United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020
This bill requires flexible spending arrangements established for 2020 to provide for the rollover of unused benefits or contributions to 2021. It also permits plan participants to modify their election amount and extends the grace period for the 2020 plan year to 12 months after the end of such plan year.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2020
One Federal Decision Act of 2020 This bill provides statutory authority for the policy that requires federal agencies to coordinate environmental reviews and authorization decisions for major infrastructure projects. It also sets a goal for completing environmental reviews within two years. The Department of Transportation (DOT) must review existing practices, procedures, programmatic agreements, and applicable laws to identify potential changes that would facilitate an efficient environmental review process for projects. All authorization decisions for construction of a major project must be completed within 90 days of the issuance of a record of decision for the project, although the lead agency could extend the deadline in some cases. The lead agency must develop an environmental review schedule with the project sponsor that is consistent with an agency average of not more than two years for the completion of the environmental review process for major projects. DOT must also (1) establish a performance accountability system to track each major project, and (2) provide other relevant federal agencies with a list of categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act that are applicable to highway projects and that would accelerate project delivery.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2020
This bill requires states to certify a process for distributing Coronavirus Relief Funds to local governments. Specifically, each state that received such funds shall provide the Department of the Treasury, by June 12, 2020, with a certification that the state has in effect a procedure to distribute the funds to units of local government, including a detailed description of such procedure. If a state fails to comply with this requirement, 25% of such payment shall be booked as a debt owed to the federal government.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2020
No Bailouts for Illegal Aliens Act This bill withholds funding authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) from any state or municipality that provides relief payments through a program targeted exclusively to individuals who are believed to be unlawfully present in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2020
Safeguarding Educational Institutions, Colleges, Universities, and Research Entities from China's Attempts to Misappropriate Property of the United States Act of 2020 or the SECURE CAMPUS Act of 2020 This bill prohibits certain Chinese citizens from receiving visas to participate in graduate or post-graduate studies in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) and contains other related provisions. This prohibition applies to F (academic student) and J (exchange visitor) visas and does not apply to citizens or permanent residents of Taiwan or Hong Kong. (China considers Taiwan a Chinese province. Hong Kong is a special administrative region within China, and most of its permanent inhabitants are Chinese citizens.) The Department of State may waive this prohibition on a case-by-case basis for national security purposes or if the applicant is a member of a religious or ethnic group that is systematically oppressed by the Chinese Communist Party. A recipient of a federal STEM research grant must certify that the recipient (1) is not a Chinese citizen or a participant in a Chinese government foreign researcher recruitment program (a program that compensates individuals to conduct STEM-related research and development), and (2) will not knowingly use grant funds to employ such an individual. Entities that receive certain federal research or education assistance shall not knowingly employ any individual participating in a Chinese government foreign researcher recruitment program. An individual who recruits or performs research for such a program must register as an agent of a foreign principal.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2020
Right to Test Act This bill authorizes a state's public health department, or another entity designated by the state's governor, to approve a diagnostic test or diagnostic device (e.g., a test for the virus that causes COVID-19, or coronavirus disease 2019) for use during a public health emergency. Unless requested by the governor of the state, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may not, during the emergency, engage in certain enforcement actions related to such a test or device. Not later than 180 days following the end of the public health emergency, the FDA must review and make a final determination concerning approval of the test or device.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2020
Veterans Prescription Flexibility Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay for prescriptions written by an eligible health care provider during a public health emergency (as declared by the Department of Health and Human Services) for up to a 90-day supply of drugs. Under the bill, Veterans Community Care Program providers or providers who are eligible to enter into Veterans Care Agreements are considered eligible health care providers.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2020
This resolution designates the Hong Kong national security law proposed by China as a violation of China's international obligations. The resolution calls on the United States to use all diplomatic means available to dissuade China from passing the law and rally free nations to stand with the people of Hong Kong.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2020
Telling Everyone the Location of data Leaving the U.S. Act or the TELL Act This bill requires online sellers or distributors of mobile applications that maintain and store information in China to conspicuously disclose to users that such information is stored in China and whether the information is accessible by the Chinese Communist Party or a Chinese state-owned entity.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2020
COVID-19 Dependent Care Flexible Spending Arrangement Rollover Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to issue regulations or other guidance that permit the unused balance as of the end of plan year 2020 of any dependent care flexible spending arrangement to be rolled over to plan year 2021.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2020
This bill directs the United States to withhold all contributions to the United Nations (U.N.) until (1) China's U.N. membership is terminated, and (2) Taiwan is granted full membership. (China considers Taiwan a part of China, and, as a result, the U.N. does not consider Taiwan a member state.) The President shall direct the U.S. representative to the U.N. to encourage other member states to take similar action.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2020
Hong Kong Freedom Act This bill authorizes the President to recognize Hong Kong as a separate and independent country from China. (Hong Kong is part of China but has a largely separate legal and economic system.)
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2020
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 considers Taiwan a part of China, and, as a result, the WHO does not consider Taiwan a member state.) 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 · 15 May 2020
No TikTok on Government Devices Act This bill prohibits federal employees from using the social media video application TikTok on government-issued devices. Specifically, the bill prohibits employees and officers of the United States, Members of Congress, congressional employees, and officers and employees of government corporations from downloading or using TikTok, or any successor application from the developer, on any device issued by the federal government or a government corporation, with the exception of specified activities (e.g., cybersecurity research).
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2020
Deal with the Debt Today Act This bill generally requires disaster and emergency spending to be paid for over a 10-year period with spending reductions.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Getting Americans Back to Work Act This bill prohibits an individual from receiving unemployment benefits, including pandemic unemployment compensation, during any week in an amount that exceeds that individual's average weekly wages prior to receiving such benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Accelerate Long-term Investment Growth Now Act or the ALIGN Act This bill makes permanent the expensing of certain new business equipment. Expensing allows the deduction of the full amount of an expense item in the same taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Expanding Medical Partnerships with Israel to Lessen Dependence on China Act or the EMPIL-DOC Act This bill authorizes a bilateral grant program with Israel to develop health technologies, with an emphasis on the use of technology, personalized medicine, and data in relation to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Technologies to be developed through this program include, among others, artificial intelligence, respiratory assist devices, and diagnostic tests. In addition, the program conditions funding on a matching contribution from the government of Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2020
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives in opposition to the actions of state and local officials in response to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak. The resolution (1) condemns the decisions of state and local leaders who issued orders imposing economic restrictions based on views of which businesses and activities are essential and which are not, (2) calls on Attorney General William Barr to review all restricting orders issued by such leaders and to act against those that infringe on Americans' constitutional or statutory protections, and (3) calls upon states to restore liberty and responsibility.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2020
Protecting Life in Crisis Act This bill specifies that federal funds allocated for COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) response efforts may not, in general, be used for abortions. Current law (specifically, language that has historically been included in certain appropriations bills, commonly referred to as the Hyde Amendment) generally prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions. The bill also restricts the use of federal tax credits or other federal funding for health insurance coverage if the coverage includes abortions.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2020
Time to Repeal an Archaic Policy Act of 2020 or the TRAP Act of 2020 This bill repeals criminal provisions commonly known as the Logan Act. The provisions generally prohibit an unauthorized U.S. citizen from negotiating with a foreign government regarding a dispute or controversy with the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2020
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 · 1 May 2020
Coronavirus Regulatory Repeal Act of 2020 This bill repeals or modifies any agency rule that is temporarily waived or modified during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency, subject to a review process. The bill specifies procedures for Congress and the heads of agencies to analyze, review, and recommend whether the waiver or modification of a rule should continue and such waiver or modification expires only if a law is enacted in accordance with a recommendation that the rule be reinstated when the emergency period ends.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2020
Working Under Humanity's Actual Needs Rescissions Act or the WUHAN Rescissions Act This bill rescinds specified funds that were provided to several federal agencies by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2020
Patriot Bonus Tax Credit Act of 2020 This bill allows employers a employment tax credit for qualified bonuses paid to their employees after March 12, 2020, and before January 1, 2021. The credit is equal to 50% of such bonuses paid in a calendar quarter taking into account not more than $25,000 for any employee for all calendar quarters. The bill defines qualified bonus as wages paid to an employee that include overtime or hazardous pay, supplemental payments made for the convenience of the employer, payments to retain staff at essential facilities, or other payments made to employees due to extraordinary businesses and economic conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2020
Enforcing Accountability and Transparency in International Trade Act This bill requires the U.S. Trade Representative to report on its plans to pursue a U.S. strategy regarding the World Trade Organization (WTO). Such plans must (1) facilitate the full implementation of WTO agreements, (2) enable the maximum benefits from trade to accrue to those members of the WTO that face the greatest difficulty integrating into the multilateral trading system, and (3) ensure that certain members of the WTO do not receive special and differential treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2020
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should make no voluntary contributions to the World Health Organization (WHO) until Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus resigns and an international commission is established to investigate the WHO's response to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2020
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 · 3 April 2020
Helping Emergency Responders Overcome Emergency Situations Act of 2020 or the HEROES Act of 2020 This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, wages and other income up to $50,000 of qualified first responders for the period beginning on February 15, 2020, and ending on June 15, 2020. A qualified first responder is any individual (1) who is a physician, nurse, pharmacist, law enforcement officer, corrections officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, or paramedic who provides services in a county with at least one confirmed case of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019); or (2) who provides services in a licensed medical or care facility located in such county. The Department of the Treasury may extend the exclusion for an additional three-month period beyond June 15, 2020, if Treasury determines that the COVID-19 emergency is likely to be ongoing during the extended period.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2020
Pausing All New Detention and Ending Movement of Inmates for Coronavirus Act of 2020 or the PANDEMIC Act of 2020 This bill limits the transfer of prisoners between facilities during the public health emergency declared on January 31, 2020, relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). The Bureau of Prisons may take actions as necessary to expand capacity in any correctional facility.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2020
Responsible Relief for Americans Act This bill revises and establishes economic assistance measures in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill provides funding for and authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to guarantee paycheck protection loans made to small businesses. Recipients of such loans are eligible for forgiveness of amounts expended for specified costs such as payroll. Small businesses may request an advance of up $10,000 on an SBA disaster loan for which they have applied in response to COVID-19. Further the bill requires the SBA to temporarily pay the principal, interest, and any associated fees that are owed on certain SBA loans; repeals provisions that require an employer to provide paid sick leave for employees who are unable to work due to COVID-19; repeals provisions authorizing the use of certain funds to provide educational assistance and training for U.S. workers; provides additional time for federal contractors to carry out their responsibilities and guarantees payment continuation for federal contractors who are delayed or interrupted because of COVID-19; increases and expands the tax deduction for certain trade or business income; authorizes borrowers with federally backed mortgages who are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 to request forbearance; revises provisions relating to health savings accounts (HSAs), including to allow increased participation in HSAs and to increase the limit on contributions to HSAs; expands reporting requirements for pharmaceutical manufacturers; and extends the deadline for filing 2019 individual income tax returns from April 15, 2019, to November 15, 2019.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Increasing Hospital Capacity to Fight the Coronavirus Act of 2020 This bill allows unapproved capital expenses that are made by health care facilities during the public health emergency declared on January 31, 2020, relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) to be included in federal payment determinations under Medicare and Medicaid.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2020
Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act This bill imposes various restrictions related to China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region, including by prohibiting certain imports from Xinjiang and imposing sanctions on those responsible for human rights violations there. Goods manufactured or produced in Xinjiang shall not be entitled to entry into the United States unless Customs and Border Protection (1) determines that the goods were not manufactured by convict labor, forced labor, or indentured labor under penal sanctions; and (2) reports such a determination to Congress and to the public. The President shall periodically report to Congress a list of foreign entities and individuals knowingly facilitating (1) the forced labor of Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and members of other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang; and (2) efforts to contravene U.S. laws regarding the importation of forced labor goods from Xinjiang. The President shall impose property-blocking sanctions on the listed individuals and entities and impose visa-blocking sanctions on the listed individuals. Securities issuers required to file annual or quarterly reports with the Securities Exchange Commission shall disclose in such reports certain information related to Xinjiang, including instances where the issuer knowingly (1) engaged in activities with an entity helping to create mass surveillance systems in Xinjiang, (2) engaged in activities with an entity running or building detention facilities for Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang, or (3) acquired a significant amount of textiles produced in Xinjiang. After being notified of such a disclosure, the President shall determine whether to investigate if sanctions or criminal charges are warranted.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
Protecting America From Foreign Investors Compromised by the Chinese Communist Party Act of 2020 This bill requires the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to consider whether and how the connection of a foreign person to the telecommunications infrastructure of a foreign country or government may affect U.S. national security. In addition, the President must report on U.S. coordination with trade and investment partners to develop alternatives to telecommunications infrastructure that is supported by China.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020
Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act This bill prohibits a state from receiving certain federal law enforcement grants if it takes certain immigration-related actions. Specifically, a state is barred from receiving such grants if it (1) issues a driver license to an individual who does not have proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the United States, or (2) prohibits a local or state government entity or official from sharing immigration enforcement information with the Department of Homeland Security.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2020
This resolution encourages the United Kingdom to exclude high-risk telecommunications vendors, specifically Huawei, from involvement in the development of its 5G infrastructure. The resolution cautions that telecommunications networks that incorporate products developed by Chinese companies face technological and geopolitical risks. The resolution also urges the United States and its allies to develop a concerted strategy to counter Chinese companies' legal obligation to carry out potentially malign activities on behalf of the Chinese government.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2020
This resolution condemns Iran's state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the international covenants on human rights. Further, it calls on Iran to immediately release all imprisoned or detained Baha'is, and it urges the President and the Department of State to impose sanctions on Iranian officials and others who are responsible for serious human rights abuses, including abuses against Iran's Baha'i community.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2020
Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of the Interior or the Department of Commerce to publish online, subject to privacy or administrative limitations, the best scientific and commercial data available that are the bases for the determination of whether a species is an endangered species or a threatened species, including each proposed regulation for the listing of a species.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2020
Leveraging Information on Foreign Traffickers Act or the LIFT Act This bill requires the Department of State to ensure that the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security receive timely and regular information regarding visa denials based on grounds related to human trafficking. The bill also extends (1) to June 30 the deadline for submission of the annual Trafficking in Persons Report, and (2) through FY2025 the survivor-led Advisory Council on Human Trafficking.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2020
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) to furnish stellate ganglion block to certain veterans 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 who (1) is enrolled in the VA health care system, (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.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2020
Israel Anti-Boycott Act This bill prohibits participation by certain entities and individuals in boycotts or requests for boycotts imposed by international governmental organizations (i.e., the United Nations and the European Union). Specifically, the bill applies to covered persons the prohibition of specified actions in compliance with or in support of a boycott against a country that is friendly to the United States and that is not itself the object of a U.S. boycott. The bill defines a covered person as a domestic concern, the U.S. government or a state government, or a representative or official of such domestic concern or government. The bill also adds to the list of specified prohibited actions the act of furnishing information to any foreign country or international governmental organization that furthers an imposed boycott. Under current law, a person who violates the prohibitions against such boycotts may be subject to a monetary fine or imprisonment; however, the bill removes imprisonment as a potential penalty for certain violations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2020
No Social Security for Illegal Aliens Act of 2020 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.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2020
This resolution states that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is unable to perform an essential part of her administrative duties and is consequently incapacitated. Furthermore, such incapacity creates a vacancy in the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 23 December 2019
Taiwan Envoy Act This bill requires the President to appoint the Director of the American Institute in Taiwan with the advice and consent of the Senate. The director shall have the rank and status of Ambassador at Large. (The United States officially recognizes the government in Beijing as the sole legal government in China and acknowledges that government's position that Taiwan is a part of China. As such, the United States has an unofficial relationship with Taiwan. The American Institute in Taiwan represents U.S. interests in Taiwan and provides consular services.)
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2019
This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from admitting into the United States an alien as a nonimmigrant under certain visa categories, if the alien is a national of a country that is noncompliant as to repatriating its nationals who have been ordered removed from the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2019
Buses United for Safety, Regulatory Reform, and Enhanced Growth for the 21st Century Act or the BUSREGS21 Act This bill addresses provisions related to passenger motor carriers, including school buses. Among other matters, the bill prescribes requirements for, and limitations on, the use of Department of Transportation (DOT) motor coach carrier safety fitness determinations; exempts commercial motor coach drivers, motor coach carriers, and private school bus carriers from certain proposed regulations and requirements, including requirements related to obstructive sleep apnea, and the installation of speed limiting devices; requires DOT to establish a committee to modernize Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations applicable to the operations of passenger motor carriers; requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study assessing the effects of FMCSA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regulations affecting certain small fleet motor carriers that were finalized in the preceding ten years; directs DOT to carry out a pilot program to compare the effectiveness of prescheduled inspections with random destination inspections on passenger motor carriers; prohibits DOT from promulgating any new regulatory mandates for motor coaches or school buses that are not based solely on sound data and science that will directly reduce crashes; and creates an incentive program for public transit agencies that contract with the private sector for fixed route bus transportation services.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2019
Lower Insulin Costs Now Act This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to continue to review applications for certain biological products under an earlier review process, notwithstanding recent FDA guidance. (A 2009 law established a new procedure for approving biological products but allowed certain products in an already approved product class to receive approval under the earlier procedure until March 23, 2020; subsequently, in December 2018, the FDA issued guidance stating that an application filed under the earlier procedure that is not approved by March, 23, 2020, will not be approved.) The bill requires the FDA to continue reviewing an application filed not later than March 23, 2019, under the earlier procedure, even if it was not approved as of March 23, 2020. Such an application not approved after October 1, 2022, shall be deemed withdrawn. Such an approved application shall be deemed a biological product license.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2019
This bill directs the Federal Reserve Board to increase (1) the number of transfers and withdrawals permitted for savings deposit accounts, and (2) the withdrawal threshold for transaction accounts.
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.