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Official portrait of Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN]

Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN]

United States · Official source

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1,651 records where Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

Bill· HRH.R. 8614 (116th)referred

Home Educators are Teachers Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2020

Home Educators are Teachers Act of 2020 This bill expands the tax deduction for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers to include home school teachers and home schooling expenses.

Bill· HRH.R. 8527 (116th)referred

Fair Care Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2020

Fair Care Act of 2020 This bill addresses the health care system, including Medicare, Medicaid, the private health insurance market, and the prescription drug approval process. The bill also revises tax provisions related to certain health care costs and establishes requirements for lawsuits involving health care provided, at least in part, through a federal program or with federal funds.

Bill· HRH.R. 8497 (116th)referred

Preventing SBA Assistance from Going to China Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2020

Preventing SBA Assistance from Going to China Act This bill prohibits the Small Business Administration from providing aid, counsel, or assistance to a small business concern that (1) is headquartered in China, or (2) has more than 25% of voting stock owned by citizens of China.

Bill· HRH.R. 8498 (116th)referred

Informed Consent Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2020

Informed Consent Act This bill establishes a new criminal offense for knowingly performing an abortion or sterilization procedure without obtaining informed consent, unless the procedure is necessary to save an individual's life or otherwise prevent substantial impairment of a major bodily function. An individual who performs these procedures absent informed consent is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to 10 years, or both.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 1156 (116th)referred

Condemning attacks on Judge Amy Coney Barrett.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2020

This resolution condemns any disparagement or attack on Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett based on her religious faith or her adoption of two children from Haiti and expresses support for the Senate's advice and consent process.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 1152 (116th)referred

Expressing support for the designation of September 25, 2020, as "Disabled American Veterans Day" to honor the 100th anniversary of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) for its service to the Nation's service-disabled veterans, their families, and survivors.

United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2020

This resolution supports the designation of Disabled American Veterans Day and acknowledges that Disabled American Veterans chapters demonstrate their unending commitment to ill and injured veterans of all generations and conflicts.

Bill· HRH.R. 8368 (116th)referred

Rural Broadband Expansion Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2020

Rural Broadband Expansion Act of 2020 This bill authorizes a recipient of amounts from the Coronavirus Relief Fund to use such amounts to expand or improve infrastructure in rural areas for the provision of broadband internet access service. The Department of the Treasury makes payments from the Coronavirus Relief Fund to states, tribal governments, and local governments for costs related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).

Bill· HRH.R. 8364 (116th)referred

VA Fiscal Responsibility Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2020

VA Fiscal Responsibility Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to automate the collection of outstanding, overdue, and incomplete payments of third-party health insurance claims, regardless of the amount owed under any single claim. The VA must seek to enter a contract using competitive procedures and select a contractor that has proven expertise in the private sector through the use of automated small-balance recovery and appeal processes.

Bill· HRH.R. 8353 (116th)referred

Women’s Public Health and Safety Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2020

Women's Public Health and Safety Act This bill allows a state to exclude from participation in the state's Medicaid program a provider that performs an abortion, unless (1) the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or (2) the woman suffers from a physical issue that would place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed. (Under current law, a state plan for medical assistance must provide that any individual eligible for medical assistance may obtain required services from any provider qualified to perform them.)

Bill· HRH.R. 8286 (116th)referred

Countering Chinese Propaganda Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020

Countering Chinese Propaganda Act This bill directs the President to impose asset- and visa-blocking sanctions on foreign individuals and entities engaged in certain acts of malign disinformation. Specifically, the President shall impose sanctions on an individual or entity that knowingly commits a significant act of malign disinformation on behalf of a foreign government or political party to influence certain activities in the United States for the purpose of harming (1) U.S. national security, or (2) the safety and security of a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. The Department of State shall report to Congress a determination of whether the Chinese Communist Party's United Front Work Department, which engages in disinformation campaigns and other activities, or any of its officials, falls within the sanctions provided under this bill.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 1119 (116th)referred

Expressing support for the recognition of Constitution Week.

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020

This resolution (1) expresses support for the recognition of Constitution Week; and (2) encourages schools and universities to include, in a grade appropriate manner, lessons explaining the history and importance of the Constitution.

Bill· HRH.R. 8275 (116th)referred

Reducing Veteran Homelessness Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2020

Reducing Veteran Homelessness Act of 2020 This bill modifies certain Department of Veterans Affairs programs and services for homeless veterans, including by increasing the per diem rate for grant recipients that provide services to homeless veterans.

Bill· HRH.R. 8254 (116th)referred

BETTER Kidney Care Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2020

Bringing Enhanced Treatments and Therapies to ESRD Recipients Kidney Care Act or the BETTER Kidney Care Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a demonstration program for Medicare beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Under the program, renal dialysis facilities, kidney disease specialists, physician practices, and other health care practitioners may form an organization that partners with certain health care entities to provide integrated care to beneficiaries with ESRD. Such care must include all covered Medicare benefits as well as transition services for transplantations, palliative care, and hospice. Each organization must have a minimum number or percentage of participating beneficiaries (350 or 60% of beneficiaries served at the organization's facilities) and must also comply with certain fiscal, governance, and quality of care requirements. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must study certain data that is reported to the CMS regarding pediatric dialysis care, as well as the effects of race-based corrections to a specified kidney function test on referrals of ESRD patients for transplant evaluations.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 1110 (116th)referred

Supporting the announcements of the establishment of full diplomatic relations between the State of Israel and the United Arab Emirates and the State of Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2020

This resolution supports the announcements of (1) the establishment of full diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and between Israel and Bahrain, and (2) the suspension of Israeli actions to apply sovereignty in parts of the West Bank. Further, it calls on each of these countries to encourage greater people-to-people normalization, and it calls on other Arab and Muslim countries to establish full relations with Israel. It also reaffirms the House of Representatives' support for a negotiated, two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Bill· HRH.R. 8212 (116th)referred

ECHO Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2020

VA Expanded Care Hours Act or the ECHO Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a study on the attitudes of veterans and Veterans Health Administration staff toward the VA offering appointments outside the usual operating hours of VA facilities, including via telehealth appointments. The VA must also study the feasibility and advisability of offering appointments outside the usual operating hours.

Bill· HRH.R. 8172 (116th)referred

VA Research Technology Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2020

VA Research Technology Act This bill addresses clinical research procedures within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, the bill requires the VA to complete policy revisions within the internal directive titled Requirements for the Protection of Human Subjects in Research to allow sponsored clinical research of the VA to use accredited commercial institutional review boards to review VA research proposal protocols. The VA must identify accredited commercial institutional review boards for use in connection with sponsored clinical research of the VA and establish a process to modify existing approvals if a board loses its accreditation during an ongoing clinical trial. The bill also requires the VA to establish an Office of Research Reviews within the VA's Office of Information and Technology. The office shall (1) perform centralized security reviews and complete security processes for approved research sponsored outside the VA, (2) develop and maintain a list of commercially available software preferred for use in sponsored clinical trials of the VA, (3) ensure such software list is maintained as part of the official approved software products list, and (4) develop benchmarks for time lines for security reviews.

Bill· HRH.R. 8148 (116th)open

VA DATA Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 September 2020

VA Data Analytics and Technology Assistance Act or the VA DATA Act This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to contract with academic institutions or other qualified entities to carry out any statistical analyses and data evaluation as required of the VA by law.

Bill· HRH.R. 8117 (116th)referred

Support Peaceful Protest Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 August 2020

Support Peaceful Protest Act This bill requires an individual who is convicted of a federal offense related to the individual's conduct (e.g., rioting) during the course of a protest to pay the cost of federal policing activity during the protest. In addition, such an individual is ineligible for pandemic unemployment assistance.

Bill· HRH.R. 8098 (116th)referred

Hospital Competition Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 25 August 2020

Hospital Competition Act of 2020 This bill provides grants to states to improve hospital infrastructure, addresses anticompetitive mergers and practices by hospital systems, modifies the requirements for publishing the prices of the most common services used in hospitals, provides the Federal Trade Commission with additional oversight authority, and requires the development of a database to inform patients about the cost, quality, and value of their care.

Bill· HRH.R. 8110 (116th)referred

Campus Free Speech Restoration Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 August 2020

Campus Free Speech Restoration Act This bill generally prohibits public institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student-aid programs from restricting noncommercial expressive activities (e.g., peacefully assembling, distributing literature, or carrying signs) on campus. It also requires private IHEs that receive federal funds to provide students with their policies related to expressive rights.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 1093 (116th)referred

Establishing a "Bill of Rights" to support United States law enforcement personnel nationwide in their work to protect our communities.

United States · United States Congress · 22 August 2020

This resolution recognizes all law enforcement agencies and officers for their tireless work to protect us and make our communities safer. The resolution condemns calls to defund, disband, dismantle, or abolish the police. Finally, the resolution encourages dialogue between law enforcement and their respective communities to improve public safety and engage all of society's stakeholders.

Bill· HRH.R. 8033 (116th)referred

Access to Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 August 2020

Access to Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that each of its medical centers has at least one full-time suicide prevention coordinator. The VA must also ensure that its medical centers report to the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention regarding hiring plans to reach the recommended number of suicide prevention coordinators based on the current staffing model. Additionally, the VA must consider and implement findings from the assessment of the Government Accountability Office of the responsibilities, workload, and vacancy rates for suicide prevention coordinators. The VA must conduct a study to determine the feasibility and advisability of the realignment and reorganization of suicide prevention coordinators within the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and the creation of a suicide prevention coordinator program office.

Bill· HRH.R. 8031 (116th)referred

David Dorn Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 14 August 2020

David Dorn Act of 2020 This bill increases criminal penalties for rioting and related acts, such as inciting or organizing a riot. Specifically, this bill increases the maximum term of imprisonment for such offenses from 5 to 10 years. Additionally, if a fine is imposed for an offense, the bill sets a minimum fine amount of $1,000.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 1083 (116th)referred

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal Government immediately restore justice, order, and domestic tranquility to protect Federal property, Federal law enforcement and other personnel, and the constitutional rights of United States citizens in Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Washington, and cities across the country.

United States · United States Congress · 14 August 2020

This resolution recognizes that federal law enforcement, federal property, and citizens' rights must be protected. The resolution strongly condemns the violence, destruction, crimes, and terrorism throughout our nation and urges justice, order, and domestic tranquility to be restored immediately. Finally, the resolution urges the Department of Justice to prosecute all individuals engaged in these activities to the fullest extent of the law.

Bill· HRH.R. 8005 (116th)open

Veterans Access to Online Treatment Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020

Veterans Access to Online Treatment Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a two-year pilot program to treat eligible veterans suffering from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, or substance use disorder who are already receiving evidence-based therapy from the VA. Under the program, the VA is authorized to use computerized cognitive behavioral therapy to treat eligible veterans. Eligible veterans are those who are enrolled in the VA health care system.

Bill· HRH.R. 7952 (116th)referred

Veteran Benefits Enhancement and Expansion Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 7 August 2020

Veteran Benefits Enhancement and Expansion Act of 2020 This bill modifies provisions related to Department of Veterans Affairs programs and benefits for veterans, including those related to education benefits, burial benefits, the home loan program, service-connected disability matters, pension matters, and representation and financial exploitation matters.

Bill· HRH.R. 7951 (116th)referred

Qualified Immunity Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 7 August 2020

Qualified Immunity Act of 2020 This bill codifies the defense of qualified immunity for law enforcement officers in any case under provisions regarding civil actions for deprivation of rights under color of law. Specifically, a law enforcement officer subject to such an action in his or her individual capacity shall not be found liable if the officer establishes that the right, privilege, or immunity secured by the Constitution or federal law was not clearly established at the time of the deprivation, or that at this time, the state of the law was not sufficiently clear that every reasonable law enforcement officer would have understood that the conduct alleged constituted a violation of the Constitution or federal law; or a court of competent jurisdiction had issued a final decision on the merits holding, without reversal, vacatur, or preemption, that the specific conduct alleged to be unlawful was consistent with the Constitution and federal laws. A law enforcement agency or unit of local government that employed a law enforcement officer subject to such an action shall not be liable if the officer is found not liable and to have been acting within the scope of his or her employment.

Bill· HRH.R. 7879 (116th)referred

VA Telehealth Expansion Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020

VA Telehealth Expansion Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to award grants to entities for the expansion of telehealth capabilities and provision of telehealth services to veterans through the VA and the Veterans Community Care Program. The VA must give preference to entities that represent veterans in rural or highly rural areas or entities that operate in a medically underserved community. An entity seeking to establish a telehealth access point for veterans without grant funding is authorized to enter into an agreement with the VA to establish such access point. The VA must assess and report on the barriers veterans face in accessing telehealth services.

Bill· HRH.R. 7875 (116th)referred

Equal Opportunity First Amendment Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020

Equal Opportunity First Amendment Act This bill requires states and local governments to enforce orders limiting public gatherings under emergency declarations equally. Specifically, the bill (1) prohibits states and units of local government that issue orders that limit gatherings to a certain number of people pursuant to a national emergency or similar state emergency declaration from discriminating in the enforcement of such order, in the case of persons who are exercising a right protected under the First Amendment; and (2) authorizes a private right of action in U.S. district court by a person who is harmed by a violation of this provision.

Bill· HRH.R. 7818 (116th)referred

Civil Justice for Victims of COVID Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020

Civil Justice for Victims of China-Originated Viral Infections Diseases Act or the Civil Justice for Victims of COVID Act This bill allows a foreign government to be sued in U.S. district court regarding that government's actions related to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak. A foreign government shall not have sovereign immunity against a lawsuit in the United States seeking money damages for physical or economic injury occurring in the United States following any reckless action or omission of that foreign government (or any official or agent of that government) that caused or substantially contributed to the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States. If the United States is in discussions with a foreign state seeking to resolve claims related to COVID-19 against that foreign state, a court may stay a pending case brought under this bill against that foreign state.

Bill· HRH.R. 7808 (116th)referred

Stop the Censorship Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020

Stop the Censorship Act of 2020 This bill modifies a social media company's immunity from liability for screening and blocking offensive content on its platform. Under current law, the immunity applies for action taken to restrict content that is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, excessively violent, harassing, or otherwise objectionable. The bill eliminates immunity for restricting content that is otherwise objectionable and applies such immunity when a company restricts content that is unlawful or that promotes violence or terrorism. Under current law, such immunity also applies to actions taken to enable or make available the technical means to restrict access to such content. The bill applies this immunity to actions taken that provide users with the option to restrict access to any material, regardless of whether such material is constitutionally protected.

Bill· HRH.R. 7802 (116th)referred

To require the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and any affiliates to return amounts received under the paycheck protection program, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020

This bill requires the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and any affiliates thereof to return any amounts received under the Paycheck Protection Program established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).

Bill· HRH.R. 7777 (116th)referred

Paycheck Protection Small Business Forgiveness Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2020

Paycheck Protection Small Business Forgiveness Act This bill modifies loan forgiveness under the Paycheck Protection Program established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill provides for automatic forgiveness of a paycheck protection loan that is not more than $150,000 if the recipient submits a one-page form. Such form must allow a recipient to submit specified demographc and expenditure information, and certain individuals (e.g., the President, the Vice President, or the head of an executive department) are not eligible for such forgiveness. Further, the bill prohibits any enforcement or other action against a lender relating to loan origination, forgiveness, or guarantee based on the lender's reliance on certifications or documentation submitted by a loan applicant or recipient.

Bill· HRH.R. 7759 (116th)referred

Saving Rural Hospitals from Closure Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020

Saving Rural Hospitals from Closure Act This bill modifies requirements for the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). The program provides Medicare payments in advance to eligible providers experiencing claims or cash flow disruptions, such as during national emergencies; the program was specifically expanded in response to COVID-19 to encompass more types of providers, subject to certain recoupment and repayment provisions. The bill allows the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to forgive repayment, extend the recoupment timeline, and lower applicable interest rates for hospitals experiencing significant financial hardship (e.g., impending bankruptcy).

Bill· HRH.R. 7642 (116th)referred

Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2020

Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to provide grants and other forms of emergency assistance to certain providers of transportation services that have experienced a significant revenue loss as a direct or indirect result of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Treasury must ensure equal access to the assistance for small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses. As a condition of receipt of assistance, Treasury must require that a provider of transportation services agree to (1) use the funds, on a priority basis, to maintain through December 31, 2020, pay, paid administrative leave, and benefits to all employees after making any adjustments required for retirement or voluntary employee separation; and (2) recall or rehire any employee laid off, furloughed, or terminated because of reduced service as a result of COVID-19, to the extent warranted by increased service levels.

Bill· HRH.R. 7595 (116th)referred

Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2020

Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act This bill authorizes the Drug-Free Communities Support Program, subject to certain limitations, to waive matching funds requirements applicable to certain grants for reducing substance use among youth. Before waiving these requirements, the program must determine that a grantee is unable to raise funds because of the COVID-19 (i.e. coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. Currently, the Office of National Drug Control Policy administers this program, and community coalitions that receive the grants must match a specified percentage of the federal award amount with nonfederal funds, including in-kind contributions.

Bill· HRH.R. 7445 (116th)referred

To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand eligibility for home loans from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to certain members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces.

United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2020

This bill expands eligibility to certain veterans for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) housing loan benefits, including the VA loan guaranty program. Specifically, the bill expands who is eligible for VA housing loan benefits by revising the definition of veteran to include an individual who performed service on active duty or full-time National Guard duty for a period of not less than 90 cumulative days (that includes 30 consecutive days).

Bill· HRH.R. 7439 (116th)referred

Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2020

Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act This bill requires the Department of the Treasury and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to create an online Retirement Savings Lost and Found (RSLF) to assist individuals in locating certain employer-sponsored retirement accounts. The RSLF must provide plan participants or beneficiaries only with the ability to view contact information for the administrator of a plan that is sufficient to locate the plan. The bill sets forth additional reporting and notification requirements for retirement plans. Treasury and the SSA must take precautions to (1) safeguard the privacy and security of participants' plan information, and (2) permit plan participants to opt out of inclusion in the RSLF. The bill also revises provisions that permit mandatory distributions of the balances of small retirement accounts using a rollover into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). The bill modifies the investment options available for the distributions and increases the maximum account balance that may be subject to such a distribution. A plan must transfer unclaimed mandatory distributions that are $1,000 or less to the RSLF or to an IRA established by Treasury. The RSLF must invest funds received in Treasury securities and distribute the balance upon receiving an application from a plan participant or beneficiary.

Bill· HRH.R. 7381 (116th)referred

To amend title 18, United States Code, to include a penalty for the destruction of a memorial of a constitutional leader, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2020

This bill expands the applicability of an existing criminal statute that protects veterans' monuments. Currently, it is a crime to willfully injure or destroy a monument that commemorates a person who served in the Armed Forces. This bill expands the prohibition to also make it a crime to willfully injure or destroy a monument that commemorates a person who signed the Declaration of Independence, or a President.

Bill· HRH.R. 7358 (116th)referred

Mount Rushmore Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2020

Mount Rushmore Protection Act This bill prohibits the use of any federal funds to alter, change, destroy, or remove any name, face, or other feature on the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota.

Bill· HRH.R. 7278 (116th)referred

JUSTICE Act

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.

Bill· HRH.R. 7211 (116th)referred

LIFE NOW Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2020

Limiting Infant Fatality and Empowering Nonprofit Organization Workforces or the LIFE NOW Act This bill modifies the Paycheck Protection Program, established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill expands the program to encompass any nonprofit organization regardless of size, and it strikes the affiliation requirements applicable to nonprofit organizations and veterans organizations. The bill also makes any entity that provides abortions ineligible to receive a paycheck protection loan. An exception is allowed for abortions performed at hospitals or if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest or endangers the life of the mother.

Bill· HRH.R. 7178 (116th)referred

CHIPS for America Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020

Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act or the CHIPS for America Act This bill establishes investments and incentives to support U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, research and development, and supply chain security. Specifically, the bill provides an income tax credit for semiconductor equipment or manufacturing facility investment through 2026. The bill also establishes a trust fund to be allocated upon reaching an agreement with foreign government partners to promote (1) consistency in policies related to microelectronics, (2) transparency in microelectronic supply chains, and (3) alignment in policies towards nonmarket economies. The Department of Commerce shall, through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), carry out a program of research and development investment to accelerate the design, development, and manufacturability of next generation microelectronics, including through the creation of a Manufacturing USA institute for semiconductor manufacturing. Commerce shall also establish a program to match state and local government incentives offered to private entities for the purposes of building fabrication facilities relating to semiconductor manufacturing. Further, Commerce shall assess the capabilities of the U.S. industrial base to support the national defense in light of the global nature of supply chains and interdependencies between the industrial bases of the U.S. and foreign countries with respect to the manufacture and design of semiconductors. The Department of Defense shall prioritize the use of specified available amounts for programs, projects, and activities in connection with semiconductor and related technologies. The President shall establish within NIST a subcommittee on matters relating to U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology and innovation, which shall develop a national strategy on semiconductor research.

Bill· HRH.R. 7152 (116th)referred

Reopen Our Schools Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020

Reopen Our Schools Act This bill generally prohibits a school or educational agency from receiving certain federal funds unless it provides a certification to the Department of Education (ED) related to resuming in-person instruction. Specifically, the bill prohibits an elementary or secondary school, institution of higher education, or local or state educational agency from receiving federal funds for the 2020-2021 school year unless the school or educational agency certifies to ED that it (1) will begin providing in-person instruction by September 8, 2020; and (2) has a detailed plan to protect the health of students and staff. However, ED may waive this requirement. Further, neither a school or educational agency that provides such a certification nor its employees may be held liable for in-person instruction that results in an alleged exposure to the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19 or another coronavirus with pandemic potential).

Law· HRH.R. 7105 (116th)enacted

Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020

Homeless Veterans Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 This bill addresses the administration of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits for homeless veterans during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, the bill authorizes the VA to reallocate specified grant funds to provide homeless veterans and veterans participating in the Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program with transportation, assistance required for safety and survival, and communications equipment and services; collaborate with organizations to manage use of VA land for homeless veterans for living and sleeping; provide a maximum rate, in certain situations, for per diem payments that is three times the rate authorized for state homes for domiciliary care; provide amounts for additional transitional housing beds to facilitate access to housing and services provided to homeless veterans; and waive certain inspection and safety code requirements to allow grant recipients and therapeutic housing facilities to make adjustments (e.g., facilitating social distancing or isolation needs). Per diem payments may be used to provide assistance required for safety and survival (e.g., food) for homeless veterans and formerly homeless veterans residing in a facility operated by a grant recipient or entity that receives per diem payments for furnishing services to homeless veterans. Finally, the bill requires the VA to ensure that veterans participating in or receiving services under a program for homeless veterans have access to telehealth services. The VA must ensure telehealth capabilities are available to such veterans, VA case managers, and community-based service providers.

Bill· HRH.R. 7111 (116th)reported

Veterans Economic Recovery Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020

Veterans Economic Recovery Act of 2020 This bill addresses the employment and retraining of veterans, specifically during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. The bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a program under which the VA must provide up to 12 months of nontransferable retraining assistance to up to 35,000 eligible veterans for the pursuit of a specified program of education. Under the bill, an eligible veteran is an individual who, among other requirements, is unemployed due to COVID-19. Veterans who receive retraining assistance may only use such assistance to pursue specified programs, including those designed to provide training for high-demand occupations. The Government Accountability Office must report on the outcomes and effectiveness of the retraining assistance program. The bill provides access to the National Directory of New Hires to the VA and the Department of Labor for the purpose of tracking the employment of veterans. The bill makes updates to the VA's High Technology Pilot Program, including by expanding the class of providers of high technology education programs. The bill reauthorizes and expands the program for the provision of off-base transition training for veterans and their spouses, including by requiring a preference for participation by states with economies significantly impacted by COVID-19. Finally, the bill implements a five-year grant program requiring the VA to make grants to organizations for the provision of transition assistance to members of the Armed Forces who are separated, retired, or discharged from the Armed Forces, and spouses of such members.

Bill· HRH.R. 7112 (116th)referred

Military Spouse Career Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020

Military Spouse Career Education Act This bill (1) includes as qualified relicensing costs fees and continuing education courses, and (2) allows the reimbursement of a member of the uniformed services for the qualified relicensing costs of a spouse when such costs are imposed to maintain a license or certification to engage in the same profession that the spouse engaged in while in the state of the original duty station, and are imposed by the state of the new duty station to maintain a license or certification to engage in the same profession. The Department of Defense shall modify its My Career Advancement Account program to ensure that military spouses participating in the program may receive financial assistance for the maintenance (including continuing education courses) of a license, certification, or Associate's degree in any career field or occupation.

Bill· HRH.R. 7064 (116th)referred

Stop Funding the PLA Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2020

Stop Funding the PLA Act This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to establish a list of entities the securities of which a U.S. person shall be prohibited from purchasing or holding. Specifically, the Treasury must submit a report specifying each foreign industrial defense corporation with substantial contacts with, ties to, or support from any PLA entity (any entity of the Chinese military). The bill prohibits U.S. persons from purchasing a security of a foreign industrial defense corporation specified in the report, and it requires U.S. persons who own any such security to divest themselves of it.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 984 (116th)referred

Condemning Twitter's partisan censorship of President Donald J. Trump.

United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2020

This resolution condemns Twitter's censorship of President Donald Trump, disapproves of Twitter's content moderation, and demands that Twitter protect the First Amendment rights of all Americans.