain information, such as the misuse and abuse of emergency powers, in the annual country reports on human rights practices.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2020
Homeless Veterans Credit Repair, Enhancement, and Debt Improvement for Tomorrow Act or the Homeless Veterans CREDIT Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a comprehensive study on access to, and the use and effects of, financial and credit counseling for veterans who do not have stable housing.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2020
Registration for Index-Linked Annuities Act This bill requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to create a new form for the registration of index linked annuities. The bill defines a registered index linked annuity as an annuity that is deemed a security, that must be registered with the SEC, and that is issued by an insurance company subject to state supervision. Furthermore, the returns of these annuities (1) are based on the performance of a specified index rate or other financial tracking vehicle, (2) are subject to modification by a financial calculation mechanism, and (3) may be subject to a market value adjustment if amounts are withdrawn early.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2020
Inspector General Independence Act This bill enumerates the grounds for removal of an inpector general by the President, including documented neglect of duty or malfeasance. The President must include the documentation of any grounds for removal in a communication to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2020
COVID-19 Dependent Care Flexible Spending Arrangement Rollover Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to issue regulations or other guidance that permit the unused balance as of the end of plan year 2020 of any dependent care flexible spending arrangement to be rolled over to plan year 2021.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2020
Caring for Survivors Act of 2020 This bill increases the monthly rate of dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill also adjusts the amount payable to surviving spouses and children of veterans who were rated as totally disabled for a period of less than 10 years before their death. Finally, the bill authorizes the furnishing of dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses who remarry after the age of 55.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2020
Fixing the Income Ramifications for Small Businesses and Tax Relief Act or the FIRST Act 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 · 15 May 2020
Black History is American History Act This bill requires entities (e.g., institutions of higher education, libraries, and museums), in order to be eligible for certain grants administered by the Department of Education (ED), to include Black history in their teaching of American history. It also requires Black history to be included in tests administered by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Specifically, the bill mandates the inclusion of Black history as a required component of American history for such entities to be eligible for American History and Civics Academies' competitive grants. These grants support the establishment of (1) Presidential Academies for Teachers of American History and Civics, which offer workshops to teachers of American history and civics to strengthen their knowledge and prepare them to teach in these subjects; and (2) Congressional Academies for Students of American History and Civics, which support high school students in developing an understanding of these subjects. (Currently, Black history is not a required component of American history for either academy.) In addition, ED must give priority to grant applicants that align their activities with programs and resources of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture. The bill also requires the inclusion of Black history in tests administered by the NAEP, which measures student academic achievement in various subjects.
United States · United States Congress · 15 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 unable to rehire an employee and is able to demonstrate an inability to hire a similarly qualified employee. 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 · 13 May 2020
Undertaking National Initiatives to Tackle Epidemic Act of 2020 or the UNITE Act of 2020 This bill responds to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency by increasing volunteer opportunities within AmeriCorps and employment opportunities at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and requiring the re-enrollment of Peace Corps volunteers whose service ended involuntarily on March 15, 2020, or earlier for volunteers who were serving in China and Mongolia. Among other things, the bill reauthorizes through FY2022 AmeriCorps programs; increases recruitment levels of its volunteers to 500,000 in FY2020-FY2022; sets the minimum compensation for AmeriCorps volunteers, beginning in FY2020, at 200% of the poverty line applicable to a family of one; increases the ceiling on grant amounts to such volunteers from $18,000 to $25,000 and the grant maximum amount limit to meet program needs; requires FEMA to appoint, administer, and expedite the training of an additional 62,000 Cadre of On-Call Response/Recovery Employees in FY2020-FY2022 above the level of such employees in FY2019 to address the COVID-19 health emergency; and authorizes the President to pay a state, tribal, or local government in which a major disaster has been declared stipends for temporary workers conducting nonpartisan official election poll worker services.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Promoting Alzheimer's Awareness to Prevent Elder Abuse Act This bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review and update, if necessary, certain best practices, replication guides, and other training materials for law enforcement, judicial officials, and others whose work may bring them in contact with elder abuse. Specifically, DOJ must address victims and witnesses who have Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in these materials. Additionally, in creating or compiling these materials, DOJ must consult with the Department of Health and Human Services and, as appropriate, other entities with relevant expertise in elder abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Health Force and Resilience Force Act of 2020 This bill establishes and expands programs to bring on individuals to perform public health functions, such as contact tracing and vaccine administration, to respond to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency and meet other public health needs after that emergency ends. The bill provides funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish a Health Force to recruit and train individuals for roles in public health and health care. The funds are designated as an emergency requirement, which exempts the funds from discretionary spending limits and other budget enforcement rules. Among other activities, the CDC must award grants to, or enter into contracts with, states and other jurisdictions to hire and deploy Health Force personnel. The Federal Emergency Management Agency must hire and train additional individuals for its Cadre of On-Call Response/Recovery Employees. These employees may be detailed to certain federal agencies or to state, local, or tribal governments to support efforts with respect to COVID-19 and other disasters and emergencies.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
This bill reduces the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Bond Guarantee Program minimum issuance amount from $100 million to $25 million for FY2020, and to $50 million thereafter. (CDFIs are financial institutions serving low-income communities. Designation as a CDFI allows an institution to participate in programs such as the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program.)
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Utilizing and Supporting Evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers Act This bill provides benefits for Peace Corps volunteers, including health insurance for volunteers whose service was terminated due to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak. Such a terminated Peace Corps volunteer shall receive health insurance for two months upon return to the United States. The volunteer may elect to extend such insurance, at the volunteer's expense, until the last day in which the volunteer would be eligible for unemployment benefits under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. Executive branch departments and agencies with hiring needs, as well as the Corporation for National and Community Service, shall establish expedited processes for hiring and enrolling such terminated Peace Corps volunteers. The Peace Corps shall (1) resume all programs, to the extent possible, as soon as the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided; and (2) establish an expedited process for reenrolling Peace Corps volunteers whose service was terminated due to COVID-19. For the purpose of Foreign Service officer appointments, a candidate's previous Peace Corps service shall be considered a significant affirmative factor but shall be less significant than the affirmative factor afforded to a veteran. The Peace Corps shall inform exiting volunteers of various health care options available after leaving the Peace Corps. The bill allows the official seal or emblem of the Peace Corps and the name Peace Corps to be used on any death announcement, plaque, gravestone, or other grave marker of a former volunteer, officer, or employee.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
This resolution directs the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis to establish a hotline for individuals to report (via telephone or other electronic communication) waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement of taxpayer funds appropriated to address the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19) crisis.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
National Public Health Corps Act of 2020 This bill directs the National Civilian Community Corps to establish a national public health service program as a component of the Corps program to ensure the preparation and assignment of participants under such program to units which shall serve service sites in response to public health emergencies, including the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
This bill authorizes the Congressional Oversight Commission to submit discretionary reports to Congress in addition to its required reports. The commission oversees and reports on the use of specific taxpayer funds to provide economic stability as a result of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.
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
Caring for Startup Employees Act of 2020 This bill expands the Paycheck Protection Program, established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), to encompass certain small businesses that have accepted funding from an investment company. The investment company may not be a majority stakeholder of the small business, and the small business may not distribute any proceeds of a program loan to the investment company, including through dividends, redemptions, security repurchases, or other transfers or transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2020
Jumpstarting Our Businesses' Success Credit Act of 2020 or the JOBS Credit Act of 2020 This bill increases the employer tax credit for the retention of employees and coordinates such credit with the Payroll Protection Program. Specifically, it increases the rate of the employee retention credit to 80% of up to $15,000 in employee wages per calendar quarter with an increased annual wage cap of $45,000 for all calendar quarters. The bill increases the maximum credit amount to $36,000. The bill expands the definition of large employer, for credit eligibility purposes, to include employers with more than 1,500 employees and more than $41.5 million in gross receipts in 2019, and requires employers to show a significant decline in gross receipts. It also extends eligibility for the credit to state governmental agencies and Indian tribal governments. The bill also coordinates the credit with the Paycheck Protection Program to allow employers to claim both programs subject to certain restrictions.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2020
Small Business Transparency and Reporting for the Underbanked and Taxpayers at Home Act or the TRUTH Act This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make information regarding economic relief measures implemented in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) publicly available. Specifically, with respect to the Paycheck Protection Program and economic injury disaster loans and emergency grants, the SBA must publish (1) the identity of each recipient of assistance and an explanation of the decision-making process underlying such disbursal; (2) the number of employees of each recipient and the date on which such assistance was disbursed; (3) an identification of each lender or intermediary through which assistance was disbursed; and (4) the amount of assistance disbursed to small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, women, and veterans.
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 · 5 May 2020
Medical Supply Transparency and Delivery Act This bill provides for the procurement and distribution of equipment and supplies needed to combat COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). The bill sets forth responsibilities for the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including that the NRCC must (1) direct the national production and distribution of critical medical equipment and supplies; (2) communicate with states, local governments, and Native American tribes regarding the availability and delivery schedule of equipment and supplies; and (3) make specified information publicly available. The Department of Defense may detail members of the Armed Forces on active duty or civilian employees to support the NRCC. The President, using authorities provided under the Defense Production Act of 1950, must establish a fair and reasonable price for and procure needed equipment and supplies. The Government Accountability Office must annually submit a report to Congress assessing the Strategic National Stockpile. The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency shall designate an inspector general to oversee this bill's implementation.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2020
This bill requires private health insurance plans to cover certain services provided via telecommunications systems (i.e., telehealth) during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. Specifically, the telehealth services must be deemed medically necessary by a health care provider and covered under the plan if provided in person. Plans must apply the same cost-sharing and reimbursement amounts that would otherwise apply to such services and may waive cost-sharing requirements for any services to diagnose or treat COVID-19, including via telehealth.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2020
Girls' Leadership, Engagement, Agency, and Development Act of 2019 or the Girls LEAD Act This bill directs the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to jointly report to Congress a strategy to strengthen the participation of adolescents, particularly girls, in democracy, human rights, and governance. The State Department and the USAID shall (1) implement activities to achieve this goal, including activities to increase adolescent girls' civic and political knowledge and skills and address barriers to political participation; and (2) prioritize foreign assistance funding for democracy, human rights, and governance programs toward achieving the goals in this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2020
Immediate COVID Testing Procurement Act This bill requires the President, within 24 hours of this bill's enactment, to issue purchase orders for a program of the highest national urgency (commonly known as a DX purchase order) to procure under the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA) supplies to conduct COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) medical testing nationwide. The supplies must have received prior approval from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or have received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration for the detection of COVID-19. The bill waives certain DPA requirements relating to industrial resource and critical technology shortfalls and notification to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020
COVID-19 Every Worker Protection Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Labor to promulgate both an emergency temporary occupational safety or health standard and a permanent standard to protect certain employees from occupational exposure to the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19). These standards apply to health care sector employees, paramedic and emergency medical services employees, and other employees identified as having an elevated risk for exposure. Further, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must collect and make public information regarding employee exposure in these occupations and provide guidance to further protect such employees.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2020
Never Again Small Business Protection Act of 2020 This bill requires that insurers offering business interruption coverage must offer additional coverage for losses that result from business interruption due to a government order to close during a national emergency. This coverage does not apply to losses incurred by an otherwise qualified business if that business involuntarily terminated the health care or the employment of an employee during the national emergency period. An insurer may exclude this additional coverage from a contract for business interruption coverage if the insured agrees in writing, or if the insured fails to pay the corresponding premium increase. This bill is effective only upon certification by the Department of the Treasury that a federal backstop exists to serve as a mechanism to reinsure insurers against excessive losses as a result of these requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2020
Voter Notification of Timely Information about Changes in Elections Act or the Voter Notice Act This bill requires state and local election officials to conduct public education campaigns in the event of changes to federal elections (e.g., methods of voting) due to public health and safety emergencies. Specifically, the bill requires election officials to notify individuals of changes to federal elections by (1) providing not fewer than one direct mailing to each registered voter; and (2) notifying individuals who are eligible to vote through direct mailings, newspaper advertisements, broadcasting, and social media. Election officials must ensure their official public websites are accessible to individuals with disabilities, including the blind and visually impaired. The bill also directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish and regularly update best practices to ensure official public websites of election officials are continuously operating during emergencies. Election officials must ensure their official public websites comply with such best practices. The Election Assistance Commission must make payments to states for conducting public education campaigns and operating election websites during emergencies.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2020
This bill modifies and establishes additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program of the Small Business Administration that was implemented in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill (1) extends the duration of the program; (2) authorizes loan recipients under the program to request additional, forgivable amounts; and (3) extends the deferral period for such loans to at least one year.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2020
Coronavirus Community Relief Act This bill provides $250 billion for certain localities affected by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Specifically, the bill provides funding for FY2020 for units of local government with a population of 500,000 or less. Payment shall be made within 30 days after submission of a specified certification by the locality. The amount of the payment is proportional to population. Local governments shall use the funds provided to cover only those costs that (1) are necessary and related to the public health emergency caused by COVID-19, and (2) were incurred during the period of March 1-December 30, 2020. The Office of Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury shall conduct monitoring and oversight of the receipt, disbursement, and use of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2020
Made in America Emergency Preparedness Act This bill establishes in the legislative branch a National Commission on United States Preparedness for National Emergencies. Not later than 18 months after this bill's enactment, the commission shall report to the President and Congress regarding (1) which medical, pharmaceutical, and emergency preparedness products are determined to be essential; and (2) actions states should take to be better prepared, national federal stockpile requirements, and national surge capacity infrastructure deficiencies in hospitals and medical centers. States that fail to implement the findings of the commission's report by January 1, 2025, at the state and local level, will lose access to all federal funds for emergency preparedness unless the Department of Homeland Security exempts a state determined to be working to implement such findings in good faith. The bill (1) requires certain medical, pharmaceutical, and emergency preparedness products integral to the response to a national emergency to be manufactured and procured within the United States; and (2) provides for a temporary 100% expensing for firms that incur costs associated with pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturing within the United States, including personal protective equipment and other necessary items.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2020
Pausing All New Detention and Ending Movement of Inmates for Coronavirus Act of 2020 or the PANDEMIC Act of 2020 This bill limits the transfer of prisoners between facilities during the public health emergency declared on January 31, 2020, relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). The Bureau of Prisons may take actions as necessary to expand capacity in any correctional facility.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2020
National Commission Regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Act or the COVID-19 Commission Act This bill establishes, in the legislative branch, the National Commission Regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic and sets forth its powers, duties, funding, and membership. Among other activities, the commission shall investigate the facts and circumstances of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic and make recommendations to improve preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. The commission terminates 60 days after the submission of its final report.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2020
Protect Our Post Offices Act This bill appropriates $25 billion to the U.S. Postal Service, to remain available through FY2022 for revenue forgone due to the coronavirus pandemic. The appropriations are designated as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2020
All Dependent Children Count Act This bill extends the 2020 recovery rebates of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to all taxpayer dependents.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2020
Inspire to Serve Act of 2020 This bill establishes new and expands existing military and national service programs, and revises federal personnel provisions. The bill establishes programs relating to civic education and service learning, including by providing grants supporting these programs for grades K-12 and at institutions of higher education. The bill also establishes the Council on Military, National, and Public Service which must coordinate executive branch policies to promote and expand opportunities for military service, national service, and public service. The Office of Management and Budget must create an online recruitment portal for service organizations. Additionally, the bill expands military service programs, including by expanding the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, establishing pre-service tuition grants in exchange for enlisted service commitments, and creating a pilot program for military departments to partner with community colleges and vocational schools to provide service members with access to technical education programs. Service programs are expanded by increasing the number of specified national service positions, increasing certain living allowances and stipends, and creating new fellowship programs. Federal personnel provisions are revised to, among other things, provide certain national service alumni with noncompetitive eligibility for federal employment.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2020
This resolution recognizes the contributions of frontline workers and essential critical-infrastructure personnel and reaffirms the responsibility of Congress to meet the needs of such workers with respect to personal protective equipment and necessary tools to safely carry out their jobs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2020
Mobilizing America to Help Act This bill directs the President to make Peace Corps volunteers available to the Federal Emergency Management Agency during a declared emergency period resulting from the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2020
Coronavirus Emergency Student Loan Refinancing Act This bill establishes refinancing programs for federal and private student loans. Specifically, the bill establishes a program that allows qualified borrowers to refinance their federal student loans down to lower interest rates. Such refinanced interest rates are (1) calculated based on the type of student loan (e.g., Stafford), and (2) fixed for the period of the loan. In addition, the bill creates the Federal Direct Refinanced Private Loan as a new type of loan. Such loans allow qualified borrowers to refinance their private education loans.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2020
Emergency Community Supervision Act This bill establishes measures to reduce the number of individuals in federal custody during a national emergency relating to a communicable disease. Specifically, it does the following: requires certain categories of inmates to be released and placed in community supervision (e.g., home confinement); limits the use of pretrial detention; and modifies supervised release, including to limit the use of incarceration as a sanction for a parole violation.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2020
New Business Preservation Act This bill establishes and provides funding for the Innovation and Startups Equity Investment Program, through which the Department of the Treasury shall work with states to invest in new businesses. Specifically, the bill requires Treasury to provide certain funds to participating states, which such states shall use to administer specified approved programs that provide equity investment in new businesses. Certain areas with high levels of venture capital activity are excluded from the calculation of funds allocated to a participating state. Treasury shall also award funds to approved state programs to provide follow-on investments. If a state receives funds from an exit, the state shall use such funds to further invest in startups under the approved program. An exit is defined as the (1) acquisition of a startup in which a state has invested under the program; (2) sale of a share of such startup following an initial public offering; or (3) voluntary purchase of a state's ownership interest by the startup, investors, or existing shareholders.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2020
This resolution calls on all public officials to condemn and denounce anti-Asian sentiment, racism, discrimination, and religious intolerance related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and calls on federal law enforcement officials, working with state and local officials, to take specified steps. It calls on federal officials to expeditiously investigate and document all credible reports of hate crimes and incidents and threats against the Asian-American community and prosecute perpetrators. The resolution recommits U.S. leadership to (1) prioritize language access and inclusivity in communication practices, and (2) combat misinformation and discrimination that put Asian Americans at risk.
![Official portrait of Rep. Phillips, Dean [D-MN-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000616_200.jpg)