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United States · Official source
4,167 records where Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2016
Acknowledges the lifetime of service of Antonin Scalia, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Commends his 29-year tenure on the Court and extends sympathy to his family and friends on his death.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2016
Drinking Water Safety and Infrastructure Act This bill provides additional assistance for a public health emergency related to a contaminated public drinking water supply system. Assistance may be provided through grants under the drinking water state revolving fund and loans under the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program. Upon the request of a state or local health official, the National Center for Environmental Health's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry must conduct voluntary surveillance activities to evaluate any adverse health effects on individuals exposed to lead from drinking water in affected communities. The bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act by requiring public water systems to notify their customers of lead concentration levels in drinking water that exceed lead limits. The Environmental Protection Agency must notify the public within 15 days of the lead levels exceeding those limits if the public water system or the state does not notify the public. The EPA may notify the public or the local or state health department of the result of lead monitoring conducted by a public water system. The Department of Health and Human Services must establish a lead exposure registry to collect data on the lead exposure of residents of a city on a voluntary basis. The Treasury must transfer funds to: (1) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funds for the childhood lead poisoning prevention program, (2) the Department of Housing and Urban Development for its Healthy Homes Initiative, and (3) the Health Resources and Services Administration for the Healthy Start Initiative. The bill prohibits further spending by the Department of Energy on or after October 1, 2020, for the subsidy costs of loans issued through the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Loan Program.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2016
Reducing Unused Medications Act of 2016 This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow a pharmacist to partially fill a prescription for a schedule II controlled substance (such as a prescription opioid painkiller) at the request of a prescribing practitioner or patient. A pharmacist must record the partial filling in the same manner as a full filling, update the record with each partially filled prescription, and notify the prescribing practitioner. The total quantity dispensed in partial fillings must not exceed the total quantity prescribed. The remaining portion of a partially filled prescription may be filled and must be exhausted prior to, or on the same date that such prescription, if fully filled, would have been exhausted.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2016
Support Our Brave Law Enforcement Act This bill authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to temporarily transfer funds between its accounts to restore equitable sharing payments to law enforcement agencies under the DOJ Asset Forfeiture Program. DOJ must report to Congress on such transfers.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2016
Preventing Overprescribing for Pain Act of 2016 This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue guidelines for the safe prescribing of opioids for the treatment of acute pain. (Opioids are drugs with effects similar to opium, such as certain pain medications.)
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 2016
Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Protection Act This bill prohibits the President from modifying, terminating, abandoning, or transferring the lease with the government of Cuba by which the United States acquired 45 square miles of land and waters that currently contain Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, unless: (1) the President notifies Congress of the proposed lease change, and (2) afterwards Congress enacts a law authorizing the change.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2016
Cradle Act This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow for alternative certification requirements for a residential pediatric recovery center to participate in a state Medicaid program. A "residential pediatric recovery center" is a facility that treats infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), which is caused by exposure to opioids before birth. With respect to certifying such facilities, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid must establish guidelines that: (1) include requirements specifically applicable to treating infants with NAS, and (2) take into account that certain requirements needed for centers that treat adults may not be necessary for facilities that treat such infants. A residential pediatric recovery center may satisfy the requirements set forth in these guidelines in lieu of any comparable requirements otherwise applicable for purposes of the center's participation under a state Medicaid program. A facility licensed by a state as a residential pediatric recovery center shall be treated as having satisfied certification requirements for participation under the Medicaid program for that state.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2016
Combating BDS Act of 2016 This bill authorizes a state or local government to adopt and enforce measures to divest its assets from, or prohibit investment of its assets in: (1) an entity that such government determines, using credible information available to the public, engages in a commerce or investment-related boycott, divestment, or sanctions activity targeting Israel; or (2) an entity that owns or controls, is owned or controlled by, or is under common ownership or control with, such an entity. Such government shall provide written notice to such an entity before applying such a measure. Such a measure by a state or local government is not preempted by any federal law. The bill applies to any measure adopted by a state or local government before, on, or after the date of this Act's enactment. The bill amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to prohibit any person from bringing any civil, criminal, or administrative action against any registered investment company, or any officer or employee thereof, based solely upon such company divesting from, or avoiding investing in, securities issued by persons that such company determines, using credible information available to the public, engage in any commerce or investment-related boycotts, divestments, or sanctions activities targeting Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2016
Designates February 2016 as Career and Technical Education Month. Expresses support for the goals and ideals of such month. Recognizes the importance of career and technical education in preparing a well-educated and skilled workforce. Encourages educators, counselors, and administrators to promote career and technical education as an option to students.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2016
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of American Heart Month and National Wear Red Day. Recognizes and reaffirms the commitment to fighting heart disease and stroke by promoting awareness about the causes, risks, and prevention, supporting research, and expanding access to medical treatment. Encourages individuals to learn about their risk for heart disease.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2016
Retail Investor Protection Act This bill prohibits the Secretary of Labor from prescribing any regulation under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) defining the circumstances under which an individual shall be considered a fiduciary until 60 days after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issues a final rule governing standards of conduct for brokers and dealers under specified law. The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is amended to prohibit the SEC from promulgating a rule establishing an investment adviser standard of conduct as the standard of conduct of brokers and dealers before it reports to certain congressional committees whether: retail investors and other customers are being harmed by brokers or dealers operating under different standards of conduct than those applicable to investment advisers under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; alternative remedies will reduce any confusion or harm to retail investors due to brokers or dealers operating under such different standards of conduct; adoption of a uniform fiduciary standard of conduct for brokers, dealers, and investment advisers would adversely impact their commissions and the availability of proprietary products offered by brokers and dealers, as well as the ability of brokers and dealers to engage in principal transactions with customers; and adoption of a uniform fiduciary standard of conduct for brokers or dealers and investment advisers would adversely impact retail investor access to personalized, cost-effective investment advice and recommendations. The SEC shall: (1) publish in the Federal Register formal findings that such rule would reduce retail customer confusion or harm due to different standards of conduct applicable to brokers, dealers, and investment advisers; and (2) consider, when proposing rules, the differences in the registration, supervision, and examination requirements applicable to brokers, dealers, and investment advisers.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2016
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of Marlow Cook, former member of the U.S. Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on February 4, 2016, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Senator Cook.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2016
Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act or the CONNECT for Health Act This bill amends titles XI (General Provisions) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to expand and modify the use of telehealth and remote patient monitoring services under Medicare. The bill establishes a telehealth and remote patient monitoring services "bridge" demonstration waiver program, through which the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shall waive certain limitations as a condition of Medicare payment to eligible providers of telehealth services. CMS shall also waive such limitations as a condition of Medicare payment for telehealth services with respect to providers participating in qualifying alternative payment models. With regard to individuals with certain chronic conditions, telehealth services shall be covered under Medicare as medical and other health services, rural health clinic services, or federally qualified health center (FQHC) services, as the case may be. A Medicare beneficiary determined to have end stage renal disease (ESRD) and receiving home dialysis may elect to receive certain required monthly ESRD-related visits via telehealth if the beneficiary receives an in-person examination at least once every three months. For purposes of Medicare payment for telehealth services: (1) a rural health clinic or FQHC may serve as a distant site whose clinician furnishes such services, and (2) certain requirements for originating sites shall not apply with respect to specified stroke-related services or to specified Native American health service facilities. A Medicare Advantage (MA) plan may use telehealth services to provide benefits under the original Medicare fee-for-service program option. Specified limitations are waived with regard to such services furnished under an MA plan.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2016
Recognizes: (1) National Mentoring Month, and (2) the staff and volunteers at quality mentoring programs who help young people reach their full potential. Acknowledges that mentoring is beneficial in that it encourages educational achievement, reduces juvenile delinquency, improves life outcomes, and strengthens communities. Expresses support for: (1) the creation and expansion of quality mentoring programs across the United States, and (2) initiatives to increase the percentage of young people who have a mentor.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2016
Congratulates the Farm Credit System (FCS) on its 100th anniversary and commends the service of the cooperative owners and employees of the FCS in helping to meet the credit and financial services needs of rural communities and agriculture. (The FCS is a network of borrower-owned lending institutions that operates as a government-sponsored enterprise to provide credit and other services to agricultural producers and farmer-owned agricultural and aquatic cooperatives. It also makes loans for agricultural processing and marketing activities, rural housing, farm-related businesses, rural utilities, and companies involved in international agricultural trade.)
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2016
Employer Participation in Repayment Act of 2016 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the tax exclusion for employer-provided educational assistance to include payments of qualified education loans paid to either an employee or a lender.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 2016
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of Dale Bumpers, former member of the U.S. Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on January 11, 2016, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Senator Bumpers.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2015
Defend America Act of 2015 This bill prohibits, until the President certifies that specified provisions of this Act have been carried out, the refugee admission of any alien (covered alien) who is: applying for admission to the United States as a refugee, and is a national or resident of Iraq or Syria, has no known nationality and whose last habitual residence was in Iraq or in Syria, or has been present in Iraq or in Syria at any time on or after March 1, 2011; not a citizen of Iraq who is or was employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraq on or after March 20, 2003, for at least one year, and provided documented, valuable service to the U.S. government; not the spouse or child of such alien; and not an infant child without living parents who is younger than four years of age. In addition to any Department of State or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) screenings, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shall ensure that each covered alien receives a background investigation before U.S refugee admission. A covered alien may: not be admitted as a refugee until the FBI certifies to DHS and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) that he or she has received a background investigation sufficient to determine whether the person is a U.S. security threat, and whether the person has provided support to any foreign terrorist organization; and only be admitted to the United States after DHS, with the unanimous concurrence of the FBI and the DNI, certifies to Congress that the person is not such a threat. The Inspector General of DHS shall conduct annual risk-based reviews of all certifications. The Immigration and Nationality Act is amended to require the State Department, before a refugee's resettlement in a state, to give the governor specified personal information about the person. The use of social media to promote terrorism shall be a grounds for inadmissibility. Any alien shall be ineligible for visa waiver program participation who: has been present, at any time on or after March 1, 2011, in Iraq or Syria, in a country designated as one that has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism, or in any other country or area of concern designated by DHS; and regardless of whether the alien is a national of a visa waiver program country, is a national of Iraq or Syria, a country designated as a country that has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism, or any other country or area of concern. Such prohibitions shall not apply to an alien who was present in such a country to perform military or official government service for a program country. DHS may waive such prohibitions if in U.S. law enforcement or national security interests. DHS shall review annually whether such prohibitions shall apply to any country or area, based on specified considerations. A program country shall: screen travelers to determine if they are using stolen or lost travel documents; report the loss or theft of one of its national's passports to the United States within 24 hours; with certain exceptions, certify to DHS that it is screening each entering or departing non-citizen or non-national for unlawful activity by using Interpol databases and notices, or other means designated by DHS; enter into and comply with an agreement with the United States to assist in the operation of an air marshal program; comply with U.S. aviation and airport security standards; and certify that it issues to its citizens machine-readable, electronic passports that comply with the biometric and document identifying standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization. DHS may terminate a country's program status for noncompliance, subject to specified conditions for reinstatement. By April 1, 2016, every citizen or national of a visa waiver program country who is cleared to travel to the United States under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) shall possess a valid, unexpired, tamper-resistant, machine-readable passport that incorporates complying biometric and document authentication identifiers. In determining whether to designate a country as a program country or whether a program country should retain its designation, DHS shall consider specified questions. DHS shall: evaluate program countries to identify those from which the admission of nationals would present a high risk to U.S. national security; research opportunities to incorporate anti-fraud/deception technology into ESTA; and collect from an applicant information on any additional or previous countries of citizenship, and consider such information when making admissions determinations. The bill expresses the sense of Congress concerning establishment of electronic passport standards by the International Civil Aviation Organization. The State Department shall prioritize the issuance of special immigrant visas for certain Iraqi and Afghan translators who worked with the U.S. government or Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2015
Congratulates the Wheeling Jesuit University women's volleyball team for winning the 2015 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II National Championship.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2015
Expresses the sense of the Senate that a protocol, amendment, extension, or other agreement (agreement) relating to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, entered into force March 21, 1994, shall have no force or effect in the United States and no funds shall be authorized in its support, including for the Green Climate Fund, until it has been submitted to Senate for advice and consent, if the agreement: fulfills mitigation commitments through existing and future regulations that would put our national industries at a disadvantage compared to the industries of developing countries; includes a financial commitment that will not go into effect without subsequent congressional legislation or authorization; represents an agreement to be overseen by an international administrative entity covering a wide range of topics, including mitigation, adaptation, finance, technology transfer, capacity building, transparency, implementation, and compliance; or establishes a mechanism to assess contributions or commitments for future compliance.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2015
Recognizes the consequences of underage drinking on the first annual National Day of Remembrance. Honors the victims of drunk and drugged driving.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2015
DME Access and Stabilization Act of 2015 This bill amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to modify provisions relating to payment for durable medical equipment (DME) under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. (DME includes certain medically necessary equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs, and hospital beds.) With respect to DME furnished in areas that are not competitive acquisition areas, current regulations require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) to phase in, over a two-year period, Medicare payment adjustments using information from competitive acquisition programs. (Through such programs, payment amounts for each area are determined based on competitive bids submitted by suppliers, rather than according to an established fee schedule.) The bill codifies this requirement and specifies that CMS shall adjust fee schedule amounts to the lesser of: (1) a specified percentage of the regional amount; and (2) the amount that would otherwise be determined according to the fee schedule, with specified adjustments. In determining Medicare payment adjustments for areas that are not competitive acquisition areas, CMS shall solicit stakeholder input and take into account several specified factors. CMS may not establish a ceiling on competitive bids submitted for DME that is less than the amount that would otherwise be paid under Medicare. The Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman shall evaluate the impact of the competitive acquisition program on beneficiary health status and health outcomes. The bill limits federal Medicaid reimbursement rates to states for DME to the rates that would be paid for such items under Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2015
Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows Act of 2015 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to make grants to states to establish, expand, or maintain culturally competent programs for maternal depression screening and treatment. HRSA must give priority to states proposing to expand or enhance screening for maternal depression in primary care settings. Activities eligible for funding: (1) must include providing to health care providers training and resources, including information on maternal depression screening, treatment, and follow-up support, and linkages to community-based resources; and (2) may include enabling real-time psychiatric consultation to aid in the treatment of pregnant and postpartum women, conducting a public awareness campaign, funding start-up costs, and establishing linkages with and among community-based resources.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2015
Expresses the sense of Congress that: the President should submit to the Senate for advice and consent the climate change agreement proposed for adoption at the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-21), and Congress should refuse to consider any budget resolutions and appropriations language that include funding for the Green Climate Fund until COP-21 emissions commitments are submitted to the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2015
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of American Education Week.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2015
Nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule published on October 26, 2015, that revises the primary and secondary national ambient air quality standards for ozone.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2015
Condemns the brutal attacks on the people of Paris that resulted in the death of at least 129 people, including one U.S. citizen, through shootings, hostage-taking, and suicide bombings of civilian targets. Expresses the Senate's condolences and deepest sympathies for the victims and their family members. Renews the solidarity of the people and government of the United States with the people and government of France. Pledges support for the government of France to pursue justice against those involved in these attacks and to prevent future attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2015
Co-Prescribing Saves Lives Act of 2015 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Department of Defense (DOD) to: (1) establish training guidelines for federal health care facilities and federally qualified health centers; and (2) train certain health care providers at federal health care facilities on best practices for prescribing pain medications, principles of pain management, the misuse potential of controlled substances, identification of potential substance use disorders and referral to further evaluation and treatment, and disposal of controlled substances. HHS, the VA, and DOD must establish, for certain health care facilities, guidelines for the prescription of naloxone to individuals at an elevated risk of overdose. (Naloxone is a prescription drug used to rapidly reverse an overdose of opioids, which are drugs with effects similar to opium, such as heroin and certain pain medications.) HHS must award grants to state departments of health for the development and application of guidelines for the prescription of opioid overdose reversal drugs and to increase access to naloxone. Grants may be used to: establish a program for purchasing, prescribing, and distributing opioid overdose reversal drugs; expand innovative models of naloxone distribution; train and provide resources to health care providers and pharmacists on prescribing opioid overdose reversal drugs; offset individuals' cost-sharing for opioid overdose reversal drugs; conduct community outreach to raise awareness of the availability of opioid overdose reversal drugs; and establish protocols to connect patients who have experienced a drug overdose with treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2015
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Fred Thompson, former member of the U.S. Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on November 5, 2015, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the former Senator.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2015
Office of Strategic Services Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to the members of the Office of Strategic Services in recognition of their service and contributions during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2015
Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2015 This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to: (1) commence and complete an audit of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and of the Federal Reserve Banks within 12 months of enactment of this Act, and (2) report findings and conclusions to Congress within 90 days of completing the audit. The bill also repeals certain limitations upon such an audit.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2015
Condemns Palestinian terror attacks against Israelis. Welcomes Israel's commitment to maintaining the status quo on the Temple Mount. Urges the President and the international community to join in condemning these Palestinian terror attacks. Declares that there is no justification for these types of attacks and that there is a direct correlation between the recent upsurge in violence and Arab incitement regarding the Temple Mount. Stands with the people of Israel and supports Israel's right to self-defense. Supports the agreement to install surveillance cameras on the Temple Mount. Calls upon President Abbas to stop all incitement by Palestinian officials and media and to take all steps necessary to halt these attacks. Supports the individuals and organizations working to encourage cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians. Encourages President Abbas to continue strengthening and maintaining security cooperation with Israel. Reiterates that Palestinian political goals will never be achieved through violence, and calls on all parties to return to the negotiating table.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2015
Improving Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women Act of 2015 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to extend support for residential substance abuse treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women through FY2020. The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment must carry out a pilot program to make grants to state substance abuse agencies to support services for pregnant and postpartum women who have a primary diagnosis of a substance use disorder.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2015
Personal Health Investment Today Act of 2015 or the PHIT Act of 2015 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a medical care tax deduction for up to $1,000 ($2,000 for a joint return or a head of household) of qualified sports and fitness expenses. The bill defines "qualified sports and fitness expenses" as amounts paid exclusively for the sole purpose of participating in a physical activity, including: (1) for membership at a fitness facility, (2) for participation or instruction in physical exercise or activity, or (3) for equipment used in a program (including a self-directed program) of physical exercise or activity.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2015
Senior$afe Act of 2015 This bill provides that: (1) a supervisor, compliance officer, or legal advisor for a covered financial institution who has received training regarding the identification and reporting of the suspected exploitation of a senior citizen (at least 65 years old) shall not be liable for disclosing such exploitation to a covered agency if such individual made the disclosure in good faith and with reasonable care; and (2) a covered financial institution shall not be liable for such a disclosure by such an individual if such individual was employed by the institution at the time of the disclosure and the institution had provided such training. A "covered financial institution" means a bank, a credit union, an investment adviser, or a broker-dealer. A "covered agency" means each of the federal financial institutions regulatory agencies or a state financial regulatory agency, law enforcement agency, or adult protective services agency. A covered financial institution may provide such training to each of its supervisors, compliance officers, or legal advisors who: (1) may come into contact with a senior citizen as a regular part of such employee's duties; or (2) may review or approve the financial documents, records, or transactions of a senior citizen in connection with providing him or her financial services.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2015
Nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule published on October 23, 2015, that requires states to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired electric generating units (EGUs). (Those EGUs convert fossil fuel energy to electric energy.)
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2015
Nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule published on October 23, 2015, that establishes new source performance standards under the Clean Air Act for emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating units (EGUs) if the EGUs are newly constructed, modified, or reconstructed. (Those EGUs convert fossil fuel energy to electric energy.)
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2015
Workplace Advancement Act This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discharging or retaliating against any employee because such employee has inquired about, discussed, or disclosed comparative compensation information for the purpose of determining whether the employer is compensating an employee in a manner that provides equal pay for equal work. The prohibition does not apply to instances in which an employee who has access to the wage information of other employees as a part of the employee's job functions discloses such wages to an individual who has no access to them, except in response to a charge or complaint or in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action with respect to prohibited sex discrimination, including an investigation conducted by the employer. It is the sense of Congress that: (1) gender-based discrimination in wages or compensation violates existing law, and (2) Congress recommits itself to the principles of equal pay for equal work.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2015
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the application of Medicare competitive acquisition rates to complex rehabilitative wheelchairs and accessories. (A competitive bidding program has replaced the use of established fee schedule amounts to determine payments under Medicare for certain durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs.)
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2015
Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 gold coins (to be made of "pink gold" containing at least 75% gold), 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the fight against breast cancer. Treasury shall: select the design for the coins based upon the winning design from a juried, compensated design competition following certain specifications; and issue the coins only during the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2018. All such coin sales must include the following surcharges: $35 per $5 gold coin, $10 per $1 dollar silver coin, and $5 per half-dollar coin. The Treasury shall pay received surcharges promptly to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation according to a specified distribution formula.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2015
Offers condolences to the families and friends of individuals who were murdered by an armed gunman on the Umpqua Community College campus in Roseburg, Oregon, on October 1, 2015. Expresses hope for the swift and complete recovery of individuals who were wounded by the gunman. Applauds the swift response and professional conduct of the first responders and investigating officers. Remains committed to reducing the likelihood of this kind of event happening again.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2015
Creating Quality Technical Educators Act of 2015 This bill amends title II (Teacher Quality Enhancement) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize grants under the Teacher Quality Partnership grant program to be used for secondary school career and technical education teacher preparation programs. The grant program provides funds to partnerships of high-need local educational agencies, high-need schools or early education programs, and institutions of higher education (IHEs) to train current and prospective teachers and school leaders. The bill requires the career and technical education teacher preparation programs to: be available to mid-career professionals or recent graduates of an IHE who have expertise in a program area in which there is a career and technical education teacher shortage; allow individuals to obtain initial licensure and the basic skills required for entry into the education profession, with the option of earning a bachelor's or master's degree; and allow teachers who do not have subject matter expertise in a career and technical education field that is in demand in the local or regional economy to receive the technical skills training they need to teach those skills in a classroom setting. It directs the Department of Education to establish performance measures for the career and technical education teacher preparation programs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2015
Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act of 2015 This bill limits the term of the Librarian of Congress to 10 years. The individual appointed to the position may be reappointed in accordance with this requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2015
Streamlining and Investing in Broadband Infrastructure Act This bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to issue best practices relating to broadband infrastructure and installation for state broadband coordination offices, with an emphasis on rural areas. The Department of Transportation (DOT) must require states to install broadband conduits, which support broadband or wireless facilities for broadband service, in certain highway construction projects. DOT must ensure that: (1) standards are established that apply to all areas, including rural and remote areas with low population density; and (2) any requesting broadband provider has access to such installed conduits on a competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory basis, for a charge not to exceed a cost-based rate. Federal easement and right-of-way procedures under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 are revised to allow an executive agency, a state, a person, a firm, or an organization to apply for the grant of a real property interest (including a lease, license, easement, or right-of-way) to, in, over, or on a building or other property owned by the federal government for the right to install, construct, modify, and maintain a communications facility installation. An executive agency that owns the building or other property on behalf of the federal government must grant to the applicant, if technically feasible, a real property interest to perform such installation, construction, modification, and maintenance. Requirements are set forth concerning the fees and terms of years for the grant of such real property interests. The bill provides for the collection of: (1) a standard fee established by the General Services Administration (GSA), or (2) agency-specific fees established by executive agencies. The GSA must also consult with designated agencies regarding the master application forms and standard contracts that executive agencies are required to accept for the placement of such facilities. If the GSA determines that master forms or contracts are not adequate for a specific building or property, it must coordinate with the agencies to address the inadequacies and provide an adequate alternative application form or contract to the applicant.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2015
North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2015 Directs the President to investigate information of sanctionable activities involving North Korea and to designate and apply sanctions with respect to any person that knowingly: imported, exported, or reexported to or from North Korea any goods, services, or technology controlled for export by the United States due to their use for weapons of mass destruction and materially contributing to the use, development, production, or acquisition by any persons of a nuclear, radiological, chemical, or biological weapon or any delivery device or system; provided training, advice, or other services or assistance, or engaged in significant financial transactions, relating to the manufacture, maintenance, or use of any such weapon or system to be imported, exported, or reexported to or from North Korea; imported, exported, or reexported luxury goods to or into North Korea; engaged in money laundering, counterfeiting of goods or currency, bulk cash smuggling, or narcotics trafficking that supports the government of North Korea or any of its senior officials; engaged in or was responsible for censorship by North Korea; engaged in or was responsible for serious human rights abuses by North Korea; engaged in significant activities undermining cyber security through the use of computer networks or systems against foreign persons, governments, or other entities; or sold, supplied, or transferred to or from North Korea a precious metal, graphite, or raw or semi-finished metals for integrating industrial processes. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Specifies additional activities for which the President may designate a person for sanctions, foreign exchange prohibitions, and other special measures. Directs the President to exercise all powers granted under IEEPA necessary to block and prohibit all transactions in property and interests in property of a designated person if that property and those property interests are in the United States, come within the United States, or are or come within the possession or control of a U.S. person. Directs the President to deny or revoke any license for any transaction that lacks sufficient financial controls to ensure that such transaction will not facilitate any prohibited conduct. Subjects to U.S. forfeiture any property involved in an actual or attempted violation of this Act or which constitutes or is derived from proceeds traceable to a violation, of this Act. Exempts the importation of goods from sanctions. Expresses the sense of Congress regarding the designation of North Korea as a jurisdiction of primary money laundering concern. Directs the Department of the Treasury to determine whether reasonable grounds exist for concluding that North Korea is a jurisdiction of primary money laundering concern, and if so impose one or more of certain special measures. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should intensify diplomatic efforts to implement a multilateral strategy for protecting the global financial system against risks emanating from North Korea. Directs the Department of State to develop a strategy to improve international implementation and enforcement of United Nations (U.N.) North Korea-specific sanctions. Requires a validated license for exports to North Korea under the Export Administration Act of 1979. Prohibits approval of defense articles for North Korea. Withholds assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to the governments of countries providing lethal military equipment to North Korea. Bars U.S. government contracts with designated persons. Directs the President to identify annually to Congress any foreign ports and airports whose inspections of ships, aircraft, and conveyances originating in North Korea, carrying North Korean property, or operated by the government of North Korea are not sufficient to effectively prevent the facilitation of any of the activities sanctionable under this Act. Authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to require enhanced inspections of any cargo landed in the United States or entering the stream of interstate commerce that has been transported through any of such ports or airports. Authorizes the seizure or forfeiture of vessels or aircraft used to facilitate sanctionable activities. Authorizes the Department of State to deny a visa, and DHS to deny entry into the United States, to any alien who is a designated person or a corporate officer or principal shareholder with a controlling interest in a designated person. Authorizes the President to waive sanctions for up to one year for national security, law enforcement, or humanitarian reasons. Directs the Department of State to expand the scope and frequency of warnings concerning travel of U.S. citizens to North Korea. Exempts from sanctions under this Act: (1) authorized U.S. intelligence activities; (2) transactions to comply with U.S. obligations under the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations or the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations; and (3) certain financial transactions for importing agricultural products, medicine, or medical devices into North Korea. Amends the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 to require the President to report to Congress with a plan for making unrestricted and inexpensive electronic mass communications available to the people of North Korea. Requires the Department of State to report to Congress regarding: (1) North Korean prison camps, (2) human rights abuses in North Korea, and (3) a diplomatic strategy to end repatriation of North Korean refugees and forced labor and slavery of North Koreans overseas. Establishes the North Korea Enforcement and Humanitarian Fund in which assets subject to forfeiture or penalties are to be deposited and used to carry out radio broadcasting to, and actions to promote democracy in, North Korea. Prescribes circumstances in which sanctions or measures under this Act may be suspended for up to one year or terminated altogether. Directs the President to report to Congress regarding: (1) North Korea's activities undermining cyber security, and (2) a strategy to counter North Korea's efforts to conduct cyber terrorism against the United States. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should strengthen high-level trilateral mechanisms for policy coordination toward North Korea between the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Japan.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2015
Standard Merger and Acquisition Reviews Through Equal Rules Act of 2015 This bill amends the Clayton Act with respect to actions brought by the Attorney General for violations of antitrust laws. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is required, but only under the Clayton Act, to exercise the same authority and procedures of the Attorney General specified in the Act with respect to the prohibition against acquisition by one corporation of the stock of another (merger) that may substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly. The Federal Trade Commission Act (FTCA) is amended to exclude proposed mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, or similar transactions from FTC proceedings, except in cases where the FTC approves an agreement with the parties to the transaction that contains a consent order. Jurisdiction is granted to the U.S. district courts to issue writs of mandamus commanding compliance with the FTCA or any FTC order, if the FTC applies to such courts with respect to any activity related to consummation of a merger, acquisition, joint venture, or similar transaction that results in an unfair method of competition.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2015
Student Loan Relief Act of 2015 This bill authorizes the Department of the Treasury to establish a temporary three-year program to facilitate federal student loan refinancing into the private market, at no cost to the federal government, to ensure payment of lower interest rates on student loans. Private lenders under such refinancing program shall be eligible to receive a federal government guarantee of 95% of loans. Treasury shall, in consultation with the Department of Education, begin a national awareness campaign to alert student loan borrowers about such refinancing program with a disclosure that a private loan that results from such refinancing is not eligible for income driven repayment or loan forgivingness. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an exclusion from gross income for the payment of an employer, either to an employee or a lender, of any indebtedness of an employee under a qualified education refinance loan or any interest relating to such a loan. The term "qualified education refinance loan" means any indebtedness used solely to refinance a qualified education loan with respect to which the lender offers the borrower protection in the event of unemployment or financial hardship.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2015
Gender Advancement in Pay Act or the GAP Act This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to expand exceptions to the prohibition against sex discrimination to include payments pursuant to a differential based on expertise, shift, or a business-related factor other than sex, including but not limited to education, training, or experience. The statute of limitations under the Portal-to-Portal Act of 1947 for a charge of prohibited sex discrimination, or an action by or on behalf of an employee for such discrimination, shall be tolled until the earlier of: (1) the date on which the Equal Employment Commission or the Department of Justice brings an action or notifies the employee concerned with respect to the charge under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or (2) 270 days after the charge is filed. Nonretaliation prohibitions are extended to cover inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing the wages of an employee or of another employee, or declining to discuss or disclose the employee's wages, with specified exceptions. An employer shall be considered to have committed an unlawful act if the employer requires an employee to sign a contract or waiver (other than as specified) that would prohibit the employee from disclosing information about the employee's wages. Civil penalties are established for violation of prohibitions against sex discrimination. The Department of Labor, together with the Department of Education, shall conduct a multistate study, through a grant to a nonprofit research institution, that includes strategies to increase the participation of women in high-wage, high-demand occupations and industries in which women are underrepresented. The Government Accountability Office shall also conduct a multistate study to develop such strategies.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2015
Ensuring Useful Research Expenditures is Key for Alzheimer's Act or the EUREKA Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish EUREKA prize competitions to achieve high-priority breakthroughs in Alzheimer's disease and dementia prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care. The NIH must: (1) convene an advisory council of nongovernmental experts in Alzheimer's disease and dementia to develop the EUREKA prize competitions, and (2) appoint a panel of judges to evaluate submissions. The council and panel are not subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Support for EUREKA prize competitions may be provided by private organizations and individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2015
Recognizes: (1) the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, as well as the September 2015 conference at the United Nations to empower women; and (2) that many women will not be able to participate in the dialogue about such conference because they are imprisoned. Reiterates support for efforts to empower women and secure universal human rights for women. Welcomes the release of Ta Phong Tan of Vietnam on September 19, 2015, and calls for the release of the women mentioned in the preamble of this resolution.