United States · United States Congress · 2 January 2019
This resolution urges the President to work with allies to lead a multinational freedom of navigation operation in the Black Sea to push back against excessive Russian claims of sovereignty. It also calls for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to enhance allied maritime presence and capabilities in the Black Sea and for European governments to cancel the Nord Stream 2 pipeline due to its threat to European energy security. The resolution also urges the President to provide additional security assistance to Ukraine and states that the President is required by statute to impose mandatory sanctions on Russia.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2018
Calls on the President to reconsider the decision to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from Syria and urges any future withdrawal decision to be based on a robust interagency process and on conditions in the region.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2018
Declares that the Senate: (1) notes with deep sorrow and solemn mourning the death of former President George H.W. Bush, (2) extends heartfelt sympathy to former President George W. Bush and the entire family of former President George H.W. Bush, and (3) honors and expresses deep appreciation for former President George H.W. Bush's outstanding and important service to his country. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on December 5, 2018, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of former President George H.W. Bush.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2018
Finds that Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman should be held accountable for his complicity in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and calls on Saudi Arabia to release political prisoners and to negotiate solutions to its conflicts in Yemen and Qatar.
United States · United States Congress · 27 November 2018
Strongly condemns Russia's actions against Ukraine in the Kerch Strait, including the attack and seizure of Ukrainian naval ships and sailors. Calls on Russia to release the sailors and ships and to stop its harassment of ships in the strait. Calls on the President to express his administration's opposition to Russia's attack at every opportunity, and affirms the Department of State's declaration that it is U.S. policy to never recognize Russia's attempted annexation of Crimea. Urges the international community to unite in opposition to Russia's actions in the strait.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2018
First Step Act This bill amends various provisions of law and sets forth new provisions: to require the Department of Justice to establish and the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to implement a risk and needs assessment system; to modify the computation of good time credit; to allow federal correctional officers to securely store and carry concealed firearms on BOP premises outside the security perimeter of a prison; to limit the use of restraints on federal prisoners who are pregnant or in postpartum recovery; to reduce mandatory minimum prison terms for certain nonviolent repeat drug offenses; to broaden the existing safety valve to permit a sentence below the mandatory minimum for certain nonviolent, cooperative drug offenders with a limited criminal history; to make the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 retroactive; to require prisoners to be placed within 500 miles of their primary residence; to require low-risk prisoners to be placed on home confinement for the maximum amount of time permitted; to reauthorize through FY2022 and modify eligibility for an elderly offender early release pilot program; to require the BOP to help prisoners obtain identification documents prior to release, to incorporate de-escalation procedures into training programs, and to make tampons and sanitary napkins available free of charge; to authorize Federal Prison Industries to sell products to additional markets; to require probation and pretrial services officers to perform court-directed supervision of sex offenders conditionally released from civil commitment; to require the BOP to establish pilot programs on youth mentorship and service to abandoned, rescued, or vulnerable animals; and to limit juvenile solitary confinement.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2018
Saudi Arabia Accountability and Yemen Act of 2018 This bill suspends certain weapons transfers to Saudi Arabia. It also imposes sanctions on individuals for various activities related to the civil war in Yemen and for involvement in the death of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The United States may not authorize transfers to Saudi Arabia of missiles, ammunition, ground vehicles, aircraft, or other weapons that fall within Categories III, IV, VII, or VIII of the U.S. Munitions List. The prohibitions do not apply to ground-based missile defense systems and shall expire September 30, 2020. The United States may not provide in-flight refueling for Saudi coalition aircraft involved in the civil war. (A Saudi-led coalition has been fighting against Ansar Allah, a group in armed conflict with the government of Yemen.) The United States shall impose sanctions on individuals who are blocking the flow of humanitarian goods and services into Yemen or working to undermine the country's stability. This includes sanctions on supporters of Ansar Allah if the United States determines the group has not made meaningful efforts towards peace. This bill amends the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act to impose sanctions on foreign individuals, including any members of the Saudi royal family, who are responsible for or who aided in Khashoggi's death.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2018
Hurricanes Florence and Michael and California Wildfire Tax Relief Act This bill allows various tax credits, tax deductions, and modifications to existing tax rules for individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Florence, Hurricane Michael, and wildfires in California.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2018
Condemns: (1) the anti-Semitic attack at the Tree of Life synagogue building in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 27, 2018, in which 11 innocent people were killed and 6 were injured, and (2) rising anti-Semitism. Honors the memory of the victims and expresses the hope that their memory may be a blessing to their families and community. Reaffirms the commitment of the United States to condemn anti-Semitism, protect the right of people in the United States to freely exercise their religious beliefs, and ensure their safety and security.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2018
Palestinian Partnership Fund Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of State to establish the Palestinian Partnership Fund to facilitate and finance: joint ventures in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, including between Palestinian entrepreneurs and companies in the United States, Israel, and countries in the Middle East to improve economic cooperation in research and development and in the technology industry; and people-to-people exchanges to further shared community building and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2018
Reconstruction Era National Historical Park Act This bill redesignates the Reconstruction Era National Monument in Beaufort County, South Carolina, as the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, and authorizes the Department of the Interior to acquire specified lands to expand the park. Interior shall establish within the National Park Service the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network.
United States · United States Congress · 27 August 2018
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable John Sidney McCain, III, a Senator from Arizona. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on August 27, 2018, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the deceased Senator.
United States · United States Congress · 23 August 2018
Ensuring Coverage for Patients with Pre-Existing Conditions Act This bill establishes provisions under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 relating to the guaranteed availability of health insurance coverage as well as prohibitions against discriminatory practices based on preexisting conditions or health status.
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 2018
Global Fragility and Violence Reduction Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development to submit to Congress: (1) a 10-year Global Initiative to Reduce Fragility and Violence aimed at reducing and addressing the causes of violence, instability, and fragility in at least six priority countries; and (2) a related implementing strategy. Funds made available in any Act making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for priority countries may be used to support this initiative and individual priority country plans. The Government Accountability Office shall review U.S. assistance activities in each priority country.
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 · 1 August 2018
Defending American Security from Kremlin Aggression Act of 2018 This bill imposes limits on any U.S. withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), amends provisions related to cybercrimes, and imposes sanctions on Russian individuals involved in various activities. No funds may be used to withdraw the United States from NATO unless the Senate passes a resolution consenting to the withdrawal. The bill also authorizes expedited transfers of excess defense articles to NATO member countries. This bill establishes in the Department of State the Office of Cyberspace and the Digital Economy, to serve as the lead policy body on issues including international cybersecurity and Internet freedom. Offenses relating to the manufacture, distribution, and possession of communication-intercepting devices shall be unlawful under federal anti-money laundering laws. It shall also be a crime to intentionally traffic in the means to access protected computers, including computers that are part of a voting system. Property related to such crimes, including proceeds gained from the crime, shall be subject to criminal and civil forfeiture. The President shall impose sanctions (1) on Russian individuals and entities that facilitate or benefit from Russian President Vladimir Putin's corruption, and (2) on those that knowingly engage in significant financial transactions with individuals that support or facilitate Russian malicious cyber activities. The bill also imposes sanctions for supporting various other Russia-related activities, including Russian interference in democratic processes. The bill establishes requirements for reporting on a wide variety of matters concerning Russian economic, military, and political activities.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2018
Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act This bill modifies the prior convictions that trigger a 15-year enhanced mandatory minimum prison term for a defendant who commits a firearms offense after three or more such prior convictions.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2018
Defending the Integrity of Voting Systems Act This bill amends the federal criminal code to broaden the definition of " protected computer," for purposes of computer fraud and abuse offenses, to include a computer that is part of a voting system.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
International Cybercrime Prevention Act This bill establishes new criminal offenses related to computer crimes and authorizes the Department of Justice to pursue additional remedies with respect to such offenses.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Expresses agreement with the conclusions reached by U.S. intelligence agencies that Vladimir Putin ordered an attack against the 2016 presidential election, and declares that protecting U.S. elections is a national security priority.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2018
Automotive Jobs Act of 2018 This bill directs the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) to report on the status of the U.S. automotive industry. The bill suspends the Department of Commerce's investigation initiated on May 23, 2018, regarding the effects on national security of importing automobiles and automotive parts until the USITC submits its report to the President and Congress and the President subsequently determines whether to reopen the investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2018
Sanction Terrorist Operations Using Human Shields Act of 2018 or the STOP Using Human Shields Act This bill provides for the imposition of sanctions on members of foreign terrorist organizations, including Hamas and Hizballah, and other foreign persons, agencies, or instrumentalities of foreign states with regard to use of civilians, other specially protected persons, or specially protected property to shield lawful targets from attack or to deliberately cause casualties to such persons or the destruction to such property during an armed conflict.
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 · 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 · 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
Restore Our Parks Act This bill: (1) establishes the National Park Service Legacy Restoration Fund, and (2) requires 50% of all energy development revenues for FY2019-FY2023 to be deposited into such fund. Amounts deposited in the fund must not exceed $1.3 billion for any fiscal year and must be used for meeting high-priority deferred maintenance needs of the National Park Service.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
9/11 Memorial Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to award competitive grants for the continued operation, security, and maintenance of the on-site memorials to the events and victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Expresses the sense of the Senate that President Trump should hold the government of the Russian Federation accountable for its attempts to undermine democracy in the United States and abroad and ensure that the United States is prepared to counter future attempts to interfere in its elections.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2018
Restoring Returning Workers Act of 2018 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to update through the current fiscal year the returning worker exemption from the cap on H-2B nonimmigrant visas. The bill provides that number of aliens considered to be returning workers in any fiscal year may not exceed the highest number of nonimmigrants who participated in the returning worker program in any fiscal year in which returning workers were exempt from the numerical limitation on the H-2B visa.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2018
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2019 Provides FY2019 appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs. Provides appropriations to the State Department for: Administration of Foreign Affairs, International Organizations, and International Commissions. Provides appropriations for Related Agencies and Related Programs, including: the Broadcasting Board of Governors, the Asia Foundation, the U.S. Institute of Peace, the Center for Middle Eastern-Western Dialogue Trust Fund, the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Program, the Israeli Arab Scholarship Program, the East-West Center, and the National Endowment for Democracy. Provides appropriations for Other Commissions, including: the Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China, and the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. Provides appropriations for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Provides appropriations for Bilateral Economic Assistance to: the President; the State Department; Independent Agencies, including the Peace Corps, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Inter-American Foundation, and the U.S. African Development Foundation; and the Department of the Treasury. Provides appropriations to the State Department and the President for International Security Assistance. Provides appropriations to the President and International Financial Institutions for Multilateral Assistance. Provides appropriations for Export and Investment Assistance to: the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. Provides appropriations to specified accounts for Overseas Contingency Operations/ Global War on Terrorism. Sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2018
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Permanent General Provisions Act of 2018 This bill makes permanent beginning in FY2020 specified provisions limiting funds for the Department of State. Among other limitations, the bill places limits on the use of consulting services, limits on support for governments who are in default or after a military coup d'etat, limits on entertainment expenses, and limits on assistance for governments who support international terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2018
Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to extend protective custody over alien children under age 18 who are accompanied by a parent and apprehended at the border or are seeking admission to the United States at a port of entry. DHS must temporarily house an alien child under age 18 in a family residential center during the pendency of civil or criminal proceedings. DHS must increase the number of available beds in family residential centers. The Department of Justice must increase the number of immigration judge teams to conduct prioritized proceedings for accompanied alien children and families apprehended at the southwest border or who are seeking admission to the United States at a port of entry.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2018
Energy Jobs for our Heroes Act of 2018 This bill establishes the Energy-Ready Vets Program within the Department of Energy. The program must prepare eligible veterans for careers in the energy industry.
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 · 23 May 2018
Shell Company Abuse Act This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it unlawful to establish or use a corporation, company, or other entity with the intent to conceal an election contribution or donation by a foreign national. A violator is subject to a criminal penalty—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2018
Anti-Semitism Awareness Act of 2018 This bill concerns the review by the Department of Education (ED) of certain alleged violations of title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. For alleged violations based on an individual's actual or perceived shared Jewish ancestry or Jewish ethnic characteristics, ED must consider the definition of anti-Semitism as part of its assessment of whether a practice was motivated by anti-Semitic intent. For purposes of this bill, the definition of "anti-Semitism" includes the definition set forth by the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism of the Department of State in the Fact Sheet issued on June 8, 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2018
Helping Extend Responding Officers Expansive Support Act of 2018 or the HEROES Act of 2018 This bill requires the Federal Bureau of Investigation to include, in the Uniform Crime Reports, data on public safety officers who are killed or disabled in the line of duty. Additionally, the bill makes changes to eligibility for education benefits under the Public Safety Officers' Benefits program for public safety officers and survivors of public safety officers who are killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2018
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 Washington, DC, and 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 · 14 May 2018
Protecting Rational Incentives in Newsprint Trade Act of 2018 or the PRINT Act This bill directs the Department of Commerce to conduct a study of, and to report to Congress regarding, the economic well-being, health, and vitality of the newsprint industry and the local newspaper publishing industry in the United States, including an assessment of: the trends in demand for newsprint and traditional printed newspapers, in demand for digital or online consumption of news, and in the U.S. pulp and paper industry and the effect of declining demand for newsprint on the health of such industry; measures undertaken by printers and newspaper publishers to reduce costs in response to increased costs for newsprint in the United States, and whether such measures have harmed local news coverage or reduced employment in the newspaper and publishing industries; whether measures undertaken by publishers and printers to reduce costs have harmed local businesses that advertise in local newspapers; and the global production capacity for newsprint in light of the declining demand for newsprint. Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission may not give effect to an affirmative determination in an antidumping or countervailing duty investigation relating to imports of uncoated groundwood paper until the President certifies that he has received the report and has concluded that giving effect to the determination is in the economic interest of the United States. Until such time as the President issues the certification, the administering authority shall order a rate of zero for deposits posted in such an investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2018
Defending Elections against Trolls from Enemy Regimes Act or DETER Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make an alien who is seeking to engage in, or has engaged in, improper interference in a U.S. election inadmissible. Improper interference in a U.S. election is conduct by an alien that: (1) violates federal criminal, voting rights, or campaign finance law, or is under the direction of a foreign government; and (2) interferes with any general or primary federal, state, or local election or caucus, including a candidate's campaign or a ballot measure.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2018
COPS Reauthorization Act of 2018 This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to reauthorize through FY2023 the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. The COPS program provides grants to state and local law enforcement agencies to support community policing efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2018
Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018 This bill provides for the promotion of U.S. values and diplomatic, security, and economic interests in the Indo-Pacific region. It includes statements of policy and measures concerning security assistance and alliances; the U.S. relationship with China, India, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations; the U.S. military presence in the region, as well as the pursuit of arms control; security partnerships in southeast Asia; the commitment to Taiwan; a strategy regarding North Korea; trade agreements and facilitation; and the promotion of human rights and democracy in the region.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2018
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable John Melcher, Senator from Montana. Declares that when the Senate adjourns April 18, 2018, it stands adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the deceased Senator Melcher.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2018
Enhance Cybersecurity for Small Manufacturers Act of 2018 This bill directs the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), in partnership with the Department of Defense (DOD), to address the lack of awareness of cybersecurity threats among small manufacturers in the defense industrial supply chain. The MEP shall help small manufacturers conduct voluntary self-assessments in order to understand operating environments, cybersecurity requirements, and existing vulnerabilities. NIST shall transfer its technology and techniques through MEP centers to small manufacturers to implement security measures to protect defense information. DOD shall establish a cyber counseling certification program, or approve a similar existing program, to certify small business professionals and DOD acquisition staff to furnish cyber planning assistance to small manufacturers in the defense industrial supply chain.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2018
Stephen Michael Gleason Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Stephen Michael Gleason.
![Official portrait of Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/29c09ee2f48f20442f562980da6579ba_200.jpg)