United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2018
Calls upon the Chinese Communist Party to cease its persecution of Falun Gong. Supports the Tuidang Movement and its pursuit of a free and democratic government in China.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2018
Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of State to: (1) establish and monitor the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership to coordinate U.S. counterterrorism, military, and law enforcement programs and activities in the Sahel, Maghreb, and adjacent regions of Africa; (2) submit a related counterterrorism strategy to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2018
This bill reauthorizes the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act through FY2023. The Act provides services and support for victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2018
Condemns Russia's destabilizing behavior in Ukraine and the region. Calls on the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and its associated international community to: (1) continue investigations into illicit Russian efforts to secure the World Cup, and (2) condemn Russia's transgressions against international law and FIFA values.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018
Victims of Child Abuse Act Reauthorization Act of 2018 This bill reauthorizes for FY2019-FY2023 grants for local and regional children's advocacy centers (CACs), as well as for technical assistance and training. CACs coordinate a multidisciplinary response to child abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018
Condemns all forms of physical, mental, and sexual violence against children and youth globally. Commends the End Violence Against Children Solution Summit 2018 in Stockholm, Sweden, for its leadership.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2018
Anti-Semitism Awareness Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Education when reviewing whether there has been a violation of title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance) based on an individual's actual or perceived shared Jewish ancestry or Jewish ethnic characteristics to consider the definition of "anti-Semitism" as part of its assessment of whether a practice was motivated by anti-Semitic intent. For purposes of this bill, the definition of "anti-Semitism" is the definition set forth by the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism of the Department of State in the Fact Sheet issued on June 8, 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2018
Agricultural Business Electronic Logging Device Exemption Act of 2018 This bill creates an exception to the electronic logging device requirements for certain motor carriers engaged in agricultural business.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2018
Small Carrier Electronic Logging Device Exemption Act of 2018 This bill creates an exemption from electronic logging device requirements for motor carriers that own or operate 10 or fewer commercial vehicles.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Recognizes that the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and all federal law enforcement agencies have a duty to uphold the Constitution and to protect the United States without any partisan or ideological inclination affecting their important work. Calls on DOJ to appoint a special counsel to investigate specified concerns.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2018
Coastal Texas Protection Act This bill requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the completion of the feasibility studies for flood damage reduction, hurricane and storm damage reduction, and ecosystem restoration in the coastal areas of Texas.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2018
Unexploded Ordnance Removal Act This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to develop a strategy for removing unexploded ordnance in Syria and Iraq that includes an assessment of areas of ordnance concentration, proximate schools, hospitals, or civil-service buildings and a time line for the strategy's implementation. DOD may coordinate with foreign countries and multilateral institutions in developing and implementing the strategy.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2018
This bill prohibits federal funds from being used to transfer an F-35 aircraft or related intellectual property or technical data to Turkey unless the President certifies to Congress that Turkey is not: (1) degrading North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) interoperability or member country security, or exposing NATO assets to hostile actors; (2) seeking to import or purchase defense articles from a U.S.-sanctioned foreign country; (3) wrongfully or unlawfully detaining U.S. citizens or lawful permanent resident aliens; or (4) engaging in military action without following international legal norms to prevent civilian casualties.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2018
Secure Data Act of 2018 This bill prohibits: (1) a federal agency from requiring or requesting a manufacturer, developer, or seller of any computer hardware, software, or electronic device made available to the general public to design or alter the security functions in such products to allow the surveillance of any user or the physical search of such product by any agency; and (2) a court from issuing an order to compel any such manufacturer, developer, or seller to design or alter the security functions in its product to allow such surveillance, or to allow the physical search of such product, by an agency. The bill exempts from such prohibition mandates, requests, or court orders authorized under the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2018
Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2018 or the BURMA Act of 2018 This bill provides humanitarian assistance for Burma (Myanmar) and Bangladesh and imposes sanctions on Burmese military or security officials responsible for serious human rights abuses. The bill provides humanitarian assistance for Burma, Bangladesh, and the surrounding region, including assistance for the Rohingya minority. The Department of State, the Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. Agency for International Development shall jointly submit to Congress a strategy for promoting economic growth in Burma.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2018
National Guard Promotion Accountability Act This bill permits the date of promotion of a commmissioned officer of the National Guard to be backdated, after federal recognition is granted, to the date such officer's promotion was published by the state.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2018
Burn Pits Accountability Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) and the military departments to evaluate whether each member of the Armed Forces has been (1) based or stationed where an open air burn pit was used to dispose of waste, or (2) exposed to toxic airborne chemicals. Members located where an open burn pit was used or exposed to toxic airborne chemicals must be enrolled in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, unless the member elects not to enroll. The evaluations must be included in periodic health assessments, physical exams conducted immediately prior to separation from active duty, and deployment assessments. DOD must share the results of the evaluations with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2018
Welcomes the U.S.-North Korea summit which follows the South Korea-North Korea summit on April 27. Urges the President, the Supreme Leader of North Korea, and regional leaders to engage diplomatically to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2018
Vietnam Human Rights Act This bill urges the Department of State to prompt Vietnam to: (1) repeal laws and administrative decrees restricting freedom of expression (including the Internet), association, and peaceful assembly; and (2) release political and religious prisoners. The bill states that: (1) it is U.S. policy to prioritize religious freedom in bilateral relations with Vietnam, (2) Vietnam should be designated as a country of particular concern for religious freedom, and (3) Vietnamese officials guilty of gross violations of human rights should be investigated by the United States and sanctioned if warranted. The State Department may establish programs to: (1) monitor and halt bride and sex trafficking of girls and women in Vietnam and other Asian countries, including China; and (2) address Vietnam's growing sex-ratio disparity. The President may provide assistance to ethnic minority groups in Vietnam affected by severe human rights violations. The bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) military assistance to Vietnam should be conditioned upon human rights progress, and (2) trade and foreign assistance benefits will be contingent upon whether Vietnam has illegally expropriated properties of U.S. citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2018
Reaffirms the centrality to U.S. interests of preserving free and fair elections and advancing democratic institutions in the Western Hemisphere. Rejects actions by: (1) the government of Venezuela that damage its election credibility, and (2) the Russian Federation and other hostile state or non-state actors to interfere with Western Hemisphere elections.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2018
Cyber Deterrence and Response Act of 2018 This bill establishes a process to identify and impose sanctions against foreign persons, entities, and countries responsible for state-sponsored cyberattacks against the United States. The President may impose financial, export, and entry sanctions against foreign nations that have aided or directed such cyberattacks or may waive such sanctions on a case-by-case basis for up to a year. The President shall periodically brief Congress on state-sponsored cyber activities against the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2018
This bill limits the authority of the Department of State with respect to international postal agreements that would require the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to establish a classification, rate, or fee for any postal service. The Board of Governors of the USPS must establish reasonable and equitable classes of mail and reasonable and equitable rates of postage and fees for the transportation and delivery within the United States of documents and goods received from other countries. Such classifications, rates, and fees shall be regulated by the Postal Regulatory Commission in the same manner as comparable domestic classifications, rates, and fees, and shall be available to users of domestic postal services under the same terms and conditions as provided to foreign post offices and other entities tendering documents and goods from other countries to the USPS. The classifications, rates, and fees established by the USPS shall not discriminate between documents or goods received from other countries based on the country of origin, the nationality of the sender, or the ownership or governmental designation of the entity tendering the documents or goods to it. The State Department may not conclude a treaty, convention, or other intergovernmental agreement that requires the USPS to provide preferential classifications, rates, or fees for the transportation and delivery within the United States of documents and goods received from other countries unless specified conditions are met.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2018
Stephen Michael Gleason Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Stephen Michael Gleason.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2018
American Gateway Communities Economic Development and Conservation Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to establish an American Gateway Communities Economic Development and Conservation Program. Interior may provide grants under the program to assist local government entities in improving gateways to National Park System units.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2018
Reaffirms that the trade and investment partnership between the United States and the European Union is critical to the economic and national security of the United States. Urges the President to prioritize the principles of fair trade in commercial relationships and to immediately issue a permanent exemption from steel and aluminum import tariffs for the European Union.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2018
I mproving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to permit a Member of Congress to use a VA facility to meet with constituents during normal business hours.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018
Prevent Trafficking in Our Schools Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security, at the request of the Department of Education (ED), to develop educational materials that ED may use to provide teachers, school leaders, and other personnel of elementary and secondary schools (covered educational personnel) with training in human trafficking awareness and techniques for identifying victims of human trafficking in elementary and secondary schools. The bill sets forth matters that the educational materials must address and requires that such materials emphasize that covered educational personnel who notice indicators of potential human trafficking should contact law enforcement and should not attempt to engage in counter-trafficking operations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2018
Local Courthouse Safety Act of 2018 This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize training and technical assistance to help law enforcement agencies anticipate, survive, and respond to violent encounters during the course of their duties, including duties related to security at courthouses. Additionally, the bill amends the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 to allow grant funds awarded by the State Justice Institute to be used to improve the safety and security of state and local courts. Finally, when the General Services Administration disposes of surplus security equipment (e.g., metal detectors), it must give priority to state and local courthouses.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2018
Crime Victims Fund Preservation Act of 2018 This bill prohibits the receipts and disbursements of the Crime Victims Fund from being counted as new budget authority, outlays, receipts, or deficit or surplus for purposes of: (1) the budget of the U.S. government, as submitted by the President; or (2) the congressional budget. The bill establishes a point of order against considering legislation in the House or the Senate that authorizes the use of, or appropriates, amounts in the Crime Victims Fund for any purpose other than a purpose authorized by the Victims of Crime Act of 1984. In the Senate, the point of order may be waived or suspended only by the affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members, duly chosen and sworn (currently 60 votes). The bill also exempts the Crime Victims Fund from sequestration. (Sequestration is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.)
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2018
Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy Act or the DRIVE-Safe Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation to issue regulations relating to an apprenticeship program for licensed commercial motor vehicle drivers under the age of 21.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2018
Nuclear Cooperation Reform Act of 2018 This bill imposes additional requirements for Congressional approval of nuclear cooperation agreements with foreign countries, such as a requirement for the foreign country to have acceded to various international agreements relating to weapons development and proliferation.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2018
Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2018 This bill amends the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 and the DNA Sexual Assault Justice Act of 2004 to reauthorize through FY2024: grants under the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program; grants to provide DNA training and education for law enforcement personnel, corrections personnel, and court officers; and grants under the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018
Supports: (1) U.S.-Israel cooperation to counter Iran's destabilizing activities, (2) enhancing Israel's deterrence capabilities, (3) including Israel in the first tier of countries receiving strategic trade authorization, and (4) the U.S. declaration recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
Global Fragility and Violence Reduction Act of 2018 This bill directs the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to: (1) establish the Global Initiative to Reduce Fragility and Violence, related to reducing and addressing the causes of violence, violent conflict, and fragility, with a focus on 10 pilot countries to be determined by USAID; and (2) develop and submit to Congress an initial interagency implementing strategy which shall include individual pilot country plans. The bill provides for initiative and pilot plan updates. The Government Accountability Office shall review U.S. government activities in each pilot country.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
Global Electoral Exchange Act This bill directs the Department of State to establish and administer a Global Electoral Exchange Program to promote the utilization of sound election administration practices in the United States and foreign countries. The State Department shall maintain a publicly available website detailing the Global Electoral Exchange Program.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
This bill designates: (1) the federal building and U.S. courthouse located at 1300 Victoria Street in Laredo, Texas, as the "George P. Kazen Federal Building and United States Courthouse," and (2) the jury room located in that courthouse as the "Marcel C. Notzon II Jury Room."
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2018
Keep Young Athletes Safe Act of 2018 This bill authorizes the Department of Justice to award a grant to an eligible nonprofit nongovernmental entity to support oversight of the United States Olympic Committee, each national governing body, and each paralympic sports organization with regard to safeguarding amateur athletes against abuse. An entity receiving a grant must demonstrate that it has: (1) nationally recognized expertise in preventing and investigating emotional, physical, and sexual abuse in the athletic programs of these sports organizations; and (2) the capacity to oversee regular and random audits to ensure that their policies and procedures to prevent the abuse of amateur athletes are followed correctly.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2018
Don't Tax Higher Education Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the 1.4% excise tax on the net investment income of certain private colleges and universities.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2018
Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2018 This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education to establish a program to provide children with parents on active duty in the uniformed services with funds for specified educational purposes. Children of active duty service members who reside in a local education agency that receives payments under the Impact Aid Program or who reside within the boundaries of a federal military installation are eligible to receive funds.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2018
This bill requires the Department of Transportation to make available on its website and cause to be published in the Federal Register a request for nominations with respect to roads to be designated under the national scenic byways program and a list specifying the roads designated.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2018
Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act of 2018 This bill provides for Medicare coverage and payment of cancer care planning and coordination services.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2018
Protect Public Trees Act of 2018 This bill prohibits the modification, removal, or piling of materials about any tree, plant, or other vegetation on public highways to erect, maintain, repair, or improve the visibility of, commercial advertising. This prohibition does not apply if the purpose of the modification, removal, or piling of materials is to improve or maintain safety.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2018
Calls for the international community to demand that North Korea dismantle its labor camp system and for North Korea to cease human rights abuses and release political prisoners.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2018
United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2018 This bill extends Military Financing Program grants for Israel through FY2023. The Department of Defense shall conduct a joint assessment with Israel regarding: (1) precision guided munitions needed by Israel in a sustained armed confrontation with Hezbollah and other armed groups and terrorist organizations, and (2) related U.S. assistance and resupply planning. The President may utilize the Special Defense Acquisition Fund to transfer precision guided munitions and related defense articles and services to reserve stocks for Israel. Authorities for loan guarantees and the war reserves stockpile for Israel are extended through FY2023. The Department of Homeland Security shall establish a seven-year grant program with Israel to support: (1) cybersecurity research and development, and (2) commercialization of cybersecurity technology. The U.S. Agency for International Development may enter into memoranda of understanding with Israel to advance common goals on energy, agriculture and food security, democracy, economic growth, education, and health. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shall continue to work with the Israel Space Agency to pursue peaceful space exploration and science initiatives. The President may enter into a cooperative project agreement with Israel to carry out research and joint production of defense articles and services to detect and destroy unmanned aerial vehicles (i.e., drones) that threaten the United States or Israel. The bill states that it is U.S. policy to ensure that Israel maintains its qualitative military edge.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2018
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Economic Exclusion Act This bill expands sanctions against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The President shall report to Congress regarding: foreign and domestic supply chains that significantly aid the IRGC; Iranian state-owned entities that provide support to terrorist entities, including Mahan Air; and foreign persons owned or controlled by the IRGC, including companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange or companies with a value in excess of $100 million. The bill states that it is U.S. policy to prevent Iran's membership in the World Trade Organization and similar international bodies as long as Iran remains a state sponsor of terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2018
Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 or the BUILD Act of 2018 This bill establishes the United States International Development Finance Corporation to facilitate the participation of private sector capital and skills in the economic development of countries with low- or lower-middle-income economies and countries transitioning from nonmarket to market economies in order to complement U.S. assistance and foreign policy objectives. The corporation may: (1) make loans or loan guarantees, (2) as a minority investor acquire equity or financial interests in entities, (3) provide insurance or reinsurance to private sector entities and qualifying sovereign entities, (4) provide technical assistance, (5) administer special projects, (6) establish enterprise funds, (7) issue obligations, and (8) charge service fees. The corporation shall terminate after seven years. The corporation shall not provide assistance to: (1) a country whose government has repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism, or (2) a private sector entity that is engaged in monopolistic practices. The bill prescribes transitional provisions, including transferring to the corporation the functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (which is subsequently terminated) and specified elements of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2018
Global Food Security Reauthorization Act of 2018 This bill amends the Global Food Security Act of 2016 to revise policy objectives and to: (1) extend through FY2021 the program to carry out those portions of the global food security strategy that relate to the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development, and (2) expand requirements for reporting by the President regarding strategy implementation. The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is amended to extend through FY2021 the assistance program for international disaster relief and rehabilitation, including the set-aside for the emergency food security program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2018
Deterring and Defeating Rocket and Missile Threats to Israel Act of 2018 This bill authorizes the President to provide assistance to Israel, under jointly agreed-upon exceptional circumstances, for procurement of missile defense systems (including the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow systems) and missile defense development.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2018
Presidential Appointment of FISA Court Judges Act This bill revises procedures for appointing judges to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC). Currently, the Chief Justice of the United States appoints judges to the FISC. This bill requires FISC judges to be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.