United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2020
Just and Unifying Solutions To Invigorate Communities Everywhere Act of 2020 or the JUSTICE Act This bill addresses policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability. The bill funds state and local grants, incentivizes state and local reporting on the use of certain policing practices, creates new federal offenses for certain misconduct, establishes a commission to study the conditions affecting Black men and boys, and establishes best practices and training requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2020
Infrastructure Bank for America Act of 2020 This bill provides for the establishment of the Infrastructure Bank Holding Company (IBHC), which shall be the parent company of the Infrastructure Bank for America (the bank). The bank shall provide (1) equity investments, direct loans, indirect loans, and loan guarantees for the construction or maintenance of revenue-producing infrastructure projects in the United States with sufficient revenue sources and guarantees to support the interest and principal payments to such bank; and (2) direct and indirect loans and loan guarantees to state and local governments and state infrastructure banks for the construction or maintenance of infrastructure projects. At least 7% of the dollar amount of the loans, equity investments, and loan guarantees shall be for infrastructure projects in rural areas. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall have oversight and supervisory authority over the IBHC and the bank. The Department of the Treasury shall oversee and supervise the issuance of bonds by the IBHC and the bank. The bank shall establish an Infrastructure Guarantee Fund to cover loans and loan guarantees in the event of nonpayment by loan recipients. The bill provides for a taxpayer credit in an amount equal to 10% of the amount such taxpayer paid to the IBHC for an equity investment at its original issue.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2020
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 210 North Missouri Avenue in Lakeland, Florida, as the "Officer Paul Dunn Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2020
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2800 Lakeland Hills Boulevard in Lakeland, Florida, as the "Officer Ken Foley Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Promoting Infrastructure by Protecting Our Subcontractors and Taxpayers Act This bill revises the transportation infrastructure finance and innovation program to require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to ensure that the design and construction of a project carried out under the program must have appropriate payment and performance security, regardless of whether the obligor is a state, local government, agency or instrumentality of a state or local government, public authority, or private party. DOT may accept such payment and performance security requirements if it makes a written determination that the federal interest is adequately protected.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2020
K2 Veterans Toxic Exposure Accountability Act of 2020 This bill addresses toxic exposure of members of the Armed Forces deployed to Karshi-Khanabad (K-2) Air Base in Uzbekistan between October 1, 2001, and December 31, 2005. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to conduct a study and report on such exposure. Based on the results of the study, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must determine (1) whether a positive association exists between such exposure and the occurrence of a diagnosed illness in humans, and (2) whether a presumption of service-connection is warranted. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific conditions diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded. If the VA determines a presumption of service-connection is not warranted, notice must be published and include an explanation of the basis for the determination. The bill also requires the VA to remove previous presumptions if evidence indicates such presumption is not warranted. The bill requires the VA to establish and maintain a registry for individuals who were deployed to K-2 during the specified time frame. Finally, DOD must provide access to information upon request by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for purposes of a study regarding the effects of exposure to toxic substances at K-2.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2020
Wolverine CubeSats for Education Resolution This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) continues to streamline its STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) engagement program, the CubeSat (small satellite) Launch Initiative should continue to thrive and expand as a priority of Congress and an enabler of American innovation; and NASA should prioritize awareness of the CubeSat Launch Initiative in annual budget proposals.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2020
Clean Water Allotment Modernization Act This bill modifies the allotment formula that determines water treatment works grants for states and territories.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2020
Fishery Failures: Urgently Needed Disaster Declarations Act This bill revises the review process for making fishery resource disaster determinations. Among other things, the bill maintains the authority of the Department of Commerce to determine the existence of a fishery disaster; sets forth requirements for initiating a request for a fishery resource disaster review; provides a 120-day time frame for Commerce to evaluate a request, beginning either upon receipt or at the close of the fishery season, if the fishery season closes; establishes criteria for Commerce to use when making a determination about whether a fishery resource disaster has occurred; lists eligible uses of fishery disaster relief funds, including for habitat conservation and restoration that reduce adverse impacts to a fishery; and revises reporting requirements for the biennial report on international compliance regarding foreign fishing and international fishery agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2019
Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2019 or the RPM Act of 2019 This bill authorizes the modification of a vehicle's air emission controls for vehicles that are not legal for operation on a street or highway and are used solely for competition.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2019
Interstate Milk Freedom Act of 2019 This bill prohibits federal regulation of the interstate traffic of unpasteurized milk or milk products packaged for direct human consumption under specified circumstances. Specifically, the prohibition applies if (1) such products would be considered adulterated or misbranded or otherwise in violation of federal law solely because they are unpasteurized; (2) the products are allowed by the state of origin to be distributed for direct human consumption by any means; (3) they are produced, packaged, and moved in compliance with the laws of such state; and (4) they are moved from the state of origin with the intent to transport them to another state that allows the distribution of such products for direct human consumption.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2019
Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 This bill establishes and modifies several requirements to address prescription drug prices under Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs. The bill generally limits payment amounts for drugs and biologics under Medicare medical services, reduces cost-sharing under the Medicare prescription drug benefit, modifies certain authorities and requirements under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, revises provisions relating to regulatory approval and commercial availability of generics and biosimilars, and establishes several reporting requirements for drug manufacturers with respect to drug prices.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2019
Continuity for Operators with Necessary Training Required for ATC Contract Towers Act of 2019 or the CONTRACT Act of 2019 This bill exempts certain air traffic controllers from a required reduction in their retirement annuity payment on account of earnings from certain work performed while entitled to such annuity. Under current law, retired Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers receive an annuity payment during the period between the mandatory retirement age of 56 and the social security minimum age of 62. Such annuity payment is required to be reduced by a certain percentage of any excess earnings during this period. The bill exempts from such reduction in annuity payments an air traffic controller who participates in the Air Traffic Control Contract Program (a public-private partnership for air traffic control services) following mandatory retirement.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2019
Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2019 This bill addresses pipeline safety with respect to natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. Among other provisions, the bill reauthorizes appropriations through FY2023 for pipeline safety activities; allows for limited safety-enhancing testing programs to evaluate innovative technologies and operational practices testing the safe operation of natural gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facilities; authorizes the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a confidential and non-punitive voluntary information-sharing system to encourage collaborative efforts to improve inspection information feedback and information-sharing on best practices, processes, and technology deployments with respect to such facilities; establishes a Liquefied Natural Gas division within the Office of Pipeline Safety of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to ensure the safety and oversight of liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, including small-scale LNG facilities, peak shaving facilities, and import or export facilities; creates a Center of Excellence for Liquefied Natural Gas Safety and Training; increases staffing levels in the PHMSA to hire additional personnel with safety expertise; and directs DOT to initiate a study on technologies and measures that reduce the amount of natural gas released during venting and blowdowns of natural gas distribution systems and transmission pipelines.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2019
TRICARE Fairness for National Guard and Reserve Retirees Act This bill provides that personnel of the Retired Reserve (comprising former National Guard and Reserve members) who are not yet age 60 but are receiving their retirement pay may purchase TRICARE health coverage for retired military personnel, rather than the presently allowed TRICARE Retired Reserve (which may have higher costs). The bill generally aligns the age for TRICARE health care benefits with the age at which retired National Guard and Reserve personnel begin receiving their retired pay. Under current law, Reserve Component personnel may retire below age 60, but not below 50, based on active duty performance.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2019
Direct Enhancement of Snapper Conservation and the Economy through Novel Devices Act of 2019 or the DESCEND Act of 2019 This bill addresses the use of descending devices to release reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. (A descending device is an instrument that will release fish at a depth sufficient for the fish to be able to recover from the effects of barotrauma.) Specifically, the bill requires commercial and recreational fishermen to possess a venting tool or descending device that is rigged and ready for use when fishing for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico Exclusive Economic Zone, the Department of Commerce to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study and produce a report on discard mortality in the Gulf reef fish fisheries, and Commerce and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to develop guidance for reporting discards and associated mortality and develop a plan to assess the effectiveness and usage of barotrauma-reducing devices.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2019
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 9930 Conroy Windermere Road in Windermere, Florida, as the "Officer Robert German Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2019
Open and Transparent Impeachment Investigation Resolution This resolution gives Members of the House of Representatives nonparticipatory access to all committee proceedings related to matters referred to by the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, in her announcement of September 24, 2019, initiating an impeachment inquiry against President Trump.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2019
Nation's Oldest Port National Heritage Area Act This bill establishes the Nation's Oldest Port National Heritage Area in Florida. Such heritage area shall include natural watersheds in Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, and Flagler Counties. The Nation's Oldest Port Heritage Area Alliance, Inc., shall serve as the coordinating entity for the heritage area and shall develop a management plan for it.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
Fiscal State of the Nation Resolution This concurrent resolution requires the congressional budget committees to conduct an annual joint hearing to receive a presentation from the Comptroller General regarding (1) the Government Accountability Office's audit of the financial statement of the executive branch, and (2) the financial position and condition of the federal government.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2019
This resolution expresses support for the relationship between the United States and Bulgaria. The resolution recognizes Bulgaria"s efforts to ensure regional and international security.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2019
Preparedness and Risk Management for Extreme Weather Patterns Assuring Resilience and Effectiveness Act of 2019 or the PREPARE Act of 2019 This bill directs the President to establish the Interagency Council on Extreme Weather Resilience, Preparedness, and Risk Identification and Management, which shall establish government-wide goals and provide recommendations for addressing extreme weather resilience, preparedness, and risk identification and management. Each federal agency shall submit biannually to the Office of Management and Budget and to the council a comprehensive plan that integrates consideration of extreme weather into its operations and overall mission objectives.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2019
Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act or the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement a pilot program to assess the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder through a method where veterans train service dogs for veterans with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2019
Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2019 This bill addresses the conservation and sustainability of coral reef ecosystems. Among other things, the bill reauthorizes through FY2024 and revises the Coral Reef Conservation Program; directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide block grants to states to support state coral reef management and restoration; requires NOAA to establish standards for the formation of partnerships among government and community members for the stewardship of coral reefs; provides statutory authority for the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force to lead, coordinate, and strengthen federal government actions to preserve, conserve, and restore coral reef ecosystems; requires the Department of the Interior to provide grants upon the declaration of a coral reef emergency to implement emergency plans; and authorizes Interior to provide scientific expertise, technical assistance, and financial assistance for the conservation and restoration of coral reefs.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
Negro Leagues Baseball Centennial 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 in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Negro National League, a professional baseball league that was formed in response to African-American players being banned from baseball's major leagues. The design of the coins shall be emblematic of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and its mission to promote tolerance, diversity, and inclusion. All surcharges from sales of these coins shall be paid to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to fund educational and outreach programs and exhibits.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act of 2019 This bill provides for Medicare coverage of certain audiologist services. Specifically, the bill expands coverage to include diagnostic and treatment services that are furnished by audiologists and that would otherwise be covered if provided by a physician, including incidental services, regardless of whether such services are provided pursuant to a referral from, or under the supervision of, a physician or other health care practitioner.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the inclusion of any Social Security or tier I railroad retirement benefits in gross income for income tax purposes. The bill also: (1) appropriates funds to cover reductions in transfers to the Social Security and Railroad Retirement Trust Funds resulting from the enactment of this bill, and (2) expresses the sense of Congress against using tax increases to provide revenue necessary to carry out this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
China Technology Transfer Control Act of 2019 This bill controls exports of certain national interest technology and intellectual property to China. Specifically, covered technology or intellectual property includes items that (1) would contribute significantly to the Chinese military to the detriment of U.S. national security, (2) are included in a designated list of product components compiled by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), or (3) are used by China to violate human rights or religious liberties. The bill requires the President to control exports to China of any covered technology or intellectual property. Additionally, the President must sanction (1) any foreign person who sells to, or purchases from, China any covered item; and (2) any Chinese person who knowingly uses a covered item provided to them in violation of U.S. export control law. In addition to a specified list of industries subject to the bill, the USTR must identify products manufactured or produced in, or exported from, China that either receive certain support from China or are used by China to violate human rights or religious liberties.
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
Protecting People From Surprise Medical Bills Act This bill makes a series of changes relating to health care costs and billing practices. Among other things, the bill applies in-network cost-sharing requirements to certain emergency and related non-emergency services that are provided out-of-network; requires health insurers to include in-network and out-of-network deductibles, as well as out-of-pocket maximum limitations, on enrollee insurance cards; requires health insurers to provide online and print directories of in-network health care providers; and prohibits health care providers from billing individuals for services more than a year after such services are provided.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to update its Planning and Activating Community Based Outpatient Clinics handbook at least once every five years to reflect current policies and practices.
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
Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2019 This bill establishes several prohibitions, requirements, and standards relating to prior authorization processes under Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Specifically, the bill prohibits MA plans from instituting additional prior authorization requirements for surgeries (including related items) that are furnished to a patient during other surgeries for which prior authorization was not required or was already received. Additionally, MA plans must (1) establish an electronic prior authorization program that meets specified standards, including the ability to provide real-time decisions in response to requests for items and services that are routinely approved; (2) annually publish specified prior authorization information, including the percentage of requests approved and the average response time; and (3) meet other standards, as set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, relating to the quality and timeliness of prior authorization determinations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2019
Academic Partnerships Lead Us to Success Act or the A PLUS Act This bill creates a framework under which states may receive federal elementary and secondary education funds on a consolidated basis and use such funds for any educational purpose permitted by state law.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2019
Stop Higher Education Espionage and Theft Act of 2019 This bill establishes a process for designating foreign actors as foreign intelligence threats to higher education. Specifically, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) must designate a foreign actor as a foreign intelligence threat to higher education if the foreign actor has committed, attempted to commit, or conspired to commit certain actions in connection with an institution of higher education (IHE), such as espionage, misuse of visas, or theft of trade secrets. Prior to making such a designation, FBI must submit notice to congressional leaders and the Department of Justice. Upon the designation of a foreign actor as such a threat, the Department of State must revoke the nonimmigrant visa issued to such foreign actor present in the United States, and the Department of Homeland Security must initiate removal proceedings against the foreign actor. The bill provides for judicial review and a process for revoking a foreign actor's designation as such a threat. It also requires an IHE to disclose to the Department of Education any gift or contract with a foreign intelligence threat, including the fair market value of the gift or contract.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1401 1st Street North in Winter Haven, Florida, as the "Althea Margaret Daily Mills Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2019
Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption Act or the PRIME Act This bill expands the exemption of custom slaughtering of animals from federal inspection requirements. Under current law, the exemption applies if the meat is slaughtered for personal, household, guest, and employee uses. The bill expands the exemption to include meat that is slaughtered and prepared at a custom slaughter facility in accordance with the laws of the state where the facility is located; and prepared exclusively for distribution to household consumers in the state or restaurants, hotels, boarding houses, grocery stores, or other establishments in the state that either prepare meals served directly to consumers or offer meat and food products for sale directly to consumers in the state. The bill does not preempt any state law concerning (1) the slaughter of animals or the preparation of carcasses, parts thereof, meat and meat food products at a custom slaughter facility; or (2) the sale of meat or meat food products.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2019
Our Obligation to Recognize American Heroes (OORAH) Act of 2019 This bill authorizes jurisdiction over certain Iranian assets so that judgments against Iran for the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, may be collected by the victims' families. Specifically, the bill establishes personal jurisdiction for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York over Iranian funds held outside the United States by any foreign securities intermediary.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2019
This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to administer a Federal Invisible Risk Sharing Program that pays health insurers for claims by eligible individuals in order to lower health-insurance premiums in the individual market.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2019
This resolution condemns Iranian state-sponsored terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and officials and Iranian dissidents and expresses support for the people of Iran who are engaged in legitimate and peaceful protests against the Iranian regime.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019
Home Health Payment Innovation Act of 2019 This bill makes a series of changes relating to payment and coverage of home health services under Medicare and Medicare Advantage (MA). Specifically, the bill allows the home-confinement requirement (also known as the homebound requirement) for home health services to be waived under Medicare and MA. Currently, as a condition of eligibility for such services, a physician must certify that an individual has difficulty leaving home without assistance (e.g., a wheelchair, special transportation, or help from another person) due to an illness or injury. The bill also alters the payment methodology under the Medicare prospective payment system for home health services, including by eliminating the requirement that such methodology include certain behavioral assumptions regarding the implementation of specified changes to units of payment and case-mix adjustment factors.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019
National Right-to-Work Act This bill repeals those provisions of the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act that permit employers, pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement that is a union security agreement, to require employees to join a union as a condition of employment (including provisions permitting railroad carriers to require, pursuant to such an agreement, payroll deduction of union dues or fees as a condition of employment).
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019
Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish the Task Force on Outdoor Recreation for Veterans to report on and make recommendations regarding the use of public lands or other outdoor spaces for medical treatment and therapy for veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019
Women's Suffrage Centennial Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 400,000 $1 silver coins that are emblematic of the women who played a vital role in rallying support for the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Such coins may be issued during the period beginning on January 1, 2020, and ending on December 31, 2020. All surcharges received from the sales of such coins shall be paid to the American Women's History Initiative of the Smithsonian Institution.
![Official portrait of Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000806_200.jpg)