United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
Fair Warning Act of 2019 This bill bars an employer from ordering a site closing or mass layoff until 90 calendar days after the employer has served written notice of such an order to (1) each representative of the affected employees as of the time of the notice or each affected employee, (2) the Department of Labor and the governor of the state where the site closing or mass layoff is to occur, and (3) the state or entity designated by the state to carry out rapid response activities. No notice shall be required if the site closing or mass layoff is because of any natural disaster, such as a flood, earthquake, or a drought ravaging the farmlands of the United States. Labor shall maintain a guide of benefits and services that may be available to affected employees, including unemployment compensation, trade adjustment assistance, COBRA continuation coverage, and early access to training services and other services, including counseling services.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
Refugee Protection Act of 2019 This bill provides protections for aliens such as asylum seekers and contains other provisions. The bill's provisions include eliminating the general requirement that an asylum seeker apply for asylum within one year of arriving in the United States; prohibiting requiring an asylum seeker to provide corroborating evidence of persecution if such evidence is not reasonably obtainable; waiving certain grounds of inadmissibility or deportability for qualifying refugees seeking permanent resident status; requiring the Department of Justice to appoint counsel to a child or particularly vulnerable individual in certain immigration proceedings; increasing the annual cap on principal nonimmigrant U visas (victims of crimes) from 10,000 to 20,000; prohibiting the removal of an alien with certain pending immigration applications, such as a U visa application; imposing limits on when an alien may be removed from the United States in a proceeding without the alien present; establishing a presumption that the least restrictive conditions necessary should be imposed in custody proceedings for asylum seekers, including release if appropriate; establishing that the maximum number of refugees admitted each fiscal year shall be no less than 95,000; directing the Department of State to help other governments increase their capacity to care for and accept refugees; directing the State Department to establish refugee processing centers in other countries in North and Central America; and authorizing the Department of Homeland Security to provide special immigrant status to qualified aliens who assisted U.S. efforts in Syria and admit up to 5,000 such aliens each fiscal year for five years.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
This resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 12 Moon landing. The resolution also honors the bravery and skill of Charles "Pete" Conrad, Jr., Alan Bean, and Richard F. Gordon, the crew of Apollo 12; commends the efforts of all of the individuals of the United States who contributed to the achievement of the Moon landing; and supports continued U.S. leadership in the exploration and use of space through human spaceflight.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
This resolution expresses support for the recognition of Prematurity Awareness Month and for efforts to improve the care and treatment of infants born preterm.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2019
Continuity for Operators with Necessary Training Required for ATC Contract Towers Act of 2019 or the CONTRACT Act of 2019 This bill exempts certain air traffic controllers from a required reduction in their retirement annuity payment on account of earnings from certain work performed while entitled to such annuity. Under current law, retired Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers receive an annuity payment during the period between the mandatory retirement age of 56 and the social security minimum age of 62. Such annuity payment is required to be reduced by a certain percentage of any excess earnings during this period. The bill exempts from such reduction in annuity payments an air traffic controller who participates in the Air Traffic Control Contract Program (a public-private partnership for air traffic control services) following mandatory retirement.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2019
This resolution expresses support for (1) the goals and ideals of American Diabetes Month, including encouraging individuals to fight diabetes through public awareness about prevention and treatment options and enhancing education about the disease; and (2) decreasing the prevalence of type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes in the United States through increased research, treatment, and prevention.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2019
Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through 2027 the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program within the Department of the Treasury. The Government Accountability Office must report on insurance coverage of cyberterrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2019
This bill prohibits smoking on the premises of any Veterans Health Administration facility. The bill defines smoking as the use of cigarettes, cigars, and pipes (i.e., the heating or combustion of tobacco), as well as the use of any electronic nicotine delivery system.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2019
Protecting Patients Transportation to Care Act This bill provides statutory authority for the requirement that state Medicaid programs cover nonemergency transportation to medically necessary items and services. The bill also requires programs, as a condition of federal payment for such services, to have transportation coordination plans and utilization management guidelines.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2019
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill modifies and reauthorizes through FY2025 programs and activities under the Violence Against Women Act that seek to prevent and respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Among other things, the bill also authorizes new programs, makes changes to federal firearms laws, and establishes new protections to promote housing stability and economic security for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2019
This resolution encourages the President to expand the Department of Veterans Affairs list of presumptive medical conditions associated with exposure to Agent Orange to include Parkinsonism, bladder cancer, hypertension, and hypothyroidism.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2019
Put Patients First Act This bill prohibits the application of the rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services on May 21, 2019, that strengthens the enforcement of conscience and anti-discrimination laws related to the rights of covered health care providers to refuse to participate in certain procedures, such as abortions, sterilization, or assisted suicide.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2019
Veterans and Consumers Fair Credit Act This bill applies certain military consumer credit protections to all consumers. Specifically, the bill caps the interest rate on extensions of consumer credit at 36%.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2019
U.S. African-American Burial Grounds Network Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to establish the U.S. African-American Burial Grounds Network within the National Park Service (NPS). In carrying out the network, Interior, among other things, must review existing and new studies and reports to inform consideration of sites for the network; furnish specified technical assistance; develop a program to train states, units of local government, regional governmental bodies, organizations, educational institutions, and private entities to carry out the purposes of this bill; and produce and disseminate educational and training materials related to African-American burial ground identification methods and best practices for caring for artifacts,developing interpretive tours and exhibits, preserving burial ground landscapes, heritage tourism initiatives and sources for grants (e.g., handbooks, maps, interpretive guides, or electronic information). A burial ground shall only be considered for addition to the network with the property owner's consent and at the request of an individual, landowner, private or nonprofit organization, state or local government, or another entity.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2019
National Purple Heart Honor Mission Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the mission of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. The bill limits the issuance of such coins to the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2022. The bill prescribes surcharges for coin sales, which shall be paid to the National Purple Heart Honor Mission, Inc., to support the mission of such organization, including capital improvements to the National Purple Heart Honor Mission facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2019
Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act of 2019 This bill requires public housing agencies (PHAs) that administer housing choice voucher programs to, in coordination with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, extend tenant-based assistance for youth aging out of foster care under specified circumstances. Under current law, public housing assistance is available for up to 36 months for low-income youth who are 18 to 24 years old, left foster care at age 16 or older (or will soon leave foster care), and are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The bill requires PHAs to extend such housing assistance for up to 24 months (subject to available funds) for youth who are (1) employed; (2) enrolled in a workforce development program; (3) pursuing postsecondary education, high school diploma, or equivalent; or (4) participating in a family self-sufficiency program. Youth who are (1) parents (or have a dependent under age 6), (2) participating in an addiction recovery program, or (3) unable to comply due to a medical condition must receive extended housing assistance without meeting these requirements. Further, youth receiving extended housing assistance are eligible for available supportive services. PHAs also must coordinate with local child welfare agencies to receive referrals for the housing assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2019
Bipartisan American Miners Act of 2019 This bill transfers certain funds to provide pension and health benefits for retired coal miners who have been affected by issues such as coal company bankruptcies. The Department of the Treasury must transfer additional funds to the 1974 United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Pension Plan to pay pension benefits required under that plan if the annual limit on transfers under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 exceeds the amount required to be transferred for existing obligations of the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund. The bill also increases the annual limit on transfers from $490 million to $750 million. The bill also adds miners affected by 2018 and 2019 coal company bankruptcies to the group whose retiree health benefits are taken into account in determining the amount that Treasury must transfer under current law to the Multiemployer Health Benefit Plan. Additionally, the bill allows in-service distributions under a pension plan or governmental section 457(b) plan at age 59-1/2. The distributions are currently permitted at age 62 for pension plans and at age 70-1/2 for governmental section 457(b) plans.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2019
This resolution expresses appreciation for and acknowledges the contributions of whistle-blowers. It also recognizes the duty to protect the identities of whistle-blowers and safeguard them from retaliation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2019
Family Friendly Schools Act This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to provide grants to local educational agencies to establish family friendly school policies that align the school day with the work day to better support working families, and to establish a supplemental 21st century community learning centers grant program to support programs and activities during summer recess. Specifically, ED shall award five-year grants at 500 elementary schools that align the school day with the work day; report to Congress at the three-year mark and at the conclusion of the five-year grant period on best practices and recommendations for aligning school and work schedules, and for strengthening partnerships between schools and community resources; and carry out a supplemental grant program to establish or expand community learning center summer programs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2019
Family First Transition Act This bill provides additional funding for, and otherwise modifies, implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act, which provides state, tribal, and territorial child welfare agencies with certain spending flexibilities to support substance abuse services, mental health services, and other services that prevent children's entry into foster care. Specifically, the bill provides one-time funding to jurisdictions to reduce adverse fiscal impacts associated with transitioning funding sources in relation to the new spending flexibilities. The bill also provides additional funding for FY2020 and FY2021 for jurisdictions with certain waivers (currently set to expire at the end of FY2019) that allow them to provide services not authorized under the traditional foster care program. In addition, the bill temporarily delays a requirement that at least 50% of certain funds be spent on programs and services that meet the criteria for well-supported practices. For FY2020 and FY2021, this requirement shall not apply, and for FY2022 and FY2023, programs and services that meet the criteria for supported practices shall be considered well-supported practices.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2019
Medicare Mental Health Access Act This bill expands the definition of "physician," for purposes of the Medicare program, to include a clinical psychologist with respect to the furnishing of qualified psychologist services.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2019
This resolution urges the United States to work with the international community to address the causes and effects of climate change and remain a party to the Paris Agreement and the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2019
This resolution (1) designates October 2019 as National Farm to School Month; (2) recognizes support for policy improvements to farm to school programs in legislation reauthorizing child nutrition programs; (3) encourages schools and local educational agencies to use local farm products in meals; and (4) encourages schools, farmers and farm groups, local businesses, nonprofit institutions, churches, cities, state governments, and other local groups to raise awareness of farm to school efforts in their communities.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2019
This resolution extends heartfelt sympathy to the family of author Toni Morrison on the occasion of her death. The resolution recognizes Toni Morrison as (1) one of the most formidable scholars, educators, and authors of the United States; and (2) a writer of the stature of other great literary figures of the United States, such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mark Twain, and William Faulkner. Finally, the resolution honors the life of Toni Morrison and her achievements in the humanities and literature.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2019
Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act of 2019 This bill modifies eligibility for, and other components of, Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This needs-based program, administered by the Social Security Administration, provides cash benefits to the aged, blind, and disabled. Among other changes, the bill increases income and resource limits used to determine SSI eligibility. Current law excludes from income limits the first $240 of income from sources other than earnings and the first $780 of earned income. The bill increases these amounts to $1,476 and $4,788, respectively. Current law also allows SSI recipients to have $2,000 in resources if they are single or $3,000 in resources if they are married. The bill increases those amounts to $10,000 and $20,000, respectively. The bill also excludes from income and resource determinations (1) support furnished in kind, and (2) state tax refunds derived from specified state tax credits. In addition, the bill equalizes treatment of married couples when both spouses receive SSI. Under current law, such a married couple receives a lower benefit amount and is subject to lower income and resource limits than would apply to two unmarried individuals. The bill instead sets benefit amounts and limits for these married couples at a rate that is twice that of unmarried SSI recipients. Additionally, the bill eliminates the penalty for transfers of certain resources. Under current law, SSI recipients who transfer resources for less than fair market value may lose SSI eligibility for up to 36 months. The bill repeals this loss of eligibility. The bill also indexes annual benefit increases to a price index that reflects the spending patterns of elderly consumers.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2019
This resolution declares that (1) the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Kay Hagan, former Member of the Senate; and (2) when the Senate adjourns on October 30, 2019, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the Honorable Kay Hagan.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2019
Global Child Thrive Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes for FY2020-FY2025 programs to provide assistance to orphans and other vulnerable children in developing countries. The bill also requires the U.S. Agency for International Development to direct relevant executive branch agencies to incorporate early childhood development into current programs and promote inclusive early childhood development in partner countries. Such actions to promote early childhood development shall build on existing U.S. plans and strategies and aim to (1) prevent unnecessary family-child separation, (2) assist families with children with disabilities, and (3) help countries transition from child care protection systems that rely on residential care (such as orphanages and children's homes) to ones focused on family-based care.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2019
Educational Notification and Disclosure of Actions risking Loss of Life by Hazing Act or the END ALL Hazing Act This bill requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student-aid programs to collect information and publicly report on hazing-related misconduct. Specifically, IHEs must prepare biannual reports and post such reports on their websites. The reports must include information on hazing-related misconduct committed by a student organization, including the name of the student organization that committed the violation, a description of the violation, and sanctions placed on the organization. IHEs must report to campus police and law enforcement authorities within 72 hours of becoming aware of any allegation of hazing that involved serious bodily injury or a significant risk of serious bodily injury. The bill does not apply to foreign IHEs.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2019
This resolution recognizes the 75th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising and commends the bravery and patriotism of those who fought as part of the Polish Home Army against German Nazi occupation.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2019
Airline Accountability Act This bill limits the participation of air carriers with labor law violations in the City Pair Program, which provides discounted air passenger transportation services to federal government travelers for work. Specifically, the General Services Administration (GSA) must require an air carrier, as a condition of eligibility for the program, to disclose to the Department of Labor annually labor violations by the carrier or the carrier's subcontractors. Labor must submit to the GSA a list of air carriers that shall be ineligible for participation based on serious, repeated, willful, or pervasive violations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2019
Working Students Act This bill increases the income protection allowance levels used to calculate a working student's expected family contribution and need for financial assistance. An income protection allowance is an amount for basic living expenses that is protected from being considered income available for postsecondary educational expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2019
This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month and encourages people to hold events and activities to raise awareness about prevention, treatment, and other patient services for those suffering from the disease. (Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder than can lead to pain, anemia, infections, and stroke.)
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2019
This resolution condemns the attack in Dayton, Ohio, on August 4, 2019. It honors the memory of the victims who were killed. It expresses hope for the recovery of the individuals who were injured.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2019
Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2019 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish at least one prescription drug plan that is operated by Medicare. Among other things, the plan must (1) serve the entire United States; and (2) be the default plan for enrollees under the Medicare prescription drug benefit, unless the enrollee chooses another plan. Additionally, the CMS must negotiate prices for prescription drugs that are covered under the plan and, if appropriate, encourage the use of more affordable therapeutic equivalents. (Currently, the CMS is prohibited from negotiating the prices of covered drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit.) The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality must assess the clinical benefits of drugs and make recommendations to the CMS regarding price negotiations, based on specified information (e.g., comparable international prices).
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2019
Heathy Start Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill modifies and reauthorizes through FY2024 the Healthy Start program, which provides grants that support interventions to improve women’s health before, during, and after pregnancy. Further, the bill requires the Health Resources and Services Administration to consider communities with high rates of infant mortality when awarding grants and requires the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the program’s health outcomes.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2019
Students Not Profits Act of 2019 This bill makes certain institutions of higher education (IHEs) ineligible to receive federal financial student assistance. Specifically, the bill makes for-profit institutions of higher education ineligible to receive such assistance. The bill also makes ineligible any institution that has (1) filed for bankruptcy; (2) been convicted of, or pled nolo contendere or guilty to, a crime involving federal student aid; (3) committed fraud, substantial misrepresentation, or false certification involving federal student aid; or (4) executive officers who were previously employed at an institution receiving federal student aid that closed. Additionally, the bill establishes certain criteria that an IHE must meet to be eligible for conversion from a for-profit IHE to a nonprofit IHE. Before approving such conversion, the Department of Education must publish the application in the Federal Register for notice and comment.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2019
Judicial Travel Accountability Act This bill requires a judicial officer to annually disclose (1) the source, description, and value of certain gifts; (2) a detailed description of meetings and events attended, including the names of other known attendees; and (3) total expenses for transportation, lodging, and meals.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2019
Equity in Pretrial Medicaid Coverage Act This bill allows an otherwise eligible individual who is in custody pending disposition of charges (i.e., pretrial detainees) to receive Medicaid benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2019
End Double Taxation of Successful Civil Claims Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the deduction from gross income (above-the-line deduction) for attorney fees and court costs to include such fees and costs paid in connection with any legal action involving a civil claim (currently, limited to actions involving unlawful discrimination, the False Claims Act, and Medicare payments).
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2019
Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act of 2019 This bill increases the rehabilitation tax credit and modifies certain requirements for the credit. The bill increases the rate of the credit to 30% for small projects (rehabilitation expenditures not exceeding $3.75 million) and caps the credit for such projects at $750,000 for all taxable years. The bill also expands the types of buildings eligible for rehabilitation by decreasing the rehabilitation threshold from 100% to 50% of project expenses. It also eliminates the basis adjustment requirement for the credit and modifies rules relating to the eligibility of tax-exempt use property for the credit.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
Continuation of Useful Resources to States Act or COURTS Act This bill extends funding through FY2023 for (1) the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program, and (2) a formula-based grant program to improve foster-care and adoption proceedings in state courts. In addition, the bill makes changes to the latter program, including by requiring grantees to expend a portion of funds on data collection and data sharing activities and by reserving funding for a competitive grant program for tribal courts.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
STEM Opportunities Act of 2019 This bill provides for guidance, data collection, and grants for groups historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education at institutions of higher education (IHEs) and at federal science agencies. Specifically, the bill requires the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to provide specified guidance related to such groups to federal science agencies and IHEs. Each federal science agency must collect comprehensive demographic data on recipients of merit-reviewed research and development grants given to IHEs and federal laboratories supported by that agency. Each agency must also implement recommendations from the OSTP report titled Reducing the Impact of Bias in the STEM Workforce . In addition, each agency must carry out a pilot program and implement evidence-based policies and practices to minimize the effect of implicit bias in the grant review process. The National Science Foundation (NSF) must carry out and publish a survey to collect data on the demographics of STEM faculty, by broad fields of STEM, at different types of IHEs. The NSF must also carry out a variety of grant programs, including grants for increasing (1) the recruitment, retention, and advancement of individuals from underrepresented minority groups in STEM careers; (2) the recruitment and retention of minority students who are underrepresented in STEM fields; and (3) student participation in computer science and computational thinking education programs at tribal colleges and universities.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
This joint resolution nullifies a rule issued by the Department of Education (ED) on September 23, 2019. The rule revised the process for a student loan borrower to obtain a discharge from a student loan if an institution of higher education misrepresented a material fact. Among other requirements, the 2019 rule requires each borrower to apply to ED for a defense to repayment. However, under the previous 2016 rule, an application could be submitted on behalf of an entire group (e.g., veterans).
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
Women and Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2019 This bill requires the National Science Foundation to award competitive grants to enable eligible entities to carry out the activities specified below in order to increase the participation of women and underrepresented minorities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). An eligible entity that receives a grant shall use grant funds to carry out one or more of the following activities designed to increase the participation of women or minorities underrepresented in science and engineering, or both: online workshops, mentoring programs that partner STEM professionals with students, internships for undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields, outreach programs providing elementary and secondary school students with opportunities to increase their exposure to STEM fields, and programs to increase the recruitment and retention of underrepresented faculty.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
Big Cat Public Safety Act This bill revises requirements governing the trade of big cats (i.e., species of lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, or cougar or any hybrid of such species). Specifically, it revises restrictions on the possession and exhibition of big cats, including to restrict direct contact between the public and big cats.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
Expanding Health Care Options for Early Retirees Act This bill establishes a Medicare buy-in option for certain qualifying first responders. Specifically, the bill allows first responders aged 50 to 64 to enroll in Medicare if they are retired or otherwise separated from service due to a disability. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must determine enrollment periods and set premiums for the buy-in option established under the bill, in accordance with specified requirements. The CMS must also award grants to states and nonprofit organizations for outreach and enrollment activities relating to the buy-in option.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
No Tax Subsidies for E-Cigarette and Tobacco Ads Act This bill denies a tax deduction for expenses relating to direct-to-consumer advertising of tobacco products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
This resolution recognizes (1) the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 15, 2019; and (2) the integral role of Latinos and their manifold heritage in the economy, culture, and identity of the United States.
![Official portrait of Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000944_200.jpg)