United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2018
Criminal Alien Removal Clarification Act of 2018 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to subject to deportation an alien who at any time after admission has been convicted of a felony or two misdemeanors under state or federal law.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2018
Recognizes the significance of the 43rd anniversary of the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. Honors: the contributions of Vietnamese Americans to the United States, the service of members of the U.S. Armed Forces and of the South Vietnamese forces who fought in Vietnam, and the memory of the Vietnamese who lost their lives while attempting to flee Vietnam.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2018
PCAOB Transparency Act This bill amends the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to require congressional access upon request to specified information possessed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). The bill eliminates the PCAOB Investor Advisory Group. The bill also provides that fines collected for violations of the rules of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board shall generally be credited to the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2018
Environmental Compliance Cost Transparency Act of 2018 This bill requires the Bonneville Power Administration, the Western Area Power Administration, the Southwestern Power Administration, and the Southeastern Power Administration to include in monthly billing statements sent to each customer estimates of the customer's share of such administration's direct and indirect costs for compliance with any relevant federal environmental laws impacting the conservation of fish and wildlife. Each administration must report each year on: (1) estimates of its total direct and indirect compliance costs, and (2) sources of replacement power.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2018
Celebrates the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the state of Israel. Encourages equitable treatment of Israel in international fora and the diplomatic recognition of Israel from governments worldwide. Reiterates support for a negotiated Israeli-Palestinian settlement leading to a two-state solution.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2018
Stephen Michael Gleason Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Stephen Michael Gleason.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2018
This bill amends the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to eliminate the Office of Financial Research. The bill also provides for funding for the Financial Stability Oversight Council. (Under current law, the council is funded by the Office of Financial Research.)
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2018
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 10926 Quality Drive in Charlotte, North Carolina, as the "Julius L. Chambers Civil Rights Memorial Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2018
I mproving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to permit a Member of Congress to use a VA facility to meet with constituents during normal business hours.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018
Recognizes: (1) the contributions of the Montagnards who fought loyally and bravely with U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War and who continue to suffer persecution in Vietnam as a result of this relationship, and (2) that eligible Montagnards should be provided access to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for resettlement in the United States and in other countries. Condemns actions taken by the government of Vietnam to suppress the basic human rights and civil liberties of its citizens. Calls on Vietnam to allow human rights groups access to all regions of the country and to end restrictions of basic human rights, including the right for Montagnards to practice their Christian faith freely, the right to land and property, freedom of movement, the right to retain ethnic identity and culture, and access to an adequate standard of living. Urges the President and Congress to develop policies that: (1) support Montagnards and other marginalized ethnic minority and indigenous populations, and (2) reflect U.S. interests and commitment to upholding human rights and democracy abroad.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2018
Earmark Elimination Act of 2018 This bill establishes a point of order in the House of Representatives against considering legislation that contains a congressional earmark, limited tax benefit, or limited tariff benefit, as defined by the bill. If the point of order is successfully raised and sustained, the congressional earmark, limited tax benefit, or limited tariff benefit shall be deemed to be stricken from the legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018
Supports: (1) U.S.-Israel cooperation to counter Iran's destabilizing activities, (2) enhancing Israel's deterrence capabilities, (3) including Israel in the first tier of countries receiving strategic trade authorization, and (4) the U.S. declaration recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
Global Trade Accountability Act of 2018 This bill amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require congressional approval of unilateral trade actions. Such actions may take effect without congressional approval for one 90-day period if the President: determines that it is necessary because of a national emergency, because of an imminent threat to health or safety, for the enforcement of criminal laws, or for national security; and submits written notice of the determination to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2018 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to modify requirements for tax-favored retirement savings accounts, employer-provided retirement plans, and retirement benefits for federal judges. With respect to employer-provided plans, the bill modifies requirements regarding: multiple employer plans, automatic enrollment and nonelective contributions, loans, terminating or transferring plans, reporting and disclosure rules, nondiscrimination rules, selecting lifetime income providers, and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation premiums. The bill also increases the tax credit for small employer pension plan startup costs and allows a tax credit for small employers that establish retirement plans that include automatic enrollment. With respect to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), the bill: treats taxable non-tuition fellowship and stipend payments as compensation, repeals the maximum age for traditional IRA contributions, and permits any IRA to be a shareholder of any S corporation that is a bank. The bill makes several modifications to retirement benefits for magistrate judges of the U.S. Tax Court and other federal judges. The bill also modifies various tax provisions to: reinstate and increase the tax exclusion for benefits provided to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders, revise the required distribution rules for pension plans, increase penalties for failing to file tax or retirement plan returns, and require the Internal Revenue Service to share returns and return information with U.S. Customs Border Protection to administer the heavy vehicle use tax.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2018
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a study on the feasibility of expanding eligibility for enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans to individuals enrolled under a state Medicaid program or a group health plan. HHS must submit a report to Congress on the study and must include an analysis on whether the expansion would: (1) increase access to health care for those individuals, and (2) lead to lower health care costs for those individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2018
Preventing Rogue and Foreign Actors From Evading Sanctions Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to report on the use of new financial technologies (e.g., digital currencies) in terrorism and other illicit activities and develop a strategy to mitigate this use.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2018
Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2018 This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education to establish a program to provide children with parents on active duty in the uniformed services with funds for specified educational purposes. Children of active duty service members who reside in a local education agency that receives payments under the Impact Aid Program or who reside within the boundaries of a federal military installation are eligible to receive funds.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2018
Recognizes: (1) the contributions of American wines and distinctive American wine-growing regions; and (2) the value of promoting wines from the regions, including those protected by American Viticultural Area designations or other appellations of origin. Supports efforts to promote awareness of and appreciation for the regions.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2018
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1585 Yanceyville Street, Greensboro, North Carolina, as the "J. Howard Coble Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2018
USA Workforce Tax Credit Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits for charitable contributions to certain nonprofit organizations with the exclusive purpose of providing: (1) workforce development and apprenticeship training, or (2) scholarships for elementary and secondary education expenses of students from households with income that does not exceed 200% of the median gross income. The bill limits the credits to specified amounts for individuals and corporations. It also: (1) imposes a tax on workforce development, apprenticeship training, and scholarship granting organizations that fail to distribute a specified portion of their receipts; and (2) establishes a $2 billion annual volume cap for the tax credits allowed under this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2018
Offers the deep sympathy of the House of Representatives to the family members of the late Reverend Billy Graham. Honors his legacy of preaching the Gospels, fighting for civil rights, opposing communism, and providing spiritual guidance to millions of people around the world.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2018
Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 or the BUILD Act of 2018 This bill establishes the United States International Development Finance Corporation to facilitate the participation of private sector capital and skills in the economic development of countries with low- or lower-middle-income economies and countries transitioning from nonmarket to market economies in order to complement U.S. assistance and foreign policy objectives. The corporation may: (1) make loans or loan guarantees, (2) as a minority investor acquire equity or financial interests in entities, (3) provide insurance or reinsurance to private sector entities and qualifying sovereign entities, (4) provide technical assistance, (5) administer special projects, (6) establish enterprise funds, (7) issue obligations, and (8) charge service fees. The corporation shall terminate after seven years. The corporation shall not provide assistance to: (1) a country whose government has repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism, or (2) a private sector entity that is engaged in monopolistic practices. The bill prescribes transitional provisions, including transferring to the corporation the functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (which is subsequently terminated) and specified elements of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2018
This bill requires the Department of Education to award grants to local education agencies to secure elementary and secondary schools, including by completing a security assessment for each school and making improvements based on such assessment.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2018
Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Rewards Act This bill establishes in the Department of the Treasury the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Rewards Program. The program may provide rewards to individuals furnishing information leading to the restraining, seizure, forfeiture, or repatriation of stolen assets linked to foreign government corruption.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2018
This joint resolution extends the sympathies of Congress to the family of the Reverend William (Billy) F. Graham, Jr., and honors his life, his ministry, and his contributions to North Carolina, the United States, and the moral and religious life of millions of people.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2018
Essential Act of 2018 This bill requires federal agencies to report to the Office of Management and Budget regarding nonessential employees within 120 days of the end of a lapse in appropriations. The report must include the name, job description, and rate of basic pay of each employee who was furloughed as a result of the lapse in appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2018
Comprehensive Opioid Management and Bundled Addiction Treatment Act of 2018 or the COMBAT Act of 2018 This bill provides for coverage and payment of specified opioid-treatment program services under the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2018
Financial Technology Protection Act This bill provides for the investigation of new financial technologies (e.g., digital currencies) and their use in terrorism and other illicit activities. Specifically, the bill: establishes the Independent Financial Technology Task Force, which must report annually on such matters; establishes the FinTech Leadership in Innovation Program to support the development of tools and programs to detect such activities; and directs the Department of the Treasury to provide a reward for a person who provides information regarding terrorist use of digital currencies.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2018
State Insurance Regulation Preservation Act This bill amends the Home Owners' Loan Act to limit the applicability of reporting and filing requirements for insurance savings and loan holding companies (ISLHCs). Such holding companies shall also be exempt from requirements relating to examination and supervision by the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) if they meet certain state and federal capital requirements. Certain FRB regulations as applied to ISLHCs must be tailored to the insurance business and applicable state insurance requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2018
Securities Fraud Act of 2018 This bill amends various securities laws to: generally limit state regulation of securities fraud, and establish exclusive federal jurisdiction over civil actions alleging securities fraud.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2018
Hezbollah Kingpin Designation Act This bill directs the President to: (1) determine whether Hezbollah is a significant foreign narcotics trafficker, and (2) submit to Congress a determination whether to designate Hezbollah as a transnational criminal organization for purposes of the Office of Foreign Assets' list of specially designated nationals and blocked persons. Such designations subject an entity to economic and entry sanctions, including freezing of U.S.-based property and property interests. The Department of the Treasury shall report to Congress with an estimate of the total assets controlled by Hezbollah-linked leaders of political parties or movements in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2018
Creating Real and Useful Middle-Class Benefits and Savings (CRUMBS) Act of 2018 This bill excludes up to $2,500 of bonus income received by an employee in 2018 from being considered taxable earnings for the purpose of determining an employee's federal tax liability. The bill defines a "bonus" as wages paid in addition to the compensation ordinarily given, required, optioned, or obligated under an employment contract.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2018
Working Families Relief Act of 2018 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the temporary (for tax years 2018 through 2025) refundable portion of the child tax credit, with respect to any qualifying child, to the greater of: (1) $1,400, or (2) the excess of the taxpayer's Social Security taxes for the year over the credit allowed under the earned income tax credit. (Under current law, the maximum is $1,400, adjusted for inflation after 2018).
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2018
Stopping Lawless Actions of Politicians Act of 2018 or the SLAP Act of 2018 This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime for a state or local official to knowingly release from custody an individual who is an alien subject to a detainer. It imposes criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both—on a violator. A state or political subdivision that complies with a detainer is deemed to be an agent of the Department of Homeland Security and is authorized to take actions to comply with the detainer. The bill limits the liability of a state or political subdivision, or an officer or employee of such state or political subdivision, for actions in compliance with the detainer.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2018
Release the Memo Resolution Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence should immediately hold a recorded vote on making public a memo alleging improper conduct in the use of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice that was prepared by members of the committee, as well as ancillary information. Urges the quick release of the memo and information to the public if the committee votes to make such documents available.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 2018
Asylum Protection Act of 2018 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) replace the current deadline for an asylum application from 1 year to 30 days from the date an asylum seeker enters the United States, and (2) require an applicant who arrives at a designated port of entry to begin the asylum application at the time of arrival.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2018
Financial Technology Innovation and Defense Act This bill provides for the investigation of new financial technologies (e.g., digital currencies) and their use in terrorism and other illicit activities. Specifically, the bill: establishes the Independent Financial Technology Task Force, which must report annually on such matters; establishes the FinTech Leadership in Innovation Fund to support the development of tools and programs to detect such activity; and directs the Department of the Treasury to provide a reward for a person who provides information regarding terrorist use of digital currencies.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2017
Recovering America's Wildlife Act This bill amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to direct the Department of the Treasury to transfer, beginning in FY2018, revenues from energy and mineral development on federal lands totaling $1.3 billion to the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Subaccount of the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Fund, to be available without further appropriation. The bill revises the requirements governing how the funds from the subaccount may be used, including by requiring funds to be used to develop, revise, and implement state wildlife conservation strategies. The bill expands the allowable uses of the subaccount, including by allowing funds to be used for managing invasive and nuisance species and for law enforcement activities that are directly related to the conservation of species of the greatest conservation need. Funds apportioned from the subaccount may not be conditioned upon the provision of public access to private lands, waters, or holdings. The bill specifies what types of funds and donations states may use to meet matching fund requirements. The bill revises the formula used to determine how funds are distributed to states.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2017
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 125 North Main Street in Louisburg, North Carolina, as the "Warren E. Massenburg Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2017
Student Security Act of 2017 This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Department of Education and the Social Security Administration to jointly carry out a student loan forgiveness program that will forgive Federal Direct loans in exchange for delayed eligibility for old-age insurance benefits under the Social Security Act. In addition, the bill authorizes the transfer of amounts from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund into the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund if borrowing is necessary to pay full benefit payments from the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the exclusion from gross income of income attributable to the discharge of student loan indebtedness to include indebtedness discharged under the program.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2017
International Insurance Standards Act of 2017 This bill prohibits parties representing the federal government in an international insurance agreement from agreeing to any standard unless it is consistent with existing federal and state laws. The parties must coordinate with state insurance regulators. Congress has the power to review and disapprove by joint resolution any such agreement. The bill amends the Federal Insurance Office Act of 2010 to modify requirements for a covered international agreement entered into by the Department of the Treasury's Federal Insurance Office. Such an agreement must only apply on a prospective basis. Congress has the power to review and disapprove by joint resolution any covered agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2017
This joint resolution nullifies the rule finalized by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on November 17, 2017, regarding payday, vehicle title, and other high-cost installment loans.
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2017
Congressional Accountability and Hush Fund Elimination Act This bill amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA) to (1) prohibit the use of public funds for payments of awards and settlements resulting from violation of certain CAA rights and protections if the violation consists of sexual harassment or sexual assault, (2) prohibit an imposition of a nondisclosure agreement as a prerequisite for CAA procedures to consider the violation, and (3) permit an individual to publicize any information relating to such a prior award or settlement if it was conditioned on a nondisclosure agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2017
Opioid Abuse Deterrence, Research, and Recovery Act of 2017 This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to prohibit the Drug Enforcement Administration from registering, or renewing the registration of, a practitioner who is licensed to prescribe opioids in schedule II or III unless the practitioner agrees to limit an opioid prescription for the initial treatment of acute pain to the lesser of a seven-day supply (no refill) or an opioid prescription limit established under state law. Certain opioid prescriptions are not subject to the limit (e.g., an opioid that is approved and prescribed for the treatment of an opioid use disorder). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must continue to work with stakeholders to promote the development of abuse-deterrent opioid formulations. The bill requires: (1) the Government Accountability Office to study and report on health care policy changes that may have contributed to the increase in opioid overdoses and deaths, and (2) the FDA to study the feasibility of replacing opioid prescribing limits established by this bill with evidence-based clinical guidelines for opioid prescribing.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2017
Veterans Empowerment Act This bill restructures the delivery of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care through private non-VA providers. The Veterans Accountable Care Organization is established as a federally chartered corporation to permit veterans who are eligible for VA health care to choose to receive health care from private-sector providers. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospital care, medical services, and other health care functions and personnel (excluding nursing home care and domiciliary care) are transferred to the organization. The bill establishes in the VHA the Veterans Health Insurance program to provide veterans with insurance coverage for both VA and private health care.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2017
Constitutional Amendment This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment stating that: the liberty of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their children is a fundamental right; the parental right to direct education includes the right to choose, as an alternative to public education, private, religious, or home schools, and the right to make reasonable choices within public schools for one's child; neither the United States nor any state shall infringe upon these rights without demonstrating that its governmental interest as applied to the person is of the highest order and not otherwise served; the parental rights guaranteed by this amendment shall not be denied or abridged on account of disability; and this amendment shall not be construed to apply to a parental action or decision that would end life.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2017
Strengthening Oversight of Iran's Access to Finance Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury, not later than 30 days after authorizing a U. S. or foreign financial institution to export or re-export a commercial passenger aircraft to Iran (or, for an authorization made after January 16, 2016, but before the enactment of this bill, not later than 60 days after such enactment) and every 180 days thereafter for the duration of the authorization, to submit to Congress a report containing: a list of financial institutions that have, since January 16, 2016, conducted transactions authorized in connection with such export or re-export; and either a certification that such transaction does not pose a significant money laundering or terrorism financing risk to the U. S. financial system and will not benefit an Iranian person who for the one year preceding the certification has knowingly transported weapons of mass destruction or has knowingly provided transportation services or material support to terrorists, and that any such institution had appropriate policies, procedures, and processes in place to avoid engaging in sanctionable activities; or a statement that the Treasury is unable to make such a certification and will, within 60 days after such determination, issue a report on non-certification to Congress. The President may waive the requirements of this bill for up to one year at a time upon certifying to Congress that: the Government of Iran has made substantial progress toward combating money laundering and terrorism financing risk emanating from Iran or has significantly reduced its destabilizing activities in the region or material support for terrorist groups; or such waiver is important to U.S. national interests.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2017
Current Employee Representation Act This bill amends the National Labor Relations Act to allow an employee or group of employees to petition for a union certification election: (1) if fewer than 50% of the current bargaining unit were unit members in the last certification election, or (2) no certification election was conducted for such unit.