United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2018
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable John Melcher, Senator from Montana. Declares that when the Senate adjourns April 18, 2018, it stands adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the deceased Senator Melcher.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2018
Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act of 2018 This bill amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to give access to and manage the distribution of U.S-owned surplus property, pursuant to a memorandum of understanding between the SBA, the General Services Administration, and the head of the state agency for surplus properties, to small businesses owned and controlled by veterans. This includes access to foreign excess personal property returned to a state for handling as surplus property.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2018
Stephen Michael Gleason Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Stephen Michael Gleason.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2018
Recognizes: (1) the significance of April 11-April 17, 2018, as Black Maternal Health Week; and (2) that black women experience high, disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and morbidity.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2018
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Daniel K. Akaka, Senator from Hawaii. Declares that when the Senate adjourns April 10, 2018, it stands adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the deceased Senator.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2018
Extends deepest condolences and gratitude to the family of Zell Bryan Miller, the former governor and Senator of Georgia. Honors his legacy and life, his commitment to the people of Georgia and the United States, and his service to the Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns April 10, 2018, it stands adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Senator Miller.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2018
Help Extract Animals from Red Tape Act of 2018 or the HEART Act of 2018 This bill amends the federal criminal code to modify the notice period in civil forfeiture proceedings that involve the seizure of an animal involved in animal fighting. It requires the government to send notice of the seizure to interested parties within 30 days (currently, 60 days). The notice period may be extended only if a delay is warranted after considering certain factors, including the cost to the government of providing shelter for the animal, the health of the animal and the effect of a delay on its rehabilitation, and any increased risk that a delay could necessitate euthanizing the animal. The bill amends the federal judicial code to authorize the Department of Justice to use amounts from the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund to pay for costs associated with a seized animal, including transportation, shelter, care, veterinary services, and humane euthanasia.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018
Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies Act or the USE IT Act This bill amends the Clean Air Act to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish: (1) a competitive prize program for certain technology projects that capture carbon dioxide directly from the air, and (2) a Direct Air Capture Technology Advisory Board to advise the EPA on carrying out the program. The EPA must: (1) carry out a research and development program for carbon dioxide utilization to promote technologies that transform carbon dioxide generated by industrial processes into a product of commercial value, and (2) support activities relating to carbon dioxide utilization by providing technical and financial assistance. The bill amends the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act to apply the Act's accelerated environmental review and permitting procedures to the construction of infrastructure that captures, utilizes, or sequesters carbon dioxide and the construction of carbon dioxide pipelines. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) must publish guidance to: (1) facilitate reviews associated with the deployment of carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration projects and carbon dioxide pipelines; and (2) identify activities that transform captured carbon dioxide into a product of commercial value. The CEQ must also establish at least two task forces to identify permitting challenges that permitting authorities and project developers and operators face.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018
Federal Travel Transparency Act This bill requires a federal executive agency to report additional information to the General Services Administration (GSA) regarding travel by the agency head or certain high-level officials compensated on the Executive Schedule. The GSA must make the information publicly available on a travel information website.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018
Arbitration Fairness Act of 2018 This bill prohibits a predispute arbitration agreement from being valid or enforceable if it requires arbitration of an employment dispute, consumer dispute, antitrust dispute, or civil rights dispute.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018
Designates March 2018 as National Women's History Month. Recognizes the celebration of such month as a time to reflect on the contributions that women have made to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018
Recognizes the accomplishments and example of Cesar Estrada Chavez, pledges to promote his legacy, and encourages the people of the United States to commemorate his legacy and to always remember his rallying cry, "Si, se puede!" ("Si, se puede!" is Spanish for "Yes, we can!")
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2018
Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2018 This bill prohibits discrimination, under a federally assisted program, against public school students on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or that of their associates. The bill authorizes federal departments and agencies to terminate the educational assistance of recipients found to be violating this prohibition. An aggrieved individual may assert a violation of this bill in a judicial proceeding and recover reasonable attorney's fees. The Department of Justice is authorized to institute a civil action for a violation of this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2018
Designates April 2018 as Second Chance Month to promote awareness of unnecessary legal and social barriers that prevent an individual with a criminal record from becoming a productive member of society.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2018
Every Person Counts Act This bill modifies provisions regarding population and other census information to: (1) require that there be a tabulation of the total number of persons in each state, and (2) prohibit the Bureau of the Census from including any question or otherwise eliciting any information regarding U.S citizenship or immigration status.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2018
Eliminating Opioid Related Infectious Diseases Act of 2018 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to expand its grant program for combating hepatitis C infections to include other infections associated with injection drug use.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2018
2020 Census Improving Data and Enhanced Accuracy Act or the 2020 Census IDEA Act This bill prohibits the Department of Commerce, in the 2020 decennial census of population and each decennial census thereafter, from: (1) implementing any major operational design that has not been researched, studied, and tested for a period of not less than three years before the date on which the applicable census occurs; or (2) including on the questionnaire for the census any subject, type of information, or question that was not submitted to Congress. The Government Accountability Office must determine that the subjects, types of information, and questions to be included in a decennial census have been adequately researched, studied, and tested to the same degree as in previous decennial censuses.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2018
Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2018 This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require states to direct their local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prevent and prohibit conduct, including bullying and harassment, that is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive to: (1) limit students' ability to participate in, or benefit from, school programs; or (2) create a hostile or abusive educational environment that adversely affects students' education. LEAs shall also provide: (1) students, parents, and educational professionals with annual notice of the conduct prohibited in their disciplinary policies; (2) students and parents with grievance procedures that target such conduct; and (3) the public with annual data on the incidence and frequency of that conduct at the school and LEA level. The Department of Education must conduct, and report on, an independent biennial evaluation of programs and policies to combat bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools. The National Center for Education Statistics shall collect state data to determine the incidence and frequency of the conduct prohibited by LEA disciplinary policies.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018
Veteran Employment and Child Care Access Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide child care assistance to veterans: (1) who are receiving certain training or vocational rehabilitation, (2) who are the primary caretaker of a child or children, and (3) whose family's adjusted gross income does not exceed certain limits.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
Recognizes the 85th anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine (Holodomor) of 1932-1933 and extends sympathies to the victims, survivors, and families of that tragedy. Encourages dissemination of information regarding the famine. Condemns the systematic violations of human rights of the Ukrainian people by the Soviet government. Recognizes the 1988 findings of the Commission on the Ukraine Famine that Joseph Stalin committed genocide against the Ukrainians in 1932-1933. Supports the continuing efforts of the people of Ukraine to work toward ensuring democratic principles, a free-market economy, and full respect for human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
Encourages the people of the United States to join in a national effort to salute AmeriCorps members and alumni and raise awareness about the importance of national and community service. Acknowledges the accomplishments of AmeriCorps members, alumni, and community partners and recognizes the important contributions made by members and alumni to the lives of the people of the United States. Encourages individuals of all ages to consider opportunities to serve in AmeriCorps.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
Recognizes the impact that 106 years of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America have had on life in the United States, our communities, and our world.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2018
Inmate Calling Technical Corrections Act of 2018 This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission to ensure charges for payphone service are just and reasonable. Payphone service includes the provision of public or semipublic pay telephones and inmate telephone service and advanced communications services in correctional institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2018
Celebrates the successes and contributions of Latinas in the United States and recognizes the changes still to be made to ensure Latinas can realize their full potential as equal members of society.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2018
This bill authorizes the Federal Aviation Administration to carry out a pilot program to provide grants to support the education and recruitment of aviation maintenance technical workers and the development of the aviation maintenance industry workforce.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2018
United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2018 This bill extends security assistance to Israel. Specifically, it extends: foreign military financing assistance to Israel through FY2028, loan guarantees through FY2023, and authority for the war reserves stockpile through FY2023. The President may: enter into a cooperative agreement with Israel for research and joint production of anti-drone defense articles; conduct a joint assessment with Israel regarding which precision guided munitions Israel needs in a sustained armed confrontation with Hezbollah, Hamas, or other groups; and transfer precision guided munitions and defense articles to such stockpile. The bill directs the Department of Defense to provide for the rapid acquisition and deployment of precision guided munitions for U.S. counterterrorism missions or to assist an ally under missile threat from a terrorist organization or a country that supports international terrorism. The President shall report to Congress describing the steps taken to include Israel in the list of countries eligible for the strategic trade authorization exception. Such exception allows a controlled item to be exported without a transaction-specific license. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall continue to work with the Israel Space Agency to pursue peaceful space exploration and science initiatives. The bill also requires the periodic reports on Israel's qualitative military edge to include information about Israel's ability to defend itself from regional state and non-state actors and from drone, cyber, and asymmetric threats.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2018
NICS Denial Notification Act of 2018 This bill amends the federal criminal code to require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to report certain information to state and local law enforcement authorities following a determination, by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, that a prospective firearm purchaser is a prohibited person (i.e., a person who is barred from receiving or possessing a firearm). DOJ must report annually on: (1) certain details regarding denied firearm purchases in each category of prohibited persons, and (2) the number of background check notices reported to states.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2018
Military Hunger Prevention Act This bill excludes the value of a housing allowance for a member of a uniformed service from any income, assets, or resources calculation for determining eligibility for any federal program issuing benefits for nutrition assistance (including the family subsistence supplemental allowance program).
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2018
America's College Promise Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to states and Indian tribes to waive tuition and fees at community colleges. To receive a grant, states and Indian tribes must agree to waive tuition and fees at all their community colleges and for all eligible students. The bill appropriates $1.5 billion in FY2019, an increasing annual amount through FY2027, and $15.7 billion for FY2028 and each succeeding fiscal year for grants under this community college program. This bill also requires ED to award grants to four-year historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions (MSIs) to waive or reduce tuition and fees for up to 60 credits for low-income students. HBCUs and MSIs that participate must: (1) enroll a student body that contains at least 35% low-income students; (2) maintain or adopt reforms and practices to improve completion rates and student outcomes; (3) set performance goals; and (4) execute an articulation agreement with community colleges, if accepting transfer students. It appropriates $61 million for FY2019, an increasing annual amount through FY2027, and $1.6 billion for FY2028 and each succeeding fiscal year for grants under this HBCU/MSI program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2018
This bill requires the Joint Committee on the Library to enter into an agreement to obtain a statue of Shirley Chisholm. The committee may authorize the Architect of the Capitol to enter into the agreement as well as related contracts. The committee shall place the statue in a suitable permanent location in the U.S. Capitol.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2018
This joint resolution nullifies the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission entitled "Restoring Internet Freedom." The rule published on February 22, 2018: (1) restores the classification of broadband Internet access service as a lightly-regulated "information service"; (2) reinstates private mobile service classification of mobile broadband Internet access service; (3) requires Internet service providers to disclose information about their network management practices, performance characteristics, and commercial terms of service; and (4) eliminates the Internet Conduct Standard and the bright-line rules.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2018
Honors the dedication and courage of the Buffalo Soldiers and recognizes their legacy. Recognizes the contributions that the Buffalo Soldiers have made to the National Park System and to military history in the United States and throughout the world.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2018
Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act of 2018 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the aggregate amount of a partner's annual tax deductions for qualified conservation contributions of a partnership to 2.5 times the partner's adjusted basis in the partnership. (Under current law, a "qualified conservation contribution" is the contribution of a qualified real property interest to a qualified organization exclusively for conservation purposes.) The limitation applies for the first five years after the individual becomes a partner in the partnership. It does not apply to certain family partnerships.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2018
Fair Agricultural Reporting Method Act or the FARM Act This bill amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to exempt air emissions from animal waste at a farm from specified release notification requirements, recordkeeping requirements, and associated penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2018
Stopping Abuse and Fraud in Electronic Lending Act of 2018 or the SAFE Lending Act of 2018 This bill amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and the Truth in Lending Act. The bill revises requirements related to consumer financial protection and small-dollar lending, including matters concerning remotely created checks, electronic fund transfers, registration of small-dollar lenders, overdraft fees, and the collection of personal information.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2018
Designates February 2018 as American Heart Month and February 2, 2018, as National Wear Red Day. Recognizes and reaffirms the commitment to fighting cardiovascular disease by promoting awareness of causes, risks, and prevention; supporting research; and expanding access to medical treatment. Encourages individuals to learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2018
This bill prohibits funds available to the Department of Defense from being obligated or expended for any exhibition or parade of military forces and hardware for review by the President outside of authorized military operations or activities.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2018
Community College to Career Fund Act This bill directs the Department of Labor to award grants to eligible community colleges, four-year public institutions of higher education, tribal colleges or universities, public or private nonprofit two-year institutions of higher education in specified U.S. territories, in partnership with employers or an industry partnership representing multiple employers, to develop, offer, improve, and provide educational or career training programs for workers.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2018
Access Business Credit Act of 2018 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of certain banks interest received on small business loans of up to $5 million. The bill applies to loans that are: (1) secured by land situated in the United States that is used or held by the small business in connection with the active conduct of a farming business, or (2) incurred in the ordinary course of the trade or business of the small business. To be eligible for the exclusion, the bank must have less than $50 billion in assets at the closing of the preceding taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2018
Creating American Investment, Redevelopment, and Opportunity Task Force Act This bill establishes the Creating American Investment, Redevelopment, and Opportunity Task Force. The goals of the task force shall include expanding affordable housing, improving infrastructure, and spurring investment in Alexander County, Illinois.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2018
Housing Opportunity Mortgage Expansion Act This bill amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to allow the continuation or restoration of Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) membership for captive insurance companies that became members prior to finalization of a specified Federal Housing Finance Agency rule ending their FHLB membership. (A captive insurance company underwrites insurance for its parent company and does not provide insurance to the public.)
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2018
America's Natural Treasures of Immeasurable Quality Unite, Inspire, and Together Improve the Economies of States Act of 2018 or the ANTIQUITIES Act of 2018. This bill directs the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to administer each specified national monument under their joint or exclusive jurisdiction, including the Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Gold Butte, Cascade-Siskiyou National Monuments and the Rose Atoll and Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monuments in accordance with: (1) the one or more presidential proclamations that apply to the applicable covered monument; (2) any Act of Congress enacted before December 4, 2017, that provides for an adjustment to the boundary or administration of such monument; and (3) this bill. The bill establishes the National Monument Enhancement Fund to furnish funding: (1) to such federal agencies to develop management plans for their national monuments that were designated under current federal law, (2) for federal acquisition and development of certain land and other areas, and (3) to develop and enhance recreational infrastructure on such designated lands. The bill designates: (1) specified BLM lands within the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks and Rio Grande del Norte National Monuments in New Mexico and in the Gold Butte National Conservation Area in Nevada as wilderness and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System; and (2) approximately 100 acres of BLM land in New Mexico as a potential wilderness area and, when specified conditions have been met, for incorporation into the Robledo Mountains Wilderness.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2018
Reaffirms: (1) the proud U.S. history of refugee resettlement, and (2) the strong bipartisan commitment to promote the safety, health, and well-being of refugees. Recognizes: (1) January 27, 2018, as the anniversary of the first refugee and Muslim ban; and (2) the profound consequences faced by refugees and their families who have been stranded, separated, and scarred by current U.S. policies. Underscores the importance of the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program as a critical tool for U.S. global leadership. Calls upon the U.S. government to: (1) resettle 45,000 refugees in FY2018 and at least 75,000 refugees in FY2019, (2) uphold its international leadership role in responding to displacement crises with humanitarian assistance and protection of the most vulnerable populations, and (3) recommit to offering freedom from oppression and to resettling the most vulnerable refugees regardless of their country of origin or religious beliefs.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2018
Honors Fred Toyosaburo Korematsu for his loyalty and patriotism to the United States, his work to advance the civil liberties of all people of the United States, and his dedication to justice and equality. Recognizes January 30, 2018, as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution. Denounces any effort to discriminate against any individual based on his or her national origin or religion.
![Official portrait of Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000622_200.jpg)