United States · United States Congress · 16 August 2018
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Paul Laxalt, former Member of the Senate. Extends deepest condolences and gratitude to his family. Honors Paul Laxalt's legacy, life, service to the Senate, and commitment to the people of Nevada and the United States. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on August 16, 2018, it stands adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Paul Laxalt.
United States · United States Congress · 16 August 2018
Medical Debt Relief Act of 2018 This bill amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to modify requirements related to the reporting of medical debt. Specifically, a consumer reporting agency may not add certain medical debt information to a consumer credit report. Also, a debt collector may not report certain medical debt information to a consumer reporting agency within a specified time period and must notify the consumer prior to reporting such medical debt.
United States · United States Congress · 15 August 2018
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) condemns all forms of violence against children globally, (2) recognizes the impact of violence upon the healthy development of children, and (3) should develop a strategy for ending such violence.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2018
Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of: one Congressional Gold Medal to Katherine Johnson, in recognition of her service to the United States as a mathematician; one Congressional Gold Medal to Dr. Christine Darden, for her service to the United States as an aeronautical engineer; and two Congressional Gold Medals in commemoration of the lives of Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, in recognition of their service to the United States during the Space Race.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2018
Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2018 This bill bars the Department of Agriculture from allowing the construction of roads, reconstruction of roads, or logging in an inventoried roadless area where those activities are prohibited by the Roadless Rule.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2018
American Cars, American Jobs Act of 2018 This bill establishes in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the American Cars, American Jobs Program. Under the program, the Department of Transportation must issue vouchers of $3,500 to offset the purchase or lease price of a new automobile made in the United States if at least 45% of the automobile's parts come from the United States or Canada and assembly of the automobile occurs in the United States. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow a tax deduction for the global low-tax income of certain foreign subsidiaries of U.S. automakers whose profits exceed a specified percentage of their value.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2018
Stopping Appealing Flavors in E-Cigarettes for Kids Act or the SAFE Kids Act This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the use of flavored products in an electronic nicotine delivery system (e.g., e-cigarettes, e-hookah, e-cigars, vape pens, advanced refillable personal vaporizers, and electronic pipes), except for in specified circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2018
Designates the first week of August 2018 as World Breastfeeding Week and designates August 2018 as National Breastfeeding Month. Expresses support for policies and funding to ensure that all mothers who choose to breastfeed can access a full range of support.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2018
Expresses support for the existing One National Program with the goals of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and oil usage, protecting national security, and protecting human health and welfare. Expresses support for politics that will: (1) achieve maximum feasible oil-use reductions and reduce GHG emissions from mobile sources; (2) recognize the rights and importance of states to set and follow stronger vehicle emissions standards under the Clean Air Act; and (3) ensure that the Administration, the Department of Transportation, and the Environmental Protection Agency solicit input from states impacted by changes to existing standards for emissions and fuel economy.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2018
Census Equality Act This bill requires the Bureau of the Census to collect data concerning sexual orientation and gender identity as part of the decennial census and the American Community Survey.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2018
3D Printed Gun Safety Act of 2018 This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it unlawful to intentionally publish digital instructions for programming a three-dimensional printer to make a firearm.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2018
This bill directs the Coast Guard to prescribe regulations to require operators of amphibious passenger vessels to provide reserve buoyancy for such vessels through passive means, including watertight compartmentalization, built-in flotation, or other means, to ensure that such vessels remain afloat and upright in the event of flooding, including when carrying a full complement of passengers and crew. The bill sets forth interim requirements for vessels that are not in compliance with the regulations. The bill prohibits vessels whose configuration or operation does not comply with the regulations or interim requirements from operating on U.S. waterways.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Spotlight Act This bill repeals an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) revenue procedure (Rev. Proc. 2018-38) that exempts certain tax-exempt organizations that are not 501(c)(3) organizations from the requirement to report the names and addresses of substantial contributors (persons who contribute more than $5,000 per year) on information returns that are filed with the IRS. The bill requires tax-exempt organizations that fall under sections 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), and 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code (e.g., social welfare organizations, labor organizations, business leagues) to disclose the names and addresses of all substantial contributors on their returns. The information must also be made available to the public. The bill also eliminates the authority of the IRS to provide exceptions to the disclosure requirements for tax-exempt organizations. This provision does not apply to determinations made by the IRS before July 16, 2018.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Options Markets Stability Act This bill directs the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to revise the method of calculating the risk, for purposes of satisfying capital rules applicable to depository institutions and depository institution holding companies, of certain options cleared through a central counterparty.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2018
Haiti and Armenia Reforestation Act of 2018 This bill authorizes the President to provide certain financial assistance to, and establish grant and pilot programs for, the governments of Haiti and Armenia to address deforestation in their countries.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2018
Humane Treatment of Migrant Children Act This bill prohibits an agent or officer of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), or the Department of Health and Human Services from removing a child (i.e., an individual who has not reached the age of 18 and has no permanent immigration status) from a parent or legal guardian at or near the port of entry or within 100 miles of the U.S. border unless: (1) a state court determines that such removal is in the best interests of the child, (2) a state child welfare agency makes a similar determination because the child is in danger or abuse or neglect, or (3) the Chief Patrol Agent or the Area Port Director authorizes separation based on a finding that the child is a victim of trafficking or is in danger of abuse or neglect. The bill establishes a strong presumption in favor of family unity and a presumption that detention is not in the best interest of families and children. It further requires DHS to ensure that sibling groups remain intact. DHS must: (1) publish final public guidance that describes the manner in which a parent or legal guardian may locate a child who has become separated; (2) provide the parent or legal guardian of a separated child basic information about the child's activities, education and health, and immigration status; and (3) report to Congress annually on family separation. The Government Accountability Office must study, and report on, the prosecution of asylum seekers during the period beginning on January 1, 2008, and ending on December 31, 2018. The bill requires that unaccompanied alien children be provided free legal counsel in immigration proceedings and that DHS provide access to counsel for all aliens detained in immigration detention facilities. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shall use its resources to detain aliens who pose a threat to national security or public safety. Aliens shall not be detained if they are known to be suffering from serious physical or mental illness, have a disability, are elderly, pregnant, or nursing, are minors, are the primary caretakers of a minor or an inform person, or that their detention is otherwise not in the public interest. DHS must provide sufficient funding to cover alternatives to detention programs. DOJ must increase the total number of immigration judges and DHS must increase the number of its personnel responsible for processing refugee applications.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2018
Women's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act of 2018 This bill modifies U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) programs to provide targeted assistance for women. USAID strategies and projects shall be shaped by analysis to address gender differences, including how results may be different for men and women due to issues such as gender roles and structural barriers. The President is authorized to provide programs in developing countries for micro, small, and medium-sized businesses, particularly those owned, managed, and controlled by women. Previously, authorization for such programs was largely limited to microenterprises. The President is also authorized to provide targeted assistance programs that promote economic empowerment of women, including through increased access to financial resources, improving property and inheritance rights, and other legal protections. For sustainable poverty-focused programs, half of resources targeting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises shall be for activities that reach the very poor. Half of resources for programs for small and medium-sized enterprises shall be for activities targeting enterprises owned, managed, or controlled by women. The bill directs USAID to modify its system for monitoring its programs to include outcomes broken down by gender, when feasible. The President is authorized to expand the micro and small business development credit program to provide such assistance to medium-sized businesses as well. The bill also directs USAID to break down various information in its annual report by gender and income level. USAID shall also report to Congress on the implementation of this bill. The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress an assessment of the effect of development assistance for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries, and the extent to which such aid benefits women and the very poor.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2018
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should refuse to make available any current or former diplomat, civil servant, political appointee, law enforcement official, or member of the U.S. Armed Forces for questioning by the government of Vladimir Putin.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2018
Nicaragua Human Rights and Anticorruption Act of 2018 This bill directs the President to impose through December 31, 2021, property-blocking and U.S. entry sanctions against any foreign person, including any current or former Nicaraguan government official, who: has perpetrated or is responsible for directing significant acts of violence or human rights violations in Nicaragua against persons associated with the protests that began on April 18, 2018; is responsible for or complicit in directing significant actions or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions in Nicaragua; or is a government official or a senior associate of such official who is responsible for or complicit in directing acts of significant corruption. The President may waive such sanctions for a one-year period if the Department of State certifies to Congress that Nicaragua is taking steps to strengthen democracy, combat corruption, and protect the rights of journalists and opposition political parties.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2018
Honors the life, accomplishments, and legacy of Nelson Mandela. Encourages the Administration of President Donald Trump to foster the enduring relationship between the people and governments of South Africa and the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2018
Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from detaining a woman during pregnancy or postpartum recovery and must immediately release any detainee found to be pregnant, unless such woman presents an immediate and serious threat of hurting herself or others A DHS detention facility may not use a restraint on a detainee who is known to be pregnant, including during labor, transport to a medical facility or birthing center, and delivery, or during postpartum recovery, except for medical or safety purposes. The bill prohibits DHS detention officers from being present during a pelvic exam of a detainee, labor, delivery, or treatment relating to a pregnancy, unless specifically requested by medical personnel. If a detention officer is requested by medical personnel, such officer shall be female, if practicable, and remain at a reasonable distance from the detainee. The bill requires that a pregnant detainee shall have access to health care services, including comprehensive services relating to reproductive health care and pregnancy.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2018
Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act of 2018 This bill amends the federal criminal code and sets forth new provisions to modify requirements for a licensed firearms importer, dealer, or manufacturer (i.e., a federal firearms licensee [FFL]). Among other things, the bill: increases the allowable number of compliance inspections of an FFL during a 12-month period; authorizes the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to hire at least 80 additional personnel to conduct additional inspections; increases from one year to five years the maximum prison term for an FFL or licensed collector who knowingly makes a false statement or representation in required firearms records; allows the ATF to require an FFL to conduct physical inventories if the FFL unlawfully transfers a firearm or if 10 or more crime guns are traced back to the FFL; allows the ATF to deny an application for a federal firearms license if it would endanger public safety or if the applicant is unlikely to comply with the law; and modifies the liability standard for an FFL who fails to comply with laws or regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2018
Know Before You Owe Private Student Loan Act of 2018 This bill amends the Truth in Lending Act to revise requirements for disclosures in private education loan applications. Before issuing a private education loan for a student attending an institution of higher education (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. This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require 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.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2018
Commemorates the lives, careers, and service of the five victims of the Capital Gazette shooting in Annapolis, Maryland. Honors the survivors of the attack and the families of the victims and pledges continued support for their recovery. Thanks law enforcement officers and other emergency first responders for their heroic actions. Reaffirms the commitment of the Senate to defending the first amendment of the Constitution of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2018
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: climate change is real and human activity is the main driver of it; it is in the public interest that broadcast meteorologists knowledgeably communicate scientifically-based climate information; and fossil fuel companies, public-relations firms, and foundations should cease their misinformation campaigns concerning the dangers of climate change.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2018
Capping Prescription Costs Act of 2018 This bill caps the monthly prescription-drug cost-sharing permitted under qualified health plans and group health plans.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2018
Contaminant and Lead Electronic Accounting and Reporting Requirements (CLEARR) for Drinking Water Act of 2018 This bill assists communities in complying with and reporting on drinking water requirements, including to reauthorize through FY2023 a grant program for assisting the public water systems of small or disadvantaged communities comply with drinking water requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2018
Commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the Battle of Hamel, which forged the enduring relationship between the United States and Australia. Supports continued diplomatic, security, and economic cooperation between Australia and the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
CyberTipline Modernization Act of 2018 (Sec. 2) This bill revises reporting requirements for electronic communication service providers and remote computing service providers (providers) who report information to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) on crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Currently, providers must report the facts and circumstances of incidents of apparent child pornography, of which they become aware, to NCMEC via the CyberTipline. This bill retains the existing reporting requirement and provides new authority for providers to also report the facts and circumstances that indicate a child pornography violation is imminent. Additionally, it makes various procedural changes to the reporting requirements, including to do the following: grant discretion to providers to determine what information to include in a report; permit (currently, require) the Department of Justice (DOJ) to designate foreign law enforcement agencies to receive CyberTipline reports from NCMEC; allow NCMEC to forward a report to a foreign law enforcement agency in certain circumstances, even if the foreign law enforcement agency has not been designated by DOJ; and provide explicit permission for a provider to disclose the contents of a report, including visual depictions, to law enforcement agencies, to NCMEC, or as necessary to respond to legal process. Finally, the bill revises and updates various statutory references, including to replace references to “images” with “visual depictions” to make reporting requirements applicable to videos, in addition to images.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Justice for Victims of Lynching Act of 2018 This bill specifies that an offense involving lynching is a criminal civil rights violation. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a prison term, a fine, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) should encourage cooperation with other nuclear possessing states to reduce the number and role of nuclear weapons in global military strategies, and (2) must maintain support for the International Atomic Energy Agency.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Expresses support for the rights, freedoms, and equal treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people. Recognizes that LGBTQ rights are human rights and protected by the U.S. Constitution and international treaties. Encourages the celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month in June.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Recognizes the contributions of African Americans to the musical heritage of the United States. Recognizes that Black History Month and African-American Music Appreciation Month is an important time to celebrate this impact and to encourage greater access to music education.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2018
Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2018 This bill requires the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to make a determination as to whether a state substantially provides for certain rights and responsibilities applicable to public employees, such as granting such employees the right to form or join a labor organization and to bargain collectively, and if the state does not substantially provide for such rights and responsibilities, then such state shall be subject to nationwide standards prescribed by the FLRA to protect public employee rights. No employer, emergency services employee, or law enforcement officer may engage in a lockout, strike, or any other organized job action of which a reasonably probable result is a measurable disruption of the delivery of emergency or public safety services. No labor organization may violate or attempt to violate this prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2018
Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2018 or the DISCLOSE Act of 2018 This bill expands the ban on election contributions by foreign nationals to include corporations subject to specified levels of ownership or control by foreign nationals. The bill also expands (1) reporting requirements related to campaign contributions, and (2) disclosure requirements related to the funding sources of political advertisements.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2018
Condemns the violence perpetrated against the citizens of Nicaragua by the Ortega regime and affiliated armed groups, and calls on the government of Nicaragua to enact constitutional and legal reforms to better protect its citizens. Calls on the President to impose sanctions against any person responsible for gross violations of human rights or acts of significant corruption in Nicaragua.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2018
Protecting the Right to Independent and Democratic Elections Act or the PRIDE Voting Act This bill establishes an election security grant program under which the Department of Homeland Security awards grants to states to carry out one or more of the following activities: (1) implementing or improving the use of auditable paper ballots, (2) conducting post-election risk limiting audits, and (3) implementing cybersecurity standards and best practices developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2018
Designates June 20, 2018, as American Eagle Day. Applauds the issuance of bald eagle commemorative coins by the Department of the Treasury to generate funds for the protection of the bald eagle. Encourages entities with an interest in conserving endangered species to collaborate and develop educational tools for use in public schools.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2018
Calls upon the U.S. government to uphold its international leadership role by responding to the global refugee crisis with humanitarian assistance and to reaffirm the long-standing tradition of resettling refugees in the United States regardless of nationality or religion.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2018
Designates June 19, 2018, as Juneteenth Independence Day. Recognizes the historical significance and supports the continued celebration of Juneteenth Independence Day, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2018
Workers' Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2018 This bill amends the National Labor Relations Act (NRLA) and related labor laws to extend protections to union workers. Specifically, it: revises the definition of "employee" and "supervisor" to prevent employers from removing employees from the protections of the labor laws, prohibits employers from interfering with certain rights granted to employees under the NLRA, expands unfair labor practices to include prohibitions against replacement of worker who strike or discrimination against them, imposes new penalties against employers who violate labor law requirements, allows workers to bring civil actions against employers for labor law violations and unfair labor practices, requires certain disclosures with respect to worker wages, and requires contractors seeking federal contracts over $500,000 to disclose labor law violations when applying for such contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2018
Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention Act of 2018 or STOP Act of 2018 This bill establishes requirements related to U.S. Postal Service (USPS) international mail shipments. Among other requirements, the bill requires USPS to gather advanced data on its shipments and share such information with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and assesses a fee on on overseas inbound express mail.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2018
Commemorates the victims killed in the attack at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Honors the survivors of the attack and pledges continued support for their recovery.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2018
Keep Families Together Act This bill prohibits an agent or contractor of the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, or the Department of Health and Human Services from removing a child who is under the age of 18 and has no permanent immigration status from his or her parent or legal guardian at or near the port of entry or within 100 miles of the U.S. border unless: an authorized state court determines that it is in the child's best interests to be removed; a state or county child welfare official with expertise in child trauma and development determines that it is in the child's best interests to be removed because of abuse or neglect; or the Chief Patrol Agent or the Area Port Director authorizes separation based on a documented finding that the child is a trafficking victim or is at significant risk of becoming a victim, a strong likelihood exists that the adult is not the parent or legal guardian, or the child is in danger of abuse or neglect. An agency may not remove a child from a parent or legal guardian solely for the policy goals of deterring migration to the United States or of promoting immigration law compliance. The bill sets forth presumptions: (1) in favor of family and sibling unity and parental rights, and (2) that detention is not in the best interests of families and children. The Government Accountability Office shall conduct a study of the prosecution of asylum seekers.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2018
International Human Rights Defense Act of 2018 This bill establishes in the Department of State a permanent Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex) Peoples who shall serve as the principal State Department advisor regarding human rights for LGBTI people and represent the United States in diplomatic matters relevant to the human rights of LGBTI people. The special envoy shall periodically provide Congress with a U.S. global strategy to prevent and respond to criminalization, discrimination, and violence against LGBTI people. The State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development may provide assistance to prevent and respond to such activities against LGBTI people. The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is amended to require that annual country reports on human rights practices include information on criminalization, discrimination, and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2018
Urban Agriculture Act of 2018 This bill establishes an Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to encourage and promote urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural practices. The bill also makes farmers developing innovative agricultural production practices and using traditional practices in innovative areas such as urban areas eligible for various USDA loan and grant programs. USDA must work with producers to mitigate the presence of contaminants in soil by taking several specified actions, such as establishing a coordinated soil testing protocol, coordinating and conducting research, and providing soil assessment and remediation technical assistance. The bill establishes various USDA pilot projects, including programs to: establish urban and suburban county committees, increase municipal compost and food waste reduction activities; and strengthen marketplace links between healthy food consumption, good environmental practices, and direct public health outcomes.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2018
Reaffirms the U.S. commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance and NATO's importance to the United States, its allies, and the trans-Atlantic partnership.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2018
Housing Victims of Major Disasters Act of 2018 This bill makes certain individuals and households eligible for housing assistance in connection with a major disaster, including Hurricane Maria of 2017. To be eligible, an individual or household must be: (1) occupying an otherwise unused or uninhabited property located in the area for which the major disaster was declared but does not have documented ownership rights to and is not renting the property, or (2) renting a property located in the area for which the major disaster was declared but does not have a written lease for the rental. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) shall consider alternative forms of proof to determine the eligibility of an individual or household for assistance. FEMA shall enter into agreements with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to implement a Disaster Housing Assistance Program to provide temporary rental assistance to individuals and households displaced by any major disaster during 2017, and shall engage in consultations regarding the implementation of such program for future disasters.
![Official portrait of Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000563_200.jpg)