United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020
Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2020 This bill indefinitely extends Medicare coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant recipients for individuals who do not have other coverage. Under current law, Medicare coverage is limited to 36 months following a transplant. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must report on the bill's implementation, including any related program integrity issues.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020
This resolution commemorates the 150th anniversary of the historic seating of Hiram Rhodes Revels, Senator of Mississippi, as the first African American Senator.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020
This resolution congratulates the people of Greece as they celebrate the 199th anniversary of their country's independence. The resolution recognizes Greece's commitment to democratic principles and the important role that Greece has played both regionally and internationally.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020
This resolution recognizes Black History Month as an opportunity to reflect on U.S. history and to commemorate the contributions of African Americans. It calls for the United States to (1) honor the contribution of pioneers who helped to ensure its legacy; and (2) move forward as a nation "indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2020
Restoring Military Priorities Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to restore certain funds that were transferred from various DOD accounts to be used for the construction of a wall along the southern border of the United States. The bill also reduces the amount of funding that DOD is permitted to transfer between certain appropriations accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2020
This bill directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to convey to the Friends of Joseph Barker, Jr., House organization, by quitclaim deed and without monetary consideration, all interest of the United States in the Judge Joseph Barker, Jr., House and a specified road tract in Washington County, Ohio, situated along the Ohio River. The Corps must also provide the organization with a specified easement. The Corps shall make improvements and alterations to the house to facilitate conveyance of the property, including carrying out the conveyance of the house and road tract, subject to the condition that the total cost of those improvements and alterations shall be not more than $90,000. Before providing a conveyance or easement under this bill, the Corps must investigate and report to the organization on the environmental condition of the property, including any potential hazardous, toxic, and radioactive waste. On completion and review, the organization may elect to refuse any conveyance or easement of any of the property. The Corps may reserve and retain from any conveyance under this bill a right-of-way or any other right necessary for the operation and maintenance of the authorized federal channel along the Ohio River.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2020
This resolution recognizes the 75th anniversary of the amphibious landing on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima that began on February 19, 1945, and ended on March 26, 1945, and encourages the people of the United States to honor the veterans of the Battle of Iwo Jima with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020
Blocking New Corporate Tax Giveaways Act This bill modifies the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) regime to provide that high-taxed amounts are excluded from tested income for purposes of determining GILTI only if such amounts are initially treated as foreign base company income or insurance income.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2020
Allowing Steady Savings by Eliminating Tests Act or the ASSET Act This bill prohibits the use of asset tests or resource limits in certain means-tested public assistance programs and increases the resource limits to qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is a federal income supplement program designed to help aged, blind, and disabled individuals with limited income and resources meet basic needs. Under the bill, states may not use asset or resource limits to determine eligibility for (1) programs funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grants, (2) the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or (3) the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. In addition, an individual may have up to $10,000 in certain resources (or up to $20,000 for a couple) and qualify for SSI. Under current law, the limit is $2,000 for an individual (or $3,000 for a couple).
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2020
Nationwide Right To Unionize Act This bill provides authorization for labor agreements to require membership in a labor organization as a condition of employment regardless of state law (thus preempting state laws that prohibit such agreements).
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2020
Schedules That Work Act This bill provides employees with the right to request changes to their work schedules related to the number of hours they are required to work or be on call, the location of the work, the amount of notification about work schedule assignments, and fluctuations in work hours. Employers must negotiate in good faith with employees who make such requests and comply with certain work schedule notice and split shift pay requirements for retail, food service, cleaning, hospitality, or warehouse employees.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2020
Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act of 2020 or the FAIR Act This bill increases by 3.5% in FY2021 the rates of basic pay for federal employees under the statutory pay systems (i.e., the General Schedule, the Foreign Service Schedule, and various schedules related to the Veterans Health Administration) and for prevailing rate employees.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2020
This resolution expresses support for observing National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month during the period of January 1-February 1, 2020.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2020
This resolution recognizes (1) January 2020 as National Mentoring Month, and (2) the staff and volunteers at quality mentoring programs who help young people reach their full potential.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2020
This resolution commemorates the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz extermination camp and honors victims of the Holocaust. The resolution also calls on the United States to continue to work to end genocide and recommits to combatting all forms of anti-Semitism.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2020
Accessible Voting Act of 2020 This bill increases voting accessibility for individuals with disabilities and older individuals, including by establishing an office of accessibility within the Election Assistance Commission, requiring states to expand access to absentee registration procedures and no-excuse mail-in absentee voting in federal elections, and permanently reauthorizing and expanding a grant program for increasing accessibility to polling places.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2020
This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that Canada should not allow a permanent nuclear waste repository to be built within the Great Lakes Basin and that the President and the Department of State should work with Canada to (1) prevent the construction of such a repository, and (2) craft a solution for the long-term storage of nuclear waste that is safe, responsible, and does not threaten the Great Lakes.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2020
Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2020 This bill establishes new requirements to expand the availability of information on domestic terrorism, as well as the relationship between domestic terrorism and hate crimes. It authorizes domestic terrorism components within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to monitor, analyze, investigate, and prosecute domestic terrorism. The domestic terrorism components of DHS, DOJ, and the FBI must jointly report on domestic terrorism, including white-supremacist-related incidents or attempted incidents. DHS, DOJ, and the FBI must review the anti-terrorism training and resource programs of their agencies that are provided to federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. It creates an interagency task force to analyze and combat white supremacist and neo-Nazi infiltration of the uniformed services and federal law enforcement agencies. Finally, it directs the FBI to assign a special agent or hate crimes liaison to each field office to investigate hate crimes incidents with a nexus to domestic terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2020
This joint resolution directs the President to terminate the use of U.S. Armed Forces for hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a congressional declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force against Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2020
Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 This bill revises requirements related to the safety, sale, and advertisement of tobacco products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes, e-hookah, e-cigars, and vape pens). Among other requirements, the bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement regulations to require color graphics on the labeling of cigarette packages, depicting the negative health consequences of smoking; requires the FDA to apply regulations on tobacco products to all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes; prohibits the retail online sale of tobacco products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems; prohibits flavors other than tobacco in a tobacco product; prohibits the use of flavored products in an electronic nicotine delivery system, except in specified circumstances; increases the user fees that the FDA collects from manufacturers and importers; directs the FDA to regulate products containing synthetic nicotine (not made or derived from tobacco); establishes a demonstration grant program to develop strategies for smoking cessation in medically underserved communities; increases civil penalties for certain violations of restrictions on the sale of tobacco products; and requires the Government Accountability Office to study e-cigarettes.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2020
Black Lung Benefits Disability Trust Fund Solvency Act of 2020 This bill extends until December 31, 2030, the excise tax on coal from U.S. mines. This tax is a source of funding for the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2020
Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act of 2019 or the CROWN Act of 2019 This bill prohibits discrimination based on a person's hair texture or hairstyle if that style or texture is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. Specifically, the bill prohibits this type of discrimination against those participating in federally assisted programs, housing programs, public accommodations, and employment. Persons shall not be deprived of equal rights under the law and shall not be subjected to prohibited practices based on their hair texture or style. The bill provides for enforcement procedures under the applicable laws.
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2020
Medical Innovation Act of 2020 This bill requires certain drug manufacturers to make payments to fund research supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). A drug manufacturer with over $1 billion in net income in a fiscal year that has entered into a relevant settlement agreement regarding specified violations must pay 0.75%-1.5% of its net income to the Department of Health and Human Services for each of its covered blockbuster drugs. A covered blockbuster drug is a drug that has at least $1 billion in net sales in a year and was developed, in whole or in part, through federal investments in medical research. Payments are divided between the FDA and the NIH in proportion to the discretionary funding of those agencies, excluding FDA user fees. Payments are not disbursed if appropriations for the FDA or the NIH are lower than in the prior fiscal year. Priorities for payments must include advancing regulatory science for medical products and research related to diseases that disproportionately account for federal health care spending. A covered blockbuster drug for which a manufacturer has not made a required payment is considered misbranded and subject to prohibitions on introducing or receiving misbranded drugs in interstate commerce.
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2020
Diversifying by Investing in Educators and Students to Improve Outcomes For Youth Act or the Diversify Act This bill raises the maximum amount for grants made under the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program. The TEACH program awards grants to college students who plan to teach in low-income areas. The bill also exempts the TEACH program from sequestration, which is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2020
This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a congressional declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019
This bill nullifies any collective bargaining agreement between federal employees and agencies that is effective on or after April 30, 2019, if the agreement was not mutually and voluntarily agreed to by all parties or ordered after the completion of binding arbitration. A prior agreement continues to apply until a new agreement that meets the bill's requirements takes effect.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019
This resolution designates January 2020 as National One Health Awareness Month and recognizes the importance of the One Health approach to protecting the health of people, animals, plants, and the environment. One Health is a collaborative, transdisciplinary approach with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2019
This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that (1) it is the civic duty of the people of the United States to help ensure that the 2020 Census is as accurate as possible; (2) the federal government, state and local governments, civil society, businesses, religious institutions, libraries, and other national and local organizations should work together as partners to inform the public that the 2020 Census is safe, easy, and important; (3) individuals who want to help administer the 2020 Census should apply for a job at 2020census.gov/jobs; and (4) U.S. residents should plan to respond to the 2020 Census to ensure that all people living in a household in the United States are included.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2019
Federal Employee Parental Leave Technical Correction Act This bill expands certain paid parental leave benefits to include specified public sector employees, including employees of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Security Administration, the Executive Office of the President and the White House, and the District of Columbia Courts and Public Defender Service.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2019
Measuring Real Income Growth Act of 2019 This bill requires the Bureau of Economic Analysis to include estimates pertaining to various income groups in its gross domestic product analyses. Such analyses shall include estimates pertaining to each of the 10 deciles of income as discreet groups and the highest 1% of income as a group.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2019
Family Medical Leave Modernization Act This bill amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to expand the number of individuals who are permitted to take leave under that Act. The bill grants leave to private sector and federal employees to care for a domestic partner and any individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with such employees is the equivalent of a family relationship if (1) such individual has a serious health condition, or (2) there is a qualifying exigency due to such employees' active duty in the Armed Forces. The bill entitles an employee who is a domestic partner, next of kin of a member of the Armed Forces, or any individual related by blood or affinity to a service member whose close association is the equivalent of a family relationship to take leave to care for the service member. The bill entitles private sector and federal employees to take additional leave to participate in or attend their children's and grandchildren's school or community organization activities, meet routine family medical care needs, or care for their elderly relatives.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2019
Safe Gun Storage Act of 2019 This bill requires safety standards for firearm locks and safes. Under such standards, firearm locks must be reasonably designed to (1) prevent the firearm from discharging while the lock is activated, and (2) prevent unauthorized access to the firearm. Further, firearm safes must be reasonably designed to (1) secure firearms, and (2) prevent unauthorized access to the safe through physical manipulation or damage.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2019
This bill adds to the Appraisal Subcommittee of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Rural Housing Service within the Department of Agriculture.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2019
Laboratory Access for Beneficiaries Act or the LAB Act This bill revises the periods during which laboratories must report clinical diagnostic test information to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for purposes of determining Medicare payment rates. Additionally, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission must evaluate the methodology used to determine a specified laboratory fee schedule.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2019
Eviction Crisis Act of 2019 This bill creates several grant programs to prevent at-risk tenants from being evicted and establishes consumer protections related to evictions. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Justice to establish a grant program for states and local jurisdictions to support landlord-tenant focused community courts that make social-service representatives available to assist tenants in becoming current on any debts owed to the landlord or in transitioning to a new, stable home environment; requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to award grants for states and local and tribal governments to establish crisis-assistance programs to prevent extremely low-income households from experiencing housing instability during periods of crisis; and requires HUD to establish a grant program for local governments and nonprofit organizations to collect data from landlords on illegal evictions. The Government Accountability Office must study evictions and report to Congress on the grants awarded under the bill, including best estimates of any amounts saved and any additional revenues generated. Additionally, HUD must establish and maintain a database of data regarding various forms of eviction. A tenant who is denied rental housing on the basis of information in a consumer report must be notified of such adverse action. Further, a copy of any consumer report generated in connection with an application for tenancy in rental housing must be given to the consumer. Eviction judgments and related suits where a judgment is rendered in favor of the tenant may not be included in any consumer reports.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2019
This concurrent resolution recognizes the importance of equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities and that many government facilities remain inaccessible to such individuals due to architectural and other barriers. The concurrent resolution also pledges to make universal and inclusive design a guiding principle for all infrastructure bills and projects.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2019
Child Abuse Death Disclosure Act This bill requires states receiving child welfare grants to report specified information about child deaths from maltreatment. Specifically, multidisciplinary teams from within the child welfare system in each state must make a finding concerning the causes of each child fatality during the annual review period; submit such findings to the Child Death Review Case Reporting System; develop recommendations to prevent future child deaths from maltreatment; submit annual reports with this information to the state’s governor and legislature; and if the number of child deaths in a state exceeds an established threshold, submit a report to the Children’s Bureau of the Administration for Children and Families. Further, the Children’s Bureau must promulgate rules establishing standardized definitions for states to use in such reporting.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2019
Pediatricians Accelerate Childhood Therapies Act of 2019 or the PACT Act of 2019 This bill provides statutory authority for the Trans-National Institutes of Health (NIH) Pediatric Research Consortium to coordinate pediatric research across national health research institutions. The consortium, chaired by the director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, must develop priorities for the NIH to award research grants to early career pediatric researchers, including physician-scientists and researchers from underrepresented populations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2019
Know Your Social Security Act This bill requires the Social Security Administration to provide Social Security account statements by mail to each individual who is 25 or older and who is eligible for, but not currently receiving, Social Security retirement benefits. Individuals may choose to receive their account statements electronically.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2019
This resolution recognizes December 3, 2019, as International Day of Persons with Disabilities and expresses support for U.S. efforts to promote the rights of individuals with disabilities both domestically and internationally.
United States · United States Congress · 2 December 2019
Data Care Act of 2019 This bill imposes various duties on online service providers with respect to their handling of individual-identifying data that can be reasonably linked to a specific user. Specifically, online service providers have a duty to (1) reasonably secure such data from unauthorized access, (2) refrain from using such data in a way that will result in reasonably foreseeable harm to the end user, and (3) not disclose such data to another party unless that party is also bound by the duties established in this bill. The bill authorizes the Federal Trade Commission and specified state officials to take enforcement actions with respect to breaches of such duties.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2019 This bill establishes a presumption, for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care benefits and wartime disability compensation, that a veteran was exposed to certain toxins, chemicals, and hazards from burn pits if such veteran served on active duty in a covered location during a specified time frame. A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air. Specifically, the bill identifies the following covered locations and corresponding time periods Iraq, between August 2, 1990, and February 28, 1991, as well as from March 19, 2003, until burn pits are no longer used in this location; Southwest Asia (including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates), from August 2, 1990, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations; Afghanistan and Djibouti from September 11, 2001, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations; and other locations and time periods set forth by the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry or determined by the VA. Under the bill, if an exposed veteran submits insufficient evidence to establish a service-connection for purposes of disability compensation, the VA shall provide a medical examination and request medical opinions regarding a causal link between the disability and a toxin, chemical, or hazard.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
National Heritage Areas Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes certain National Heritage Areas and increases the total amount that may be made available for certain National Heritage Corridors. The bill increases the total amount that may be appropriated for (1) the Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor (formerly the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor) in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and (2) the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor in New York. The bill reauthorizes through FY2022 (1) the National Aviation National Heritage Area in Ohio and Indiana, and (2) the Oil Region National Heritage Area in Pennsylvania.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act of 2019 or the PAWS Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a grant program for the purpose of pairing service dogs with eligible veterans. Organizations that receive grants shall provide veterinary health insurance coverage, hardware, and travel expenses for each service dog and veteran participating in the program. Eligible veterans are those who (1) are enrolled in the VA health care system, (2) have been evaluated and treated for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but remain diagnosed with PTSD, (3) may benefit from a service dog, and (4) agree to successfully complete training provided by an eligible organization. Veterans are required to see a VA health care provider at least once every 180 days to determine whether the veteran continues to benefit from a service dog. Eligible organizations are nonprofit organizations that provide service dogs to veterans with PTSD, meet publicly available standards set forth by the Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans, have expertise in the needs of veterans with PTSD, agree to cover all costs in excess of the grant amount to guarantee the benefits of the program, agree to reaccept or replace a service dog provided to a veteran, and submit an application to the VA. Any improvement in PTSD symptoms as a result of the provision of a service dog shall not affect the veteran's eligibility for any other VA benefits. The Government Accountability Office must report on the grant program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
K9s for Veterans Therapy Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement a pilot program to assess the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder through a method where veterans train service dogs for veterans with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
National Aviation Heritage Area Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill extends through FY2022 the authority of the Department of the Interior to provide assistance for the National Aviation Heritage Area located in Indiana and Ohio.
![Official portrait of Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000944_200.jpg)