United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2021
Treatment and Relief through Emerging and Accessible Therapy for PTSD Act or the TREAT PTSD Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) to furnish stellate ganglion block to certain veterans or members of the Armed Forces (including reserve components) diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Blocking the stellate ganglion (a group of nerves at the base of the neck) by injecting a local anesthetic is a treatment that may alleviate PTSD symptoms. The bill authorizes this treatment for any veteran or member of the Armed Forces who (1) is enrolled in the VA health care system or TRICARE program, (2) has been diagnosed with PTSD, and (3) has elected to receive stellate ganglion block after being informed by a physician of the risks and benefits. Such treatment may be furnished at a VA medical center, DOD medical facility, or through health care provider under the Veterans Community Care Program or TRICARE health insurance program. The bill also requires the VA and DOD to update the VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for the Management of PTSD to ensure that information about stellate ganglion block is included.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2021
No Wireless Installations in Federal Instruments for Voting Act or the No WIFI Act This bill prohibits a voting system used in a federal election from containing wireless components.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2021
Token Taxonomy Act of 2021 This bill specifies that digital tokens, such as those used in virtual currencies, are not securities for regulatory purposes. The bill also provides for the tax treatment of virtual currencies, including by excluding from gross income any gains from virtual currency transactions up to $600, retroactive to January 1, 2021.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2021
This resolution calls on the Russian government to immediately release Trevor Reed, a U.S. citizen, and all other political prisoners. It also condemns the Russian government's use of politically motivated imprisonment.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2021
Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2021 This bill prohibits (1) the President or the Department of Health and Human Services from declaring emergencies or disasters for the purpose of imposing gun control; and (2) a federal officer or employee, or person operating under color of federal law, from banning the manufacture, sale, or transfer of firearms or ammunition while acting in support of relief from a major disaster or emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2021
Student Loan Reform Act This bill requires the Department of Education to carry out a program that allows participating institutions of higher education (IHEs) to cosign certain Federal Direct Loans made to its enrolled students. An IHE that participates in the program assumes the obligation to repay the outstanding balance of principal and interest due on the loan over 10 years if the borrower defaults on the loan.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2021
This concurrent resolution calls for the removal of retired Lieutenant General Russel Honoré, U.S. Army, from his interim role investigating the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Further, it urges the Speaker of the House of Representatives to appoint a nonpartisan, bicameral panel of former Members of Congress, law enforcement officials, and military servicemen to investigate those events.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2021
Special Drawing Rights Oversight Act This bill requires congressional approval for a vote to allocate any Special Drawing Rights (a currency support tool available to members of the International Monetary Fund). Currently, congressional approval is required only for allocations that exceed a specified amount.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2021
Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act or the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act This bill implements a program and a policy related to service dog therapy for veterans. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a five-year 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. The bill also authorizes the VA to provide service dogs to veterans with mental illnesses, regardless of whether they have a mobility impairment.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2021
Stop the High-Speed Money Pit Act This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for a high-speed rail corridor development project in California that is the same or substantially similar to the project that is the subject of a cooperative agreement entered into on December 16, 2009, between the California High-Speed Rail Authority and the Federal Railroad Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2021
Reassuring that the United States Has Wide And Scrupulous Rhetorical Insight to Garnish Honest Thought Act of 2021 or the RUSH WAS RIGHT Act of 2021 This bill prohibits the Federal Communications Commission from reinstating in any manner the requirement that broadcasters present opposing viewpoints on controversial issues of public importance.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2021
This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that school administrators should safely reopen schools for in-person instruction as soon as possible.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2021
This resolution calls on the President to abandon the One China policy in favor of one that recognizes Taiwan as an independent country that is not a part of China. The resolution also urges the President to bolster diplomatic and economic relations between the United States and Taiwan through specified means.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2021
Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2021 This bill repeals provisions under the Stark law (i.e., the Physician Self-Referral Law) that limit, for purposes of Medicare participation, self-referrals by newly constructed or expanded physician-owned hospitals.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2021
Main Street Tax Certainty Act This bill makes permanent the tax deduction for qualified business income. (Under current law, the deduction expires after December 31, 2025.) Qualified business income is defined as the net amount of qualified items of income, gain, deduction and loss with respect to any trade or business, excluding capital gains or losses, dividends, interest income, or income earned outside the U.S.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2021
Taxpayer Receipt Act This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to provide to each taxpayer a one-page estimate of how such taxpayer's money was spent by the government during the immediately preceding calendar year.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2021
Fiscal State of the Union Act This bill requires both chambers of Congress to assemble each year in the Hall of the House of Representatives to receive a presentation reviewing the Government Accountability Office's audit of the financial statement of accounts and associated activities of the executive branch, together with an analysis of the financial position and condition of the federal government.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2021
National Right-to-Work Act This bill repeals those provisions of the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act that permit employers to make an agreement with a labor union to require employees to join such union as a condition of employment. Currently, at least 27 states have enacted laws prohibiting employers from compelling employees to become members of a union as a condition of employment.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2021
This resolution calls for the International Olympic Committee to rebid the 2022 Winter Olympics if China fails to demonstrate significant progress in securing fundamental human rights. The resolution also expresses support for the well-being of Olympic athletes and the integrity of sport.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2021
Fair and Open Competition Act or the FOCA Act This bill prohibits federal construction contracts or controlling documents for federally supported construction projects from requiring or prohibiting project labor agreements. Such documents also may not discriminate against or give preference to a bidder or contractor who signs or refuses to sign a project labor agreement. An agency may exempt a project from this prohibition to avert an imminent threat to public health or safety or to serve the national security.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2021
American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2021 This bill eliminates the five-year amortization requirement for research and experimental expenditures scheduled to begin in 2022, thus allowing continued expensing of such expenditures in the taxable years in which they are incurred.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2021
LEOSA Reform Act This bill broadens the authority for certain law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms across state lines. Specifically, the bill allows qualified active and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms and ammunition (including magazines) in school zones; in national parks; on state, local, or private property that is open to the public; and in certain federal facilities that are open to the public. Further, the bill permits states to reduce the frequency with which retired law enforcement officers must meet certain qualification standards.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2021
Return Excessive Migrants and Asylees to International Neighbors in Mexico Act of 2021 or the REMAIN in Mexico Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to implement the Migrant Protection Protocols as outlined in the January 25, 2019, memo titled Policy Guidance for Implementation of the Migrant Protection Protocols . (The protocols generally required aliens who are not clearly admissible, including those seeking asylum, arriving by land along the U.S.-Mexico border to be returned to Mexico while their immigration proceedings are pending, rather than remain in the United States. On January 21, 2021, DHS stopped applying the protocols to newly-arrived individuals.)
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2021
Eliminate Agency Excess Space Act This bill modifies requirements with respect to the disposal of surplus and excess property by federal agencies. Among other things, the bill repeals provisions that require federal agencies to report excess property to the General Services Administration (GSA). Additionally, the GSA must issue regulations that allow federal agencies to dispose of surplus and excess property without first making the property available to other agencies or state or local governments. The bill also requires the GSA to survey all unused or underutilized office spaces held by federal agencies, make recommendations to reduce agency real estate assets, and report on costs associated with property disposal.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 2021
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that it is U.S. policy to officially recognize and remember the Semele Massacre (the 1933 killing of up to 3,000 Assyrian Christian men, women, and children by the government of Iraq), to reject efforts to associate the U.S. government with denial of the massacre, and to encourage education and public understanding of the massacre and its relevance to modern-day crimes against humanity.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 2021
Gun Owner Privacy Act This bill restricts the use of federal funds in connection with the implementation and operation of a firearms-related background check system. Specifically, it prohibits the use of federal funds for a firearms-related background check system that does not immediately destroy all information about a person who is eligible to own firearms, or the implementation or collection of a tax or fee in connection with a firearms-related background check.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 2021
This bill directs the Department of State to include additional information in its annual reports concerning Taiwan's participation at the World Health Organization's World Health Assembly (WHA) as an observer. The report shall describe changes and improvements to the State Department's plan to support Taiwan's observer status at the WHA, following any meetings at which Taiwan did not participate under such status. (China has opposed Taiwan's participation in the WHA.)
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 2021
Taiwan Voice Act This bill directs the United States to withhold all contributions to the United Nations (UN) until (1) China's World Health Organization membership is terminated, and (2) Taiwan is granted full membership in the UN. (In 1971, the UN expelled Taiwan as a member.)
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 2021
Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act This bill authorizes the President to use the Armed Forces to defend Taiwan against a direct attack by China's military, a taking of Taiwan's territory by China, or a threat that endangers the lives of civilians in Taiwan or members of Taiwan's military. The bill also directs the Department of Defense to convene an annual regional security dialogue with Taiwan and other partners to improve U.S. security relationships with countries in the Western Pacific. (China considers Taiwan a part of China.)
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 2021
World Health Act This bill directs the United States to withhold all contributions to the World Health Organization (WHO) until (1) China's WHO membership is terminated, and (2) Taiwan is granted full membership. (China has opposed Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly, the governing body of the WHO.) The President shall direct the U.S. representative to the WHO to encourage other member states to take similar action.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 2021
Earmark Elimination Act of 2021 This bill establishes a point of order in the House of Representatives against considering legislation that contains a congressional earmark, limited tax benefit, or limited tariff benefit. If the point of order is raised and sustained, the congressional earmark, limited tax benefit, or limited tariff benefit shall be deemed to be stricken from the legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 2021
Iran Hostages Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill requires 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 commemorating the bravery and endurance of the 53 hostages of the Iran Hostage Crisis. Following its award, the medal shall be given to the National Museum of American History of the Smithsonian Institution for display and research. The Department of the Treasury must strike duplicate medals in silver for presentation to a hostage (or the personal representative of a deceased hostage), and Treasury may also strike and sell duplicate medals in bronze.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2021
Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act This bill establishes a new criminal offense for performing or attempting to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus is 20 weeks or more. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. The bill provides exceptions for an abortion (1) that is necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. A physician who performs or attempts to perform an abortion under an exception must comply with specified requirements. A woman who undergoes a prohibited abortion may not be prosecuted for violating or conspiring to violate the provisions of this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2021
This resolution requests that the President transmit to the House of Representatives documents related to the amount of funding that was provided in specified laws regarding COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and is currently unspent. The specified laws include the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020; the Families First Coronavirus Response Act; the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act); the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act; and Division N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2021
English Language Unity Act of 2021 This bill establishes English as the official language of the United States. It establishes a framework for implementation and enforcement, including by testing English as part of the naturalization process.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2021
Life at Conception Act This bill declares that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being at all stages of life, including the moment of fertilization, cloning, or other moment at which an individual comes into being. Nothing in this bill shall be construed to authorize the prosecution of any woman for the death of her unborn child.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2021
Bassam Barabandi Rewards for Justice Act This bill expands the Department of State's rewards program to allow rewards for providing information that leads to the identification or location of an entity or individual that knowingly violates U.S. or United Nations sanctions.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2021
Second Amendment Preservation Act This bill prohibits the use of FY2021 appropriations to enforce any measure, law, regulation, or guidance issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives after November 1, 2020; or to enforce, implement, or advance any measure, law, regulation, or guidance relating to the lawful use, purchase, sale, possession, or transportation of firearms by any U.S. citizen.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2021
Preserving Safety Net Integrity Act of 2021 This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from rescinding, revising, or suspending the final rule titled Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds . (Among other changes, the rule expanded the types of public benefits that, if received by an alien, could make that alien a public charge, which may make that alien inadmissible.)
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2021
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 · 11 February 2021
Lessening Regulatory Costs and Establishing a Federal Regulatory Budget Act of 2021 This bill establishes procedures and provides statutory authority to reduce the number of federal regulations. Specifically, it requires each agency to establish a regulatory reform task force chaired by a designated regulatory reform officer. Each task force must, among other duties (1) review each existing agency regulation; (2) estimate the potential cost savings of repealing or modifying each regulation; and (3) identify regulations that are appropriate for repeal, replacement, or modification based on cost, effectiveness, and impact on employment. The bill further provides statutory authority for the executive order prohibiting agencies from issuing a new regulation with an economic impact of at least $100 million without identifying two regulations for repeal that will offset the cost of the proposed new regulation. Agencies also must submit a list of all planned regulatory actions for inclusion in the semiannual Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions, including (1) the estimated economic effect of each action, and (2) proposed deregulatory actions to offset the cost of each proposed new regulation. Additionally, the Office of Management and Budget must establish an annual regulatory budget for each federal agency that specifies the net allowable increase in regulatory costs for each agency during the next fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2021
No taxpayer funding for United Nations Human Rights Council Act This bill prohibits the Department of State from making contributions to the United Nations Human Rights Council, either as a percentage of the U.S. contribution to the regular budget of the United Nations or as a voluntary contribution to the council.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2021
Chinese Research Funds Accounting Act This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on federal funding made available to entities located in China or majority owned or controlled by the Chinese Communist Party for research in the five years prior to enactment of this bill. Not later than 120 days after the enactment of this bill, the GAO shall brief Congress on the data that is available with respect to federal funding made available to such entities for research.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2021
No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2021 This bill modifies provisions relating to federal funding for, and health insurance coverage of, abortions. Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions or for health coverage that includes abortions. Such restrictions extend to the use of funds in the budget of the District of Columbia. Additionally, abortions may not be provided in a federal health care facility or by a federal employee. Historically, language has been included in annual appropriations bills for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions—such language is commonly referred to as the Hyde Amendment. Similar language is also frequently included in appropriations bills for other federal agencies and the District of Columbia. The bill makes these restrictions permanent and extends the restrictions to all federal funds (rather than specific agencies). The bill's restrictions regarding the use of federal funds do not apply in cases of rape, incest, or where a physical disorder, injury, or illness endangers a woman's life unless an abortion is performed. The Hyde Amendment provides the same exceptions. The bill also prohibits qualified health plans from including coverage for abortions. Currently, qualified health plans may cover abortion, but the portion of the premium attributable to abortion coverage is not eligible for subsidies.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2021
Protecting American Energy Jobs Act This bill limits the President's authority to prohibit or withdraw federal land or waters from energy production activities. Specifically, the bill requires the President and federal agencies to obtain the approval of Congress before prohibiting or substantially delaying certain new energy or mineral leases or permits on federal lands, including oil and gas leases, coal leases, hard rock leases, or critical minerals leases. In addition, the President and agencies must obtain the approval of Congress before withdrawing certain federal lands from mineral and geothermal leasing activities. Further, the bill repeals the President's authority to withdraw unleased lands on the outer Continental Shelf from oil and gas leasing. The bill nullifies Executive Order 13990 titled Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science To Tackle the Climate Crisis; Executive Order 14008 titled Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad; and the Department of the Interior's Secretarial Order 3395 concerning a temporary suspension of delegated authority to all of Interior's Bureaus and Offices, including the authority to approve leases.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2021
You Must Be Alive To Vote Act of 2021 This bill requires each state, in order to receive certain education and transportation funds, to annually certify that the state has an agreement with the Social Security Administration to share death information for the purpose of removing the names of ineligible voters from the official list of eligible voters.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2021
Pre-existing Conditions Protection Act of 2021 This bill reestablishes requirements for private health insurance plans with respect to preexisting conditions, guaranteed enrollment, and discrimination based on health-related factors if they are repealed by another law. In such event, the bill prohibits private health insurance plans from (1) limiting or excluding benefits covering preexisting conditions; (2) denying enrollment to employers or individual applicants, subject to specified limits; (3) establishing rules for eligibility based on an individual's health status; or (4) requiring an individual to a pay higher premium than similarly situated individuals enrolled in the plan based the individual's health status. The bill also prohibits plans from collecting genetic information in connection with issuing health insurance and provides requirements for workplace wellness programs connected to health insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2021
Dr. Li Wenliang Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs Congress to make arrangements for the posthumous presentation of a gold medal in commemoration of Dr. Li Wenliang's efforts to save lives by drawing awareness to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and his call for transparency in China.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2021
No Social Security for Illegal Aliens Act of 2021 This bill prohibits an individual from collecting Social Security benefits based on wages and income earned for services illegally performed in the United States while the individual was an alien.