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Official portrait of Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

United States · Official source

Records

11,330 records where Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

Bill· SS. 2321 (116th)open

Negro Leagues Baseball Centennial Commemorative Coin Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019

Negro Leagues Baseball Centennial 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 in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Negro National League, a professional baseball league that was formed in response to African-American players being banned from baseball's major leagues. The design of the coins shall be emblematic of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and its mission to promote tolerance, diversity, and inclusion. All surcharges from sales of these coins shall be paid to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum for educational and outreach programs and exhibits.

Bill· SS. 2340 (116th)open

Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture National Historical Park Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019

Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture National Historical Park Act This bill provides for the establishment of the Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture National Historical Park in Collinsville, Illinois; Monroe, Madison, and St. Clair Counties, Illinois; and St. Louis City County, Missouri, as a unit of the National Park System. The Department of the Interior may acquire lands and interests within the boundary of the park by donation, purchase, or exchange, except that any land owned by such states or a political subdivision of one the states may be acquired only by donation. Interior may enter into cooperative agreements with such states and their political subdivisions, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, Indian tribes, and individuals to (1) identify, interpret, and restore nationally significant historical or cultural and natural resources related to the life of the Mississippi culture within the park, subject to the condition that such an agreement must provide for reasonable public access; and (2) conduct research related to Mississippian culture.

Bill· SJRESS.J.Res. 51 (116th)referred

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to contributions and expenditures intended to affect elections.

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019

Constitutional Amendment This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing Congress and the states to set reasonable limits on the raising and spending of money by candidates and others to influence elections. The amendment grants Congress and the states the power to implement and enforce this amendment by legislation. They are allowed to distinguish between natural persons and corporations or other artificial entities created by law, including by prohibiting such entities from spending money to influence elections.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 292 (116th)referred

A resolution calling on the Government of Cameroon and armed separatist groups to respect the human rights of all Cameroonian citizens, to end all violence, and to pursue an inclusive dialogue to resolve the conflict in the Northwest and Southwest regions.

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019

This resolution calls upon all parties to the conflict in Cameroon to agree to an immediate cease-fire and engage in dialogue to resolve the conflict in a manner that respects rights and freedoms.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 291 (116th)referred

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the Federation Internationale de Football Association should immediately eliminate gender pay inequity and treat all athletes with the same respect and dignity.

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019

This resolution urges (1) the Federation Internationale de Football Association to eliminate gender pay inequity and treat all athletes with respect and dignity; and (2) all other local, state, federal, and international organizations to eliminate gender pay inequity. The resolution expresses support for an end to gender pay inequity in the workplace, including athletic competitions.

Bill· SS. 2303 (116th)referred

Freedom for Americans to Travel to Cuba Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2019

Freedom for Americans to Travel to Cuba Act of 2019 This bill establishes that any law, regulation, or policy that prohibits or restricts travel to or from Cuba, or transactions incident to such travel, shall have no effect. The President may not restrict or prohibit such travel or transactions unless doing so is necessary to protect (1) U.S. national security, or (2) the health and safety of U.S. citizens or legal residents.  

Bill· SS. 2295 (116th)referred

GLRI Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2019 or the GLRI Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Bill· SS. 2276 (116th)referred

Vested Employee Pension Benefit Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019

Vested Employee Pension Benefit Protection Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employees in the building and construction industry who have attained age 55 and are not separated from employment to make distributions from certain tax-exempt multiemployer pension plans if they were participants in such plan on or before April 30, 2013.

Bill· SS. 2257 (116th)referred

Fair Elections Now Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2019

Fair Elections Now Act of 2019 This bill establishes the Fair Elections Fund, which shall provide funding to Senate candidates who meet specified conditions and agree to abide by certain requirements, such as limits on types of campaign funding sources. The bill also revises provisions related to broadcasts of Senate campaign advertisements and imposes a tax on certain U.S. government contracts.

Bill· SS. 2254 (116th)referred

Butch Lewis Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2019

Butch Lewis Act of 2019 This bill establishes the Pension Rehabilitation Administration within the Department of the Treasury and a related trust fund to make loans to certain multiemployer defined benefit pension plans. To receive a loan, a plan must be either in critical and declining status (including any plan with respect to which a suspension of benefits has been approved) or insolvent, if the plan became insolvent after December 16, 2014, and has not been terminated. Treasury must issue bonds to fund the loan program and transfer amounts equal to the proceeds to the trust fund established by this bill. The Pension Rehabilitation Administration may use the funds, without a further appropriation, to make loans, pay principal and interest on the bonds, or for administrative and operating expenses. The bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow the sponsor of a multiemployer pension plan that is applying for a loan under this bill to also apply to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) for financial assistance if, after receiving the loan, the plan will still become (or remain) insolvent within the 30-year period beginning on the date of the loan. The bill also appropriates to the PBGC the funds that are necessary to provide the financial assistance required by this bill.

Law· SS. 2216 (116th)enacted

TEAM Veteran Caregivers Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019

Transparency and Effective Accountability Measures for Veteran Caregivers Act or the TEAM Veteran Caregivers Act The bill revises the administration of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) caregiver programs. Specifically, the bill requires the VA to formally recognize caregivers of veterans by identifying any caregiver in the health record of the veteran. Such caregivers covered by the bill include those participating in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers and those participating in the Program of General Caregiver Support Services. The bill requires the VA to notify veterans and their caregivers regarding any clinical determinations made relating to claims under, or eligibility for, the specified caregiver programs. The notifications must be standardized and contain specified details regarding the decisions. The bill also requires the VA to temporarily extend benefits under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers for at least 90 days after the receipt of notice that a veteran is no longer clinically eligible for the program. Such an extension shall not apply to the termination of caregiver benefits (1) for cause, (2) because the veteran died, or (3) upon request of the caregiver or veteran.

Bill· SS. 2206 (116th)open

A bill to express the sense of Congress regarding restoration and maintenance of the Mardasson Memorial in Bastogne, Belgium.

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019

This bill expresses support for an agreement between the American Battle Monument Commission and the Belgian government (1) under which the commission would use its expertise and presence in Europe to oversee the restoration of the Mardasson Memorial in Bastogne, Belgium; and (2) by which the commission assumes responsibility for the memorial, ensuring that it stands for decades to come, in honoring American service and sacrifice and inspiring future generations.

Bill· SS. 2238 (116th)referred

SAFE Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019

Securing America's Federal Elections Act or the SAFE Act This bill addresses election security through grant programs and requirements for voting systems and paper ballots. The bill establishes requirements for voting systems, including that systems (1) use individual, durable, voter-verified paper ballots; (2) make a voter's marked ballot available for inspection and verification by the voter before the vote is cast; (3) ensure that individuals with disabilities are given an equivalent opportunity to vote, including with privacy and independence, in a manner that produces a voter-verified paper ballot; (4) be manufactured in the United States; and (5) meet specified cybersecurity requirements, including the prohibition of the connection of a voting system to the internet. The National Science Foundation must award grants to study, test, and develop accessible voter-verified paper ballot voting and best practices to enhance the accessibility of such voting for individuals with disabilities, for voters whose primary language is not English, and for voters with difficulties in literacy. The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) must award grants to states to replace certain voting systems, carry out voting system security improvements, acquire accessible ballot-marking devices for voters with disabilities, and design and print ballots. States must carry out postelection risk-limiting audits for all federal elections, funded by the EAC. The EAC must (1) establish mandatory cybersecurity requirements for systems used in federal elections, and (2) provide for the testing and certification of voting system hardware and software.

Bill· SS. 2236 (116th)referred

Environmental Justice Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019

Environmental Justice Act of 2019 This bill requires agencies to address and mitigate the disproportionate impact of environmental and human health hazards on communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities resulting from agencies' programs and policies. The bill also requires agencies to address cumulative impacts of pollution in permitting decisions and expands the types of legal actions available to individuals regarding charges of federal discriminatory practices.

Bill· SS. 2233 (116th)referred

A bill to nullify the effect of the recent executive order that requires Federal agencies to share citizenship data.

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019

This bill nullifies a July 11, 2019, executive order (1) directing all federal agencies to share citizenship information with the Department of Commerce, (2) establishing an interagency working group to improve Commerce's access to citizenship-related records in other agencies, and (3) directing Commerce to strengthen efforts to obtain citizenship-related records from states.

Bill· SS. 2226 (116th)referred

Redistricting Reform Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019

Redistricting Reform Act of 2019 This bill requires that congressional redistricting be conducted in accordance with a plan developed by (1) a state-established independent commission; or (2) if such a commission fails to enact a plan, a three-judge panel from a U.S. District Court.

Bill· SS. 2210 (116th)referred

Great Lakes Water Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019

Great Lakes Water Protection Act This bill restricts the diversion of waste streams into the Great Lakes from publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities. The bill also establishes the Great Lakes Green Infrastructure Grant Program to make grants to Great Lakes states to develop green infrastructure projects.

Bill· SS. 2200 (116th)referred

Fairness for Housing Communities Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2019

Fairness for Housing Communities Act of 2019 This bill requires that the amount of any penalty or assessment imposed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) because of a false claim made in connection with certain public housing assistance be returned to HUD. HUD may establish a Fraud Compensation Fund consisting of such amounts.

Bill· SS. 2160 (116th)open

CO ALERTS Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019

Carbon Monoxide Alarms Leading Every Resident To Safety Act of 2019 or the CO ALERTS Act of 2019 This bill requires the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in each unit of specified federally assisted housing, in accordance with certain standards. Specifically, the requirement applies to (1) supportive housing for the elderly and for persons with disabilities, (2) public housing, (3) rental housing for which the owner receives low-income voucher assistance, and (4) certain rural housing. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must provide guidance to public housing agencies on how to educate tenants on health hazards in the home. HUD must also report on the inclusion of carbon monoxide detectors in federally assisted housing not covered by the bill.

Bill· SS. 2184 (116th)referred

Know Before You Owe Private Education Loan Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019

Know Before You Owe Private Education Loan Act of 2019 This bill expands requirements for lenders and institutions of higher education (IHEs) with respect to the certification of private education loans. Specifically, the bill revises requirements for disclosures in private education loan applications. Before issuing a private education loan for a student attending an IHE, lenders must obtain the IHE's certification of the student's enrollment status, the student's cost of attendance, and the difference between that cost and the student's estimated financial assistance. Lenders must (1) send loan statements to borrowers at least once every three months a student is enrolled at an IHE, (2) notify the relevant IHE of the loan amount and the student to whom it applies no later than the date funds are issued, and (3) submit an annual report to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) containing information the CFPB requires concerning private student loans. The bill requires IHEs, before providing lenders with certifications, to determine whether students have exhausted their options for federal financial aid assistance and notify borrowers of (1) the availability of assistance, (2) their ability to choose their own private educational lender, (3) the impact of the proposed private education loan on their eligibility for other financial assistance, and (4) their right to accept or reject a private education loan within 30 days of the lender's approval of their application and to cancel the loan within 3 business days of its consummation.

Bill· SS. 2143 (116th)referred

College Student Hunger Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2019

College Student Hunger Act of 2019 This bill expands the eligibility of students at institutions of higher education to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program). SNAP eligibility for students is expanded to include certain low-income students who (1) are employed a minimum of 10 hours per week (currently 20 hours) during the regular school year, (2) are eligible for a federal Pell Grant, (3) have an expected family contribution equal to zero, or (4) are independent. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Education to provide notification to certain students regarding their eligibility for SNAP benefits, the Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct an audit of the operations of the Food and Nutrition Service to examine the procedures and outreach practices used by the service to provide to states information about the eligibility of students at institutions of higher education for participation in the program, USDA to update its state outreach plan guidance, and USDA to implement projects to decrease student hunger at institutions of higher education and to reduce barriers to college students fully utilizing SNAP benefits at these institutions.

Bill· SS. 2140 (116th)referred

Stop Corporate Inversions Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2019

Stop Corporate Inversions Act of 201 9 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise rules for the taxation of inverted corporations (i.e., U.S. corporations that acquire foreign companies to reincorporate in a foreign jurisdiction with income tax rates lower than the United States). The bill provides that a foreign corporation that acquires the properties of a U.S. corporation or partnership after May 8, 2014, shall be treated as an inverted corporation and thus subject to U.S. taxation if, after such acquisition (1) it holds more than 50% of the stock of the new entity (expanded affiliated group), or (2) the management or control of the new entity occurs primarily within the United States and the new entity has significant domestic business activities.

Bill· SS. 2139 (116th)referred

American Business for American Companies Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2019

American Business for American Companies Act of 2019 This bill prohibits an executive agency from awarding a contract for the procurement of property or services (including a defense contract) to (1) any foreign incorporated entity determined to be an inverted domestic corporation or any subsidiary of such entity, or (2) any joint venture more than 10% of which is held by such an entity or subsidiary. An inverted domestic corporation is a company that was previously incorporated in the United States or was a partnership in the United States but is now incorporated in a foreign country despite (1) a majority of the company being owned by the owners of the former domestic entity, or (2) management of the company primarily occurring in the United States.

Bill· SJRESS.J.Res. 50 (116th)failed

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, relating to "Contributions in Exchange for State or Local Tax Credits".

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2019

This resolution expresses congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to charitable contribution and estate tax deductions when a taxpayer receives or expects to receive a corresponding state or local tax credit, and such rule shall have no force or effect.

Bill· SS. 2128 (116th)referred

National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Extension Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2019

National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Extension Act of 2019 This bill extends for an additional four years the exemption from the means test under Chapter 7 bankruptcy for qualifying members of an Armed Forces reserve component or the National Guard. Currently, the exemption expires on December 19, 2019.

Bill· SS. 2113 (116th)referred

Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2019

Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act This bill establishes limitations on separating alien children from parents and on detaining families, and also addresses other immigration-related matters. A child may be separated from a parent or legal guardian at or near a port of entry or U.S. border only if (1) a state court has made a relevant ruling, such as terminating the parent's rights; (2) a qualified child welfare agency official has ruled that separation is in the child's best interest; or (3) a specified official makes certain determinations, such as concluding that a child is a trafficking victim. A child may not be separated from a parent or guardian solely to deter migration or promote compliance with immigration laws. This bill establishes presumptions (1) in favor of family unity and keeping siblings together, and (2) against detention. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall (1) document all child separations, (2) develop training for officers handling separations, (3) publish guidance on how to locate a separated child, (4) periodically provide a parent or guardian information about a separated child, and (5) pay for counsel to represent unaccompanied alien children in removal proceedings. The Flores settlement (an agreement imposing conditions on the treatment of detained alien minors) and a related court holding shall apply to the detention of families. The bill also contains provisions relating to the detention of aliens, including (1) requiring medical assessments of detained children, (2) imposing health-related standards for detention facilities, and (3) requiring DHS to provide sufficient funds for alternatives to detention programs.

Bill· SS. 2112 (116th)referred

Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2019

Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act This bill provides rights and protections for domestic workers, including pay and leave rights, and health and safety protections. The bill, among other things repeals the exemption under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 for domestic live-in employees from certain minimum wage and maximum hour requirements; requires written notices of termination and allow other communications for live-in domestic employees; requires written agreements for domestic workers covering wages, sick leave, benefits, and other matters; allows domestic workers to request and receive changes to work schedules due to personal events; sets forth certain privacy rights for domestic workers; expands coverage to domestic workers under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 against discrimination in employment; and increases the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for certain Medicaid-funded medical services provided by domestic workers. The Department of Labor shall (1) award grants for a domestic worker national hotline for reporting emergencies, training on hazards facing domestic workers, and workforce investment activities for domestic workers; and (2) establish a Domestic Worker Wage and Standards Board to investigate standards in the domestic workers industry. Labor must provide domestic workers with a document that describes the rights and protections under the domestic workers bill of rights. The Department of Health and Human Services must collect state Medicaid program data on the personal or home care aide workforce.

Bill· SS. 2106 (116th)referred

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit smoking on the premises of any facility of the Veterans Health Administration, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2019

This bill prohibits smoking on the premises of any Veterans Health Administration facility. The bill defines smoking as the use of cigarettes, cigars, and pipes (i.e., the heating or combustion of tobacco), as well as the use of any electronic nicotine delivery system.

Bill· SS. 2103 (116th)referred

Affordable Insulin Approvals Now Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2019

Affordable Insulin Approvals Now Act This bill requires the continued review and approval, as appropriate, of certain pending applications for generic insulin beyond the March 23, 2020, cutoff date previously established by the Food and Drug Administration. Beginning March 23, 2020, these approved generic insulin drugs also are deemed licensed biological products.

Bill· SS. 2101 (116th)referred

Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2019

Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to require employers to make initial and modified disclosures to employees of the terms of their employment, provide such employees with regular paystubs, and make a final payment to an employee for uncompensated work hours within 14 days of the employee's termination. Employers must also allow employees access to wage records. An employer must compensate an employee at the rate specified in an employment contract, including a collective bargaining agreement, that specifies a rate of pay higher than the minimum wage rate. The bill establishes new and increased civil and criminal penalties for FLSA overtime or minimum wage violations, including referral to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution of employers who engage in wage theft, falsification of wage records, or retaliation against employees. The Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor must provide grants to specified organizations, including nonprofits and educational institutions, to enhance the enforcement of wage and hour laws. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on successful grant programs.

Bill· SS. 2087 (116th)referred

Get the Lead Out of Assisted Housing Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2019

Get the Lead Out of Assisted Housing Act of 2019 This bill addresses the removal of lead from drinking water in federally assisted housing. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to require specified testing and remediation with respect to water service lines containing lead; authorizes HUD to inspect all sources of lead contamination in federally assisted housing and to mitigate sources of lead exposure; establishes a grant program for states and local governments to create inventories of water service lines containing lead and to test for lead in the drinking water at child care facilities, schools, and public water fountains; and allows recipients of certain HUD assistance to use such assistance to replace water fixtures and service lines containing lead.

Bill· SS. 2085 (116th)referred

Never Again Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2019

Never Again Education Act This bill creates the Holocaust Education Assistance Program Fund for the Department of Education (ED) to (1) award grants to eligible entities to carry out Holocaust education programs, and (2) conduct periodic regional workshops to provide teachers with technical assistance on how to incorporate Holocaust education within state and local education standards. The fund may accept donations and in-kind contributions. ED shall (1) create and maintain a Holocaust education program website containing resources for middle grades and high schools; and (2) establish the Holocaust Education Advisory Board to advise on developing application criteria for the fund's grants, to advise on content for the Holocaust education program website, and to lead efforts to solicit donations for the fund.

Bill· SS. 2084 (116th)referred

GREEN Streets Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2019

Generating Resilient, Environmentally Exceptional National Streets Act or the GREEN Streets Act This bill establishes national goals to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions and improve the resilience of the transportation system. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish minimum standards for states to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and per capita vehicle miles traveled (VMTs) on the National Highway System; DOT to establish measures for states to assess and reduce carbon dioxide; states and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to consider projects and strategies that reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions and decrease per capita VMT's; states and MPOs to publish an analysis of the impact on per capita VMTs and mobile source greenhouse gas emissions for each project that adds new lanes or otherwise increases traffic capacity and costs more than $25 million; states that are out of compliance with the per capita VMT standards or carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emission measures to dedicate federal highway funding to achieve compliance; and DOT to establish national transit access standards and performance measures for transit accessibility, transit stop distance, and transit mode share.

Bill· SS. 2083 (116th)referred

Athletics Fair Pay Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2019

Athletics Fair Pay Act of 2019 This bill addresses pay equity for amateur athletes. It requires amateur sports national governing bodies to provide equitable wages and other compensation for women where separate programs for male and female athletes are conducted on a national basis. The bill also requires a national governing body to report to Congress on the compensation of amateur athletes in the sport governed by such body for each of the two consecutive calendar years ending immediately before, and each calendar year beginning after, this bill's enactment. Each report shall include (1) the median compensation for amateur athletes, disaggregated by race and gender; and (2) the minimum and maximum compensation paid to amateur athletes, disaggregated by race and gender.

Bill· SS. 2082 (116th)referred

STRONGER Patents Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2019

Support Technology and Research for Our Nation's Growth and Economic Resilience Patents Act of 2019 or the STRONGER Patents Act of 2019 This bill makes several patent-related changes, including with respect to how the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) conducts administrative patent validity reviews. When deciding inter partes reviews (IPRs) and post-grant reviews (PGRs), the USPTO's Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) shall give patent claim terms their ordinary and customary meanings as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art (the same standard used in court). If a court has already construed a patent claim, the USPTO shall consider that construction. The bill makes various changes relating to such proceedings, such as by (1) raising the burden of proof to invalidate a patent claim; (2) establishing that a challenged patent claim is presumed valid; (3) imposing standing requirements as to who may file an IPR or PGR, where none currently exist except for some timing requirements; (4) restricting when multiple challenges may be filed against the same patent; and (5) limiting IPRs and PGRs when a court or the International Trade Commission has ruled on the obviousness or novelty of the same patent claims. This bill also (1) makes it easier to get an injunction after a court finding of the infringement of a valid patent, by a presumption that further infringement would cause irreparable injury and the remedies available at law are inadequate; (2) authorizes the USPTO to keep and spend the fees that it collects; and (3) makes bad faith patent demand letters an unfair or deceptive act in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act.

Bill· SS. 2080 (116th)referred

Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2019

Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take a series of actions relating to palliative-care training. Specifically, HHS must provide support for Palliative Care and Hospice Education Centers. The centers must improve the training of health professionals in palliative care and establish traineeships for individuals preparing for advanced-education nursing degrees, social-work degrees, or advanced degrees in physician-assistant studies in palliative care. HHS may provide support to medical schools, teaching hospitals, and graduate medical-education programs for training physicians who plan to teach palliative medicine. HHS must (1) provide Palliative Medicine and Hospice Academic Career Awards to individuals to promote their career development, (2) support entities that operate a Palliative Care and Hospice Education Center, (3) support individuals in specified fields who are pursuing an advanced degree in palliative care or related fields, and (4) award grants to nursing programs to train individuals in providing palliative care. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality must provide for a national education and awareness campaign to inform patients, families, and health professionals about the benefits of palliative care. The National Institutes of Health must expand national research programs in palliative care.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 273 (116th)referred

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to health care rights.

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2019

This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that everyone in the United States has certain rights with respect to health care, including affordable coverage, access to care, transparency and privacy, protection from discrimination, and culturally appropriate care.

Bill· SS. 2054 (116th)open

A bill to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith, in recognition of their contributions to the Nation.

United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2019

This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to commemorate Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith, four Americans killed in the September 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. (Stevens was the U.S. Ambassador to Libya at the time, Smith was an officer in the Foreign Service, and Doherty and Woods were both government contractors and former Navy SEALs.) After the medal has been awarded, it shall be given to the Central Intelligence Agency Museum.

Bill· SS. 2032 (116th)open

Cannabidiol and Marihuana Research Expansion Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

Cannabidiol and Marihuana Research Expansion Act This bill modifies provisions concerning the federal regulation of certain drugs that are deemed to pose a risk of abuse and dependence to facilitate research on, and the use of, medical treatments containing marijuana and its derivatives.

Bill· SS. 2043 (116th)referred

Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

Khalid Jabara and Heather Heyer National Opposition to Hate, Assault, and Threats to Equality Act of 2019 or the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act This bill establishes various grants within the Department of Justice for states and units of local government to improve law enforcement activities to address hate crimes, including by improving the reporting of hate crime data to relevant national systems. It also allows a court to order, as a penalty for a violation of a federal hate crime statute, a defendant to participate in educational classes or community service related to the community harmed by the defendant's offense as part of a supervised release.

Bill· SS. 2027 (116th)referred

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the scope of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

This bill expands the scope of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans by including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals as minority group members. The committee reports on the issues of minority group members in relation to Department of Veterans Affairs programs.

Bill· SS. 2012 (116th)referred

Restoring Local Control Over Public Infrastructure Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

Restoring Local Control Over Public Infrastructure Act of 2019 This bill nullifies rules issued by the Federal Communications Commission that revoke state and local authority to regulate telecommunications equipment deployment and to determine the amount of payment for the use of such equipment.

Bill· SS. 2008 (116th)referred

Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2019 This bill prohibits commercial conversion therapy, which is a practice or treatment designed to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity or otherwise change behaviors, thoughts, or expressions related to gender or sexual attraction. This prohibition does not apply to treatment that assists an individual undergoing a gender transition or facilitates identity exploration and development.

Bill· SS. 2006 (116th)referred

John Stringer Rainey SAFE Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

John Stringer Rainey Safeguard American Food Exports Act or the John Stringer Rainey SAFE Act This bill prohibits the knowing sale or transport of horses for purposes of human consumption. Specifically, the bill makes it unlawful to knowingly possess, ship, transport, purchase, sell, deliver, or receive a horse for it to be slaughtered for human consumption. It also makes it unlawful to knowingly possess, ship, transport, purchase, sell, deliver, or receive horse flesh, carcass, or part of a carcass for it to be used for human consumption. Violators are subject to criminal penalties.

Bill· SS. 2001 (116th)referred

Willie O’Ree Congressional Gold Medal Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

Willie O'Ree 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 Willie O'Ree, in recognition of his contributions and commitment to hockey, inclusion, and recreational opportunity.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 270 (116th)passed

A resolution recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall uprising.

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

This resolution recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising and commends the bravery and resiliency of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community in the face of violence and discrimination, past and present. The resolution also condemns violence and discrimination against members of the LGBTQ community and recommits the House of Representatives to securing justice, equality, and well-being for LGBTQ people.

Bill· SS. 1992 (116th)open

A bill to amend the FAST Act to repeal a rescission of funds.

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019

This bill amends the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) to repeal the permanent rescission on July 1, 2020, of $7.569 billion in unobligated federal-aid highway funds for states.