United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2018
Designates the week beginning September 9, 2018, as National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week. Commends direct support professionals for being integral to long-term support and services for individuals with disabilities. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the successful implementation of the public policies affecting individuals with disabilities depends on the dedication of direct support professionals.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2018
Supports renaming the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, after Senator John McCain in recognition of his long support for NATO.
United States · United States Congress · 28 August 2018
Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act This bill establishes a national mercury monitoring program to track long-term changes in: (1) mercury levels and important ancillary measures in the air; and (2) mercury and methyl mercury levels and important ancillary measures in water, soil, or sediments and in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial organisms.
United States · United States Congress · 27 August 2018
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable John Sidney McCain, III, a Senator from Arizona. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on August 27, 2018, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the deceased Senator.
United States · United States Congress · 23 August 2018
This bill revises provisions that govern the appointment of administrative law judges. Specifically, it provides that administrative law judges: (1) serve in positions in the competitive service, and (2) must be appointed by the head of a federal agency.
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 2018
Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act of 2018 or the Expanding Access to DSMT Act of 2018 This bill expands Medicare coverage of diabetes outpatient self-management training, and establishes a demonstration program to test an online platform that provides such training.
United States · United States Congress · 16 August 2018
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Paul Laxalt, former Member of the Senate. Extends deepest condolences and gratitude to his family. Honors Paul Laxalt's legacy, life, service to the Senate, and commitment to the people of Nevada and the United States. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on August 16, 2018, it stands adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Paul Laxalt.
United States · United States Congress · 15 August 2018
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) condemns all forms of violence against children globally, (2) recognizes the impact of violence upon the healthy development of children, and (3) should develop a strategy for ending such violence.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2018
Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of: one Congressional Gold Medal to Katherine Johnson, in recognition of her service to the United States as a mathematician; one Congressional Gold Medal to Dr. Christine Darden, for her service to the United States as an aeronautical engineer; and two Congressional Gold Medals in commemoration of the lives of Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, in recognition of their service to the United States during the Space Race.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2018
Innovative Materials for America's Growth and Infrastructure Newly Expanded Act of 2018 or the IMAGINE Act This bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish an Interagency Innovative Materials Standards Task Force to coordinate and improve, with respect to infrastructure construction, retrofitting, rehabilitation, and other improvements: (1) federal testing standards, (2) federal design and use guidelines, and (3) other applicable standards. The task force shall collaborate with certain nonfederal entities to: (1) identify and carry out appropriate research, testing methods, and processes relating to the development and use of innovative materials; (2) develop new methods and processes relating to the development and use of innovative materials; and (3) contribute to the development of standards and guidelines for the use of innovative materials and approaches in civil infrastructure projects. The term "innovative material," with respect to an infrastructure project, includes high performance asphalt mixtures and concrete formulations, geosynthetic materials, advanced alloys and metals, reinforced polymer composites, including any coating or other corrosion prevention method used in conjunction with those materials, advanced polymers, and any other material or aggregate materials, as determined by the appropriate agency or department head. The Department of Transportation shall carry out a program to enhance the development of innovative materials in the United States. The Federal Highway Administration shall establish the Innovative Bridge Program to provide grants for coastal and rural infrastructure bridge projects. The Environmental Protection Agency shall establish the Water Infrastructure Innovation Program to provide grants for the design and installation of water infrastructure projects.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2018
Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2018 This bill directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy to convene an interagency entity under the National Science and Technology Council with the responsibility of coordinating federal programs and activities in support of sustainable chemistry.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Centennial Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 100,000 $1 coins in commemoration of the centennial of the establishment of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. All sales of such coins shall include a surcharge of $10 for each coin. All surcharges received by Treasury from the sale of such coins must be paid to the National World War I Museum and Memorial to assist in the commemoration of the centennial.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Children and Media Research Advancement Act or the CAMRA Act This bill requires the National Institutes of Health to fund research regarding the effects of media on infants, children, and adolescents. Such research must examine the impact of media (e.g., social media, television, video games) on cognitive, physical, and social-emotional development.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
This joint resolution states that Congress opposes any effort to withdraw the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty. The President may withdraw from the North Atlantic Treaty, in accordance with its terms and pursuant to the advice and consent of the Senate, only if two-thirds of the Senators present concur, or pursuant to an Act of Congress. The Senate Legal Counsel may represent the Senate in initiating or intervening in federal judicial proceedings to oppose U.S. withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty and to ensure that any such withdrawal is pursuant to the advice and consent of the Senate or an Act of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Designates July 26, 2018, as United States Intelligence Professionals Day, and acknowledges the courage, fidelity, sacrifice, and professionalism of the men and women of the U.S. intelligence community.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2018
Sanction Terrorist Operations Using Human Shields Act of 2018 or the STOP Using Human Shields Act This bill provides for the imposition of sanctions on members of foreign terrorist organizations, including Hamas and Hizballah, and other foreign persons, agencies, or instrumentalities of foreign states with regard to use of civilians, other specially protected persons, or specially protected property to shield lawful targets from attack or to deliberately cause casualties to such persons or the destruction to such property during an armed conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2018
Women's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act of 2018 This bill modifies U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) programs to provide targeted assistance for women. USAID strategies and projects shall be shaped by analysis to address gender differences, including how results may be different for men and women due to issues such as gender roles and structural barriers. The President is authorized to provide programs in developing countries for micro, small, and medium-sized businesses, particularly those owned, managed, and controlled by women. Previously, authorization for such programs was largely limited to microenterprises. The President is also authorized to provide targeted assistance programs that promote economic empowerment of women, including through increased access to financial resources, improving property and inheritance rights, and other legal protections. For sustainable poverty-focused programs, half of resources targeting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises shall be for activities that reach the very poor. Half of resources for programs for small and medium-sized enterprises shall be for activities targeting enterprises owned, managed, or controlled by women. The bill directs USAID to modify its system for monitoring its programs to include outcomes broken down by gender, when feasible. The President is authorized to expand the micro and small business development credit program to provide such assistance to medium-sized businesses as well. The bill also directs USAID to break down various information in its annual report by gender and income level. USAID shall also report to Congress on the implementation of this bill. The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress an assessment of the effect of development assistance for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries, and the extent to which such aid benefits women and the very poor.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2018
Relocation Expense Parity Act This bill authorizes an agency to reimburse federal, state, and local income taxes incurred by an individual for travel, transportation, or relocation expenses. (Current law provides for reimbursement for moving and storage expenses of an employee.)
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2018
Task Force on the Impact of the Affordable Housing Crisis Act of 2018 This bill establishes the Task Force on the Impact of the Affordable Housing Crisis and requires the task force to make recommendations on how to use affordable housing to improve the effectiveness of federal programs and improve life outcomes.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2018
Commemorates the lives, careers, and service of the five victims of the Capital Gazette shooting in Annapolis, Maryland. Honors the survivors of the attack and the families of the victims and pledges continued support for their recovery. Thanks law enforcement officers and other emergency first responders for their heroic actions. Reaffirms the commitment of the Senate to defending the first amendment of the Constitution of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2018
SIMPLE Plan Modernization Act This bill modifies the requirements for SIMPLE (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees) Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), which are tax-favored retirement accounts that small businesses may provide to employees. The bill increases the contribution limits for certain SIMPLE IRAs and modifies the requirements for replacing SIMPLE IRAs with 401(k) plans.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2018
Taxpayer Identity Protection Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to establish a program to issue, upon the request of any individual, a number that may be used in connection with a Social Security number (or other identifying information) to assist in verifying the individual's identity. Within five years of the enactment of this bill, Treasury must ensure that the program is made available to any individual residing in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Restore Our Parks Act This bill: (1) establishes the National Park Service Legacy Restoration Fund, and (2) requires 50% of all energy development revenues for FY2019-FY2023 to be deposited into such fund. Amounts deposited in the fund must not exceed $1.3 billion for any fiscal year and must be used for meeting high-priority deferred maintenance needs of the National Park Service.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Burn Pits Accountability Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) and the military departments to evaluate whether each member of the Armed Forces has been (1) based or stationed where an open air burn pit was used to dispose of waste, or (2) exposed to toxic airborne chemicals. Members located where an open burn pit was used or exposed to toxic airborne chemicals must be enrolled in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, unless the member elects not to enroll. The evaluations must be included in periodic health assessments, physical exams conducted immediately prior to separation from active duty, and deployment assessments. DOD must share the results of the evaluations with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Primary Regulators of Insurance Vote Act of 2018 This bill amends the Financial Stability Act of 2010 to establish a state insurance commissioner as a voting member of the Financial Stability Oversight Council. The member is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Under current law, this member is nonvoting and selected by state insurance commissioners.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to arrange for the award of a single gold medal to the U.S. Army Ranger veterans of World War II in recognition of their dedicated wartime service. Following its award, the gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution where it shall be available for display and research.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise Act of 2018 This bill reauthorizes through FY2019, and otherwise revises, the Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
This bill specifies that certain Medicare payment rules applicable to imaging services shall apply to dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry services used in bone mass scans beginning in 2019. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must establish national minimum payment amounts for such services.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Commends the American Homebrewers Association and joins its members and staff and other beer enthusiasts in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the association.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2018
Dairy Business Innovation Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to establish at least three regionally located product and business innovation initiatives to provide grants and technical assistance to dairy businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2018
Designates June 2018 as National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month and June 27, 2018, as National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Day. Expresses support for efforts of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD), as well as the medical community, to educate members of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans, their families, and the public about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of post-traumatic stress. Expresses support for efforts by the VA and DOD to foster cultural change around the issue of post-traumatic stress. Welcomes the efforts of the VA's National Center for PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and local Vet Centers to assist veterans suffering from the effects of this injury. Encourages U.S. Armed Forces commanders to support appropriate treatment of Armed Forces personnel who suffer from post-traumatic stress.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2018
Designates June 20, 2018, as American Eagle Day. Applauds the issuance of bald eagle commemorative coins by the Department of the Treasury to generate funds for the protection of the bald eagle. Encourages entities with an interest in conserving endangered species to collaborate and develop educational tools for use in public schools.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2018
All-American Flag Act This bill prohibits agencies from using funds to procure a U.S. flag unless such flag has been manufactured in the United States from materials that have been U.S. grown, produced, or manufactured. The bill specifies exceptions to this prohibition, including an exception if flags of satisfactory quality and sufficient quantity cannot be procured as needed at market prices.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2018
Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act This bill allows a nurse practitioner or physician assistant to fulfill documentation requirements for coverage, under Medicare, of special shoes for diabetic individuals. Under current law, such requirements may be satisfied only by a physician.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2018
Historic Tax Credit Enhancement Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the requirement for a taxpayer to reduce the basis of a building by the amount of the tax credit determined for the rehabilitation of a certified historic structure.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2018
Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention Act of 2018 or STOP Act of 2018 This bill establishes requirements related to U.S. Postal Service (USPS) international mail shipments. Among other requirements, the bill requires USPS to gather advanced data on its shipments and share such information with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and assesses a fee on on overseas inbound express mail.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2018
Commemorates the victims killed in the attack at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Honors the survivors of the attack and pledges continued support for their recovery.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2018
Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Reauthorization Act of 2018 or the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2018 This bill reauthorizes through FY 2023 and revises the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Act. Among other changes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must publish its research report on its website. Additionally, the bill amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize certain educational programs about preterm birth to also include information relating to substance-use disorders, depression, and immunization.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2018
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019 Provides FY2019 appropriations to the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and several related agencies. Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2019 Provides appropriations to DOT for: the Office of the Secretary, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, the Maritime Administration, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and the Office of Inspector General. Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2019 Provides appropriations to HUD for: Management and Administration, Program Office Salaries and Expenses, Public and Indian Housing, Community Planning and Development, Housing Programs, the Federal Housing Administration, the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), Policy Development and Research, Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes, the Information Technology Fund, and the Office of Inspector General. Provides appropriations to related agencies, including: the Access Board, the Federal Maritime Commission, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) Office of Inspector General, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, the Surface Transportation Board, and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. Sets forth permissible and prohibited uses for funds provided by this and other appropriations Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018
Parity in Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act or the PACE Act This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit the sponsoring or exhibiting of animal fights involving live birds (such as cockfights). Under current law, the fights are unlawful only if they take place in states or U.S. territories or possessions that have banned it.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018
Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2018 or the PAST Act This bill amends the Horse Protection Act to establish a new system for inspecting horses for soring, revise penalties for violations of the Act, and modify enforcement procedures. The soring of horses is any of various actions taken on a horse's limb to produce a higher gait that may cause pain, distress, inflammation, or lameness. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must establish requirements to license, train, assign, and oversee persons hired by the management of horse shows, exhibitions, sales, or auctions to detect and diagnose sore horses. A license may not be issued to a person with conflicts of interest, and USDA must give preference to veterinarians. USDA may revoke a license for unsatisfactory performance. USDA must assign licensed inspectors after receiving notice that management intends to hire the inspectors. An inspector must issue a citation for violations and notify USDA of violations. USDA must publish information on violations of this bill and disqualify a horse that is sore. The bill prohibits a person in any horse show, exhibition, sale, or auction from causing or directing a horse to become sore for the purpose of showing, exhibiting, selling, or auctioning the horse. The bill prohibits the use of specified devices on a Tennessee Walking, a Racking, or a Spotted Saddle horse at a show, exhibition, sale, or auction. The bill increases the maximum criminal and civil liability penalties for certain violations. USDA may disqualify violators from specified activities related to horse shows, exhibitions, sales, and auctions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018
Expresses support for: (1) the designation of May 2018 as National Brain Tumor Awareness Month; (2) research to develop better treatments for brain tumors that will improve the quality of life and the long-term prognosis for those with brain tumors; and (3) those who are battling brain tumors, and their families, friends, and caregivers. Encourages increased public awareness of brain tumors to honor individuals who are living with or who have lost their lives to brain tumors. Urges a collaborative approach to brain tumor research.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
This bill requires electronic prescription programs to enable the secure transmittal of prior authorization requests for covered drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2018
Geriatrics Workforce Improvement Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2023 and revises several programs relating to geriatric care training and workforce development, including a Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program to support the development of a health care workforce that integrates geriatrics with primary care and other appropriate specialties.
![Official portrait of Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c001035_200.jpg)