United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019
Repeal Insurance Plans of the Multi-State Program Act or the RIP MSP Act This bill repeals the multi-state insurance plan program. (The multi-state plan program requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to contract with insurance issuers to provide a qualified health plan through the health insurance exchanges in multiple states.) The OPM must report about the process and timeline for ending the program within 60 days.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019
National Law Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins that are emblematic of the National Law Enforcement Museum in the District of Columbia and of the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers throughout the history of the United States. All sales of such coins shall include specified surcharges, which shall be distributed to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Inc., for educational and outreach programs and exhibits.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019
Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act This bill revises requirements regarding the sale and delivery of electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes, e-hookah, e-cigars, and vape pens). Specifically, the bill subjects the sale and delivery of these systems to certain requirements, including tax, licensing, and labeling requirements; prohibits the sale and delivery of these systems to anyone under the legal age to purchase tobacco products; and requires the U.S. Postal Service to implement regulations to prohibit the mailing of these systems. The bill does not apply to products approved by the Food and Drug Administration for tobacco cessation or any other therapeutic purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019
Women's Suffrage Centennial Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 400,000 $1 silver coins that are emblematic of the women who played a vital role in rallying support for the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Such coins may be issued during the period beginning on January 1, 2020, and ending on December 31, 2020. All surcharges received from the sales of such coins shall be paid to the American Women's History Initiative of the Smithsonian Institution.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019
Transporting Livestock Across America Safely Act This bill requires the Department of Transportation to amend regulations on hours of service for commercial drivers who transport livestock or insects within a 300 air-mile radius from where the on-duty time of the driver begins. The regulations must (1) exclude from the driver's on-duty time certain activities, such as loading or unloading a commercial motor vehicle; (2) change the driving time requirement to a maximum of not less than 15, and not more than 18, hours within a 24-hour period; (3) permit the driver to take one or more rest periods during the trip, which shall not be included in the calculation of the driving time; (4) require the driver, after completion of the trip, to take a rest break for a period that is 5 hours less than the maximum driving time; (5) exclude from the calculation of the driving time any additional driving to the point of delivery if the driver is within 150 air-miles of the point of delivery; and (6) make inapplicable the requirement that the driver take a 10-hour rest period before driving.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2019
This resolution declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Richard G. Lugar, former Senator from Indiana.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2019
Association Health Plans Act of 2019 This bill provides statutory authority for certain short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans and association health plans. The bill permits short-term, limited-duration plans to provide coverage for a period of less than 12 months, not including extensions. Under current law, such plans are exempt from certain market requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, such as coverage of individuals with preexisting conditions. The bill further permits groups or associations of employers to sponsor fully insured group health plans as if they were employers. Such plans may not discriminate based on the health factors of any prospective plan participant for the purpose of granting an employer's membership in the association or determining a participant's eligibility for benefits or premium amounts.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2019
Equal Campus Access Act of 2019 This bill prohibits funding for any public institution of higher education (IHE) that denies to religious student organizations any right, benefit, or privilege that is otherwise afforded to other student organizations at the IHE because of the religious beliefs, practices, speech, leadership standards, or standards of conduct of the religious student organization.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2019
This resolution designates April 20-April 28, 2019, as National Park Week. The resolution also encourages the people of the United States and the world to visit U.S. national parks.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019
Protect Act This bill adds, among other provisions, requirements to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 for private health insurance plans with respect to preexisting conditions, guaranteed enrollment, and discrimination based on health-related factors. Specifically, the bill prohibits private health insurance plans from (1) limiting or excluding benefits covering preexisting conditions; (2) denying enrollment to employers or individual applicants, subject to specified limits; (3) establishing rules for eligibility based on an individual's health status; or (4) requiring an individual to a pay higher premium than similarly situated individuals enrolled in the plan based the individual's health status. Additionally, the bill prohibits plans from collecting genetic information in connection with issuing health insurance and provides requirements for workplace wellness programs connected to health insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019
Ensuring Integrity in the IRS Workforce Act of 201 9 This bill prohibits the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from rehiring former IRS employees who were involuntarily separated for misconduct. The bill generally applies with respect to any employee removed from employment before, on, or after the date of enactment of this bill. It does not apply to any employee who is employed by the IRS as of the enactment of this bill with respect to any removal for misconduct which occurred prior to enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019
Water Quality Certification Improvement Act of 2019 This bill limits the authority of states with respect to water quality certifications. Specifically, the bill limits the authority of states to review federally permitted activities that may result in discharges into navigable waters.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019
This bill requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to notify Congress before closing a Taxpayer Assistance Center. At least 90 days before a proposed closure would take effect, the IRS must submit to Congress a report including the reasons for the closure and a description of the taxpayer assistance services that will be provided to taxpayers in certain areas that will be affected by the closure.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2019
Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan Authorization Act This bill requires the Department of the Interior to carry out the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan which was submitted to Congress on March 19, 2019, by Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Interior must execute the plan without delay and operate applicable Colorado River System reservoirs accordingly.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Working Families Flexibility Act of 2019 This bill revises requirements for the receipt of compensatory time off for private sector employees. Specifically, the bill authorizes private employers to provide compensatory time off to their employees at a rate of one and one-half hours for each hour of employment for which overtime compensation is required, prohibits an employee from accruing more that 160 hours of compensatory time, requires an employer to give their employees a 30-day notice before discontinuing compensatory time, prohibits an employer from interfering with an employee's right to or not request compensatory time off in lieu of payment of overtime compensation or from requiring an employee to use such compensatory time, and imposes penalties on employers who violate the compensatory time requirements set forth by this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act of 2019 This bill establishes a new criminal offense that prohibits a physician from knowingly performing a dismemberment abortion. It provides a definition of the term "dismemberment abortion." A physician who performs a dismemberment abortion is subject to a criminal fine, up to two years in prison, or both, unless the dismemberment abortion was necessary to save the mother's life. A woman or a parent of a minor who undergoes a dismemberment abortion may file a civil action for damages against an individual who violates this bill. The legislation bars the criminal prosecution of a woman who undergoes a dismemberment abortion for conspiracy to violate the provisions of this bill, for being a principal or an accessory after the fact, or for concealing a dismemberment abortion.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Revitalizing Underdeveloped Rural Areas and Lands (RURAL) Act This bill modifies the definition of income used to determine the tax-exempt status of a mutual or cooperative telephone or electric company to exclude certain government grants, contributions, and assistance. Specifically, the bill excludes from income (1) grants, contributions, and assistance provided under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act or by local, state, or regional governmental entities for disasters or emergencies; and (2) certain grants or contributions provided by a government entity for electric, communications, broadband, internet, or other utility facilities or services.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2019
Platte River Recovery Implementation Program Extension Act This bill revises the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program. The program is a cooperative agreement among Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, and the Bureau of Reclamation to protect endangered and threatened species and their habitats in the Central and Lower Platte River Basin. The bill extends Reclamation's authority to implement the first increment of the program through FY2033.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2019
This resolution recognizes the 75th anniversary of the amphibious landing of the allied forces on D-Day, June 6, 1944, at Normandy, France, during World War II. The resolution expresses appreciation to the members of the U.S. Armed Forces who participated in the operations, thanks the young people of Normandy and the United States for their involvement in events celebrating the anniversary of the Normandy landings, recognizes the efforts of France and the people of Normandy to preserve the world heritage represented by the Normandy beaches and the sunken material remains of the landings by inscribing these on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and requests the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the 75th anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2019
This concurrent resolution establishes the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2020 and sets forth budgetary levels for FY2021-FY2024. The resolution recommends levels and amounts for FY2020-FY2024 for federal revenues, new budget authority, budget outlays, deficits, public debt, debt held by the public, and the major functional categories of spending. It also recommends levels and amounts for FY2020-FY2024 in the Senate for Social Security and Postal Service discretionary administrative expenses. The resolution includes reconciliation instructions that direct five Senate committees to report and submit to the Senate Budget Committee legislation to reduce the deficit over FY2020-FY2024 by specified amounts. The committees include the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee; the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee; the Senate Finance Committee; the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. (Under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, reconciliation bills are considered by Congress using expedited legislative procedures that prevent a filibuster and restrict amendments in the Senate.) The resolution establishes several deficit-neutral reserve funds that provide flexibility in applying budget enforcement rules to legislation addressing a wide range of specified issues across the federal budget. It also sets forth budget enforcement procedures for legislation considered in the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2019
Voluntary Protection Program Act This bill provides statutory authority for the voluntary protection program within the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Under the program, management, labor, and OSHA must establish cooperative relationships at workplaces that have implemented a comprehensive safety and health management system.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2019
This resolution requests the President to issue a proclamation to observe the 40th anniversary of peace between Israel and Egypt and encourages the two nations to continue to serve as examples of peacebuilding.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2019
This bill addresses the removal of federal protections for the gray wolf ( Canis lupus ). Specifically, the Department of the Interior must reinstate a rule that removed the gray wolf in the Western Great Lakes region from the endangered and threatened species list. The bill exempts the reinstated rule from judicial review. In addition, it exempts from judicial review a reinstated rule that removes the gray wolf in Wyoming from the list.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2019
Restoring Investment in Improvements Act This bill confirms that the applicable recovery period for qualified improvement property (nonresidential real estate) for depreciation purposes is 15 years under the modified accelerated cost recovery system (MACRS) and 20 years under the alternative depreciation system (ADS).
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2019
Merrill's Marauders Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), commonly known as Merrill's Marauders, in recognition of their bravery and outstanding service in the jungles of Burma (Myanmar) during World War II. Following its award, the gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution where it shall be displayed and made available for research.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2019
Donations for Our Nation's Advancement, Transformation, and Enhancement Act or the DONATE Act This bill allows executive departments to accept conditional gifts on behalf of such departments. Specifically, departments may accept cash donations made by U.S. citizens that come with instructions on how the money should be spent. Current law allows departments to accept donations but not where there are conditions on the money's use. A department may not accept a conditional gift that is conditioned upon carrying out any act or purpose that will require an expenditure of funds that exceeds the gift amount, unless the expenditure has been approved by Congress. If a department accepts a conditional gift that is insufficient to meet the cost of carrying out a conditional act or purpose of the gift, the acceptance shall not obligate the department to expend funds to carry out such act or purpose. The bill allows such departments to transfer unspent gift funds to the Department of the Treasury to reduce the deficit. The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress on how each department manages such funds and how they are used, including recommendations for enhancing such management and use of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2019
This resolution congratulates the people of Greece as they celebrate the 198th anniversary of their country's independence. The resolution recognizes Greece's commitment to democratic principles and the important role that Greece has played both regionally and internationally.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019
Grizzly Bear State Management Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of the Interior to remove the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem population of grizzly bears from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2019
Presidential Allowance Modernization Act of 2019 This bill replaces provisions governing the compensation provided to a former President. Each former President shall receive from the United States (1) an annuity of $200,000 per year for the remainder of his or her life, and (2) a monetary allowance of $200,000 per year. Such allowance shall be reduced by the amount the former President's earned income exceeds $400,000. These monetary amounts are subject to a cost-of-living increase. The bill increases and provides for cost-of-living adjustments to the monetary allowance for surviving spouses of former Presidents.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2019
Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy Act or the DRIVE-Safe Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation to promulgate regulations to implement an apprenticeship program for licensed commercial motor vehicle drivers under the age of 21.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2019
Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act This bill expands the E-Verify program by requiring all employers to use it, and permanently reauthorizes the program. Currently, E-Verify use is voluntary for most employers, although some states mandate its use. All employers shall use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all recruited, referred, or hired individuals, including current employees who were never verified under the program. Failure to use E-Verify shall create a rebuttable presumption that the employer is violating immigration law. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) shall generate weekly reports about individuals who have received a final non-confirmation of employment eligibility. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall use the report to enforce immigration laws. DHS shall establish a program to help certain small businesses verify employee eligibility. DHS shall also update E-Verify's design to help prevent and detect fraud and identity theft. The bill increases civil and criminal penalties for hiring unauthorized aliens. DHS shall debar repeat offenders and those criminally convicted from holding federal contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements. The Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, and DHS shall jointly establish a program to share information to help identify unauthorized aliens. The bill establishes the Employer Compliance Inspection Center within Homeland Security Investigations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The center's duties include processing I-9 employment eligibility verification forms and ensuring compliance with employment eligibility laws. DHS shall report to Congress on ways to simplify procedures relating to I-9 forms, and on whether the I-9 process should be eliminated.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2019
Interstate Transport Act of 2019 This bill authorizes a person to transport a knife between two states where it is legal to possess, carry, or transport such knife. It sets forth conditions and limitations with respect to the lawful interstate transport of knives, including secure storage requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2019
National Right-to-Work Act This bill amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to repeal those provisions that permit employers, pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement that is a union security agreement, to require employees to join a union as a condition of employment (including provisions permitting railroad carriers to require, pursuant to such an agreement, payroll deduction of union dues or fees as a condition of employment).
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2019
State, Tribal, and Local Species Transparency and Recovery Act This bill requires the Department of the Interior or the Department of Commerce, as appropriate, to provide to affected states all data that is used as the basis of a determination on whether a species is an endangered species or a threatened species before making a determination. The appropriate department must use data submitted by a state, tribal, or county government in making such a determination.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2019
This resolution designates February 16-23, 2019, as National FFA Week. It also (1) recognizes the important role of the National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America) in developing young leaders, and (2) celebrates 50 years of female membership in the organization.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2019
This concurrent resolution declares that Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over the air, or on any business for such public performance of sound recordings.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2019
President George H. W. Bush and Barbara Bush Coin Act This bill requires the issuance of $1 coins bearing the image of President George H.W. Bush for a one-year period beginning on January 1, 2019, and bullion coins bearing the image of Barbara Bush during that same period.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2019
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Accountability Act of 201 9 This bill changes the source of funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) from Federal Reserve System transfers to annual appropriations. Under current law, the transfers from the Federal Reserve System permit the CFPB to be funded outside of the annual appropriations process.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2019
This resolution commends Greece and North Macedonia for the ratification of the Prespa Agreement, which changes the name of the Republic of Macedonia to the Republic of North Macedonia and ends a longstanding dispute regarding the country's constitutional name.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2019
Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies Act or the USE IT Act This bill addresses the capture, utilization, and sequestration of carbon dioxide. The Environmental Protection Agency must (1) establish a competitive prize program for certain technology projects that capture carbon dioxide directly from the air, (2) research and develop technologies or approaches that transform carbon dioxide generated by industrial processes into a product of commercial value, and (3) support research and infrastructure activities relating to carbon dioxide utilization by providing technical and financial assistance. The bill includes the construction of infrastructure for carbon capture (e.g., carbon dioxide pipelines) among those projects subject to performance schedules designed to reduce permitting and project delivery time. The Government Accountability Office must issue a report that identifies grant programs that research carbon capture and utilization technologies and examines whether the programs overlap. 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) support the development of such projects and pipelines. The CEQ must also establish at least two task forces to (1) identify challenges and successes that permitting authorities and project developers and operators face, and (2) improve the performance of the permitting process and regional coordination.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2019
Freedom to Export to Cuba Act of 2019 This bill repeals both the President's statutory authority to impose an embargo on Cuba and various prohibitions against providing assistance to Cuba. It also repeals provisions related to (1) the President's authority to impose sanctions on countries that provide assistance to Cuba, (2) the prohibition against U.S. investment in domestic telecommunications networks within Cuba, (3) restrictions on vessels that have departed from a port in Cuba within 180 days of loading or unloading freight in the United States, and (4) restrictions on remittances to Cuba. The President is authorized to impose export controls with respect to Cuba and exercise certain emergency economic powers in relation to unusual and extraordinary threats to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2019
Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2019 or the Autism CARES Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 and revises several programs and activities relating to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Among other things, the bill reauthorizes provisions relating to (1) expanded ASD research at the National Institutes of Health; (2) ASD education, early detection, and intervention activities supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration; and (3) the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. The bill also generally revises the scope of such programs and activities to encompass ASD individuals of all ages, rather than only youth.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2019
This bill provides that any sequestration ordered by the President is inapplicable to funding of the body that sets standards for generally accepted accounting principles for purposes of securities laws. (Sequestration is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.)
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2019
This bill provides that any sequestration ordered by the President is inapplicable to funding of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. (Sequestration is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.)
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2019
This bill provides that any sequestration ordered by the President is inapplicable to funding of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation. (Sequestration is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.)
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2019
Chronic Wasting Disease Transmission in Cervidae Study Act This bill requires the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the U.S. Geological Survey to contract the National Academy of Sciences to study the predominant pathways and mechanisms of the transmission of chronic wasting disease in wild, captive, and farmed populations of deer, elk, reindeer, and moose populations in the United States.