United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2020
This resolution recognizes June 2020 as Immigrant Heritage Month in honor of the contributions immigrants and their children have made to the United States throughout its history. The resolution also welcomes immigrants currently in the United States and those seeking to immigrate to the United States to contribute to the health, safety, diversity, and prosperity of the United States by finding their place in our vibrant, multiethnic, and integrated society.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2020
Protecting Renters from Evictions and Fees Act of 2020 This bill expands the moratorium on evictions to include all tenants, as opposed to tenants of federally assisted properties, and extends the moratorium until March 27, 2021 (the current moratorium expires on July 25, 2020).
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2020
Emergency Broadband Connections Act of 2020 This bill establishes an emergency broadband benefit for certain households during the emergency period related to COVID-19, and it modifies the Lifeline program of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which reduces the cost of communications services for low-income consumers. Specifically, the bill requires a broadband service provider to provide a low-income household, upon request, with broadband internet service at a price that is discounted in an amount equal to the emergency broadband benefit for such household. The emergency broadband benefit is a monthly discount that is applied to the normal or special rate for internet service. Further, the bill establishes the Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund from which the FCC shall reimburse a provider in an amount equal to the emergency broadband benefit provided to a household. Providers that supply discounted connected devices (e.g., computers) to eligible households may also receive certain reimbursements from the fund. The bill requires service providers participating in the FCC's Lifeline program to provide an unlimited number of minutes and data during the emergency period. The bill also requires the FCC to make a grant to each state for connecting the state's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) database to the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier, so that receipt of SNAP benefits is reflected in the Lifeline verifier. The verifier determines consumer eligibility for the Lifeline program, and receipt of SNAP benefits automatically qualifies a household for Lifeline service.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2020
Supporting Children with Disabilities During COVID-19 Act This bill provides FY2021 supplemental appropriations for grants to assist states in providing special education and related services to children with disabilities and for specified early childhood education programs for children with disabilities. Additionally, the bill specifies reporting requirements related to the use of these funds. It also requires the Department of Education to publish on its website, and the Department of Health and Human Services to release, certain expenditure reports related to these funds. The amounts provided by the bill are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO) and the Senate PAYGO rule.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2020
Background Check Completion Act of 2020 This bill prohibits a licensed gun dealer from transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person prior to the completion of a background check. Current law permits a licensed gun dealer to transfer a firearm to an unlicensed person if a submitted background check remains incomplete after three business days.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2020
Removing Confederate Names and Symbols from Our Military Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to remove from its property, and prohibits DOD from using or displaying in the future, any name, symbol, display, monument, or paraphernalia that honors or commemorates the Confederacy or anyone who served voluntarily with the Confederacy. The removal requirement does not apply to grave markers.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2020
Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2020 This bill modifies provisions related to Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which typically involves the reorganization of a debtor company's assets and debts. Specifically, the bill (1) expands available claims and priorities for employees and retirees, and (2) places additional restrictions on the compensation of executives and other high level employees. With respect to employee and retiree recoveries and losses, the bill increases the maximum value and age of specified wage and benefit claims entitled to priority payment; allows certain claims for losses related to defined contribution plans, if the employer or plan sponsor has committed fraud or otherwise breached its fiduciary duty; allows, as an administrative expense of the estate, severance pay owed to employees and contributions to an employee benefit plan; establishes certain restrictions regarding the rejection or amendment of a collective bargaining agreement; revises specified procedures related to the reduction or denial of retiree benefits; requires a court, in approving a sale of business assets, to consider the extent to which a bidder has offered to maintain existing jobs and assume benefit obligations; and allows claims related to pension losses. With respect to executive compensation, the bill establishes specified limitations related to executive compensation enhancements, prohibits executives from receiving certain retiree benefits if such benefits were reduced or eliminated for other employees or retirees, and revises other requirements related to court approval of such compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2020
American Assistance for American Companies Act This bill disallows certain tax benefits for inverted domestic corporations. An inverted domestic corporation is a U.S. corporation that acquires foreign entities to reincorporate in a foreign jurisdiction with income tax rates lower than U.S. rates). Specifically, an inverted domestic corporation may not claim net operating loss carrybacks, increased deductibility of business interest, nor participate in Federal Reserve Lending Facilities. The bill allows an inverted domestic corporation to elect to be treated as a domestic corporation for U.S. tax purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2020
Impact Aid Coronavirus Relief Act This bill allows local educational agencies (LEAs) participating in the Impact Aid Program to use the student count and federal property valuation data from their FY2021 program applications for their FY2022 program applications. The program provides funding to LEAs that have lost property tax revenue due to the presence of tax-exempt federal property or to those that have experienced increased expenditures due to enrollment of federally connected children (e.g., children living on Indian lands or military bases).
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2020
Public Health Emergency Production Act of 2020 This bill modifies the administration of the Defense Production Act of 1950 and requires reporting on the use of authorities under the act during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. (That act confers upon the President a broad set of authorities to influence domestic industry in order to provide essential materials and goods needed for the national defense.) Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must require companies to prioritize the fulfillment of federal contracts or orders necessary for pandemic preparedness and response upon finding that (1) a material is essential to the public health, and (2) public health needs cannot be met through normal distribution channels. HHS must also establish, within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, an office responsible for Defense Production Act of 1950 activities. Other changes include (1) eliminating a requirement to transfer any balance in excess of $750 million from the Defense Production Act Fund to the General Fund of the Department of the Treasury, and (2) enabling personnel to rotate between the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy and specified components of HHS. With respect to reporting, the Defense Production Act Committee must report general information concerning the use of Defense Production Act of 1950 authorities, and the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Agriculture must report on the use of such authorities specifically with respect to the operations of meat processing facilities, during the COVID-19 emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2020
Saving Our Street Act This bill establishes and provides funding for the Microbusiness Assistance Fund through which the Department of the Treasury must provide grants to specified small entities. Specifically, the bill provides $125 billion for grants to entities such as community small businesses and nonprofits that have suffered a drop in revenue of over 20% during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Such a grant shall not exceed $250,000 and may only be used for certain purposes, including (1) rehiring or hiring furloughed employees; (2) payment of compensation, rent or mortgage, utilities, or insurance; and (3) providing health care and benefits to employees. Treasury is prohibited from denying a grant on the basis of any criminal history or involvement with the criminal legal system. Further, Treasury must give priority to people of color, veterans, women-owned community businesses, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and 75% of appropriated amounts shall be provided to businesses or nonprofits owned or controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2020
Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act of 2020 This bill revises and establishes voting procedures for federal elections. For example, states must establish plans to enable voting during an emergency and must take certain actions to facilitate early voting and absentee voting.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2020
Real Economic Support That Acknowledges Unique Restaurant Assistance Needed To Survive Act of 2020 or the RESTAURANTS Act of 2020 This bill temporarily establishes and provides funding for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, from which the Department of the Treasury shall make grants to eligible food and beverage purveyors to cover specified costs. For the grant program's initial period, Treasury must (1) prioritize awarding grants to marginalized and underrepresented communities, and (2) only award grants to eligible food and beverage purveyors with annual revenues of less than $1.5 million. Further, an entity that received a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) may not apply for or use a restaurant revitalization grant for the same expenses for which the entity received the paycheck protection loan.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2020
This resolution designates June 20, 2020, as American Eagle Day and applauds the issuance of bald eagle commemorative coins to generate funds for the protection of the bald eagle.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2020
Servicemember Student Loan Affordability Act of 2020 This bill extends the 6% interest rate limitation on debt entered into during a service member's military service to any debt entered into to consolidate or refinance one or more student loans incurred before such service.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2020
Prioritized Paycheck Protection Program Act or the P4 Act This bill authorizes new lending under the Paycheck Protection Program, established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), for specified small businesses that have experienced a significant loss in revenue. Specifically, the bill authorizes one supplemental paycheck protection loan for a small business that (1) has no more than 100 employees, (2) operates under a sole proprietorship or as an independent contractor, or (3) is self-employed. To be eligible for a supplemental paycheck protection loan, such small business must demonstrate a loss of revenue of 50% or more and have either already expended an initial paycheck protection loan or be on pace to exhaust such loan prior to disbursal of the supplemental loan. The bill also extends the application deadline for an initial paycheck protection loan to December 31, 2020, and it authorizes loan recipients to apply for forgiveness as early as eight weeks after the loan's disbursal. The Small Business Administration must (1) issue guidance instructing lenders of paycheck protection loans to prioritize loan processing for and disbursement to underserved businesses, (2) update the loan application for paycheck protection loans to collect borrowers' demographic information, and (3) publish specified program information on its website.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2020
This bill sets forth an approval process for advanced biofuel registrations and directs the Environmental Protection Agency to take final action on certain pending petitions for renewable fuel pathways.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2020
Coronavirus 2019 Special Enrollment Period Act This bill establishes a special enrollment period beginning July 1, 2020, and ending October 1, 2020, for health plans offered through health insurance exchanges.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2020
This resolution expresses support for the rights, freedoms, and equal treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people. The resolution r ecognizes that LGBTQ rights are human rights and protected by the laws of the United States and international treaties. Additionally, the resolution encourages the celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month in June.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2020
Cultivating Opportunity and Response to the Pandemic through Service Act or the CORPS Act This bill expands, and modifies the priorities and administration of, national service programs, including AmeriCorps and Senior Corps, to address the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic and its recovery period.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2020
Confederate Monument Removal Act This bill prohibits a state from providing for display in National Statuary Hall a statue of a person who voluntarily served with the Confederate States of America, and it provides for the removal, return, and replacement of any statue currently on display that depicts such a person.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020
This resolution designates June 12, 2020, as Women Veterans Appreciation Day to recognize the service and sacrifices of women veterans who have served valiantly on behalf of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2020
This bill prohibits the Department of Defense from approving a determination of eligibility for interment or inurnment in Arlington National Cemetery made by the Department of the Army that permits the interment or inurnment in Arlington National Cemetery of an individual who is not a member of the Armed Forces or a veteran, but served as President or Vice President of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2020
Justice in Policing Act of 2020 This bill addresses a wide range of policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability. It includes measures to increase accountability for law enforcement misconduct, to enhance transparency and data collection, and to eliminate discriminatory policing practices. The bill facilitates federal enforcement of constitutional violations (e.g., excessive use of force) by state and local law enforcement. Among other things, it does the following: lowers the criminal intent standard—from willful to knowing or reckless—to convict a law enforcement officer for misconduct in a federal prosecution, limits qualified immunity as a defense to liability in a private civil action against a law enforcement officer or state correctional officer, and authorizes the Department of Justice to issue subpoenas in investigations of police departments for a pattern or practice of discrimination. The bill also creates a national registry—the National Police Misconduct Registry—to compile data on complaints and records of police misconduct. It establishes a framework to prohibit racial profiling at the federal, state, and local levels. The bill establishes new requirements for law enforcement officers and agencies, including to report data on use-of-force incidents, to obtain training on implicit bias and racial profiling, and to wear body cameras.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020
Equality in Leadership and Inclusion in Top Elements Act of 2020 or the ELITE Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of the Defense to seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center with relevant expertise to conduct an evaluation of the barriers to minority participation in specified units of the Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020
This concurrent resolution condemns the President for ordering federal officers to use gas and rubber bullets against the Americans who were peaceably protesting in Lafayette Square in the District of Columbia on the night of June 1, 2020, thereby violating the constitutional rights of those protestors.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2020
Office of International Disability Rights Act This bill establishes disability inclusion measures at the Department of State, including the creation of the Office of International Disability Rights. Specifically, the bill establishes the Office of International Disability Rights, which shall coordinate U.S. efforts regarding human rights for people with disabilities and advance the status of people with disabilities in U.S. foreign policy. The bill also requires the State Department to develop and adopt a formal policy for disability inclusion in U.S. foreign assistance programming and disaster response programming. The State Department must take specified steps to prioritize accessibility practices when hiring, recruiting, and assigning civil service employees and foreign service officers with disabilities. Further, the State Department must ensure that embassies, consulates, and their services are accessible to people with disabilities. Additionally, the State Department must require mandatory disability inclusion training for all civil service and foreign service personnel, which shall include country-specific and cultural considerations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2020
Child Care Is Essential Act This bill establishes and provides $50 billion in appropriations for the Child Care Stabilization Fund to award grants to child care providers during and after the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. The bill establishes the fund within the existing Department of Health and Human Services Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program, and the grants must be administered by the existing CCDBG lead agencies of states, tribes, or territories. Child care providers that are currently open or temporarily closed due to COVID-19 are eligible to receive grant awards, which are based on the provider's operating costs before the COVID-19 public health emergency and adjusted to account for the increased costs of providing child care as a result of COVID-19.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2020
Paycheck Protection Program Second Chance Act This bill requires specified treatment of certain criminal violations under the Paycheck Protection Program established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill provides that an entity shall not be ineligible for a paycheck protection loan if certain owners have prior arrests or convictions, unless the owner (1) is incarcerated as of the date of the loan application, or (2) has been convicted of a felony of financial fraud or deception during the five-year period prior to the loan application.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2020
Pandemic Care for Burn Pits Exposure Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that the first health assessment conducted for a member of the Armed Forces or veteran after such an individual tests positive for a virus certified as a pandemic includes an evaluation of whether the individual has been (1) based or stationed at a location where an open burn pit was used, or (2) exposed to toxic airborne chemicals or contaminants relating to service in the Armed Forces. A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment. If such an evaluation establishes that an individual was based or stationed at a location where an open burn pit was used, or that the individual was exposed to toxic airborne chemicals or contaminants, the individual must be enrolled in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry unless they opt out of enrollment. The VA's Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence must conduct a study on the health impacts of infection with a virus designated as a global pandemic, including the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19), to members of the Armed Forces and veterans who have been exposed to open burn pits and other toxic exposures. The study must be analyzed to assist in preparation for potential future pandemics.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2020
COVID-19 Pandemic Moment of Silence Act This bill directs the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe a moment of silence on June 1, 2020, to honor the memory of the lives lost in the United States due to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2020
Equitable Data Collection and Disclosure on COVID-19 Act This bill establishes the Commission on Ensuring Health Equity During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and adds reporting requirements for certain demographic data related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Among other activities, the commission must (1) determine approaches to using data to reduce demographic disparities in COVID-19 prevalence and outcomes, and (2) submit findings and recommendations to Congress on a specified timeline until the end of the public health emergency. During the public health emergency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must publish, and update daily, data on COVID-19 testing, treatment, and outcomes that is disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and other demographic characteristics on the CDC website. In addition, the Indian Health Service shall consult with tribes with respect to COVID-19 data collection and reporting. The Department of Health and Human Services must make a summary of final statistics related to COVID-19 publicly available and report specified information to Congress within 60 days of the end of the public health emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2020
Reviving the Economy Sustainably Towards A Recovery in Twenty-twenty Act or the RESTART Act This bill extends the Paycheck Protection Program, established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), for certain businesses, and it establishes a loan program whereby the Small Business Administration (SBA) shall guarantee loan amounts to certain businesses affected by COVID-19. Specifically, the bill provides a paycheck protection loan recipient with 16 weeks to use such funds if the recipient has (1) less than 500 full-time employees, and (2) suffered a decline in revenues of at least 25%. The bill also establishes a loan program whereby the SBA shall guarantee 100% of program loan amounts made to certain small businesses that have not more than 5,000 full-time employees. The terms for such loans shall include (1) a maximum duration of not more than seven years; (2) an amount that is not greater than 45% of 2019 gross receipts, up to $12 million; and (3) no payment on principal for the first two years of the loan. A lender that is otherwise approved to make paycheck protection loans may make and approve loans established by the bill, and a recipient may use loan funds for specified allowable expenses including payroll costs, rent, utilities, and personal protective equipment. Such loans may be forgiven up to the amount of total losses incurred by the recipient in the taxable year 2020.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2020
COVID-19 Pandemic Moment of Silence Act This bill directs the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe a moment of silence on June 1, 2020, to honor the memory of the lives lost in the United States due to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2020
Paycheck Security Act This bill modifies and increases the employee retention tax credit, allows a refundable payroll tax credit for the operating costs of employers, and provides a rebate in 2020 for certain small businesses and other business entities. The bill also authorizes additional appropriations to carry out the provisions of this bill and to provide for oversight by the Inspector General for Tax Administration of the Department of the Treasury. The Government Accountability Office must report on the effectiveness of the operative provisions of this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2020
Small Business Lending Continuity Act of 2020 This bill revises the authorization for certain Small Business Administration (SBA) loan products currently linked to the Paycheck Protection Program that was implemented in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Under current law, the authorization for the Paycheck Protection Program and the SBA's standard small business loan products (the 7(a) loan program ) are combined into one joint authorization for the duration of the Paycheck Protection Program. The bill returns the 7(a) loan program to the purview of its stand-alone authorization to prevent it from being terminated upon the two programs' attainment of the joint authorization cap.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2020
This resolution recognizes the significance of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month as an important time to celebrate the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States. The resolution also recognizes that the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities enhance the rich diversity of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2020
Saving Our Street Act This bill establishes and provides funding for the Microbusiness Assistance Fund through which the Department of the Treasury must provide grants to specified small entities. Specifically, the bill provides $125 billion for grants to entities such as community small businesses and nonprofits that have suffered a drop in revenue of over 20% during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Such a grant shall not exceed $250,000 and may only be used for certain purposes, including (1) rehiring or hiring furloughed employees; (2) payment of compensation, rent or mortgage, utilities, or insurance; and (3) providing health care and benefits to employees. Treasury is prohibited from denying a grant on the basis of any criminal history or involvement with the criminal legal system. Further, Treasury must give priority to people of color, veterans, women-owned community businesses, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and 75% of appropriated amounts shall be provided to businesses or nonprofits owned or controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2020
This resolution expresses support for the designation of June 2020 as National Gun Violence Awareness Month and the designation of June 5, 2020, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2020
National Guard COVID-19 Response Stability Act This bill extends the authority of a governor of a state to maintain the National Guard on active duty in connection with the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency through the date that is 30 days after the termination of the emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2020
Elaine M. Checketts Military Families Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Defense to amend regulations to provide that approved parental leave shall not terminate upon the death of the child for whom the leave is taken.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2020
This resolution declares that the Senate (1) has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Thomas Allen Coburn, former member of the U.S. Senate; (2) recognizes his life and achievements; and (3) expresses condolences to the family of the former Senator on his passing. Furthermore, this resolution declares that when the Senate adjourns on May 19, 2020, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the Honorable Thomas Allen Coburn.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2020
Renewable Fuel Feedstock Reimbursement Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to carry out a program to provide payments to certain renewable fuel producers to reimburse them for purchases of renewable fuel feedstock that were made between January 1, 2020, and March 31, 2020. The payment amount shall be equal to 75% of the purchase price of such feedstock.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2020
This resolution designates the week of May 17-May 23, 2020, as National Public Works Week and recognizes the contributions of public works professionals.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2020
Pandemic Heroes Compensation Act of 2020 This bill allows essential workers and their family members to file claims and receive compensation for harm or death suffered as a result of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). A Special Master appointed by the Department of Justice must review claims submitted and determine if a claimant is eligible for compensation, the extent of the harm to the claimant, and the amount of compensation to be awarded.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2020
This resolution recognizes historic U.S. leadership and international achievements to address global health crises, encourages the international community to remain committed to preventing the further spread of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), and urges the United States to participate in and support the global efforts to address COVID-19.
![Official portrait of Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000622_200.jpg)