United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2019
Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act This bill funds through FY2090 the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001. Additionally, the bill modifies the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF): to allow claims to be filed until October 2089, to require VCF policies and procedures to be reassessed at least once every five years (currently, at least once annually), to require claimants to be paid for the amount by which a claim was reduced on the basis of insufficient funding, to remove the cap on noneconomic damages in certain circumstances, and to adjust the annual limit on economic loss compensation for inflation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2019
Reaching English Learners Act This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to establish a grant program for preparing future teachers to effectively instruct English learners to achieve at high levels in early childhood education programs and in elementary schools and secondary schools. Under the program, grants must be given to partnerships between (1) certain institutions of higher education, and (2) high-need local educational agencies or high-need early childhood education programs. Grants may be awarded for up to five years. In awarding the grants, ED must give preference to partnerships that recruit and enroll teachers who are from underrepresented populations or former English learners.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2019
Deborah Sampson Act This bill implements or expands various programs and services related to health care, readjustment assistance, legal and supportive services, newborn care, and benefits for women veterans at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2019
Preserving Teacher Loan Forgiveness for Military Spouses Act of 2019 This bill modifies the qualifying service requirement of the teacher loan forgiveness program for certain military spouses who have student federal loans. Under current law, an otherwise qualified full-time teacher must complete five consecutive years of service to be eligible for the teacher loan forgiveness program. This bill permits a teacher who completes five full-time years of nonconsecutive service to be eligible for loan forgiveness if the teacher's spouse was relocated by the military.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2019
National Right-to-Work Act This bill amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to repeal those provisions that permit employers, pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement that is a union security agreement, to require employees to join a union as a condition of employment (including provisions permitting railroad carriers to require, pursuant to such an agreement, payroll deduction of union dues or fees as a condition of employment).
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2019
Disabled Veterans Rebuilding Infrastructure to Vitalize our Economy Act This bill amends the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) to (1) add the term "service-connected disabled veteran-owned small business concern" for purposes of awarding transportation contracts under such Act; (2) require, to the maximum extent practicable, not less than 5% of amounts available under such Act to be expended through service-connected disabled veteran-owned small business concerns; and (3) require states to notify the Department of Transportation of the percentage of small business concerns controlled by service-disabled veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2019
This resolution designates February 16-23, 2019, as National FFA Week. It also (1) recognizes the important role of the National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America) in developing young leaders, and (2) celebrates 50 years of female membership in the organization.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2019
Countering the Chinese Government and Communist Party's Political Influence Operations Act This bill directs the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security to devise a long-term strategy to counter the Chinese government's political influence operations. The strategy shall seek to counter the ruling Chinese Communist Party's campaigns to corrupt democratic countries and undermine democratic institutions, both in the United States and elsewhere. It shall also seek to increase awareness of such campaigns and help other countries develop the capacity to counter them. The strategy shall also ensure that Chinese nationals living in the United States, as well as Chinese Americans and members of the Uyghur and Tibetan diaspora, are protected against malign political influence operations, such as surveillance and intimidation. The State Department shall also report to Congress about Chinese government efforts to exert influence in the United States and in U.S. partner countries, and suggestions for countering such efforts. The report shall address issues including attempts to (1) influence government institutions and officials, (2) undermine democratic institutions and freedom of speech, and (3) suppress public information.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2019
Litigation Funding Transparency Act of 2019 This bill requires lawyers for plaintiffs in certain lawsuits to provide the court and other parties in the lawsuit with any agreement that entitles an outside business (i.e., a business that is not a party, class member, or counsel in the lawsuit) to receive payment contingent on the lawsuit's outcome. The lawyers for the plaintiffs shall also provide the identity of the outside business. Specifically, these requirements shall apply to any class action or multi-district litigation (i.e. related civil cases pending in different districts that are consolidated for pretrial proceedings).
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2019
Teachers and School Leaders need Education And Development to be Empowered Resources in Schools Act or the Teachers and School LEADERS Act This bill revises the Teacher Quality Partnership Grant Program, which provides training and professional development opportunities for prospective and new teachers through partnerships between (1) high-need school districts, schools, or early childhood education programs; and (2) institutions of higher education. The bill expands the grant program to include training and professional development opportunities for principals and other school leaders. In addition, the bill expands the types of entities that may join the partnerships and obtain grant funding to include entities that are nonprofit educational organizations or entities operating programs that provide alternative routes to state certification of teachers or school leaders.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2019
President George H. W. Bush and Barbara Bush Coin Act This bill requires the issuance of $1 coins bearing the image of President George H.W. Bush for a one-year period beginning on January 1, 2019, and bullion coins bearing the image of Barbara Bush during that same period.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2019
Blocking Deadly Fentanyl Imports Act This bill expands reporting requirements related to foreign countries that produce illicit fentanyl and limits assistance to countries that fail to take various actions to combat illegal drug production and trafficking. The President's annual report to Congress on U.S. strategy for controlling international narcotics shall include a section that identifies the countries that are the most significant sources of illicit fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and precursor chemicals used for producing fentanyl. The report shall also describe the extent to which such a country has cooperated with U.S. efforts to prevent exports of such substances into the United States. The United States shall withhold 50% of the foreign assistance allocated to each identified country for the fiscal year. The Department of the Treasury shall also direct U.S. Executive Directors in each multilateral development bank to vote against making loans or allocating funds to such countries. Both restrictions may be waived if the President certifies that the country has cooperated fully with U.S. anti-drug trafficking efforts or if vital U.S. national interests necessitate such a waiver. The bill also directs the President to identify countries that (1) have not adopted various procedures for countering narcotics production and distribution, or (2) are incapable of prosecuting individuals that manufacture or distribute new types of drugs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2019
Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019 This bill increases the per-country cap on family-based immigrant visas from 7% of the total number of such visas available that year to 15%, and eliminates the 7% cap for employment-based immigrant visas. It also removes an offset that reduced the number of visas for individuals from China. The bill also establishes transition rules for employment-based visas from FY2020-FY2022, by reserving a percentage of EB-2 (workers with advanced degrees or exceptional ability) and EB-3 (skilled and other workers) visas for individuals not from the two countries with the largest number of recipients of such visas. Of the unreserved visas, not more than 85% shall be allotted to immigrants from any single country.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2019
Chronic Wasting Disease Transmission in Cervidae Study Act This bill requires the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the U.S. Geological Survey to contract the National Academy of Sciences to study the predominant pathways and mechanisms of the transmission of chronic wasting disease in wild, captive, and farmed populations of deer, elk, reindeer, and moose populations in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2019
Revitalizing American Priorities for Infrastructure Development Act or the RAPID Act This bill revises the transportation infrastructure finance and innovation (TIFIA) program to (1) require program applicants to obtain investment grade ratings from at least two credit rating agencies, unless the federal credit instrument is less than $150 million (currently, less than $75 million), in which case one rating will suffice; (2) require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to implement an expedited decision timeline for public agency borrowers seeking secured loans; and (3) require DOT to publish status reports on program applications on the TIFIA website.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2019
Building United States Infrastructure and Leveraging Development Act or the BUILD Act This bill increases from $15 billion to $20.8 billion the national limitation on the amount of tax-exempt highway or surface freight transfer facility bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2019
National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2019 This bill allows the Department of Homeland Security to work together with a consortium composed of nonprofit entities to develop, update, and deliver cybersecurity training in support of homeland security.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2019
Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act This bill establishes requirements for the degree of care a health care practitioner must exercise in the event a child is born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion. A health care practitioner who is present must (1) exercise the same degree of care as reasonably provided to another child born alive at the same gestational age, and (2) immediately admit the child to a hospital. The bill also requires a health care practitioner or other employee to immediately report any failure to comply with this requirement to law enforcement. A person who violates the requirements is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to five years in prison, or both. Additionally, an individual who intentionally kills or attempts to kill a child born alive is subject to prosecution for murder. The bill bars the criminal prosecution of a mother of a child born alive for conspiracy to violate these provisions, for being an accessory after the fact, or for concealment of felony. A woman who undergoes an abortion or attempted abortion may file a civil action for damages against an individual who violates this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2019
This resolution expresses support for observing National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month during the period of January 1-February 1, 2019.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2019
GEAR UP for Success Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 and revises the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). The bill adds metrics for program evaluations and makes other revisions to GEAR UP, including with respect to authorized uses of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2019
Pipeline and LNG Facility Cybersecurity Preparedness Act This bill requires the Department of Energy to implement a program to ensure the security, resiliency, and survivability of natural gas pipelines, hazardous liquid pipelines, and liquefied natural gas facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2019
Sarah's Law This bill directs U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States and has been charged with a crime that resulted in the death or serious bodily injury of another person. ICE shall make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the identity of any victims of the crimes for which such alien was charged or convicted. It shall provide the victim, or the closest living relative of a deceased victim, with information about such alien, including name, date of birth, nationality, immigration status, criminal history, and a description of any related removal efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2019
This resolution commemorates the 100th anniversary of the American Farm Bureau Federation and recognizes its efforts to promote and advocate for U.S. farm and ranch interests.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2019
Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act This bill requires biennial budget resolutions, appropriations bills, and government strategic and performance plans, instead of the annual budget process required under current law. The bill specifies that budget biennium is the two consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1 of any odd-numbered year. The Office of Management and Budget must report to Congress on the impact and feasibility of changing the definition of a fiscal year and the budget process based on that definition to a two-year fiscal period.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2019
Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2019 This bill prohibits discrimination or adverse action against a child welfare provider that declines to provide services due to the provider's sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions. The prohibition applies to the federal government and any state, tribal, or local government that receives federal funding for child and family services or foster care and adoption assistance. However, government entities may still take adverse action against a provider that denies adoption or foster care placement based on the prospective parent or child's race, color, or national origin. If a state, tribal, or local entity engages in such prohibited actions, the Department of Health and Human Services shall withhold 15% of the federal funds the entity would have received to provide child and family services or foster care and adoption. The bill also provides a private right of action for child welfare providers to sue the government entity for such discrimination, and a prevailing provider shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees and costs. A government entity that accepts federal funding for child and family services or foster care and adoption assistance shall have waived sovereign entity as a defense to such discrimination allegations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2019
North American Development Bank Improvement Act of 2019 This bill authorizes the Department of the Treasury to provide a capital increase for the North American Development Bank, a financial institution the United States and Mexico created to develop infrastructure that protect the environment along their shared border. Treasury may subscribe to and purchase 150,000 shares of the bank's capital stock, to the extent that funds are appropriated for such a purpose. Treasury shall support projects related to water pollution and conservation, waste treatment, natural gas and energy security, expanding land border crossings, and reducing pollution related to such traffic. It shall also support developing various performance measures at the bank and report to Congress about its progress imposing such measures.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2019
Threat Assessment, Prevention, and Safety Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a Joint Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Task Force, which shall provide recommendations to Congress and DHS on the development and implementation of a national strategy for preventing targeted violence through behavioral threat assessment and management. The bill defines behavioral threat assessment and management as the systematic and evidence-based process of (1) identifying individuals whose behavior indicates a capacity for committing acts of violence, (2) investigating and gathering information from multiple sources to assess whether such individuals pose a threat, and (3) the subsequent management of such a threat. DHS shall (1) develop and implement the national strategy and provide information and training services related to it, and (2) award grants to establish community based units for implementing the national strategy.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2019
This bill directs the Department of State to include additional information in its annual reports concerning Taiwan's participation at the World Health Organization's World Health Assembly (WHA) as an observer. The report shall describe changes and improvements to the State Department's plan to support Taiwan's observer status at the WHA, following any meetings at which Taiwan did not participate under such status. (China has opposed Taiwan's participation, based on its position that Taiwan is part of China and not a separate country.)
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2019
Interdiction for the Protection of Child Victims of Exploitation and Human Trafficking Act This bill directs the Department of Justice to establish a pilot program—the Interdiction for the Protection of Child Victims of Exploitation and Human Trafficking Program—to train law enforcement officers and other professionals to identify and assist victims of child exploitation and human trafficking.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2019
Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 350,000 $1 silver coins in commemoration of Christa McAuliffe, a teacher tragically killed in the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster. The design of the coins shall bear an image and the name of Christa McAuliffe on the obverse side and a design on the reverse side that depicts the legacy of McAuliffe as a teacher. Treasury may issue the coins from January 1-December 31, 2020. All surcharges received by Treasury from the sale of the coins shall be paid to the FIRST robotics program for the purpose of engaging and inspiring young people, through mentor-based programs, to become leaders in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2019
Teachers Are Leaders Act This bill authorizes grants for the establishment of professional development programs for teachers who remain in the classroom while also carrying out formalized leadership responsibilities.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2019
Preserving America's Battlefields Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 the Battlefield Acquisition Grant Program and expands the purposes of the American Battlefield Protection Program to include the preservation and protection of nationally significant battlefields of not only the Civil War but also the American Revolution and the War of 1812, and the enhancement of visitors' experiences at those battlefields.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2019
This resolution urges the President to work with allies to lead a multinational freedom of navigation operation in the Black Sea to push back against excessive Russian claims of sovereignty. It also calls for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to enhance allied maritime presence and capabilities in the Black Sea and for European governments to cancel the Nord Stream 2 pipeline due to its threat to European energy security. The resolution also urges the President to provide additional security assistance to Ukraine and states that the President is required by statute to impose mandatory sanctions on Russia.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2019
Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act This bill requires the Administrative Conference of the United States to create and maintain a database of specified information about fees awarded in certain court cases and adversarial administrative proceedings in which the United States is a party.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2019
Death Tax Repeal Act of 2019 This bill repeals the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes. It also makes conforming amendments related to the gift tax.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2019
Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019 This bill requires the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to make arrangements for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal in honor of the female telephone operators of the Army Signal Corps (commonly known as the "Hello Girls").
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2019
Silencers Help Us Save Hearing Act or the SHUSH Act This bill modifies the treatment of silencers under federal statutes governing the sale, transfer, and possession of firearms. Specifically, it removes silencers from the list of firearms subject to regulation (i.e., registration and licensing requirements) under the National Firearms Act (NFA). Additionally, it excludes a muffler or silencer from the list of firearms subject to regulation (e.g., background check requirements) under the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA). Finally, the bill does the following: preempts state or local laws that tax or regulate firearm silencers, specifies that a person who lawfully acquires or possesses a silencer under provisions of the GCA meets the registration and licensing requirements of the NFA, eliminates mandatory minimum prison terms for a crime of violence or drug trafficking offense in which a defendant uses or carries a firearm equipped with a silencer or muffler, and permits active and retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed silencer.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2019
This resolution recognizes (1) January 2019 as National Mentoring Month, and (2) the staff and volunteers at quality mentoring programs who help young people reach their full potential. It acknowledges that mentoring is beneficial in that it supports educational achievement and self-confidence, supports young people in setting career goals and expanding social capital, reduces juvenile delinquency, improves positive outcomes, and strengthens communities. The resolution 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 · 19 January 2019
This resolution (1) designates the week of January 20-January 26, 2019, as National School Choice Week; (2) acknowledges the 15th anniversary of the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program; and (2) encourages all parents to learn more about the education options available to them.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2019
Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019 This bill directs various U.S. government bodies to prepare reports on China's treatment of the Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim Turkic ethnic group. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence shall report to Congress on issues including the security threats caused by the Chinese government's reported crackdown on the Uyghur population in Xinjiang province, the frequency with which other governments are forcibly returning Turkic Muslim refugees and asylum seekers to China, and the development or transfer of technology that facilitates mass internment and surveillance. The Federal Bureau of Investigation shall report on topics such as its efforts to protect ethnic Uyghurs and Chinese nationals in the United States from Chinese government intimidation. The U.S. Agency for Global Media shall report on media-related matters, including the reach of U.S. media into Xinjiang, assessments of Chinese propaganda strategies, and U.S. actions to counter such efforts to downplay the crackdown. The Department of State shall report on the scope of the reported crackdown in Xinjiang, including the number of detained individuals, the use of forced labor in the region, an assessment of government surveillance in the province, and U.S. diplomatic efforts to address the crackdown.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2019
This resolution recognizes the Senate's observation of Countering International Parental Child Abduction Month in April 2019. It also urges the United States to lead in raising awareness about the devastating impact of international child abduction.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2019
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 · 17 January 2019
Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance Act of 2019 This bill prohibits U.S. assistance to foreign nonprofits, nongovernmental organizations, or quasi-autonomous organizations that promote or perform abortions, except in cases of rape or incest or where the mother's life is endangered.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2019
Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act or PRENDA This bill creates new federal crimes related to the performance of sex-selection abortions (i.e., abortions based on the sex or gender of an unborn child). It subjects a violator to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. It also authorizes civil remedies, including damages and injunctive relief. A woman who undergoes a sex-selection abortion may not be prosecuted or held civilly liable.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2019
This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should expeditiously consider codifying into law the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy, which prohibits U.S. foreign assistance funds from going to organizations that perform abortions or actively promote them for family planning.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2019
Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act or the TRACED Act This bill implements a forfeiture penalty for violations (with or without intent) of the prohibition on certain robocalls. The bill also removes an annual reporting requirement for enforcement relating to unsolicited facsimile advertisements. The bill requires voice service providers to develop call authentication technologies. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) shall promulgate rules establishing when a provider may block a voice call based on information provided by the call authentication framework, but also must establish a process to permit a calling party adversely affected by the framework to verify the authenticity of their calls. The FCC shall also initiate a rulemaking to help protect a subscriber from receiving unwanted calls or texts from a caller using an unauthenticated number. This bill requires the Department of Justice and the FCC to assemble an interagency working group to study and report to Congress on the enforcement of the prohibition of certain robocalls. Specifically, the working group will look into how to better enforce against robocalls by examining issues like the types of laws, policies, or constraints that could be inhibiting enforcement. The bill requires the FCC to initiate a proceeding to determine whether its policies regarding access to number resources could be modified to help reduce access to numbers by potential robocall violators.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2019
Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act This bill establishes a new criminal offense for performing or attempting to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus is 20 weeks or more. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. The bill provides exceptions for an abortion (1) that is necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. A physician who performs or attempts to perform an abortion under an exception must comply with specified requirements. A woman who undergoes a prohibited abortion may not be prosecuted for violating or conspiring to violate the provisions of this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2019
Abby Honold Act This bill directs the Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women to make competitive grants to law enforcement agencies and victim services organizations to implement evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches in responding to and investigating domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.