United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2020
America's Red Rock Wilderness Act This bill designates specified lands in the following areas of Utah as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) Great Basin, (2) Grand Staircase-Escalante, (3) Moab-La Sal Canyons, (4) Henry Mountains, (5) Glen Canyon, (6) San Juan-Anasazi, (7) Canyonlands Basin, (8) San Rafael Swell, and (9) Book Cliffs and Uinta Basin. The bill sets forth administrative requirements for (1) the exchange of state-owned lands within such areas, (2) federal reservation of water rights, (3) measurement of setbacks for roads with adjacent wilderness, (4) authorized livestock grazing, and (5) withdrawal of such lands from disposition under certain public land laws.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2020
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1 League in Irvine, California, as the "Tuskegee Airman Lieutenant Colonel Robert J. Friend Memorial Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2020
This resolution commemorates the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp and honors survivors of the Holocaust, as well as members of the Allied forces who liberated Auschwitz. The resolution urges the United States to improve efforts to combat anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry and intolerance.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2020
This resolution recognizes the importance of the U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance in promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and calls for further strengthening of ties between the countries.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2020
Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act This bill establishes a presumption of service-connection for specified diseases becoming manifest in certain veterans to a degree of disability of 10% or more within 15 years of the veteran's separation from active military, naval, or air service. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific diseases or disabilities diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded. Veterans addressed by this bill are those who (1) trained in fire suppression, and (2) served on active duty in a military occupational specialty or career field with a primary responsibility of firefighting or damage control for at least five years in the aggregate.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2020
This resolution expresses support for Australia, as well as greater collaboration between the United States and Australia to promote wildfire mitigation and prevention.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2020
This resolution (1) supports preserving Vietnamese-American history and heritage, (2) recognizes the U.S. Refugee Admission Program for facilitating entry into the United States and permanent status for many Vietnamese Americans, and (3) condemns human rights violations by Vietnam and calls on that government to end such violations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2020
Sensible, Timely Relief for America's Nuclear Districts' Economic Development Act of 2020 or the STRANDED Act of 2020 This bill addresses communities affected by stranded nuclear waste. The bill defines stranded nuclear waste as nuclear waste or spent nuclear fuel stored in dry casks or spent fuel pools at the site of an eligible civilian nuclear power plant. Specifically, the bill provides a first-time homebuyer tax credit for homeownership in nuclear affected communities; directs the Economic Development Administration to establish a competitive prize competition to award prizes to affected communities for proposals to carry out alternatives to nuclear facilities, generating sites, and waste sites; and provides grants to nuclear-affected communities to offset the economic and social impacts of stranded nuclear waste on such communities, and to support such communities that are facing decreased tax revenues or assessed valuation as a result of decommissioning a civilian nuclear power plant.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2020
Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2020 This bill establishes new requirements to expand the availability of information on domestic terrorism, as well as the relationship between domestic terrorism and hate crimes. It authorizes domestic terrorism components within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to monitor, analyze, investigate, and prosecute domestic terrorism. The domestic terrorism components of DHS, DOJ, and the FBI must jointly report on domestic terrorism, including white-supremacist-related incidents or attempted incidents. DHS, DOJ, and the FBI must review the anti-terrorism training and resource programs of their agencies that are provided to federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. It creates an interagency task force to analyze and combat white supremacist and neo-Nazi infiltration of the uniformed services and federal law enforcement agencies. Finally, it directs the FBI to assign a special agent or hate crimes liaison to each field office to investigate hate crimes incidents with a nexus to domestic terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2020
This resolution encourages the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to maintain and strengthen requirements that keep waterways clean. It also encourages the EPA to end or reverse administrative actions that weaken requirements protecting the nation's waters.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2020
Blue Carbon for Our Planet Act This bill establishes the Interagency Working Group on Coastal Blue Carbon to (1) assess the impediments to the protection and restoration of coastal blue carbon ecosystems, and (2) establish national protection and restoration priorities regarding these areas. Coastal blue carbon ecosystems are vegetated coastal habitats and include mangroves, tidal marshes, and other tidal or salt water wetland that have the ability to sequester and store carbon.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2020
Family Support Services for Addiction Act of 2020 This bill directs the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to award grants to certain nonprofits to develop or expand services for individuals with substance use disorders and their families. Activities may include (1) developing education, resources, and trainings on issues related to substance use disorders and family support; (2) reducing stigma; and (3) educating health care providers about substance use disorders in families.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2020
No War Against Iran Act This bill prohibits the obligation or expenditure of federal funds for any use of military force in or against Iran unless Congress has either declared war or enacted specific statutory authorization for such use. An exception is made for a presidential exercise of power to introduce Armed Forces into hostilities (or situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated) when there is a national emergency created by an attack upon the United States. The bill further states that no prior authorizations of military force (e.g., against Iraq) may be construed to authorize the use of military force against Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2020
PFAS Transparency Act The bill requires an industrial entity that introduces perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS, into wastewater treatment systems to provide specified advance notices to such systems, including the identity and quantity of such PFAS. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2020
Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2020 This bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review certain point sources that discharge perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS. Based on this review, the EPA must establish effluent limitations and pretreatment standards, as well as publish water quality criteria, for certain PFAS. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing. The bill also directs the EPA to award grants to owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works to implement PFAS pretreatment standards.
United States · United States Congress · 23 December 2019
Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2019 This bill indefinitely extends Medicare coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant recipients for individuals who do not have other coverage. Under current law, Medicare coverage is limited to 36 months following a transplant.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019
Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into a contract with a state in order to carry out, coordinate, improve, or otherwise enhance health and wellness programs, comprehensive veteran suicide prevention programs, and outreach by the VA and the state. The VA is authorized to award a grant to a state to (1) carry out, coordinate, improve or otherwise enhance health and wellness programs, comprehensive veteran suicide prevention programs, outreach activities, or activities to assist with benefits claims for veterans; or (2) hire additional county veterans service officers.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2019
Cleaner, Quieter Airplanes Act This bill directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to establish an initiative to build upon and accelerate previous or ongoing work to develop and demonstrate new technologies in aircraft concepts that are capable of reducing both greenhouse gas emissions and noise emissions from aircraft by at least 50%. The goal of the initiative shall be to deploy new technologies developed pursuant to the initiative on (1) regional transport aircraft intended to enter into service by 2030, and (2) single-aisle aircraft designed to accommodate more than 125 passengers intended to enter into service by 2040.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2019
This resolution recognizes the fourth anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Agreement, an international agreement to keep global temperature from rising 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels, and recommends that the United States remain a signatory to the global warming agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2019
Affordable American-made Automobile Act This bill expands the tax credit for electric drive motor vehicles to include new and used battery electric motor vehicles. It reinstates and extends through 2030 the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property and eliminates the limitation on such credit. The bill also makes the refueling credit applicable to electric vehicle charging stations. The bill allows the use of private activity bonds to finance a qualified battery electric motor vehicle manufacturing facility or a qualified electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2019
Ending Punitive, Unfair, School-based Harm that is Overt and Unresponsive to Trauma Act of 2019 or the Ending PUSHOUT Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to local educational agencies and nonprofit organizations for the purpose of reducing suspension and expulsion of students (i.e., exclusionary disciplinary practices). The bill requires ED to collect data on exclusionary discipline in schools. It also establishes a joint task force to end school pushout.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2019
This resolution expresses disapproval for the President's notification to the United Nations of his intent to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement and commends the entities that have expressed their support for the Paris Agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
Motorcyclist Advisory Council Reauthorization Act This bill provides statutory authority for the establishment of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council whose duties are to advise the Department of Transportation on transportation issues of concern to motorcyclists, including (1) barrier design; (2) road design, construction, and maintenance practices; and (3) the architecture and implementation of intelligent transportation system technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
Transportation Alternatives Enhancements Act This bill revises and reauthorizes the surface transportation block grant program (Transportation Alternatives Program) in the Department of Transportation (DOT). For example, states are allowed to allocate funds under the program to counties, metropolitan planning organizations, regional transportation planning organizations, and local governments. Additionally, metropolitan planning organizations that serve an urbanized area with a population of 200,000 or fewer are eligible for funding. The bill also (1) adjusts the funding limits for states to improve the ability of applicants to access funding in an efficient and expeditious manner, (2) limits the transferability of funds under the program unless a state meets certain requirements, and (3) expands the safe route to school program of DOT to high schools. Currently, the safe route to school program is carried out for the benefit of children in primary and middle schools (schools providing education from kindergarten through eighth grade).
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
100% Clean Economy Act of 2019 This bill establishes requirements to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. Specifically, the bill sets a national goal of achieving a 100% clean economy (i.e., economy-wide, net-zero greenhouse gas emissions) by no later than 2050. Each federal agency must develop and implement a plan to rapidly achieve the national goal. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must monitor, evaluate, and report on the progress of the United States in achieving the national goal. In addition, the EPA must establish the Clean Economy Federal Advisory Committee to make recommendations to the EPA on one or more interim greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals for the United States to achieve before achieving the national goal. After obtaining the committee's recommendations, the EPA must recommend to Congress one or more interim goals.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2019
Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction In the Nation Act or the NOPAIN Act This bill temporarily establishes separate payments for certain non-opioid treatments under the Medicare prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services and the payment system for ambulatory surgical center services. The bill applies to pain management treatments that are able to replace or reduce opioid consumption, as shown through clinical trials or data.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2019
Help End Abusive Living Situations Act or the HEALS Act This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to consider the needs of survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking when awarding grants under the Continuum of Care Program, which provides funding for nonprofit providers and state and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2019
Reforming America's Fiscal Toolkit Act of 2019 or the RAFT Act of 2019 This bill modifies the federal budget process to provide for the establishment of a target for the ratio of the public debt to the estimated gross domestic product (GDP). Specifically, the bill requires congressional budget resolutions to include a recommended ratio of public debt to GDP. In addition, congressional budget resolutions for even-numbered fiscal years must either (1) instruct one or more congressional committees to recommend changes in existing laws necessary to achieve the target ratio, or (2) request the establishment of a Joint Select Committee on Fiscal Responsibility to make the recommendations. The bill also sets forth requirements for (1) establishing the Joint Select Committee on Fiscal Responsibility if it is requested, and (2) considering the recommendations of the joint committee or other congressional committees using expedited legislative procedures in the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2019
Humane Cosmetics Act of 2019 This bill generally prohibits animal testing in the evaluation of cosmetic products, and it prohibits the sale or transport of cosmetics developed using animal testing. These prohibitions begin one year after enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2019
Promoting Service in Transportation Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation to establish and administer a transportation workforce outreach program to (1) increase awareness of transportation career opportunities; and (2) increase diversity such as race, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status of professionals in the transportation sector.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2019
This concurrent resolution encourages the Architect of the Capitol to transition to the exclusive use of electricity derived from renewable energy sources to power the U.S. Capitol Complex by 2032.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2019
Coastal Resilience Research and Education Act This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to designate public institutions of higher education as National Centers of Excellence in Coastal Resilience Research and Education. NOAA shall designate as a center only a public institution of higher education that, among other things (1) has demonstrated proven expertise in the physical, engineering, and environmental sciences, particularly research and education on the impacts of sea-level rise, coastal flooding, or shoreline erosion; (2) has demonstrated a commitment to understanding the socioeconomic impacts of climate change; and (3) is in a state that frequently experiences coastal flooding or shoreline erosion in connection with sea-level rise, severe coastal storms, or seawater intrusion into groundwater supplies. NOAA must review reports from the centers to ensure that their recommendations and guidance regarding sea-level rise, coastal flooding, shoreline erosion, and related issues are communicated to relevant federal agencies. In carrying out this bill, NOAA may use (1) the National Oceanographic Partnership Program, (2) the Coastlines and People initiative, and (3) the National Sea Grant College Program.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2019
Notify Officials To Inform Fully and Impel Educated Decisions Act or the NOTIFIED Act This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration to notify the public of any proposed new Performance Based Navigation flight procedure or flight procedure change affecting airspace at altitudes below 18,000 feet.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2019
All Participating in Process Reaching Informed Solutions for Everyone Act or the APPRISE Act This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure that an aviation roundtable technical representative or consultant is allowed to participate in the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) performance-based navigation implementation process for new or modified flight procedures affecting their communities. (NextGen performance-based navigation is an advanced, satellite-enabled form of air navigation that creates 3-D flight paths.)
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2019
Fairness in Airspace Includes Residents Act or the F-AIR Act This bill revises the priorities of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in developing plans and policy for the use of navigable airspace. Specifically, the FAA must ensure (1) the safety of aircraft as a primary priority in developing such plans and policy; and (2) the minimization of the impact of aviation noise, and other health impacts, on residents and communities, and other impacts of the use of airspace on the environment as a secondary priority on an equal basis with the efficient use of airspace.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2019
Restore Everyone's Sleep Tonight Act of 2019 or the REST Act of 2019 This bill authorizes an airport to impose an access restriction between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. for aircrafts. An airport may impose a noise deterrence penalty on an air carrier or aircraft operator for a violation of the access restriction. The restriction does not apply to the operation of military, law enforcement, and Coast Guard flights.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2019
Responsive Employees Support Productive Educated Congressional Talk Act or the RESPECT Act This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to respond in writing within 90 days to requests for data and information from Congress. Specifically, the FAA must respond if the data is within the control of the FAA; and the data would be otherwise appropriate to provide if requested (1) by an airline, an airport, a flight procedure proponent, an Aviation Roundtable, or anyone not employed by the FAA; or (2) via a Freedom of Information request from any individual or any entity. The FAA must also provide staff at a private or public meeting with a Member of Congress if certain conditions are met.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2019
This joint resolution eliminates the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, which prohibits discrimination based on sex. The amendment was proposed to the states in House Joint Resolution 208 of the 92nd Congress, as agreed to in the Senate on March 22, 1972. The amendment shall be part of the Constitution whenever ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2019
Natural Cosmetics Act This bill prohibits the sale of a cosmetics product that uses the term natural on its packaging or labeling unless the product meets certain requirements. The bill also authorizes the Food and Drug Administration to request or order a recall of a cosmetics product that violates these labeling requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2019
This resolution expresses support for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and those who provide resources, shelter, and assistance to victims of domestic violence.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2019
Smoke Planning and Research Act of 2019 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to research and mitigate the impacts of smoke emissions from wildland fires. Specifically, the EPA must establish (1) four Centers of Excellence for Wildfire Smoke at institutions of higher education, and (2) a grant program to support community mitigation efforts.
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
Congressional Budget Justification Transparency Act of 2019 This bill requires federal agencies to make budget justification materials available to the public. The bill also requires the Office of Management and Budget to make certain details regarding the materials available to the public, including a list of the agencies that submit budget justification materials to Congress, the dates that the materials are submitted to Congress and posted online, and links to the materials.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2019
Protecting Our Conserved Lands Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the use of eminent domain to acquire certain land or property to construct, operate, or maintain a natural gas pipeline, including land that is subject to a conservation easement or other conservation-related restriction by a local government or nonprofit entity.
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 · 28 October 2019
Global Child Thrive Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes for FY2020-FY2025 programs to provide assistance to orphans and other vulnerable children in developing countries. The bill also requires the U.S. Agency for International Development to direct relevant executive branch agencies to incorporate early childhood development into current programs and promote inclusive early childhood development in partner countries. Such actions to promote early childhood development shall build on existing U.S. plans and strategies and aim to (1) prevent unnecessary family-child separation, (2) assist families with children with disabilities, and (3) help countries transition from child care protection systems that rely on residential care (such as orphanages and children's homes) to ones focused on family-based care.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2019
SOS: Sustaining Outpatient Services Act This bill allows for payment under the Medicare prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services of certain items and services that are furnished at off-campus outpatient departments. Specifically, the bill allows for payment of items and services for which payments to physician specialists (under the Medicare physician fee schedule) did not exceed $2 million during the previous year.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2019
FEMA Climate Change Preparedness Act This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to (1) revise its 2018-2022 Strategic Plan to ensure that the plan explicitly mentions climate change and addresses the implications of climate change on homeland security and near- and long-term national disaster risk; and (2) ensure that future strategic plans do likewise. The Department of Homeland Security must establish, as a subcommittee of the National Advisory Council, the Climate Change Subcommittee, which shall advise FEMA on how to best incorporate climate change, including risk assessments and strategies for adaptation and mitigation, into and throughout FEMA's policies, plans, programs, and operations. FEMA must publish as a report, submit to specified congressional committees, and make available to Congress and the public, a comprehensive assessment of climate change risks and preparedness.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2019
White House Accountability for Language Diversity Act This bill requires the White House and each federal agency to establish official websites in the five most commonly used languages in the United States other than English to increase accessibility. The websites must be of a similar scope and content as the English version. The President and each agency shall maintain and update the websites on a regular basis.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2019
Timely ReAuthorization of Necessary Stem-cell Programs Lends Access to Needed Therapies Act of 2019 or the TRANSPLANT Act of 2019 This bill modifies and reauthorizes through FY2025 the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program, which provides support to patients who need a potentially life-saving bone marrow transplant or umbilical cord blood transplant. The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a periodic review of the science of using adult stem cells and birthing tissues in therapeutic treatments.