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![Official portrait of Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000522_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
8,597 records where Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2018
Recognizes the 30th anniversary of the National Day of Prayer.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2018
Nicole's Law Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Justice to increase a state's allocation of funds under the STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program and the Sexual Assault Services Program if the state has in effect laws and policies to extend protections similar to those afforded to a victim of domestic violence to a victim of a sex offense who is not in a familial or dating relationship with the perpetrator of such offense.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2018
Workplace Choice and Flexibility for Individuals with Disabilities Act This bill expands the definition of "competitive integrated employment" under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to include (1) social and interpersonal interactions with colleagues, vendors, customers, superiors, or other such persons who a disabled employee may come into contact with during the work day and across workplace settings; and (2) contracts awarded under federal law requiring that all federal agencies purchase specified supplies and services from nonprofit agencies employing persons who are blind or with significant disabilities, and state set-aside contracts.
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 · 25 April 2018
Better Energy Storage Technology Act of 2018 or the BEST Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Energy to establish new goals for its energy storage program and enter into agreements to carry out at least three grid-scale energy storage demonstration projects. (The energy storage program supports the ability of the United States to remain globally competitive in energy storage systems for electric drive vehicles, stationary applications, and electricity transmission and distribution.)
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2018
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into an agreement with the city of Vallejo, California, for the transfer to the VA of Mare Island Naval Cemetery in Vallejo, California, to be maintained as a national shrine.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018
Federal Retirement Fairness Act This bill modifies the federal civilian service that is creditable service under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Specifically, it allows service as a temporary or intermittent employee performed after December 1, 1988, to be creditable under FERS if an employee or Member deposits a certain amount into the retirement fund.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018
Ensuring Medicaid Provides Opportunities for Widespread Equity, Resources, and Care Act or the EMPOWER Care Act This bill amends the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 to extend funding through FY2022 for the Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Demonstration Program and to otherwise revise the program. (Under this program, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must award grants to state Medicaid programs to assist in rebalancing states' long-term care systems.)
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2018 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to modify requirements for tax-favored retirement savings accounts, employer-provided retirement plans, and retirement benefits for federal judges. With respect to employer-provided plans, the bill modifies requirements regarding: multiple employer plans, automatic enrollment and nonelective contributions, loans, terminating or transferring plans, reporting and disclosure rules, nondiscrimination rules, selecting lifetime income providers, and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation premiums. The bill also increases the tax credit for small employer pension plan startup costs and allows a tax credit for small employers that establish retirement plans that include automatic enrollment. With respect to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), the bill: treats taxable non-tuition fellowship and stipend payments as compensation, repeals the maximum age for traditional IRA contributions, and permits any IRA to be a shareholder of any S corporation that is a bank. The bill makes several modifications to retirement benefits for magistrate judges of the U.S. Tax Court and other federal judges. The bill also modifies various tax provisions to: reinstate and increase the tax exclusion for benefits provided to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders, revise the required distribution rules for pension plans, increase penalties for failing to file tax or retirement plan returns, and require the Internal Revenue Service to share returns and return information with U.S. Customs Border Protection to administer the heavy vehicle use tax.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2018
Reaffirms support for the Good Friday Agreement, signed on April 10, 1998, as a blueprint for sustainable peace in Northern Ireland. Urges the Department of State to appoint a Special Envoy for Northern Ireland and to promote full implementation of that agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2018
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4760) to amend the immigration laws and the homeland security laws.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2018
Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2018 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to grant automatic citizenship to all qualifying children adopted by a U.S. citizen parent. (Currently, an adopted child must have been under 18 years old as of February 27, 2001, in order to qualify for automatic citizenship.) An individual born outside of the United States who was adopted by a U.S. citizen parent shall automatically become a U.S. citizen when the following conditions have been fulfilled: the individual was adopted by a U.S. citizen before the individual reached age 18, the individual was physically present in the United States in the citizen parent's legal custody pursuant to a lawful admission before the individual reached age 18, the individual never acquired U.S. citizenship before the enactment of this bill, and the individual was lawfully residing in the United States on the date of enactment of this bill. An individual who meets such criteria, except for lawfully residing in the United States on the date of enactment of this bill, shall automatically become a U.S. citizen on the date on which the individual is physically present in the United States pursuant to a lawful admission. A visa may not be issued to such an individual unless: the individual was subjected to a criminal background check, and the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State coordinated with law enforcement agencies to ensure that appropriate action is taken regarding any unresolved criminal activity. Automatic citizenship may not be granted to an individual who was deported for an offense that involved the use of physical force against another person.
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
Provides for the relief of Osmark Juan Bruemmer Gonzalez.
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 · 1 March 2018
USA Workforce Tax Credit Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits for charitable contributions to certain nonprofit organizations with the exclusive purpose of providing: (1) workforce development and apprenticeship training, or (2) scholarships for elementary and secondary education expenses of students from households with income that does not exceed 200% of the median gross income. The bill limits the credits to specified amounts for individuals and corporations. It also: (1) imposes a tax on workforce development, apprenticeship training, and scholarship granting organizations that fail to distribute a specified portion of their receipts; and (2) establishes a $2 billion annual volume cap for the tax credits allowed under this bill.
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
Expresses support for the recognition of American Heart Month to bring awareness to the cardiovascular disease public health crisis in the United States and abroad.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2018
Calls for the designation of a Prisoners of Conscience Day.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2018
Challenges & Prizes for Climate Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Energy to establish a Climate Solutions Challenges program for carrying out competitions that award cash and other incentives for climate and energy solutions, such as: capturing carbon and converting the carbon into a beneficial use, achieving transformative increases in energy efficiency, achieving implementation or grid integration of advanced energy storage technology, providing approaches to mitigating or adapting to the effects of climate change, and providing data analytics on the climate and related phenomena.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2018
Child Tax Credit for Pregnant Moms Act of 2018 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the child tax credit, to allow the credit to be used for an unborn child if the child is born and issued a Social Security number before the due date for the tax return (without regard to extensions) for the taxable year. The bill defines an "unborn child" as a member of the species homo sapiens, at any stage of development, who is carried in the womb. If a child is not taken into account for the credit for the year immediately preceding the year of the child's birth, the bill doubles the amount of the credit allowed for the year of the birth.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2018
Concentrating on High-Value Alzheimer's Needs to Get to an End (CHANGE) Act of 2018 This bill makes a series of changes to Medicare and the directives of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation in order to address Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, such as incorporating certain cognitive impairment detection tools and diagnostic service referrals into the Medicare annual wellness visit.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2018
Keep Our Pets Safe Act of 2018 This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit a person from knowingly confining a common household pet in an enclosed space if the confinement could harm or kill the pet through exposure to excessive heat or cold, lack of ventilation, or lack of water. A common household pet is a domesticated animal (e.g., dog, cat, bird, rodent, rabbit, fish, or turtle) that is traditionally kept in the home for pleasure rather than for commercial purposes. The bill specifies the applicable criminal penalty—a prison term of up to one year, a fine, or both—for a person who violates this prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2018
Authorizes the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center on April 9, 2018, for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2018
Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act This bill amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA) to revise administrative and judicial dispute resolution procedures for initiating, investigating, and resolving claims by employees alleging that employing offices have violated their CAA rights and protections, including protections against sexual harassment. The bill revises CAA provisions, including to: eliminate CAA counseling and mediation requirements before an employee may file a claim with the Office of Compliance (OOC) alleging the violation; require current and former Members of Congress to reimburse the Treasury if an employee receives an award or settlement for the Member's alleged act of discrimination or retaliation; require referral to congressional ethics committees of final disposition of claims alleging CAA violations by Members of Congress and senior staff of employing offices; require non-congressional legislative offices that violate CAA requirements to reimburse the Treasury for resulting award or settlement payments; and extend CAA nondiscrimination requirements and remedies to Library of Congress employees and uncompensated legislative branch interns, detailees, and fellows. The bill applies CAA rights and protections to the China Review Commission, the Congressional-Executive China Commission, the Helsinki Commission, the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development, and their employees. Non-congressional CAA employing offices must develop programs to train and educate employees about their CAA rights and protections and available procedures to consider alleged CAA violations. The bill renames the OOC the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2018
Requires each employing office of the House of Representatives to adopt an anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policy. Establishes the House Office of Employee Advocacy (OEA) to: (1) provide legal assistance to House employees regarding Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA) procedures, including those applicable to civil actions; and (2) operate an employee hotline. Prohibits the OEA from: (1) accepting awards of litigation expenses or costs under CAA hearings or civil actions, and (2) providing assistance to an employee after the individual files a civil action. Requires House offices to certify that payroll actions are not connected to CAA awards and settlements, and that the Member's Representational Allowance is not being used for CAA awards or settlements. Amends Rule XXIII (Code of Official Conduct) of the Rules of the House to prohibit: (1) a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House from committing sexual harassment against an individual or engaging in unwelcome sexual advances; and (2) sexual relationships between Members and employees (except between married individuals). Bars the House Office of Congressional Ethics from initiating or continuing any investigation of an allegation of violation under CAA rights and protections, or making any recommendations regarding such an allegation, if the employee initiates proceedings with respect to the alleged violation under CAA administrative and judicial dispute-resolution procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2018
Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing School Violence Act of 2018 or the STOP School Violence Act of 2018 This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to revise and reauthorize through FY2028 the Secure Our Schools grant program. This grant program provides grants to states, local governments, and Indian tribes to improve security, including the placement and use of metal detectors and other deterrent measures, at schools and on school grounds.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 2018
Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act This bill requires the Federal Labor Relations Authority to determine whether a state substantially provides public safety officers or employees: the right to form and join a labor organization; recognition by public safety employers of the employees' labor organization, agreement to bargain with the organization, and reduction of any agreements to writing in a contract or memorandum of understanding; the right to bargain over hours, wages, and terms and conditions of employment; and binding interest arbitration to resolve an impasse in collective bargaining negotiations. The bill makes the authority responsible for: (1) determining the appropriateness of units for labor representation; (2) supervising elections; (3) conducting hearings and resolving complaints of unfair labor practices; and (4) protecting the right of employees to form, join, or assist any labor organization, or to refrain from doing so. An employer, public safety officer, or labor organization may not engage in a lockout, sickout, work slowdown, strike, or any other organized job action that will measurably disrupt the delivery of emergency services and is designed to compel an employer, public safety officer, or labor organization to agree to the terms of a proposed contract.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2018
Defending Economic Livelihoods and Threatened Animals Act or the DELTA Act This bill directs the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development to work with Angola, Botswana, and Namibia, and in partnership with donors, the private sector, and local, regional, and nongovernmental entities, to develop a strategy to: (1) promote sustainable natural resource and wildlife management practices in the greater Okavango River Basin, (2) protect migration routes of elephants and other threatened wildlife species, (3) combat wildlife poaching and trafficking, (4) address local health needs, and (5) catalyze economic growth.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2018
Iran Freedom Policy and Sanctions Act This bill sets forth requirements concerning the imposition of sanctions against entities owned or controlled by the Armed Forces of Iran, the reinstatement of certain sanctions that were suspended pursuant to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and the expansion or extension of sanctions with respect to Iran's ballistic missile program.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2018
SALT Prepayment Deductibility Act This bill specifies that, for the purpose of the federal tax deduction for certain state and local taxes, amounts paid in 2017 for real property taxes assessed for 2018 must be treated as paid or accrued within 2017. (Under current law, individual deductions for certain state and local taxes are limited during 2018-2025 to $10,000 per year for individuals or $5,000 for married individuals filing a separate return.)
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2018
Pay Our Troops Act of 2018 This bill provides FY2018 appropriations for military pay and allowances during any period in which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2018 are not in effect. In the event of a government shutdown, the bill provides continuing appropriations for pay and allowances of: members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components, who perform active service during the period; members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who perform inactive-duty training during the period; and civilian personnel or contractors of the Department of Defense (and the Department of Homeland Security in the case of the Coast Guard) that are providing support to members of the Armed Forces. The appropriations provided by this bill are available until the earlier of: (1) the enactment into law of specified appropriations legislation, or (2) January 1, 2019.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 2018
Expresses support for: (1) the goals of Catholic Schools Week, an event cosponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and established to recognize the contributions of Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the United States; and (2) the continued dedication of Catholic schools, students, parents, and teachers toward academic excellence and the key role they play in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for the nation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2018
Stands with the people of Iran who are engaged in legitimate and peaceful protests against an oppressive, corrupt regime. Condemns the Iranian regime's human rights abuses, corruption, and destabilizing activities abroad. Notes the statements of support for the protestors from key allies and calls on all democratic governments and institutions to support the Iranian people's right to live in a free society. Demands that the Iranian regime abide by its international obligations with respect to human rights and civil liberties. Urges the Administration to use targeted sanctions and work to convene United Nations Security Council and United Nations Human Rights Council emergency sessions to condemn the Iranian regime's human rights violations and establish a mechanism by which the Security Council can monitor such violations. Encourages the Administration to expedite the license of communications technology to Iran to improve the Iranian people's ability to speak freely. Calls on companies to reject regime requests to cut off the Iranian people from social media and other communications platforms. Supports efforts by the people of Iran to promote the establishment of basic freedoms that build a freely elected and democratic political system. Urges the President and the Department of State to work with the international community to ensure that human rights violations are part of all multilateral or bilateral discussions with and regarding Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 2017
Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act This bill amends the federal criminal code to require any health care practitioner who is present when a child is born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion to: (1) exercise the same degree of care as reasonably provided to any other child born alive at the same gestational age, and (2) ensure that such child is immediately admitted to a hospital. The term "born alive" means the complete expulsion or extraction from his or her mother, at any stage of development, who after such expulsion or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been cut. Also, a health care practitioner or other employee who has knowledge of a failure to comply with these requirements must immediately report such failure to an appropriate law enforcement agency. An individual who violates the provisions of this bill is subject to a criminal fine, up to five years in prison, or both. An individual who commits an overt act that kills a child born alive is subject to criminal prosecution for murder. The bill bars the criminal prosecution of a mother of a child born alive for conspiracy to violate these provisions, for being an accessory after the fact, or for concealment of felony. A woman who undergoes an abortion or attempted abortion may file a civil action for damages against an individual who violates this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 2017
National Law Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins that are emblematic of the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, DC, and the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers throughout the history of the United States. All sales of such coins shall include specified surcharges, which shall be distributed to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Inc., for educational and outreach programs and exhibits.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2017
Puppy Protection Act of 2017 This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to require the Department of Agriculture to expand standards that govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals to include new requirements for commercial dog dealers. Specifically, the standards must require dog dealers to provide to dogs: (1) adequate housing, exercise, and veterinary care; (2) appropriate and nutritious food; (3) continuous access to potable water; and (4) meaningful socialization with humans and compatible dogs for at least 30 minutes each day. The standards must also include requirements for breeders to use safe breeding practices and make all reasonable efforts to find humane placement for retired breeding dogs.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2017
Welfare of Our Friends Act of 2017 or the WOOF! Act This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from licensing a dealer of dogs whose previous licenses have been suspended or revoked in the last 10 years if the license is for operating a facility that the dealer previously used. Further, USDA may not issue or renew a license to: (1) the dog dealer's immediate family members, (2) a person who resides at the same address as the dog dealer, or (3) certain legal entities if such dealer holds an ownership interest in the entity.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2017
United States Fire Administration, AFG, and SAFER Program Reauthorization Act of 2017 This bill amends the the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to: (1) reauthorize through FY2024 the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program, the Fire Prevention and Safety Grants (FPSG) Program, and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant (SAFER) Program, and reauthorizes provisions regarding firefighting technology evaluation and standards development; and (2) authorize the use of AFG Program grants, instead of SAFER Program grants, to provide specialized training to first responders on how to recognize and properly intervene with individuals with mental illness. The SAFER Program is revised to permit the use of grants to change the status of part-time or paid-on-call firefighters to full-time firefighters. The United States Fire Administration (USFA) may develop and make widely available an electronic, online training course for members of the fire and emergency response community on matters related to the administration of AFG, FPSG, and SAFER grants. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) shall ensure that any such training is: (1) tailored to the financial and time constraints of members of the fire and emergency response community; and (2) accessible to all individuals in the career, combination, paid-on-call, and volunteer fire and emergency response community. The USFA shall develop and implement a grant monitoring and oversight framework to mitigate and minimize risks of fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement relating to such grants programs.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2017
Recovering America's Wildlife Act This bill amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to direct the Department of the Treasury to transfer, beginning in FY2018, revenues from energy and mineral development on federal lands totaling $1.3 billion to the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Subaccount of the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Fund, to be available without further appropriation. The bill revises the requirements governing how the funds from the subaccount may be used, including by requiring funds to be used to develop, revise, and implement state wildlife conservation strategies. The bill expands the allowable uses of the subaccount, including by allowing funds to be used for managing invasive and nuisance species and for law enforcement activities that are directly related to the conservation of species of the greatest conservation need. Funds apportioned from the subaccount may not be conditioned upon the provision of public access to private lands, waters, or holdings. The bill specifies what types of funds and donations states may use to meet matching fund requirements. The bill revises the formula used to determine how funds are distributed to states.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2017
Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) of 2017 This bill imposes criminal penalties on anyone who knowingly or knowingly attempts to: (1) perform an abortion knowing that the abortion is sought based on the sex or gender of the child, (2) use force or the threat of force to coerce a sex-selection abortion, (3) solicit or accept funds for the performance of such an abortion, or (4) transport a woman into the United States or across a state line for the purpose of obtaining such an abortion. The bill authorizes civil actions by: (1) fathers, or maternal grandparents if the mother is an unemancipated minor, of unborn children who are the subject of a prohibited sex-selection abortion; or (2) women upon whom an abortion has been performed or attempted with a knowing or attempted use of force or threat of force to coerce a sex-selection abortion. The bill also authorizes injunctive relief to prevent an abortion provider from performing or attempting further such abortions. Violations of this bill are deemed to be prohibited discrimination under title VI (Federally Assisted Programs) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Medical and mental health professionals must report known or suspected violations to law enforcement authorities. A woman having such an abortion may not be prosecuted or held civilly liable. Courts must make such orders as necessary to protect the anonymity of any woman upon whom an abortion has been performed or attempted if she does not give her written consent to such disclosure. In the absence of such consent, any party, other than a public official, who brings an action must use a pseudonym.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2017
Customs Business Fairness Act of 2017 This bill modifies the treatment of claims by customs brokers for unpaid customs duties in chapter 11 (reorganization) bankruptcy proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2017
Global Brain Health Act of 2017 This bill directs the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to establish the Global Autism Assistance Program to: (1) support activities by nongovernmental organizations and other service providers focused on autism in developing countries, and (2) establish a "teach the teachers" program to train health and education professionals working with such children. The President may provide assistance to support a network of trained medical practitioners to treat hydrocephalus in children at pediatric hospitals and hydrocephalus treatment centers in developing countries. Such assistance shall provide for surgeon training and establishment of at least 20 treatment centers. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall negotiate with the World Health Organization to develop the Global Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Action Plan and establish a related Global Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Fund. The President shall appoint a high-level official to lead federal efforts to develop the plan and the fund and facilitate partnerships to identify new treatment approaches for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. HHS shall investigate the foreign aid implications of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2017
Living Shorelines Act of 2017 This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide grants for climate resilient living shoreline projects and to encourage innovation in the use of natural materials to protect coastal communities.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 2017
Directs the Committee on House Administration to issue regulations requiring Members, officers, and employees of the House of Representatives to complete a training program on workplace rights and responsibilities, including anti-discrimination and anti-harassment training, during each congressional session. Requires Members, officers, or employees to certify completion of such training within 90 days after a congressional session begins or within 90 days after beginning service during a session. (Sets forth a special rule requiring such training to be completed within 180 days after the beginning of the second session of the 115th Congress.) Directs the committee to issue regulations requiring that each House employing office post in a prominent location in its office and in each Member's congressional district office a statement of rights and protections provided to House employees under the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, including procedures for responding to and adjudicating allegations of violations of such rights and protections.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2017
Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act This bill establishes the Pension Rehabilitation Administration within the Department of the Treasury and a related trust fund to make loans to certain multiemployer defined benefit pension plans. To receive a loan, a plan must be either in critical and declining status (including any plan with respect to which a suspension of benefits has been approved) or insolvent, if the plan became insolvent after December 16, 2014, and has not been terminated. Treasury must issue bonds to fund the loan program and transfer amounts equal to the proceeds to the trust fund established by this bill. The Pension Rehabilitation Administration may use the funds, without a further appropriation, to make loans, pay principal and interest on the bonds, or for administrative and operating expenses. The bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow the sponsor of a multiemployer pension plan that is applying for a loan under this bill to also apply to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) for financial assistance if, after receiving the loan, the plan will still become (or remain) insolvent within the 30-year period beginning on the date of the loan. The bill also appropriates to the PBGC the funds that are necessary to provide the financial assistance required by this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2017
This bill nullifies a rule finalized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on November 13, 2017, that modifies payment under Medicare for certain drugs purchased through the 340B discount program.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2017
This bill amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to specify that it covers employees of the Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China and the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (also known as the Helsinki Commission).
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2017
Celebrates the 99th anniversary of Polish independence as an opportunity to remember the historic events and courageous individuals that brought about reconstitution of Poland's sovereignty. Honors the resolve and sacrifice of the people of Poland. Reaffirms the close bonds between Poland and the United States.