United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2018
Securing and Revitalizing Aviation Act of 2018 or the SARA Act of 2018 This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish a program to provide grants to support the education of future aircraft pilots and the development of the aircraft pilot workforce. The FAA shall (1) assign to the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee the task of reviewing all regulations and policies related to designated pilot examiners, (2) review the process of reserving aircraft registration numbers and enact appropriate changes to ensure the fair participation by the general public, and (3) provide air traffic services and aviation safety support for aviation events without charge. The bill amends the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 to modify FAA tower marking requirements. The bill amends the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 with respect to liability protection for volunteer pilots who fly for the public benefit.
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 · 17 July 2018
Light-Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Parity Act of 2018 This bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency to provide compliance and incentive values to natural gas vehicles that are at least equal to those for electric vehicles.
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 · 10 July 2018
Reaffirms the commitment of the United States to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as the foundation of transatlantic security and defense. Encourages all NATO countries to fulfill their defense commitments as agreed upon at the NATO 2014 Wales Summit.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2018
Securing All Livestock Equitably Act of 2018 or the SALE Act of 201 8 This bill amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to require all livestock purchased by a dealer in cash sales and all inventories of, or receivables or proceeds from, such livestock to be held by the dealer in a trust until all unpaid cash sellers of the livestock have been paid. The bill exempts from the requirement any dealer whose average annual purchases of livestock do not exceed $250,000. A dealer and cash seller may voluntarily waive the requirement using a written agreement that meets specified requirements. The bill also specifies requirements regarding enforcement, preserving a trust, notifying lien holders, and purchasing or transferring livestock that is subject to a trust.
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
Protect Kids and Parents Act This bill requires that a child of alien parents or legal guardians who are asylum applicants must be detained in the same facility. A "child" is defined as an individual who has not reached the age of 18, has no permanent immigration status, and was in the custody and presence of a parent or legal guardian when the parent or legal guardian was detained for illegally entering the United States. The bill also: directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to increase the total number of immigration judges and Board of Immigration staff attorneys; directs Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to increase the total number of DHS personnel who process asylum applications; requires DOJ and DHS to establish procedures for expedited consideration and processing of asylum applications; requires expedited removal of asylum applicants whose applications have been denied; establishes a strong presumption in favor of family unity; requires DHS to publish guidance for locating separated children; and requires the Government Accountability Office to study, and report on, the prosecution of asylum seekers between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2018.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2018
Welcomes the opening of the new American Institute of Taiwan office in Taipei. Urges the executive branch to fully implement the Taiwan Relations Act, the Taiwan Travel Act, and other policy directives that strengthen the U.S.-Taiwan relationship.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2018
Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2018 This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to delay until 2021 the reimposition of the annual fee on certain health insurance providers based on market share. Under current law, the fee is suspended for 2019 and is scheduled to be reimposed in 2020.
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 · 6 June 2018
Regulatory Certainty Act of 2018 This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to specify that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must determine, in consultation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, that a discharge of dredged or fill materials into a disposal area will have certain unacceptable adverse effects before the EPA prohibits the specification, or restricts the use, of an area as a disposal site. The period during which the EPA may make such a prohibition is limited to the period that: (1) begins on the date that the Corps of Engineers provides notice to the EPA that the Corps of Engineers has completed all procedures for processing an application for a permit for dredged or fill material and is ready to determine whether the permit should be issued, and (2) ends on the date that the Corps of Engineers issues the permit. The Corps of Engineers must ensure that the period consists of at least 30 consecutive days. The Corps of Engineers may issue a permit for dredged or fill material only after the Corps of Engineers provides notice to the EPA.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2018
John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 This bill authorizes FY2019 appropriations and sets forth policies regarding the military activities of the Department of Defense (DOD), military construction, and the national security programs of the Department of Energy (DOE). It does not provide budget authority, which is provided in subsequent appropriations legislation. The bill authorizes appropriations to DOD for: Procurement; Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation; Operation and Maintenance; Cooperative Threat Reduction; Working Capital Funds; Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction; Defense-Wide Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities; the Defense Inspector General; the Armed Forces Retirement Home; and the Defense Health Program. This bill also authorizes appropriations for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), which are exempt from limits on discretionary spending. OCO appropriations authorized in the bill support base budget requirements as well as OCO activities. The bill authorizes the FY2019 personnel strengths for active duty and reserve forces and sets forth policies regarding military personnel; compensation and other personnel benefits; health care; acquisition policy and management; DOD organization and management; civilian personnel matters; matters relating to foreign nations; and strategic programs, cyber, and intelligence matters. Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 The bill addresses shifting threats to national security and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 The bill authorizes appropriations and sets forth policies regarding military construction for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and defense agencies, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program, and Guard and Reserve Forces facilities. The bill authorizes appropriations for base realignment and closure (BRAC) activities and prohibits an additional BRAC round. The bill also authorizes appropriations and sets forth policies for DOE national security programs, including the National Nuclear Security Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018
Patients First Act of 2018 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct and support basic and applied research to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, testing, and human clinical use of stem cells that may result in improved understanding of, or treatments for, diseases and other adverse health conditions, provided that the techniques will not involve: (1) the creation of a human embryo for research purposes; (2) the destruction or discarding of, or risk of injury to, a living human embryo; or (3) the use of any stem cell the derivation or provision of which would be inconsistent with this bill. HHS must issue guidelines to ensure that any research (including any clinical trial) supported under this bill: (1) is clearly consistent with the standards established in this bill, if conducted using human cells; and (2) is prioritized in terms of potential for near-term clinical benefit in human patients. HHS must report on peer reviewed stem cell research proposals that were not funded.
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 · 16 May 2018
Congratulates the students, families, teachers, administrators, and staff of public charter schools across the United States for: (1) making ongoing contributions to public education, (2) making impressive strides in closing the academic achievement gap in U.S. schools, and (3) improving and strengthening the public school system. Expresses support for the ideals and goals of the 19th annual National Charter Schools Week.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2018
Expresses support for the designation of National Foster Care Month and for the designation of May 31, 2018, as National Foster Parent Appreciation Day.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2018
Music Modernization Act This bill makes various changes to copyright law related to sound recordings, including providing protection for sound recordings fixed before February 15, 1972, creating a system for paying royalties to producers and sound engineers, and establishing a statutory blanket license for digital music services. The blanket license allows music services to distribute sound recordings covered by the license without negotiating for the rights for each individual recording, as long as the music service complies with the license's requirements, such as paying the required royalties.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2018
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to: (1) report at least annually to each Veterans Health Administration physician on his or her opioid prescribing rates, and (2) provide physicians who were among the highest opioid prescribers each fiscal year with pain management training.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2018
America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 This bill requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, each fiscal year, to submit to Congress a five-year budget and work plan for projects of national significance. Each Corps of Engineers district, each fiscal year, must submit a five-year budget and work plan for projects under its jurisdiction. Projects must be carried out in a sustainable manner that focuses on water resource challenges and opportunities, promotes collaboration, and pursues integrated water resource management. The bill reauthorizes provisions of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 pertaining to expedited consideration of water resources infrastructure through 2024. The bill provides for: (1) the establishment of a Corps of Engineers Board of Appeals; and (2) various studies, project modifications, and project authorizations and deauthorizations nationwide. The Environmental Protection Agency must: (1) establish a voluntary stormwater infrastructure funding task force to develop recommendations to improve the funding and financing of stormwater infrastructure, and (2) promote green infrastructure to reduce stormwater flows to sewers or surface waters. The Safe Drinking Water Act is amended to establish a voluntary WaterSense program to identify and promote water-efficient products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes, and services.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2018
This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue final regulations to modernize training programs at certain aviation maintenance technician schools. The FAA shall ensure such training programs are revised and updated in correlation with aviation maintenance technician airman certification standards as necessary to reflect current technology and maintenance practices.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2018
Supports: (1) the designation of the week of April 29-May 5, 2018, as National Small Business Week, and (2) increasing consumer awareness of the value and opportunity that small businesses bring to their local communities. Celebrates: (1) the entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners of the United States, and (2) the invaluable contributions that small businesses make to the United States as the backbone of the economy. Recognizes the importance of creating a small business climate that allows for sustained entrepreneurial success.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2018
PFAS Registry Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a registry for current or past members of the U.S. Armed Forces who may have been exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances due to the environmental release of aqueous film-forming foam at a military installation or other Department of Defense location.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2018
This bill requires the annual reports submitted by the Department of State to Congress concerning the U.S. plan to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the annual summit of the World Health Assembly (WHA) held by the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, to include an account of the changes and improvements that the State Department has made to such plan following any annual meetings of the WHA at which Taiwan did not obtain such status.
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 · 17 April 2018
This bill allow s administrative or judicial review of additional Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment determinations for acute care hospitals known as subsection (d) hospitals. Under current law, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must make DSH payments to qualifying hospitals that treat a disproportionate share of low-income patients.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2018
Capital Gains Inflation Relief Act of 2018 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the adjusted basis of certain assets (including common stock in a C corporation and tangible property used in a trade or business) to be indexed for inflation for the purpose of determining the gain or loss of a taxpayer (other than a corporation) who has held the asset for more than three years. The bill sets forth rules for applying the inflation adjustment to: short sales; regulated investment companies; real estate investment trusts; other pass-through entities, including partnerships, S corporations, and common trust funds; dispositions between related persons; and improvements to property or contributions of capital. The Internal Revenue Service may disallow an adjustment if any person transfers cash, debt, or any other property to another person for the principal purpose of securing or increasing the adjustment allowed by this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2018
Farmers of Tomorrow Act This bill amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to expand eligibility for Department of Agriculture (USDA) direct farm ownership loans by modifying the three-year experience requirement. (Under current law, USDA may make a direct farm ownership loan only to a farmer or rancher who has participated in the business operations of a farm or ranch for at least three years or has other acceptable experience.) The bill modifies the experience requirement to specify a list of acceptable experience and educational criteria that USDA may count for an applicant to meet or reduce the necessary experience requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2018
Flexible Agricultural Repayments and Modifying Schedules Act or FARMS Act This bill requires the Department of Education to provide the option for a restructured student loan repayment schedule to certain agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2018
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the special depreciation rules for property used predominantly within an Indian reservation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2018
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the taxable income limitation on the percentage depletion allowance for oil and natural gas produced from marginal properties.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2018
Agriculture Creates Real Employment Act or the ACRE Act This bill reduces environmental requirements for agricultural producers, including requirements concerning the takings of certain birds at farms or aquaculture facilities, exports of certain sea urchins and sea cucumbers, discharges of pesticides, the use of information and data collected in accordance with certain environmental laws, or oil pollution on farms.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2018
Stephen Michael Gleason Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Stephen Michael Gleason.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2018
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Daniel K. Akaka, Senator from Hawaii. Declares that when the Senate adjourns April 10, 2018, it stands adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the deceased Senator.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2018
Extends deepest condolences and gratitude to the family of Zell Bryan Miller, the former governor and Senator of Georgia. Honors his legacy and life, his commitment to the people of Georgia and the United States, and his service to the Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns April 10, 2018, it stands adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Senator Miller.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018
This joint resolution nullifies the rule submitted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and printed in the Congressional Record on December 6, 2017, relating to indirect auto lending and compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. The rule provides guidance for compliance with fair lending requirements for third-party auto lenders.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to require each director of a VA medical facility to submit a plan to improve such facility in such a fashion as would result in the facility obtaining a VA five-star rating.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
Recognizes the 85th anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine (Holodomor) of 1932-1933 and extends sympathies to the victims, survivors, and families of that tragedy. Encourages dissemination of information regarding the famine. Condemns the systematic violations of human rights of the Ukrainian people by the Soviet government. Recognizes the 1988 findings of the Commission on the Ukraine Famine that Joseph Stalin committed genocide against the Ukrainians in 1932-1933. Supports the continuing efforts of the people of Ukraine to work toward ensuring democratic principles, a free-market economy, and full respect for human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2018
First Amendment Defense Act This bill prohibits the federal government from taking discriminatory action against a person on the basis that such person speaks or acts in accordance with a religious belief or moral conviction that: (1) marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman or two individuals as recognized under federal law, or (2) sexual relations outside marriage are improper. The bill defines "person" as any person regardless of religious affiliation, except publicly traded for-profit entities; federal employees acting within the scope of their employment; federal for-profit contractors acting within the scope of their contract; or hospitals and other health care entities with respect to visitation, recognition of a designated representative for health care decisions, or refusal to provide medical treatment necessary to cure an illness or injury.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2018
This bill authorizes the Federal Aviation Administration to carry out a pilot program to provide grants to support the education and recruitment of aviation maintenance technical workers and the development of the aviation maintenance industry workforce.
![Official portrait of Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/i000024_200.jpg)