United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2018
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should take all appropriate measures to ensure that the U.S. Postal Service remains an independent establishment of the federal government and is not subject to privatization.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2018
Targeting Rogue and Opaque Letters Act of 2018 This bill makes sending bad faith patent demand letters an unfair or deceptive act in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act. A patent demand letter is a written communication claiming that the recipient may be liable for patent infringement. "Bad faith" means making knowingly false or misleading statements, making claims with reckless disregard for the truth, or omitting information with the intent to deceive. Bad faith representations under the bill include false or misleading claims about the sender's right to assert the patent, whether lawsuits have been filed against the recipient or others, and whether others have purchased a license to exercise the patent. It is also bad faith to make written demands for compensation for invalid patents, or to demand compensation without identifying the ultimate parent entity of the letter sender. The sender has an affirmative defense that it acted in good faith, by proving its misstatements or omissions were unintentional and it made an error in spite of procedures to avoid such errors. The bill preempts state laws relating to patent assertion communications. The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general can bring actions to enforce these provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 6 July 2018
Responsible Additions and Increases to Sustain Employee Health Benefits Act of 2018 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow unused health flexible spending arrangement account balances (or a portion of the balances) to be carried forward into the next plan year.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
9/11 Memorial Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to award competitive grants for the continued operation, security, and maintenance of the on-site memorials to the events and victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Cut the Perks Act This bill requires a political appointee who personally requests the obligation or expenditure of federal funds in willful violation of a federal law, rule, or regulation to reimburse the government for the amount of such obligation or expenditure.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2018 This bill provides paid parental leave for federal employees. Specifically, it provides up to 12 workweeks of paid leave during the 12-month period following a child's birth or placement for adoption or foster care. Additionally, the Office of Personnel Management may increase the amount of paid parental leave to up to 16 workweeks based on a consideration of certain factors (e.g., enhanced recruitment and retention of employees).
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2018
Protect Kids and Parents Act This bill requires that a child of alien parents or legal guardians who are asylum applicants must be detained in the same facility. A "child" is defined as an individual who has not reached the age of 18, has no permanent immigration status, and was in the custody and presence of a parent or legal guardian when the parent or legal guardian was detained for illegally entering the United States. The bill also: directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to increase the total number of immigration judges and Board of Immigration staff attorneys; directs Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to increase the total number of DHS personnel who process asylum applications; requires DOJ and DHS to establish procedures for expedited consideration and processing of asylum applications; requires expedited removal of asylum applicants whose applications have been denied; establishes a strong presumption in favor of family unity; requires DHS to publish guidance for locating separated children; and requires the Government Accountability Office to study, and report on, the prosecution of asylum seekers between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2018.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2018
Family Reunification Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure that each unaccompanied alien child removed by a federal official or employee from the custody of a parent or legal guardian at or near a port of entry or within 100 miles of the border be reunited with the parent or legal guardian at the earliest possible date unless: a state court terminates the rights of a parent or legal guardian, determines that it is in the child's best interests to be removed from the parent or legal guardian, or makes any similar determination that is authorized under state law; a state or county child welfare official determines that it is in the child's best interests to be removed from his or her parent or legal guardian because the child is in danger of abuse or neglect from the parent or legal guardian; or DHS requires continued separation because the child is a trafficking victim or is at significant risk of becoming a trafficking victim, there is a strong likelihood that the adult is not the child's parent or legal guardian, or the child is in danger of abuse or neglect from the parent or legal guardian.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2018
Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to achieve situational awareness and operational control of the border, including by increasing enforcement personnel. The bill provides funding for infrastructure, law enforcement, and border security, including funds for a border wall along the southern border. The bill provides for: (1) an Integrated Border Enforcement Team Program within DHS; (2) Tunnel Task Forces; (3) a pilot program on the use of electromagnetic spectrum to support border control operations; (4) a Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program; (5) construction of new border ports of entry; (6) a biometric exit data system at certain airports, seaports, and land ports of entry; (7) electronic passport screening and biometric matching; and (8) protections for children apprehended at the border from parental separation and for children in DHS custody. DHS may provide assistance to a foreign country to address migrant flows affecting the United States. DHS may provide six-year renewable contingent nonimmigrant status for certain aliens who were under the age of 16 when they first entered the United States. Adjustment to immigrant status is provided based on a point system. Children of long-term temporary foreign workers are also eligible for such status adjustment. DHS may designate certain groups as a criminal gang. Such individuals may not seek asylum, withholding of removal, or temporary protected status. Indemnification is provided for law enforcement entities sued for complying with DHS detainers. DHS detainer authority is revised. The bill creates a private right of action against a state or local jurisdiction that declines to honor a DHS detainer for a convicted illegal alien who then commits murder, rape, or sexual abuse of a minor. The bill eliminates: (1) the diversity visa program, (2) certain family-based visa categories, and (3) the per-country limit for employment-based immigrants. The per-country limit for family based-immigrants is increased. Asylum and visa screening provisions are revised.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2018
Historic Tax Credit Enhancement Act of 2018 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the requirement for a taxpayer to reduce the basis of a building by the amount of the tax credit determined for the rehabilitation of a certified historic structure.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2018
Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act or the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act This bill makes several changes to state Medicaid programs to address opioid and substance use disorders. Specifically, the bill: modifies provisions related to coverage for juvenile inmates and former foster care youth, establishes a demonstration project to increase provider treatment capacity for substance use disorders, requires the establishment of drug management programs for at-risk beneficiaries, establishes drug review and utilization requirements, extends the enhanced federal matching rate for expenditures regarding substance use disorder health home services, and temporarily requires coverage of medication-assisted treatment. The bill also alters Medicare requirements to address opioid use. Specifically, the bill: exempts substance use disorder telehealth services from specified requirements, requires the initial examination for new enrollees to include an opioid use disorder screening, modifies provisions regarding electronic prescriptions and post-surgical pain management, requires prescription drug plan sponsors to establish drug management programs for at-risk beneficiaries, and requires coverage for services provided by certified opioid treatment programs. The bill also addresses other opioid-related issues. Specifically, the bill: establishes and expands programs to support increased detection and monitoring of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, and increases the maximum number of patients that health care practitioners may initially treat with medication-assisted treatment (i.e., under a buprenorphine waiver). Additionally, the bill temporarily eliminates the enhanced federal matching rate for Medicaid expenditures regarding specified medical services provided by certain managed care organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2018
Caring Recovery for Infants and Babies Act or the CRIB Act This bill allows state Medicaid programs to cover residential pediatric recovery center services for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2018
Common Sense Certification Reform Act This bill prohibits the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from requiring the certification of employees for operating power-operated equipment (e.g., cranes) used in construction activities to deliver or retrieve propane containers.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Foster Youth Success in College Act This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Talent Search and Upward Bound TRIO programs to give priority to homeless youth and youth in foster care.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
This bill delays by one year (to January 1, 2020) the Medicaid federal matching rate reduction that is scheduled to take effect for states that fail to require an electronic visit verification system for personal care services (services that help certain individuals with basic needs of daily life).
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2018
Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2018 This bill requires the House of Representatives and the Senate to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the U.S. merchant mariners of World War II, in recognition of their service during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2018
Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act of 2018 or the Expanding Access to DSMT Act of 2018 This bill expands Medicare coverage of diabetes outpatient self-management training, and establishes a demonstration program to test an online platform that provides such training.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2018
Afghan Allies Protection Amendments Act of 2018 This bill amends the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 to authorize, in addition to any unused visas in prior fiscal years, up to 4,000 visas in FY2019 for the Afghan special immigrant visa program. That program provides special immigrant visa status for Afghans (and certain family members) who are threatened because of their work as translators, interpreters, or support staff for the U.S. government or its Armed Forces in Afghanistan. The bill also requires that the period of employment for Afghans eligible for the special visa end by December 31, 2021, and that Afghans seeking special immigrant status must apply to the Chief of Mission in Afghanistan by that same date.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2018
Hungary-United States Supporting Advanced Relations Act or the HUSSAR Act This bill makes Hungarian nationals eligible to enter the United States as nonimmigrant traders and investors as provided for under the Immigration and Nationality Act if Hungary provides reciprocal nonimmigrant treatment to U.S. nationals.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2018
Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act of 2018 This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to recklessly dispose of or abandon fetal remains in a landfill or in any navigable waters of the United States. The term "fetal remains" means any part (except a cremated part) of a deceased human fetus following an abortion. A violator is subject to a fine, up to three years in prison, or both.
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 · 18 April 2018
Celebrates the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the state of Israel. Encourages equitable treatment of Israel in international fora and the diplomatic recognition of Israel from governments worldwide. Reiterates support for a negotiated Israeli-Palestinian settlement leading to a two-state solution.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2018
This bill allows a specified amount of Department of Defense funding for National Guard counterdrug programs for FY2019 to be used to support interagency efforts to combat opioid trafficking and abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2018
Speed Warrior Outcomes, Research, Detection and Diagnosis Act of 2018 or the SWORDD Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Defense to submit to Congress a plan for the Defense Health Agency to accelerate cooperative research, development, and the fielding of breakthrough therapies for traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2018
Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Act of 2018 This bill establishes the Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Program for the appointment of individuals who are graduates of accredited law schools to serve as congressional clerks in the Senate or House of Representatives. The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Committee on House Administration must each select at least six individuals for a one-year term to serve for a clerkship with an office in their respective chambers. The committees shall ensure that congressional clerks selected under this bill are apportioned equally between majority and minority party offices.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2018
Stephen Michael Gleason Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Stephen Michael Gleason.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2018
Quality Care for Moms and Babies Act This bill directs the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to: identify and publish a recommended core set of maternal and infant quality measures for women and children, as specified by the bill; publish an initial core set of any such measures applicable to mothers and infants eligible under Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP); establish a Maternal and Infant Quality Measurement Program; and establish an online clearinghouse of resources for entities working to improve maternity and infant care quality. The CMS may make grants to eligible entities for: the development of new state and regional maternity and infant care quality collaboratives, expanded activities of existing collaboratives, and maternity and infant care initiatives within established state and regional quality collaboratives that are not focused exclusively on maternity care. Under current law, the CMS must contract with a consensus-based entity to carry out specified duties regarding performance measurement. The bill requires such an entity to facilitate increased coordination and alignment between the public and private sector with respect to quality and efficiency measures.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2018
I mproving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to permit a Member of Congress to use a VA facility to meet with constituents during normal business hours.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018
Children's Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2018 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize through FY2023 the program that provides payments to children's hospitals that operate graduate medical education programs.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2018
Community Services Block Grant Reauthorization Act of 2018 This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 the Community Services Block Grant program and otherwise revises the program, including with respect to program administration and leadership, minimum and maximum allotments to states, and performance measurement.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2018
Support Technology and Research for Our Nation's Growth and Economic Resilience Patents Act of 2018 or the STRONGER Patents Act of 2018 This bill makes several changes to the patent law, including the procedures that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office uses to conduct administrative patent validity reviews.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018
Municipal Infrastructure Savings and Transparency Act This bill grants an engineer for a public agency that receives funds from the Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) , or the Department of Agriculture (USDA), in accordance with state and local procurement requirements, maximum flexibility to select appropriate construction materials that meet the performance requirements of a public contract and that allows open and free competition among suppliers of construction materials, notwithstanding federal procurement requirements. A state or local government may not prohibit or restrict any such engineer from using a particular construction material. The Department of Transportation, the EPA, the Corps of Engineers, and USDA shall establish an interagency task force which shall issue a comprehensive report on federally-funded infrastructure projects.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018
This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from requiring a veteran's surviving spouse to return payments of dependent's compensation or of a pension as a married veteran for the month in which the veteran dies.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018
Supports: (1) U.S.-Israel cooperation to counter Iran's destabilizing activities, (2) enhancing Israel's deterrence capabilities, (3) including Israel in the first tier of countries receiving strategic trade authorization, and (4) the U.S. declaration recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
Reinforcing Evidence-Based Standards Under Law in Treating Substance Abuse Act of 2018 or the RESULTS Act of 2018 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require applicants to demonstrate that a program or activity is evidence-based when applying for support from the Department of Health and Human Services for a program or activity to prevent or treat a mental health or substance use disorder.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
Agricultural Certainty for Reporting Emissions Act This bill amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to exempt air emissions from animal waste at a farm from specified release notification requirements, recordkeeping requirements, and associated penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
Financial Literacy College Education Act This bill amends the Financial Literacy and Education Improvement Act to require the Financial Literacy and Education Commission to establish best practices for institutions of higher education regarding methods to: (1) teach financial literacy skills, and (2) provide useful and necessary information to assist students when making financial decisions related to student borrowing.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
Electricity Reliability and Fuel Security Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit through 2022 for a portion of the expenses for the operation or maintenance of a coal-powered electric generation unit, excluding expenses for coal. The credit applies to taxpayers who own or lease an electric generation unit that uses coal to produce at least 75% of the electricity produced by the unit. Qualified public entities may transfer the credit to an eligible project partner. A "qualified public entity" is: (1) a federal, state, or local government entity or any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof; (2) a mutual or cooperative electric company; or (3) a not-for-profit electric utility which had or has received a loan or loan guarantee under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. An "eligible project partner" is a person who: is responsible for operating, maintaining, or repairing the unit; participates in the provision, including transportation, of coal to the unit; provides financing for the construction or operation of the unit; or leases the unit.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2018
Alternatives to Opioids (ALTO) in the Emergency Department Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to carry out a three-year demonstration program awarding grants to hospitals and emergency departments to develop, implement, enhance, or study alternative pain management protocols and treatments that promote limited use of opioids in emergency departments.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2018
Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2018 This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education to establish a program to provide children with parents on active duty in the uniformed services with funds for specified educational purposes. Children of active duty service members who reside in a local education agency that receives payments under the Impact Aid Program or who reside within the boundaries of a federal military installation are eligible to receive funds.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2018
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to designate and operate centers of Alzheimer's disease research, education, and clinical activities in at least three VA health care facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2018
Calls for the international community to demand that North Korea dismantle its labor camp system and for North Korea to cease human rights abuses and release political prisoners.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2018
United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2018 This bill extends Military Financing Program grants for Israel through FY2023. The Department of Defense shall conduct a joint assessment with Israel regarding: (1) precision guided munitions needed by Israel in a sustained armed confrontation with Hezbollah and other armed groups and terrorist organizations, and (2) related U.S. assistance and resupply planning. The President may utilize the Special Defense Acquisition Fund to transfer precision guided munitions and related defense articles and services to reserve stocks for Israel. Authorities for loan guarantees and the war reserves stockpile for Israel are extended through FY2023. The Department of Homeland Security shall establish a seven-year grant program with Israel to support: (1) cybersecurity research and development, and (2) commercialization of cybersecurity technology. The U.S. Agency for International Development may enter into memoranda of understanding with Israel to advance common goals on energy, agriculture and food security, democracy, economic growth, education, and health. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shall continue to work with the Israel Space Agency to pursue peaceful space exploration and science initiatives. The President may enter into a cooperative project agreement with Israel to carry out research and joint production of defense articles and services to detect and destroy unmanned aerial vehicles (i.e., drones) that threaten the United States or Israel. The bill states that it is U.S. policy to ensure that Israel maintains its qualitative military edge.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2018
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Economic Exclusion Act This bill expands sanctions against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The President shall report to Congress regarding: foreign and domestic supply chains that significantly aid the IRGC; Iranian state-owned entities that provide support to terrorist entities, including Mahan Air; and foreign persons owned or controlled by the IRGC, including companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange or companies with a value in excess of $100 million. The bill states that it is U.S. policy to prevent Iran's membership in the World Trade Organization and similar international bodies as long as Iran remains a state sponsor of terrorism.
![Official portrait of Rep. Stivers, Steve [R-OH-15]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s001187_200.jpg)