United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2019
Human Trafficking Survivor Tax Relief Act This bill modifies the requirements for calculating taxable income to exclude from gross income civil damages, restitution, or other monetary awards (including compensatory or statutory damages and restitution imposed in a criminal matter) awarded to victims of peonage, slavery, or human trafficking.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2019
Creating Hope and Opportunity for Individuals and Communities through Education Act or the CHOICE Act This bill expands school choice programs for elementary and secondary school students. The bill requires, to qualify for an opportunity scholarship, that a student in the District of Columbia be currently enrolled, or be enrolled for the next school year, in a public or private elementary or secondary school (opportunity scholarships are provided to low-income District students to enable them to attend a participating private school of their choice); permits states that have established programs allowing the parents of disabled children to use public or private funds for assistance with the cost of their children attending a private school to supplement those funds with federal special education funds; and authorizes grants to support the design and initial implementation of state programs that allow the parents of a disabled child to choose the appropriate public or private school for their child. The Department of Defense must carry out a five-year pilot program to award scholarships to enable military dependent students who live on military installations to attend the public or private elementary or secondary schools their parents choose.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2019
Protect Funding for Women's Health Care Act This bill prohibits federal funding of Planned Parenthood Federation of America or its affiliates, subsidiaries, successors, or clinics.
United States · United States Congress · 15 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 · 15 January 2019
Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019 This bill provides for a Congressional Gold Medal to be awarded to the U.S. Merchant Mariners of World War II, in recognition of their service during World War II. Following the award of the medal, it shall be given to the American Merchant Marine Museum, where it shall be available for display and research.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2019
Shutdown Fairness Act This bill provides appropriations for the pay and allowances of certain federal employees and contractors who are required to work during any period in which there is a lapse in appropriations for FY2019.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2019
Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2019 This bill revises provisions relating to congressional review of agency rulemaking. Specifically, the bill establishes a congressional approval process for a major rule. A major rule may only take effect if Congress approves of the rule. A major rule is a rule that results in (1) an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, government agencies, or geographic regions; or (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises. In addition, the bill establishes a congressional disapproval process for a nonmajor rule. A nonmajor rule may only take effect if Congress does not disapprove of the rule.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2019
Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act This bill allows a state to use federal funds to cover a higher percentage of the costs for the construction and expansion of public target ranges. Specifically, a state may use specified federal grant funds to pay up to 90% of such costs (rather than 75%, as under current law). Additionally, amounts provided for these purposes shall remain available for five fiscal years (rather than two, as under current law).
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2019
No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2019 This bill modifies provisions relating to federal funding for, and health insurance coverage of, abortions. Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions or for health coverage that includes abortions. Such restrictions extend to the use of funds in the budget of the District of Columbia. Additionally, abortions may not be provided in a federal health care facility or by a federal employee. Historically, language has been included in annual appropriations bills for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions—such language is commonly referred to as the Hyde Amendment. Similar language is also frequently included in appropriations bills for other federal agencies and the District of Columbia. The bill makes these restrictions permanent and extends the restrictions to all federal funds (rather than specific agencies). The bill's restrictions regarding the use of federal funds do not apply in cases of rape, incest, or where a physical disorder, injury, or illness endangers a woman's life unless an abortion is performed. The Hyde Amendment provides the same exceptions. The bill also prohibits qualified health plans from including coverage for abortions. Currently, qualified health plans may cover abortion, but the portion of the premium attributable to abortion coverage is not eligible for subsidies.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2019
Community Health Investment, Modernization, and Excellence Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes for FY2020-FY2024 and makes appropriations for the Community Health Center Fund, which provides enhanced funding for the community health center program and the National Health Service Corps.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2019
End Government Shutdowns Act This bill provides continuing appropriations to prevent a government shutdown if any appropriations measure for a fiscal year has not been enacted before the fiscal year begins or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect. For an initial 120-day period, the bill provides appropriations to continue programs, projects, and activities for which funds were provided in the preceding fiscal year. The bill reduces the continuing appropriations by 1% after the first 120-day period and by an additional 1% for each subsequent 90-day period until the applicable appropriations legislation is enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2019
This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to James Megellas for acts of valor on January 28, 1945, during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2019
Creating a Reliable Environment for Veterans' Dependents Act of 2019 This bill addresses funding for care of dependents of homeless veterans. Grant recipients under the Department of Veterans Affairs comprehensive service program for homeless veterans receive per diem payments for services furnished to homeless veterans. The bill provides that furnishing care for a dependent in the care of a homeless veteran (who is receiving services from a grant recipient) may count as a service for which grant recipients can receive per diem payments.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2019
No Work, No Pay Act of 2019 This bill prohibits Members of Congress from being paid during a government shutdown, beginning with the 117th Congress. For the 116th Congress, the bill requires a Member's pay to be deposited in an escrow account during a government shutdown and to be released at the earlier of the end of the shutdown or the end of the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2019
This resolution declares that (1) the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable John Chester Culver, former Member of the Senate; and (2) when the Senate adjourns on January 10, 2019, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the Honorable John Chester Culver.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2019
Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2019 This bill allows a qualified individual to carry a concealed handgun into or possess a concealed handgun in another state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms. A qualified individual must (1) be eligible to possess, transport, or receive a firearm under federal law; (2) carry a valid photo identification document; and (3) carry a valid state-issued concealed carry permit, or be eligible to carry a concealed firearm in his or her state of residence.
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2019
This resolution (1) extends heartfelt sympathy to the family of Richard Arvin Overton, who was the oldest surviving veteran, on the occasion of his death; and (2) honors his life and his service to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2019
Lake Fannin Recreation Area Conveyance Act This bill directs the Forest Service, upon request by Fannin County in Texas, to convey approximately 2,025 acres of National Forest System land to the county.
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2019
Red River Gradient Boundary Survey Act This bill directs the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to commission a survey to identify the South Bank boundary line with respect to land along a specified 116-mile stretch of the Red River in Oklahoma and Texas (the affected area). The survey shall adhere to the gradient boundary survey method; span the length of the affected area; be conducted by one or more independent third-party surveyors who are licensed and qualified to conduct official gradient boundary surveys, and selected by the Texas General Land Office and the Oklahoma Commissioners of the Land Office (the offices), and each affected federally recognized Indian tribe; and be completed within two years of enactment of this bill. The BLM shall only approve the survey, or a portion of it, that has the written approval of the offices and each affected tribe. Surveys of individual parcels in the affected area shall be conducted according to the requirements for the survey of the South Bank boundary line. After a survey for an individual parcel has been approved, the offices shall publish a notice of the approval of such survey, and furnish to any landowner a copy of such survey and any field notes related to the parcel of that landowner.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2019
Constitutional Amendment This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year unless Congress authorizes the excess by a two-thirds vote of each chamber. The prohibition excludes outlays for repayment of debt principal and receipts derived from borrowing. The amendment prohibits total outlays for any fiscal year from exceeding 18% of the gross domestic product of the United States, unless two-thirds of each house of Congress provides for a specific increase above this amount. The amendment requires a two-thirds vote of each chamber of Congress to impose a new tax, increase the statutory rate of any tax, or increase the aggregate amount of revenue. It requires a three-fifths vote of each chamber to increase the limit on the debt of the United States. The President must submit an annual budget in which total outlays do not exceed total receipts and 18% of the gross domestic product of the United States. The amendment prohibits a court from ordering a revenue increase to enforce the requirements. Congress may waive specified requirements when a declaration of war is in effect or the United States is engaged in a military conflict which causes an imminent and serious military threat to national security.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Strengthening the National Disaster Medical System Act of 2019 This bill makes several changes to the National Disaster Medical System, which is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. Among other changes, the bill requires an agency review of the capacity of the system's workforce of intermittent disaster-response personnel to meet the needs of public health emergencies, and temporarily alters the appointment process to address workforce shortages.
United States · United States Congress · 2 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 · 20 December 2018
Notes with deep sorrow and solemn mourning the death of Admiral James A. Lyons. Honors and expresses deep appreciation for the outstanding and important service of Admiral James A. Lyons to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2018
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2018 This bill reauthorizes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for FY2019, provides for the continuation of the International Space Station, and authorizes NASA programs and activities, including a low-Earth orbit commercialization program, a lunar discovery program, an unmanned aircraft systems operation program, a 21st Century Aeronautics Research Capabilities Initiative, and a small satellite launch services program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2018
Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains Act of 2018 This bill revises the authority for state grants to improve the reporting of unidentified and missing persons. Among other things, the bill does the following: authorizes grants to be used for additional activities (e.g., transportation of missing persons and unidentified remains), including with respect to migrants; expands eligible entities; and gives priority to eligible entities in states along the southern border.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2018
Declares that the Senate: (1) notes with deep sorrow and solemn mourning the death of former President George H.W. Bush, (2) extends heartfelt sympathy to former President George W. Bush and the entire family of former President George H.W. Bush, and (3) honors and expresses deep appreciation for former President George H.W. Bush's outstanding and important service to his country. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on December 5, 2018, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of former President George H.W. Bush.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2018
United States Ports of Entry Threat and Operational Review Act This bill directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection to submit to the congressional homeland security and tax committees a threat and operational analysis of U.S. air, land, and sea ports of entry.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2018
Effective Prosecution of Possession of Biological Toxins and Agents Act of 2018 This bill revises the criminal prohibition on the shipment, transport, possession, or receipt of a biological agent or toxin by a restricted person. Specifically, it updates references to the lists of agents and toxins covered by the prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2018
Animal Disease and Disaster Prevention, Surveillance, and Rapid Response Act of 2018 This bill establishes the Animal Disease and Disaster Prevention, Surveillance, and Rapid Response Program within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support activities to prevent, detect, and rapidly respond to animal pests and diseases affecting the economic interests of the livestock industry and related U.S. industries. The bill also establishes a National Livestock Vaccine Bank within USDA to leverage, as appropriate, the mechanisms and infrastructure that have been developed for the management, storage, and distribution of the National Veterinary Stockpile. The vaccine bank must maintain a sufficient quantity of animal vaccine, antiviral, or therapeutic products: (1) to appropriately respond to the most damaging animal diseases affecting human health and the economy, and (2) be capable of deployment within 24 hours of an outbreak of the animal disease.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2018
First Step Act This bill amends various provisions of law and sets forth new provisions: to require the Department of Justice to establish and the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to implement a risk and needs assessment system; to modify the computation of good time credit; to allow federal correctional officers to securely store and carry concealed firearms on BOP premises outside the security perimeter of a prison; to limit the use of restraints on federal prisoners who are pregnant or in postpartum recovery; to reduce mandatory minimum prison terms for certain nonviolent repeat drug offenses; to broaden the existing safety valve to permit a sentence below the mandatory minimum for certain nonviolent, cooperative drug offenders with a limited criminal history; to make the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 retroactive; to require prisoners to be placed within 500 miles of their primary residence; to require low-risk prisoners to be placed on home confinement for the maximum amount of time permitted; to reauthorize through FY2022 and modify eligibility for an elderly offender early release pilot program; to require the BOP to help prisoners obtain identification documents prior to release, to incorporate de-escalation procedures into training programs, and to make tampons and sanitary napkins available free of charge; to authorize Federal Prison Industries to sell products to additional markets; to require probation and pretrial services officers to perform court-directed supervision of sex offenders conditionally released from civil commitment; to require the BOP to establish pilot programs on youth mentorship and service to abandoned, rescued, or vulnerable animals; and to limit juvenile solitary confinement.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2018
Chronic Wasting Disease Transmission in Cervidae Study Act This bill requires the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 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 · 15 November 2018
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 · 15 November 2018
Supports the designation of November 19-November 23, 2018, as National Family Service Learning Week to raise awareness about the importance of family service learning, family literacy, community service, and two-generational learning experiences.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2018
Condemns: (1) the anti-Semitic attack at the Tree of Life synagogue building in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 27, 2018, in which 11 innocent people were killed and 6 were injured, and (2) rising anti-Semitism. Honors the memory of the victims and expresses the hope that their memory may be a blessing to their families and community. Reaffirms the commitment of the United States to condemn anti-Semitism, protect the right of people in the United States to freely exercise their religious beliefs, and ensure their safety and security.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2018
Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2018 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 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 and assessments of Chinese propaganda strategies. The Department of State shall report on the scope of the reported crackdown in Xinjiang, including the number of detained individuals, an assessment of government surveillance in the province, and U.S. diplomatic efforts to address the crackdown.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2018
Faster Access to Federal Student Aid Act of 2018 This bill requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to disclose certain tax return information to the Department of Education (ED) for the purpose of administering financial aid and loan programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965. (Under current law, students must obtain their own tax return information from the IRS and submit it to ED.) Upon receiving a request from ED, the IRS must disclose specified tax return information to ED for the purposes of establishing, renewing, administering, and conducting analyses and forecasts for estimating costs related to income-contingent or income-based repayment programs; the discharge of loans based on a total and permanent disability; determining the eligibility for, and the amount of, federal student financial aid; and conducting analyses and forecasts for estimating costs related to federal student financial aid programs. ED may only use the disclosed information for the purposes above and for mitigating risks related to the programs. Mitigating risks includes activities related to analyzing or estimating costs, conducting oversight, developing statistics, and reducing improper payments. It does not include conducting criminal investigations or prosecutions. With the consent of the taxpayer, ED may disclose the return information to certain institutions of higher education, state higher education agencies, and scholarship organizations solely for the use in financial aid programs. The bill also specifies notification and reporting requirements related to the disclosures and the implementation of this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2018
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 · 11 October 2018
Occupational Licensing Board Antitrust Damages Relief and Reform Act of 2018 This bill prohibits any person not affiliated with a state from recovering damages under antitrust law from certain occupational licensing boards or members of such boards. For a board to qualify for this immunity, various conditions must be met, such as the existence of a state law authorizing the board's regulation of a particular profession and the presence of a mechanism for reviewing the board's decisions.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2018
Innovations in Mentoring, Training, and Apprenticeships Act This bill requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award competitive grants to community colleges to develop or improve associate degree and certificate programs in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including computer science) fields in which there is a significant workforce demand in their region and a need to strengthen the global competitiveness of affected companies. The NSF shall award competitive grants to universities partnering with employers or employer consortia that commit to offering apprenticeships, internships, research opportunities, or applied learning experiences to university students in identified four-year STEM degree programs. The NSF shall award competitive grants to institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations to conduct research on student outcomes and determine best practices and scalability of computer-based and online courses for technical skills training. The NSF Directorate of Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences, in coordination with the Department of Labor, shall support research to improve the efficiency of skilled technical labor markets in the United States. The NSF shall commission research that compares and contrasts skilled technical workforce development between the United States and other developed countries. The NSF National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics shall coordinate with other relevant federal statistical agencies in exploring the feasibility of expanding its surveys to include the collection of objective data on certain skilled technical workers who use significant levels of STEM knowledge in their jobs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2018
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 122 W. Goodwin Street in Pleasanton, Texas, as the "Pleasanton Veterans Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2018
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 901 N. Francisco Avenue in Mission, Texas, as the "Mission Veterans Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2018
Condemns the persecution of religious minorities in China. Reaffirms the U.S. commitment to religious freedom and tolerance and to protecting religious minorities facing persecution.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2018
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Economic Exclusion Act This bill expands sanctions against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The President shall report to Congress regarding: foreign and domestic supply chains that significantly aid the IRGC; Iranian state-owned entities that provide support to terrorist entities, including Mahan Air; and foreign persons owned or controlled by the IRGC, including companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange or companies with a value in excess of $100 million. The bill states that it is U.S. policy to prevent Iran's membership in the World Trade Organization and similar international bodies as long as Iran remains a state sponsor of terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2018
Human Trafficking Survivor Tax Relief Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income civil damages, restitution, or other monetary awards (including compensatory or statutory damages and restitution imposed in a criminal matter) awarded to victims of peonage, slavery, or human trafficking.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2018
Recognizes: (1) the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15, 2018, through October 15, 2018; and (2) the integral role of Latinos and their manifold heritage in the economy, culture, and identity of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2018
Recognizes the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey and expresses condolences to the victims. Reaffirms the commitment of the Senate to: (1) stand by the people of Texas and Louisiana, and (2) provide them the necessary resources to rebuild their communities.