United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2019
This resolution congratulates the students, families, teachers, administrators, and staff of public charter schools across the United States for (1) making ongoing contributions to public education, (2) making impressive strides in closing the academic achievement gap in U.S. schools, and (3) improving and strengthening the public school system. The resolution supports the ideals and goals of the 20th annual National Charter Schools Week.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2019
This resolution censures Brunei's criminal laws with respect to sexual orientation and adultery, and supports the withdrawal and denial of United States visas for Brunei officials responsible for the implementation of such laws until they are repealed.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2019
Bipartisan Disaster Recovery Funding Act of 2019 This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget, within 60 days, to release certain funding awarded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for mitigation activities under the Community Development Block Grant program.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019
Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act This bill treats certain military survivor benefits that are received by children as earned income of the child for the purposes of the kiddie tax (the tax on the unearned income of children). This has the effect of exempting the benefits from such tax.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019
This resolution expresses support for democratization in Sudan and emphasizes that, until Sudan transitions to a civilian-led government, it will remain on the State Sponsors of Terrorism List and sanctions against the country will continue.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019
This resolution condemns the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka by Islamist extremists against innocent civilians on Easter Sunday. It also offers condolences to the victims and their families and friends. It notes the importance of national unity in light of the 10th anniversary of the end of Sri Lanka's civil war.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019
National Law Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins that are emblematic of the National Law Enforcement Museum in the District of Columbia and of the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers throughout the history of the United States. All sales of such coins shall include specified surcharges, which shall be distributed to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Inc., for educational and outreach programs and exhibits.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019
Preserve Charities and Houses of Worship Act This bill modifies the requirements for determining the unrelated business taxable income of tax-exempt organizations. The bill repeals provisions that (1) require organizations with more than one unrelated trade or business to compute unrelated business taxable income separately for each trade or business; and (2) increase unrelated business taxable income by the amount of expenses paid or incurred by an organization for certain fringe benefits for which a tax deduction is not allowed, including benefits relating to transportation, parking, or an on-premises athletic facility.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019
National Museum of the American Latino Act This bill establishes the National Museum of the American Latino in the Smithsonian Institution. The purposes of the museum are to (1) illuminate Latino contributions to the story of the United States; (2) provide for the collection, study, research, publication, and establishment of exhibitions and programs related to Latino life, art, history, and culture; and (3) provide for collaboration with Smithsonian Institution museums and research centers and other museums and educational institutions in the United States and abroad to promote the study and appreciation of Latino life, art, history, culture, and its impact on society in the United States. The bill establishes a Board of Trustees for the museum to advise and assist the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian on all matters related to the administration and preservation of the museum. The Director of the museum shall manage the museum and may carry out educational and liaison programs in support of its goals. The Board of Regents shall designate a site for the museum and is authorized to design and construct it.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019
Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act of 2019 or the CASE Act of 2019 This bill creates the Copyright Claims Board, a body within the U.S. Copyright Office, to decide copyright disputes. Damages awarded by the board are capped at $30,000. Participation in board proceedings is voluntary with an opt-out procedure for defendants, and parties may choose instead to have a dispute heard in court. If the parties agree to have their dispute heard by the board, they shall forego the right to be heard before a court and the right to a jury trial. Board proceedings shall have no effect on class actions. The board shall be authorized to hear copyright infringement claims, actions for a declaration of noninfringement, claims that a party knowingly sent false takedown notices, and related counterclaims. The bill provides for various procedures, including with respect to requests for information from the other party and requests for the board to reconsider a decision. The board may issue monetary awards based on actual or statutory damages. The parties shall bear their own attorneys' fees and costs except where there is bad faith misconduct. A board's final determination precludes relitigating the claims in court or at the board. Parties may challenge a board decision in federal district court only if (1) the decision was a result of fraud, corruption, or other misconduct; (2) the board exceeded its authority or failed to render a final determination; or (3) in a default ruling or failure to prosecute, the default or failure was excusable.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019
This resolution condemns the April 21, 2019, terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka and declares that the Senate stands with the government of Sri Lanka in bringing peace and security to the citizens of Sri Lanka, particularly the religious communities of that nation.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2019
This resolution declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Richard G. Lugar, former Senator from Indiana.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2019
Protecting America's First Responders Act This bill revises the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program. The program provides disability benefits to public safety officers who are injured in the line of duty and provides death and education benefits to survivors of public safety officers who are killed in the line of duty. Specifically, the bill revises the payment amount of disability benefits for claims pending for more than one year. The amount must be based on the date of the adjudication of such claim rather than the date of the injury. The bill also increases the interim benefit payment amount and adjusts it based on the Consumer Price Index. Additionally, the payment amount of death benefits must be the greater of (1) the amount payable as of the date of the public safety officer's death, or (2) the amount payable based on the date of the adjudication of the claim. Currently, such amount is based only on the date of death. Further, the bill allows applicants who were denied benefits in the previous three years to reapply for benefits. The Bureau of Justice Assistance of the Department of Justice (DOJ) must use all available investigative tools, including subpoenas, to (1) expedite the processing of a claimant's eligibility for a death, disability, or education benefit; and (2) obtain necessary information from third parties (e.g., public agencies). Finally, DOJ must provide retroactive educational assistance to eligible survivors of public safety officers.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2019
Mongolia Third Neighbor Trade Act This bill allows the President to provide duty-free treatment through 2025 for certain articles imported from Mongolia.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2019
Equal Campus Access Act of 2019 This bill prohibits funding for any public institution of higher education (IHE) that denies to religious student organizations any right, benefit, or privilege that is otherwise afforded to other student organizations at the IHE because of the religious beliefs, practices, speech, leadership standards, or standards of conduct of the religious student organization.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2019
This bill makes permanent several tax provisions that were enacted in 2017 and are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025. The bill makes permanent provisions that reduce individual tax rates, modify the taxation of the unearned income of children, allow a deduction for qualified business income of pass-through entities, increase the standard deduction, increase and modify the child tax credit, increase the limitation for certain charitable contributions, allow additional contributions to ABLE accounts (tax-favored accounts designed to enable individuals with disabilities to save for and pay for disability-related expenses), allow certain members of the Armed Forces in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt to receive combat zone tax benefits, reduce the adjusted gross income threshold for the medical expense deduction, exclude from gross income discharges of student loan debt due to the death or disability of the student, repeal the deduction for personal exemptions, limit individual deductions for state and local taxes, limit the mortgage interest deduction, double the estate and gift tax exemption amount, increase the alternative minimum tax exemption amount for individuals, and repeal or limit several other deductions and exclusions. The bill also modifies (1) the capital gains tax brackets, and (2) the tax filing requirements for married taxpayers.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2019
This resolution congratulates the Lady Bears of Baylor University on winning the 2019 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I women's basketball championship and completing a successful season.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019
Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019 This bill authorizes the Department of State to enter into cooperative agreements to enhance cooperation on energy matters between the United States and Israel, Greece, and Cyprus. The Department of Energy may establish a joint U.S.-Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center in the United States to further dialogue and academic cooperation in energy innovation technology, water science, and technology transfer. An existing ban on transferring defense articles and services on the U.S. Munitions List to Cyprus is modified to allow for such transfers if Cyprus is the end user of the articles or services. Specifically, the State Department shall not deny exports, reexports or transfers of defense articles and services to Cyprus if the request is made by or on behalf of Cyprus and if Cyprus is the end user of such articles or services. No funds may be obligated or expended to facilitate the transfer of an F-35 aircraft (or to provide any related items or data) to Turkey unless the President certifies to Congress that Turkey does not plan to accept delivery of the S-400 air defense system from Russia. The State Department shall report on (1) a strategy for enhancing security and energy cooperation with Eastern Mediterranean countries, (2) malign Russian influence in the region, and (3) violations of Cyprus's exclusive economic zone and Greece's airspace.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019
This resolution states that it is U.S. policy to (1) commemorate the Armenian Genocide, the killing of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923; (2) reject efforts to associate the U.S. government with efforts to deny the existence of the Armenian Genocide or any genocide; and (3) encourage education and public understanding about the Armenian Genocide.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019
Sanction Entities in China for Undermining Rules, Exploiting Intellectual Property Act of 2019 or the SECURE IP Act of 2019 This bill directs the President to publish a list identifying Chinese individuals and entities responsible for or involved in the misappropriation of intellectual property belonging to a U.S. individual or entity, if such infringement materially contributed to a significant threat to U.S. national security, foreign policy, or economic interests. The President shall impose property-blocking and visa denial sanctions on the Chinese individuals and entities on the list. The President may remove a person from the list if it is determined that the person has not engaged in any misappropriation of U.S. intellectual property in the past two years and has made assurances to not engage in such activity in the future.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
This bill directs federal agencies to carry out an assignment program that allows participating states to assume certain responsibilities of the agency regarding highway projects on historic properties within the state.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
This bill revises requirements governing endangered species to establish a program that allows participating states to assume certain federal responsibilities regarding the review of the impacts of highway projects on endangered or threatened species. For example, the bill allows states to assume the responsibility of federal agencies to oversee the consultation process that is used to ensure that highway projects do not jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
This bill allows a state department of transportation that has assumed the environmental review responsibilities of the federal Department of Transportation under the surface transportation project delivery program to apply to the Environmental Protection Agency to administer, for highway projects, an individual and general permit program for discharging dredge and fill material into navigable waters.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Working Families Flexibility Act of 2019 This bill revises requirements for the receipt of compensatory time off for private sector employees. Specifically, the bill authorizes private employers to provide compensatory time off to their employees at a rate of one and one-half hours for each hour of employment for which overtime compensation is required, prohibits an employee from accruing more that 160 hours of compensatory time, requires an employer to give their employees a 30-day notice before discontinuing compensatory time, prohibits an employer from interfering with an employee's right to or not request compensatory time off in lieu of payment of overtime compensation or from requiring an employee to use such compensatory time, and imposes penalties on employers who violate the compensatory time requirements set forth by this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Revitalizing Underdeveloped Rural Areas and Lands (RURAL) Act This bill modifies the definition of income used to determine the tax-exempt status of a mutual or cooperative telephone or electric company to exclude certain government grants, contributions, and assistance. Specifically, the bill excludes from income (1) grants, contributions, and assistance provided under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act or by local, state, or regional governmental entities for disasters or emergencies; and (2) certain grants or contributions provided by a government entity for electric, communications, broadband, internet, or other utility facilities or services.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Retirement Freedom Act This bill allows an individual to opt out of Medicare hospital services benefits without also having to opt out of Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefits and without having to repay Medicare hospital services benefits already received. The bill also allows an individual to opt back in with no penalty.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
The resolution affirms that the Israeli-American community has contributed immensely to the society and culture of the United States and condemns all forms of discrimination that aim to marginalize or disenfranchise members of such community.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
Venezuela Emergency Relief, Democracy Assistance, and Development Act of 2019 or the VERDAD Act of 2019 This bill directs the President to take various actions to address the political situation in Venezuela. (The United States does not recognize Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela's President due to reports of widespread fraud during his election, recognizing instead National Assembly President Juan Guaido.) The Department of State shall submit to Congress strategies for providing humanitarian aid to Venezuela and to Venezuelans in neighboring countries. The President shall direct U.S. representatives to the United Nations to prioritize U.N. efforts to provide humanitarian aid to Venezuela. The bill imposes sanctions on foreign persons responsible for or complicit in corruption or activity undermining Venezuela's democratic institutions. Sanctions include barring entry into the United States and various financial restrictions. The bill also imposes various sanctions targeting the Maduro regime's ability to finance debt, trade gold, and use cryptocurrencies to evade U.S. sanctions. The bill establishes a special envoy and task force for Venezuela to coordinate and oversee U.S. efforts regarding Venezuela. The bill directs the State Department to work with nongovernmental organizations to strengthen democratic governance and defend human rights in Venezuela, investigate corruption and recover assets stolen from Venezuela, help other countries establish legislative frameworks to impose sanctions on Maduro regime officials. The President shall engage with multilateral development banks to assist in rebuilding Venezuela's economy and energy infrastructure. The bill directs the President to prevent Russia's government-controlled oil company Rosneft from acquiring control of critical U.S. energy infrastructure, including assets belonging to Venezuela's state-owned oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
Veterans' Education, Transition, and Opportunity Prioritization Plan Act of 2019 or the VET OPP Act of 2019 This bill establishes the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration to administer economic opportunity assistance programs for veterans and their dependents and survivors. Specifically, the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration must administer the following Department of Veterans Affairs programs: vocational rehabilitation and employment programs, educational assistance programs, veterans' housing loan and related programs, the Transition Assistance Program, and the database of small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2019
This resolution recognizes the 75th anniversary of the amphibious landing of the allied forces on D-Day, June 6, 1944, at Normandy, France, during World War II. The resolution expresses appreciation to the members of the U.S. Armed Forces who participated in the operations, thanks the young people of Normandy and the United States for their involvement in events celebrating the anniversary of the Normandy landings, recognizes the efforts of France and the people of Normandy to preserve the world heritage represented by the Normandy beaches and the sunken material remains of the landings by inscribing these on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and requests the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the 75th anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2019
This concurrent resolution recognizes Chinese telecommunications companies, specifically Huawei and ZTE, as significant threats to national security. The resolution calls on the United States and its allies to limit the risks associated with use of these companies' products, primarily by identifying effective and reliable alternatives.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2019
Space Frontier Act of 2019 The bill revises provisions relating to commercial space launch license applications and experimental permits. The Department of Transportation shall consolidate across federal agencies requirements to protect the public health and safety, safety of property, national security interests, and foreign policy interests of the United States relevant to any commercial space vehicle into a single application set that satisfies those requirements and expedites the coordination of commercial space services. NASA is authorized to establish a low-Earth orbit commercialization program. The bill revises and sets forth provisions relating to nongovernmental Earth observation activities. NASA must ensure that the International Space Station remains a viable and productive facility capable of potential U.S. use through at least FY2030.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2019
Eliminate From Regulators Opportunities to Nationalize The Internet in Every Respect Act or the E-FRONTIER Act This bill constrains the President and executive agencies from constructing, operating, or offering wholesale or retail service on a broadband network unless given authority to do so by Congress. 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 of using foreign equipment and services in U.S. broadband networks.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2019
This resolution lauds the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for its contributions to the safety, security, and democratic systems of its member states, and reaffirms U.S. commitment to NATO's mission. It also calls on NATO members to fulfill their pledges to fully share the security burden by increasing their defense spending, and expresses the Senate's readiness to consider North Macedonia's application to join NATO.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2019
Senate Cybersecurity Protection Act This bill authorizes the Senate Sergeant at Arms to provide cybersecurity assistance to protect the personal accounts and personal technology devices of Senators and certain Senate staff.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2019
Taiwan Assurance Act of 2019 This bill directs the President to review the Department of State's guidance on diplomatic practice with Taiwan and to reissue such guidance to the relevant executive branch departments and agencies. It also directs the President to report to Congress on the results of the review and on the implementation of the Taiwan Travel Act, which states that it is U.S. policy to allow and encourage engagement between U.S. and Taiwanese officials. The Department of Defense shall make efforts to include Taiwanese forces in bilateral and multilateral military exercises to bolster Taiwan's defense capabilities. The bill states that Taiwan is an important part of U.S. strategy in the region and urges the United States to conduct regular transfers of defense articles to enhance Taiwan's self-defense capabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2019
Transit Infrastructure Vehicle Security Act This bill prohibits the awarding of a contract to an entity for the procurement of rolling stock for use in public transportation if the manufacturer of the rolling stock is (1) incorporated or has manufacturing facilities in the United States; and (2) is owed or controlled by an entity based in a country that is identified as a nonmarket economy country, was identified by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) as a priority foreign country (e.g., a country that does not protect intellectual property rights), and is subject to monitoring by the USTR. This includes the People's Republic of China. Any recipient of financial assistance for public transportation that operates a rail fixed guideway service must certify that it will not award any contract for the procurement of rail rolling stock for use in public transportation to a manufacturer of rolling stock that is described by this bill. A recipient that operates a rail fixed guideway public transportation system must certify that it has a written plan for identifying and reducing cybersecurity risks.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2019
Restoring Investment in Improvements Act This bill confirms that the applicable recovery period for qualified improvement property (nonresidential real estate) for depreciation purposes is 15 years under the modified accelerated cost recovery system (MACRS) and 20 years under the alternative depreciation system (ADS).
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2019
Merrill's Marauders Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), commonly known as Merrill's Marauders, in recognition of their bravery and outstanding service in the jungles of Burma (Myanmar) during World War II. Following its award, the gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution where it shall be displayed and made available for research.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2019
Assuring that Robust, Thorough, and Informed Congressional Leadership is Exercised Over National Emergencies Act or the ARTICLE ONE Act This bill terminates a declaration of national emergency made by the President after 30 days unless Congress votes to extend the declaration. (Currently, Congress can cancel an emergency declaration only by passing a resolution that can withstand a presidential veto.) The bill establishes procedures for congressional review of declarations of national emergencies. The President shall (1) transmit specified information to Congress with any proclamation declaring or renewing a national emergency, including a description of the circumstances necessitating the declaration or renewal of a national emergency declaration and its estimated duration; and (2) report periodically on the status of the emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2019
No Stolen Trademarks Honored in America Act This bill modifies the bar against U.S. courts enforcing or validating trademarks that were confiscated by the Cuban government. The bill prohibits U.S. courts from enforcing or validating such confiscated trademarks if the mark had been used in connection with a confiscated business or asset. Currently, the prohibition applies only if the confiscated trademark is being asserted in the United States by a Cuban national. Under the bill, the prohibition shall not apply if the original trademark owner, or a successor, has expressly consented to the enforcement action. The prohibition shall apply only if the entity asserting the trademark rights knew or should have known, when it acquired the rights, that the mark was the same or substantially similar to one connected to a confiscated business or asset.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2019
Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to establish a program to provide children with parents on active duty in the uniformed services with funds to pay educational expenses. Specifically, ED shall establish a tax-exempt Military Education Savings Account for dependent children of parents in the uniformed services for the payment of the children's educational expenses. Funds in the savings account may be used for, among other things, the cost of attendance at a private elementary or secondary school or institution of higher education, private tutoring, or costs associated with an apprenticeship or other vocational training program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2019
Inspector General Access Act of 2019 This bill transfers responsibility for investigating certain allegations of misconduct from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Professional Responsibility to the DOJ Office of the Inspector General. Specifically, the bill transfers responsibility for allegations relating to a DOJ attorney's authority to investigate, litigate, or provide legal advice.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2019
This resolution commends Canada for upholding the rule of law and complying with its obligations under its extradition treaty with the United States, in connection with Canada's arrest Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. It also expresses the Senate's concern over China's arbitrary and abusive treatment of Canadian nationals in response to Meng's detention, and calls for the immediate release of those individuals. (The United States requested the arrest of Meng, who stands accused of various crimes under U.S. law.)
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019
Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act This bill allows individual and corporate taxpayers a tax credit for cash contributions to certain scholarship-granting and workforce training organizations. It imposes a cap of $10 billion on the sum of contributions that qualify for a tax credit under this bill. The bill requires the Department of Education, in coordination with the Departments of the Treasury and Labor, to establish, host, and maintain a web portal that (1) lists all eligible scholarship-granting and workforce training organizations; (2) enables contributions to such organizations; (3) provides information about the benefits of this bill; and (4) enables a state to submit and update information about its programs and educational organizations, including information on student eligibility and allowable educational expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019
Military Widow's Tax Elimination Act of 2019 This bill modifies the Department of Defense's Survivor Benefit Plan and how it operates in relation to other benefits. The plan currently provides a monthly annuity (based on a percentage of a service member's retirement pay) to an eligible beneficiary upon the death of the service member. Currently, if a surviving spouse is also entitled to dependency and indemnity compensation, the annuity paid under the plan will be reduced. The bill repeals certain provisions that require the offset of the plan annuity from amounts paid in dependency and indemnity compensation. Under current law, upon the request of the surviving spouse, the military branch concerned is authorized to pay an annuity to the service member's dependent children instead of to the surviving spouse. The bill restores the annuity to an eligible spouse who previously elected to transfer payment to a dependent child.
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