United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2018
This joint resolution nullifies a Department of the Treasury rule (Rev. Proc. 2018-38) that modifies the requirements for information returns filed by certain tax-exempt organizations. The Treasury rule exempts certain tax-exempt organizations that are not 501(c)(3) organizations from the requirement to report the names and addresses of their contributors on returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The organizations must continue to collect and keep the information to make it available to the IRS upon request.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2018
Commemorates the victims killed in the Route 91 Harvest festival attack in Las Vegas, Nevada. Honors the survivors and pledges continued support for their recovery.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2018
Strengthening Minority-Serving Institutions Act of 2018 This bill permanently extends mandatory funding programs for historically Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions and increases the authorized funding levels for such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2018
Native American Suicide Prevention Act of 2018 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require a state or state-designated entity receiving support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for development and implementation of a statewide youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategy to agree to collaborate with each of the state's federally recognized Indian tribes, tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, and Native Hawaiian health care systems regarding the strategy.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2018
Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act of 2018 or the SWIFT Act This bill modifies eligibility requirements and increases benefits for widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses under the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) benefits program. The bill makes widow and widower's benefits available to disabled individuals at any age, whereas currently the benefits are limited to such individuals between ages 50 to 60. Provisions reducing benefits in various instances, such as when a beneficiary is entitled to multiple types of benefits, shall not apply to widow and widower's benefits for individuals with disabilities. For determining whether a beneficiary has a child in his or her care, the bill raises the upper age limit for the child from 16 to 18 years (or 19, if the child is a full-time elementary or secondary school student). An individual with a child in care may receive increased benefits in specified instances. The bill also increases various limits on widow and widower's benefits in certain instances and modifies the calculation for increased benefits for individuals who choose to delay receiving such benefits. For current beneficiaries, increases in OASDI benefits under this bill shall not affect the beneficiary's eligibility for any federal assistance program or the benefit amount to be received under such an assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2018
Recognizes that September 20, 2018, marks one year since the landfall of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Honors the victims of Hurricane Maria and those who contributed to saving lives in the hurricane's aftermath. Reaffirms the Senate's commitment to support the people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as they recover from the hurricane's devastation.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2018
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should take all appropriate measures to ensure that the U.S. Postal Service remains an independent establishment of the federal government and is not subject to privatization in whole or in part.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2018
Electric Credit Access Ready at Sale Act of 2018 or the Electric CARS Act of 2018 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify and extend several tax credits related to electric cars. The bill extends the tax credit for new qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles through 2028. In addition, the bill modifies the credit to: remove the limitation on the number of vehicles per manufacturer that are eligible for the credit, allow a taxpayer to assign the credit to a financing entity, and allow an unused credit to be carried forward for five years. The bill also extends through 2028 the tax credits for: (1) alternative fuel vehicle refueling property, and (2) alternative motor vehicles.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2018
Measuring Real Income Growth Act of 2018 This bill requires the Bureau of Economic Analysis to include estimates pertaining to various income groups in its gross domestic product analyses. Such analyses shall include estimates pertaining to each of the 10 deciles of income as discreet groups and the highest 1% of income as a group.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2018
Women's Pension Protection Act of 201 8 This bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to: (1) extend spousal consent requirements that currently apply to defined benefit pension plans to defined contribution pension plans, and (2) allow certain long-term part-time workers to participate in pension plans that include either a qualified cash or deferred arrangement or a salary reduction agreement. Financial product or service providers who sell retirement financial products or services must provide purchasers of their products or services an easily accessible link to the website of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to obtain information relating to retirement planning or later life economic security. The Women's Bureau of the Department of Labor shall award grants to certain community-based organizations to: (1) improve the financial literacy of women who are working age or in retirement, and (2) assist low-income women and victims of domestic violence in obtaining qualified domestic relations orders and the benefits they are entitled to through the orders.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2018
Beyond the Box for Higher Education Act of 2018 This bill removes drug conviction questions form the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and encourages institutions of higher education to remove criminal and juvenile justice questions from their admission applications.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2018
Veterans Health Care Staffing Improvement Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a Docs-to-Doctors Program to recruit individuals separating from the Armed Forces who served in a health care capacity in the Armed Forces. The VA shall also implement a uniform credentialing process for certain health care employees of the Veterans Health Administration and advanced practice registered nurses.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2018
Reaching English Learners Act This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a grant program to pay the federal share of the costs for preparing teachers to effectively instruct English learners. Grants may be awarded for up to five years.
United States · United States Congress · 28 August 2018
This joint resolution nullifies a rule by the Department of Treasury, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Health and Human Services regarding short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans. Short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans are plans that may only offer coverage for a limited amount of time under law and that are exempt from the market requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (e.g., coverage of individuals with preexisting conditions). The rule increases the maximum authorized duration of such plans from less than 3 months (including renewals) to an initial maximum duration of less than 12 months (with a total duration of up to 36 months, including renewals). The rule takes effect October 2, 2018.
United States · United States Congress · 28 August 2018
Council on Rural Community Innovation and Economic Development Act of 2018 This bill establishes a Council on Rural Community Innovation and Economic Development and a Rural Broadband Integration Working Group.
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
Advancing Grid Storage Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Energy to establish certain energy programs, including an energy storage research program and a technical assistance and grant program.
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 2018
Designates September 2018 as National Child Awareness Month to: (1) promote awareness of youth-serving charities and organizations throughout the United States, (2) recognize the efforts made by those charities and organizations as critical contributions to the future of the United States, and (3) recognize the importance of meeting the needs of at-risk children and youth.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 2018
Aretha Franklin Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill instructs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of Aretha Franklin in recognition of her outstanding artistic and historical significance to the culture of the United States.
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 · 16 August 2018
Simplifying Financial Aid for Students Act of 2018 This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to simplify the financial aid application process for students and make unlawful aliens eligible for higher education benefits under certain circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 15 August 2018
Storey County Land Conveyance Act This bill repeals the expedited program for the examination of unpatented mining claims within the mining townsites located in Virginia City in Storey County, Nevada, and provides for the conveyance and survey of additional federal land to be conveyed by the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2018
Advancing Critical Connectivity Expands Service, Small Business Resources, Opportunities, Access, and Data Based on Assessed Need and Demand Act or the ACCESS BROADBAND Act This bill requires the Department of Commerce to establish the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The office shall: connect with communities that need access to high-speed internet and improved digital inclusion efforts; hold regional workshops to share best practices and effective strategies for promoting broadband access and adoption; develop targeted broadband training and presentations for various demographic communities through media; develop and distribute publications providing guidance to communities for expanding broadband access and adoption; and track construction and use of, and access to, any broadband infrastructure built using federal support.
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
Stop Excessive Narcotics in our Retirement Communities Protection Act or the SENIOR Communities Protection Act This bill authorizes the suspension of payments to a pharmacy under the Medicare prescription drug benefit and Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans pending the investigation of a credible allegation of fraud by the pharmacy. A fraud hotline tip, without other evidence, may not be considered a credible allegation of fraud.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2018
American Cars, American Jobs Act of 2018 This bill establishes in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the American Cars, American Jobs Program. Under the program, the Department of Transportation must issue vouchers of $3,500 to offset the purchase or lease price of a new automobile made in the United States if at least 45% of the automobile's parts come from the United States or Canada and assembly of the automobile occurs in the United States. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow a tax deduction for the global low-tax income of certain foreign subsidiaries of U.S. automakers whose profits exceed a specified percentage of their value.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2018
Expresses support for the existing One National Program with the goals of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and oil usage, protecting national security, and protecting human health and welfare. Expresses support for politics that will: (1) achieve maximum feasible oil-use reductions and reduce GHG emissions from mobile sources; (2) recognize the rights and importance of states to set and follow stronger vehicle emissions standards under the Clean Air Act; and (3) ensure that the Administration, the Department of Transportation, and the Environmental Protection Agency solicit input from states impacted by changes to existing standards for emissions and fuel economy.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2018
Census Equality Act This bill requires the Bureau of the Census to collect data concerning sexual orientation and gender identity as part of the decennial census and the American Community Survey.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2018
Veterans Dental Care Eligibility Expansion and Enhancement Act of 2018 This bill expands the kinds of dental services and treatment that the Department of Veterans Affairs may provide to certain veterans, including veterans who were exposed to toxic substances, radiation, or other conditions. The VA must (1) carry out a pilot program to furnish dental services and treatments to all veterans; (2) construct or lease dental clinics in states that do not have VA facilities that offer onsite dental services, (3) carry out an education program to promote dental health for all veterans; and (4) expand the dental insurance pilot program by requiring private sector dental care providers to forward information on the care of their patients in the program for inclusion in the VA's medical records.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2018
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor Center Extension Act This bill extends the authority for the construction of a visitor center at or near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Spotlight Act This bill repeals an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) revenue procedure (Rev. Proc. 2018-38) that exempts certain tax-exempt organizations that are not 501(c)(3) organizations from the requirement to report the names and addresses of substantial contributors (persons who contribute more than $5,000 per year) on information returns that are filed with the IRS. The bill requires tax-exempt organizations that fall under sections 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), and 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code (e.g., social welfare organizations, labor organizations, business leagues) to disclose the names and addresses of all substantial contributors on their returns. The information must also be made available to the public. The bill also eliminates the authority of the IRS to provide exceptions to the disclosure requirements for tax-exempt organizations. This provision does not apply to determinations made by the IRS before July 16, 2018.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
End Trafficking of Native Americans Act of 2018 This bill increases the coordination of efforts to prevent human trafficking of Native Americans and Alaska Natives, including by establishing an advisory committee on human trafficking within Indian lands and of Indians.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2018
Eliminate From Regulators Opportunities to Nationalize The Internet In Every Respect Act or the E-FRONTIER Act This bill prohibits the President or an executive agency from constructing, operating, or offering wholesale or retail service on a broadband network unless Congress grants that authority to the President or the agency. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on potential threats facing U.S. broadband networks from China, Iran, Russia, and other foreign adversaries and the risks from using foreign equipment and services in U.S. broadband networks.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2018
Reunite Every Unaccompanied Newborn Infant, Toddler and other children Expeditiously Act or the REUNITE Act This bill directs the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Health and Human Services (HHS), after consultation with humanitarian organizations, child welfare agencies, and states bordering Mexico, to promulgate and publish a rule describing efforts that DHS and HHS will undertake to aid apprehended parents or legal guardians in locating and reuniting with any children (under age 18 with no permanent immigration status) separated from them at or near the port of entry, or within 100 miles of the border. DHS, HHS, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) must provide apprehended parents or legal guardians separated from their children with written notice, in a language understandable to them, of any rules or guidance that may assist them in locating and reuniting with their children. The bill permits DHS and HHS to use DNA testing to determine family relationships subject to certain requirements, after using other commonly-used techniques for determining such relationships. DHS must establish secure alternative programs that incorporate case management services in each DHS field office to ensure appearances by alien parents and children at immigration proceedings and public safety and to provide for community-based alternatives to detention. DHS, DOJ, and HHS shall establish an interagency Office for Locating and Reuniting Children with Parents for facilitating the reunification of children and apprehended parents or legal guardians after entering the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2018
Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from detaining a woman during pregnancy or postpartum recovery and must immediately release any detainee found to be pregnant, unless such woman presents an immediate and serious threat of hurting herself or others A DHS detention facility may not use a restraint on a detainee who is known to be pregnant, including during labor, transport to a medical facility or birthing center, and delivery, or during postpartum recovery, except for medical or safety purposes. The bill prohibits DHS detention officers from being present during a pelvic exam of a detainee, labor, delivery, or treatment relating to a pregnancy, unless specifically requested by medical personnel. If a detention officer is requested by medical personnel, such officer shall be female, if practicable, and remain at a reasonable distance from the detainee. The bill requires that a pregnant detainee shall have access to health care services, including comprehensive services relating to reproductive health care and pregnancy.
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
Contaminant and Lead Electronic Accounting and Reporting Requirements (CLEARR) for Drinking Water Act of 2018 This bill assists communities in complying with and reporting on drinking water requirements, including to reauthorize through FY2023 a grant program for assisting the public water systems of small or disadvantaged communities comply with drinking water requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Justice for Victims of Lynching Act of 2018 This bill specifies that an offense involving lynching is a criminal civil rights violation. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a prison term, a fine, or both.
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
Fight Illicit Networks and Detect Trafficking Act or the FIND Trafficking Act This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on the use of virtual currencies and online marketplaces in sex and drug trafficking. The GAO must study topics including: how illicit proceeds are transferred into the U.S. banking system, state and non-state actors that benefit from or participate in such activity, preventative efforts from federal and state agencies, and how to use the unique characteristics of virtual currencies to track illicit activity.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Countering the Chinese Government and Communist Party's Political Influence Operations Act This bill directs the Department of State to report to Congress regarding the political influence operations of the government and Communist Party of China affecting the United States and up to five of its most impacted allies and partners.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Expresses support for the rights, freedoms, and equal treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people. Recognizes that LGBTQ rights are human rights and protected by the U.S. Constitution and international treaties. Encourages the celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month in June.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2018
Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2018 This bill requires the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to make a determination as to whether a state substantially provides for certain rights and responsibilities applicable to public employees, such as granting such employees the right to form or join a labor organization and to bargain collectively, and if the state does not substantially provide for such rights and responsibilities, then such state shall be subject to nationwide standards prescribed by the FLRA to protect public employee rights. No employer, emergency services employee, or law enforcement officer may engage in a lockout, strike, or any other organized job action of which a reasonably probable result is a measurable disruption of the delivery of emergency or public safety services. No labor organization may violate or attempt to violate this prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2018
Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2018 or the DISCLOSE Act of 2018 This bill expands the ban on election contributions by foreign nationals to include corporations subject to specified levels of ownership or control by foreign nationals. The bill also expands (1) reporting requirements related to campaign contributions, and (2) disclosure requirements related to the funding sources of political advertisements.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2018
Deter Obnoxious, Nefarious, and Outrageous Telephone Calls Act of 2018 or the DO NOT Call Act. This bill modifies penalties for violating restrictions on the use of telephone equipment, including by increasing the maximum penalties for falsifying caller-identification information.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2018
Fairness for Farm Workers Act This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 with respect to agricultural workers. The bill requires employers, beginning in 2019, to compensate agricultural workers for hours worked in excess of their regular hours (i.e., 55 hours in 2019, 50 hours in 2020, 45 hours in 2021, and 40 hours in 2022) at not less than one and one-half times the employee's regular rate. For employers with 25 or fewer employees, the overtime pay requirements begin in 2022. These overtime pay requirements do not apply, as in current law, to employees who are the parent, spouse, child, or other member of the employer's immediate family. The bill also repeals the exemption from overtime pay requirements for employers in various agriculture-related industries, including certain small farms, irrigation projects, sugar processing, and cotton ginning and compressing.
![Official portrait of Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c001113_200.jpg)