United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019
This resolution calls on the President and the Department of State to (1) make the repeal of blasphemy, heresy, and apostasy laws a priority in bilateral relationships between the United States and countries that have such laws; (2) designate countries that enforce such laws as countries of particular concern for religious freedom; and (3) oppose efforts by the United Nations to implement an international anti-blasphemy norm. The resolution also calls on the governments of countries that enforce such laws to amend or repeal them and to release anyone imprisoned pursuant to them.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2019
Foreign Influence Reporting in Elections Act This bill requires all campaign officials to report any contacts (i.e., offers of contributions or services) by foreign nationals.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 117 West Poythress Street in Hopewell, Virginia, as the "Reverend Curtis West Harris Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019
Taxpayers Right-To-Know Act This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget to expand the information it publishes in its inventory of agency programs. The inventory must include information such as links to program performance reviews and details regarding financial assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019
Countering Russian and Other Overseas Kleptocracy Act or the CROOK Act This bill directs the Department of State to take various actions designed to combat public corruption in foreign countries. The State Department shall establish the Anti-Corruption Action fund to help foreign states fight public corruption and develop rule-of-law-based governance structures. A portion (5%) of fines and penalties imposed under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act shall be deposited into the fund. The State Department shall (1) take primary responsibility in managing U.S. government efforts to fight foreign public corruption, and (2) establish an interagency task force to assist in coordinating such efforts. Each U.S. embassy shall have a point of contact responsible for coordinating the embassy's anti-corruption efforts. The State Department shall report to Congress on its anti-corruption activities and make various reports publicly available online.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019
Preventing Lead Poisoning Act of 2019 This bill requires coverage under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) of lead blood level assessments. Specifically, CHIP must cover a child's assessment once at the age of 12 months and once at the age of 24 months, or once between the ages of 24 months and 72 months if the child has never been assessed. The bill also provides statutory authority for these requirements (regarding testing intervals) for state Medicaid programs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019
Launching Energy Advancement and Development through Innovations for Natural Gas Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a program to award competitive grants to certain entities for the capture of carbon dioxide produced during the generation of natural gas-generated power. Specifically, DOE must accelerate the development of commercially viable carbon capture technologies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, including to improve the thermodynamics, kinetics, scalability, durability, and flexibility of carbon capture technologies used during the generation of electricity from natural gas power systems; enter into cooperative agreements with certain entities to construct and operate no more than five facilities to capture carbon dioxide from natural gas generating power facilities; and identify any barriers to the commercial development of carbon capture technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2019
Teacher Education for Computer Science Act or the Teach CS Act This bill authorizes the Department of Education to award grants to institutions of higher education for establishing and maintaining teacher education programs for computer science. It also includes computer science as an eligible education category with respect to receiving various teacher preparation grants and graduate fellowships.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2019
Promoting United States International Leadership in 5G Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of State to provide assistance and technical expertise to enhance U.S. leadership in international bodies that set standards for 5th and future generations of mobile telecommunications (5G) technology, such as the International Telecommunication Union. The State Department shall also work to increase the participation of allies, partners, and the private sector. (International bodies develop standards for certain technologies, such as those used in wireless data transmission, to ensure interoperability between different companies' products. Stakeholders, such as companies that manufacture equipment that uses such technologies or companies that hold relevant patents, typically participate in the standards-setting process.) The State Department shall report to Congress on (1) its strategy to promote U.S. leadership in the standards-setting bodies relevant to 5G technology; (2) its strategy for diplomatic engagement with allies and partners to share security-risk information related to 5G; and (3) China's activities in standards-setting bodies for 5G technology, including the scope and scale of such activities.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2019
Justice for Student Borrowers Act This bill prohibits a predispute arbitration agreement from being valid or enforceable if it requires arbitration of a dispute relating to a private education loan.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2019
Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection Act This bill directs the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to establish a new program—the Law Enforcement Officers Suicide Data Collection Program—to prevent and understand law enforcement suicides. Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies may submit to the FBI, and the FBI must report on, data about suicides and attempted suicides of current and former officers.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2019
Trafficking and Smuggling Intelligence Act of 2019 This bill directs the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to report on issues pertaining to the Northern Triangle countries (El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras) and Mexico. Specifically, the office shall report on (1) the activities of drug-trafficking organizations in such countries, (2) the human-trafficking activities of individuals and organizations, and (3) an assessment of current intelligence-collection priorities in such countries.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2019
Short-Term Detention Standards Act This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to make every effort to ensure that apprehended individuals are given access to appropriate temporary shelter, bathrooms and shower facilities, water, appropriate nutrition, hygiene, personal grooming items, and sanitation needs. Currently, CBP is only required to make every effort to provide food and water.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2019
Fair and Open Skies Act This bill prohibits the Department of Transportation (DOT) from issuing a foreign air carrier permit or an exemption from certain air carrier certificate requirements under the United States-European Union Air Transport Agreement of April 2007, unless DOT finds that issuing the permit or exemption would be consistent with Article 17 bis of the agreement, which provides that opportunities created by the agreement do not undermine labor standards or the labor-related rights and principles contained in the laws of the respective parties to the agreement; and imposes conditions on the permit or exemption necessary to ensure compliance with Article 17 bis . The bill modifies policy considerations relating to air carrier certificates to require DOT to consider preventing entry into U.S. markets by flag of convenience carriers (i.e., foreign air carriers established in a country other the home country of their majority owner in order to avoid regulations of the home country) and preventing the undermining of labor standards. In carrying out such air carrier certificate requirements, DOT must consider preventing entry of flag of convenience carriers into U.S. markets as being in the public interest and consistent with public convenience and necessity for safety in air transportation and air commerce. In formulating U.S. international air transportation policy relating to the elimination of discrimination and unfair competition, the Department of State and DOT must include in their considerations the undermining of labor standards.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2019
This resolution expresses support for the designation of Journeyman Lineman Recognition Day. (A journeyman lineman is a person who builds and maintains electrical power systems.)
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
Greg LeMond 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 presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Greg LeMond, in recognition of his contributions to the nation as an athlete, activist, role model, and community leader.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
Justice for Victims of Lynching Act of 2019 This bill establishes a new criminal civil rights violation for lynching. Specifically, a person who conspires to commit certain civil rights offenses (e.g., a hate crime act) is subject to criminal penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
End National Defense Network Abuse Act of 2019 or the END Network Abuse Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Defense to establish (1) an initiative to improve the capacity of military criminal-investigative organizations to prevent child sexual exploitation, and (2) partnerships with various governmental and outside entities to improve practices and outcomes related to the prevention of child sexual exploitation.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2019 This bill prohibits commercial conversion therapy, which is a practice or treatment designed to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity or otherwise change behaviors, thoughts, or expressions related to gender or sexual attraction. This prohibition does not apply to treatment that assists an individual undergoing a gender transition or facilitates identity exploration and development.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
Farm to School Act of 2019 This bill modifies and expands the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Farm to School Program. The program currently provides grants and technical assistance to schools, state and local agencies, Indian tribal organizations, agricultural producers, and nonprofit entities to improve access to local foods in schools. Among other things, the bill reauthorizes the program through FY2025; permits USDA to provide land-grant colleges and universities with grants, research, evaluation, and technical assistance under the program; expands the purposes for grants awarded under the program to include implementing educational activities relating to agriculture, nutrition, or food; requires USDA to provide technical assistance, research, and information to increase awareness of and participation in farm to school programs among agricultural producers, including beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged farmers; directs USDA to seek to improve local food procurement and distribution options for agricultural producers and eligible institutions; authorizes USDA to fund projects that include innovative approaches to aggregation, processing, transportation, and distribution; establishes new limitations on the amount and duration of grants; and limits funds that may be used for administrative costs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
Achieving Lasting Electoral Reforms on Transparency and Security Act or the ALERTS Act This bill requires federal agencies and state and local governments to provide notification regarding election cybersecurity incidents. Specifically, federal entities must share information about an election cybersecurity incident with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). If there is credible evidence that an unauthorized intrusion into an election system occurred that put voter information or other systems at risk, DHS must, with limited exceptions, share this information with relevant state and local offices and with appropriate members of Congress. State and local election offices must notify individuals possibly affected by this intrusion.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019
Improve Well-Being for Veterans Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to award grants for a period of three years to eligible entities for the provision of suicide prevention services to veterans and their families. Under the bill, eligible entities include tribally designated housing entities, community-based organizations, and other private entities that meet certain requirements. Entities must submit an application to receive financial assistance that includes a description of the services they propose to provide, among other elements. The bill requires the VA to equitably distribute grants across geographic regions and areas with the most need. Additionally, the VA shall give preference to entities that are experienced in providing suicide prevention services. Entities receiving funding must notify service recipients that funding is wholly or partially from the VA.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019
This resolution expresses support for (1) equal rights and protections for all people, regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity; and (2) the designation of LGBTQ Equality Day on June 26 to commemorate Supreme Court decisions handed down on that day in 2003, 2013, and 2015. The resolution also acknowledges the need for further legislation to ensure that people in the United States are free from all forms of discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019
Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students Act of 2019 or the JOBS Act of 2019 This bill expands student eligibility for Pell Grants by establishing the Job Training Federal Pell Grant program. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education to award a job training Pell Grant to a student who does not have a degree; attends an institution of higher education (IHE); is enrolled in a career and technical education program at an IHE that provides 150 to 600 clock hours of instructional time over a period of 8 to 15 weeks and provides training aligned with high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors (i.e., job training programs); and meets all other eligibility requirements for a Pell Grant. It also specifies that any period during which a student receives a job training Pell Grant counts toward that student's Pell Grant eligibility period.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2019
Reclaiming Congressional Trade Authority Act of 2019 This bill requires the President, when modifying duty rates for national security reasons, to obtain congressional approval through a joint resolution for these modifications. The bill also gives Congress the authority to disapprove through a joint resolution certain duties or other import restrictions imposed by the U.S. Trade Representative.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2019
America's Call To Improve Opportunities Now for National Service Act or the ACTION for National Service Act This bill (1) converts the Corporation for National and Community Service into the National and Community Service Administration; (2) reauthorizes programs carried out by the administration; (3) establishes a National Service Foundation to accept and administer gifts on behalf of the administration; and (4) modifies the calculation of national service educational awards. Furthermore, the bill creates a 21st Century American Service Outreach Program to notify individuals age 17 and not more than age 30 about their eligibility to participate in national service programs,; increases living stipends for such volunteers and the cap on such full-time positions; provides a living allowance to members of the National Civilian Community Corps, under specified conditions; and provides an exclusion from gross income, for income tax purposes, for such educational awards and living allowances.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2019
Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2019 This bill prohibits strikes by certain individuals and requires the issuance of rules that provide for federal minimum standard collective bargaining rights and procedures. The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) shall determine for each state whether the laws of such state substantially provide for each of the minimum standard collective bargaining rights and procedures specified by this bill, including the right of public employees and supervisory employees to self-organize, form or join a labor organization, or collectively bargain. The FLRA must issue rules and take actions to establish and administer bargaining rights and procedures for those states that do not substantially provide for them. No employers, emergency services employees, or law enforcement officers may engage in a lockout, strike, or any other organized job action that would probably result in a measurable disruption of the delivery of emergency or public safety services. Furthermore, no labor organization may be the cause of a violation of such prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2019
National Commission on Scleroderma and Fibrotic Diseases Act of 2019 This bill temporarily establishes a National Commission on Fibrotic Diseases within the National Institutes of Health that must recommend improvements regarding fibrosis and fibrotic disease research.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2019
Real-Time Beneficiary Drug Cost Bill This bill provides statutory authority for certain provisions of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rule titled "Modernizing Part D and Medicare Advantage to Lower Drug Prices and Reduce Out-of-Pocket Expenses," published on May 23, 2019. The rule requires, in part, Medicare prescription drug plan sponsors to implement an electronic, real-time benefit tool that is capable of integrating with at least one prescriber's electronic prescribing system or electronic health record. The tool must provide prescribers with patient-specific, real-time formulary and benefit information, including information regarding cost-sharing, formulary alternatives, and utilization management requirements. The rule takes effect January 1, 2021.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2019
Stopping Bad Robocalls Act This bill updates various policies and regulations relating to robocalls. Specifically, the bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to protect consumer privacy as it relates to robocalls. The FCC must update regulations involving certain robocalls that are exempt from criminal liability to include specific requirements identifying classes of parties who may make such calls, parties who may be called, and how many times they may be called. Additionally, the bill removes the requirement that a citation be issued prior to a forfeiture penalty being imposed in cases where violations involving illegal robocalls have been intentional and where inaccurate caller identification information has been provided. The bill also implements a three-year statute of limitation for such violations requiring notice, and a four-year statute of limitation where an intentional violation has occurred. The FCC must promulgate regulations to address requirements for effective call authentication technology as well as to establish a process to streamline the ways in which a private entity may voluntarily share with FCC information relating to an illegal call or text or for calls with misleading or inaccurate caller identification information. Finally, the bill requires the FCC to ensure robocall blocking services provided on an opt-out basis are provided free of cost with transparency and redress options for consumers and callers.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2019
VA Emergency Transportation Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reimburse a veteran for the reasonable value of emergency transportation by a non-VA provider (1) to a facility for emergency treatment, or (2) from a non-VA facility where the veteran was treated to a VA or other federal facility for additional care.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2019
This resolution recognizes the importance of the alliance and friendship between the United States and Germany and the strong ties between the populations and governments, including cooperation under the Wunderbar Together-Germany and the U.S. initiative .
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2019
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2509 George Mason Drive in Virginia Beach, Virginia, as the "Ryan Keith Cox Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2019
Nuclear Energy Leadership Act This bill addresses nuclear energy innovation. Among other things, the bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to (1) establish a long-term nuclear power purchase agreement pilot program; (2) advance the research and development of domestic advanced, affordable, and clean nuclear energy; (3) develop a 10-year strategic plan for its Office of Nuclear Energy; (4) provide for a versatile, reactor-based fast neutron source; (5) establish a program to make available high-assay, low-enriched uranium for use in commercial or noncommercial advanced nuclear reactors; and (6) provide competitive grants to develop the capability to transport high-assay, low enriched uranium. DOE, the National Nuclear Security Administration, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission must jointly establish a University Nuclear Leadership Program to provide financial assistance for scholarships, fellowships, and research and development projects at institutions of higher education.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019
3D Printed Gun Safety Act of 2019 This bill makes it unlawful to intentionally publish digital instructions for programming a three-dimensional printer to make a firearm.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019
JROTC Cyber Training Act This bill directs the Department of Defense to implement a program to prepare Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps students for careers in computer science and cybersecurity. The program may include such elements as internships and cooperative research opportunities, funding for training of instructors, activities to improve the quality of training in these fields, and informal education.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019
Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Schools Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of the Interior to study the sites associated with the life and legacy of Julius Rosenwald, a part-owner and President of Sears, Roebuck and Company and a noted philanthropist. The study shall include a special focus on the Rosenwald Schools (the 5,357 schools and related buildings that were constructed in 15 southern states between 1912 and 1932). In conducting such study, Interior shall (1) determine which sites are of national significance, (2) prioritize the study of any Rosenwald Schools recommended to Interior by the State Historic Preservation Officer of any of the states in which such schools exist, and (3) determine the suitability and feasibility of designating one or more units of the National Park System to include those Rosenwald Schools and other sites representing Julius Rosenwald's life and legacy.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019
This resolution condemns the 1994 attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and expresses sympathy for the victims' relatives. It also expresses concern for the continuing 25-year-long delay in the proper resolution of the case and supports accountability for the attack, including the Iranian and Hezbollah operatives involved.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2019
This joint resolution prohibits the proposed sale of various defense articles and related support services to Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy, as described in license document DDTC-17-094.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2019
This joint resolution prohibits the proposed sale of various defense articles and related support services, as described in license document DDTC-17-079, to the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and France.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2019
This joint resolution prohibits the issuance of certain manufacturing, technical-assistance, or export licenses, as described in specific license documents by the Department of State, to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2019
This joint resolution prohibits the proposed sale of various defense articles and related support services, as described in license document DDTC-17-112, to Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2019
Land and Water Conservation Fund Permanent Funding Act This bill makes permanent, beginning in FY2020, funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The President shall annually submit to Congress specified details regarding the allocation of funds to the LWCF. Congress may provide for alternate allocations using specified procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2019
Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2019 or the BURMA Act of 2019 This act imposes sanctions, limits security assistance, authorizes assistance, and requires the establishment of various programs and strategies related to Burma (Myanmar). The President shall impose sanctions against current or former officials who are responsible for or who supported serious human rights abuses in Burma, as well as against entities controlled by such officials and military-linked entities that provide such officials significant financial benefits. The sanctions shall include asset blocking and visa blocking. The bill authorizes humanitarian aid for Burma, Bangladesh, and the surrounding region for various purposes, including aid for ethnic minorities targeted by Burma's military and support for voluntary resettlement of displaced persons. The bill also prohibits security assistance for or security cooperation with Burma's military and security forces, with exceptions for certain existing programs related to training, research, and reconciliation. The Department of State shall maintain a publicly available website listing entities in Burma's gemstone sector that meet certain transparency and due-diligence requirements related to ownership, control, and supply-chain standards. The State Department shall also issue guidance for U.S. companies as to best practices for supply-chain due diligence when dealing with Burmese gemstone entities. The State Department shall report to Congress on topics including (1) accountability for war crimes in Burma, (2) a strategy for promoting economic development in Burma, and (3) a strategy for U.S. engagement with Burma's military and security forces.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2019
Strengthening Support of NATO Through Dual Use Infrastructure Act This bill directs the Department of Defense and Department of State to report to Congress on the value of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member-state investments in dual-use infrastructure projects. Dual-use infrastructure projects are those identified by the European Union as upgrades to the Trans-European Transport Network that also improve military mobility.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2019
This resolution expresses support for the people of Sudan and their right to peacefully assemble and express their demands for political change. It condemns the government of Sudan's use of violence and arbitrary detention against peaceful protesters, and calls for an immediate transfer of power by the military to an inclusive, civilian-led government.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2019
Feed Emergency Enhancement During Disasters Act or the FEEDD Act This bill modifies the federal crop insurance program to authorize agricultural producers who harvest second crops as a result of a prevented planting to be eligible for specific crop insurance if certain conditions are met. Specifically, a producer may collect an indemnity that is equal to 100% of the prevented planting guarantee for the acreage of the first crop if (1) the acres planted are in an area with low hay or forage supplies due to widespread excessive moisture, flood, or drought; (2) the second crop will be planted with an intended use of animal feed that is hayed, gazed, or chopped; and (3) the second crop will be donated or used by the producer.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2019
Broadband Data Improvement Act of 2019 This bill requires (1) broadband service providers to fulfill certain reporting requirements, and (2) the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a challenge process to aid in broadband mapping. Specifically, the bill requires each provider to report certain information regarding the geographic availability of broadband service it provides. The FCC must contract with an entity to provide data submission assistance to a provider that is unable to comply with this reporting requirement. Among other responsibilities, such entity shall provide support for the required challenge process and establish an ongoing data validation and verification process. The FCC is also required to establish a framework for a process whereby information challenging the accuracy of the National Broadband Map may be submitted. Subject to the challenge process and feedback received therefrom, specified federal agencies shall use the National Broadband Map to determine the extent of broadband availability and the areas of the United States that remain unserved.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2019
75th Anniversary of the End of World War II Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 coins, 500,000 $1 coins, and 750,000 half-dollar coins in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. The coins shall be emblematic of the sacrifices made by millions of people of the United States 75 years ago in bringing an end to World War II. The design on each coin shall represent the World War II Victory Medal, which was awarded to all 16 million U.S. military personnel who served from December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946. The bill requires all sales of such coins include specified surcharges, which shall be paid by Treasury to the congressionally designated National WWII Museum to fund its educational mission of telling the story of the U.S. experience in World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2019
Domestic Terrorism Documentation and Analysis of Threats in America Act or the Domestic Terrorism DATA Act This bill establishes new requirements to expand the availability of information on domestic terrorism, as well as the relationship between international terrorism and domestic terrorism. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to submit joint reports on domestic terrorism. Additionally, the Science and Technology Directorate within DHS must do the following: create a National Center for the Study of Domestic Terrorism to advance research on trends in domestic terrorism, and report on international terrorism that has a nexus to such trends.
![Official portrait of Rep. Spanberger, Abigail Davis [D-VA-7]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s001209_200.jpg)