United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2019
DOTGOV Online Trust in Government Act of 2019 or the DOTGOV Act of 2019 This bill transfers the .gov internet domain program from the General Services Administration to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and provides support for expanding .gov usage among public entities. The bill directs CISA to make .gov domain name registration services, as well as supporting services, generally available to any federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial government entity, or other publicly controlled entity that complies with the policies for registration developed by CISA. CISA shall inventory all host names and services in active use within the .gov domain and provide the data to domain registrants at no cost. CISA shall develop and submit to Congress (1) a strategy to utilize information collected for countering malicious cyber activity; (2) an outreach strategy to local, tribal, and territorial governments and other publicly controlled entities to inform and support migration to the .gov domain; and (3) a .gov domain security enhancement strategy and implementation plan. The bill allows recipients of State Homeland Security grants or Urban Area Security Initiative grants to use grant funds for migrating any online service to the .gov domain.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2019
Down Syndrome Discrimination by Abortion Prohibition Act This bill creates new federal crimes related to the performance of an abortion on an unborn child who has Down syndrome. It subjects a violator to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. It also authorizes civil remedies, including damages and injunctive relief. A woman who undergoes such an abortion may not be prosecuted or held civilly liable.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2019
Federal Prisons Accountability Act of 2019 This bill modifies the appointment procedures and term of service for the Director of the Bureau of Prisons. Currently, the Director is appointed by the Attorney General. This bill requires the Director to be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The bill also limits the Director to a single term of 10 years.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2019
This resolution declares that (1) the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Kay Hagan, former Member of the Senate; and (2) when the Senate adjourns on October 30, 2019, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the Honorable Kay Hagan.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2019
Threat Information Protocol for Sharing Act of 2019 This bill establishes several new reporting requirements related to information received by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the national tip line relating to an individual or threat. Specifically, the FBI must submit the following: monthly reports to state law enforcement agencies and fusion centers on all information received by the national tip line relating to an individual or threat in the state during the preceding month, annual reports to Congress on total reports received by the tip line and the total number submitted to state law enforcement agencies and fusion centers, and annual reports to Congress on criminal events involving an individual or threat that had been the subject of a report received through the tip line prior to the criminal event. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must review and report on the operating processes and procedures of the tip line.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2019
This resolution urges the House of Representatives (1) before proceeding any further with its impeachment investigation into President Trump, to vote to initiate a formal impeachment inquiry; (2) to provide President Trump with due process, including the ability to confront his accusers, call witnesses on his behalf, and have a basic understanding of the accusations against him that would form any basis for impeachment; and (3) to provide members of the minority with the ability to participate fully in all proceedings and have equal authority to issue subpoenas and other compulsory process.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2019
Restoring, Enhancing, Securing, and Promoting Our Nation's Safety Efforts Act of 2019 or the RESPONSE Act This bill expands resources for mental health treatment and behavioral intervention, establishes task forces to investigate and prosecute individuals for certain offenses involving firearms, and limits the scope of federal appeals for individuals who commit murder involving acts of terrorism or hate crimes.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2019
This joint resolution condemns Turkey's hostilities against Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria and expresses support for a continued U.S. military presence in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Specifically, the joint resolution (1) calls on the U.S. government to pressure Turkey to curtail its hostilities against U.S. partner forces in Syria; (2) calls on the U.S. government and other nations to continue supporting, or to increase support for, stabilization efforts in northeastern Syria; (3) warns that a precipitous withdrawal of U.S. forces from the ongoing fight against terrorist groups in the region would be detrimental to the interests of the United States and its allies; and (4) otherwise expresses the sense of Congress regarding military, diplomatic, and humanitarian support in the region.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2019
This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month and encourages people to hold events and activities to raise awareness about prevention, treatment, and other patient services for those suffering from the disease. (Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder than can lead to pain, anemia, infections, and stroke.)
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
Dignity for Aborted Children Act This bill requires abortion providers to offer patients specified options concerning the human fetal tissue from an abortion. Specifically, patients must be given an informed consent form specifying the options to (1) take possession of the tissue for transfer to an entity that provides interment or cremations services, or (2) release the tissue to the provider. If the tissue is released to the abortion provider, the provider must ensure the tissue is interred or cremated within seven days of the procedure in a manner consistent with state law regarding the disposal of human remains. Abortion providers must report annually about the aggregate number of abortions performed and other specified information. The bill provides civil or criminal penalties for violations of disposal, informed consent, and reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
Ensuring Accurate and Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act of 2019 This bill requires states, as a condition of federal payment under Medicaid for family planning services, to report certain abortion data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Currently, reporting is voluntary.) The CDC must develop standardized questions for states with respect to specified variables (e.g., maternal demographics and methods of abortion).
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
Eliminating Discrimination And Creating Corridors to Expand Student Success Act of 2019 or the ED ACCESS Act of 2019 This bill eliminates the ineligibility of students convicted of a felony drug offense for the American Opportunity Tax Credit.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2019
This resolution (1) designates Malnutrition Awareness Week, (2) recognizes the work of nutrition professionals and others in advancing awareness and prevention of malnutrition, and (3) recognizes the importance of federal nutrition programs in preventing and treating malnutrition and the need to reauthorize certain programs to provide nutrition assistance to vulnerable populations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2019
Trademark Licensing Protection Act of 2019 This bill establishes that licensing a trademark or trademark registration for use by a related company does not contribute to establishing an employment relationship between the licensor and the licensee, nor does a licensor's exercise of control over how the licensed trademark is used.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2019
Disaster Contract Transparency Act of 2019 This bill modifies the process for contracting following natural disasters. Specifically, the bill (1) requires state and local governments to have advance contracts in place for debris removal services in order to be eligible for the public assistance grant program; and (2) limits Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursement of debris removal to the lower of federal, state, or local contract rates. The bill further requires FEMA to penalize vendors for failing to adhere to pre-disaster contracts; develop and implement clear rules regarding the oversight of debris removal contracts; develop a documented risk-based approach for grants that federal coordinating officers can use to determine appropriate cost-effective field presence required for debris removal oversight; and report to Congress annually detailing a comprehensive list of advance contracts and a review of the need for advance contracts that may be lacking for debris removal and other services.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2019
Medicaid Accountability Act This bill establishes and expands certain requirements relating to Medicaid asset verification programs and other eligibility determinations. Specifically, the bill requires state Medicaid programs to verify the assets of all Medicaid applicants and recipients for purposes of determining Medicaid eligibility, rather than only of applicants or recipients who are aged, blind, or disabled. The bill also requires U.S. territories to implement asset verification programs. Such requirements must be fully implemented by FY2024. The bill also requires state Medicaid programs to apply a resource eligibility test whenever an income eligibility determination is required, based on resource limitations under the Supplemental Security Income program (currently, states are prohibited from using resource tests).
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2019
This resolution designates September 2019 as National Child Awareness Month to (1) promote awareness of youth-serving charities and organizations throughout the United States, (2) recognize the efforts made by those charities and organizations as critical contributions to the future of the United States, and (3) recognize the importance of meeting the needs of at-risk children and youth.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
Negro Leagues Baseball Centennial Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Negro National League, a professional baseball league that was formed in response to African-American players being banned from baseball's major leagues. The design of the coins shall be emblematic of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and its mission to promote tolerance, diversity, and inclusion. All surcharges from sales of these coins shall be paid to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum for educational and outreach programs and exhibits.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
This resolution calls upon all parties to the conflict in Cameroon to agree to an immediate cease-fire and engage in dialogue to resolve the conflict in a manner that respects rights and freedoms.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2019
Patients First Act of 2019 This bill requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support stem cell research. Specifically, the NIH must 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. However, such techniques must not involve (1) the creation of a human embryo for research purposes; (2) the destruction or discarding of, or risk of injury to, a human embryo; or (3) the use of any stem cell the derivation or provision of which would be inconsistent with this bill. The NIH must also report on peer-reviewed stem cell research proposals that were not funded.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2019
Phair Relief Act of 2019 This bill establishes and otherwise modifies requirements for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), particularly with respect to the disclosure of certain drug pricing information. Among other things, the bill (1) requires PBMs to pass on a minimum percentage of negotiated rebates, discounts, or price concessions to plan sponsors; (2) temporarily requires negotiated prices for covered drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit to be provided at the point-of-sale; and (3) requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to establish certain quality measures for determining pharmacy incentive payments.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019
This resolution honors John Paul Stevens, former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Specifically, the resolution commends his decades of service, acknowledges his enormous contributions, and extends sympathies to his family and friends.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019
Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the exportation of Native American cultural items, archaeological resources, and objects of antiquity that were illegally obtained; provides for the return of such items, including voluntary returns; and establishes and revises related criminal penalties. The bill requires the Department of the Interior and the Department of State to each designate a liaison to facilitate and hold trainings and workshops on the voluntary return of human remains or cultural items. Additionally, Interior must refer individuals and organizations to Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations to facilitate the voluntary return of human remains or cultural items; convene an interagency working group; and convene a tribal working group consisting of representatives of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to provide advice on issues concerning the return of, and illegal trade in, human remains or cultural items. The bill also increases from 5 years to 10 years the maximum prison term for an individual convicted of selling, purchasing, using for profit, or transporting for sale or profit human remains or cultural items that were illegally obtained.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019
Taxpayers Right-To-Know Act This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget to expand the information it publishes in its inventory of agency programs. The inventory must include information such as links to program performance reviews and details regarding financial assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019
This bill revises a provision that limits the authority of an agency to appoint, through expedited hiring authority, post-secondary students to an agency position at the GS-11 level.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019
Duplication Scoring Act of 2019 This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to analyze legislation reported by a congressional committee in order to prevent duplication of and overlap with existing federal programs, offices, and initiatives.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2019
Bogus Bonus Ban Act of 2019 This bill directs the Office of Management and Budget, in coordination with federal departments and agencies, to issue guidance, with detailed implementation instructions, on the appropriate use of award and incentive fees in department or agency programs. The guidance shall, among other things ensure that all new contracts using award fees link such fees to outcomes (which shall be defined in terms of program cost, schedule, and performance); establish standards for identifying the appropriate level of officials authorized to approve the use of award and incentive fees in new contracts; ensure that no award fee may be paid for contractor performance that is judged to be below satisfactory performance or performance that does not meet the basic requirements of the contract; and include performance measures to evaluate the effectiveness of award and incentive fees as a tool for improving contractor performance and achieving desired program outcomes. Any funds intended to be awarded as incentive fees that are not paid due to the inability of a contractor to meet the criteria established by this bill shall be returned to the Treasury. The Department of the Treasury shall include award fee as a filter on USAspending.gov.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2019
Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act of 2019 This bill expands federal court jurisdiction over the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in civil claims by Americans injured or killed by international acts of terrorism that were sponsored by the PA or the PLO.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2019
Secure American Research Act of 2019 This bill directs the National Science and Technology Council to establish an interagency working group to coordinate activities to (1) protect federally funded research and development from foreign interference, cyberattacks, theft, or espionage; and (2) develop common definitions and best practices for federal science agencies and grantees, while taking into account the importance of the open exchange of ideas and international talent required for scientific progress and American leadership in science and technology. The working group's responsibilities, among other things, shall include developing unclassified policy guidance to assist federal science agencies and grantees in having consistent policies to defend against threats to federally funded research and development and the integrity of the U.S. scientific enterprise, and developing guidelines to create a consistent cybersecurity policy across federal agencies to protect federally funded research and development from foreign interference theft or espionage through cybeersecurity breaches. The Office of Science and Technology Policy must provide biennial summary reports on the working group's activities and the most current version of such policy guidance and guidelines. The National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Defense, and any other federal agencies, as appropriate, shall enter into a joint agreement with the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to create a National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2019
This bill revises restrictions on the appointment of recently retired members of the Armed Forces to civil service positions within the Department of Defense.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2019
Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes Act This bill repeals outdated provisions regarding treatment of Native Americans, including provisions on hostile tribes, alcohol, work requirements, penalties for truancy, and placement of youth in reform school without the consent of a parent or guardian.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2019
Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2019 This bill provides a private right of action against state and local jurisdictions with certain policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts, and contains additional provisions related to such jurisdictions. Currently, such cooperation is generally not required. An individual (or certain relatives of such an individual) who is the victim of any felony for which an alien has been arrested, convicted, or sentenced to a prison term of at least one year may sue a state or local jurisdiction if the jurisdiction failed to comply with (1) certain Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requests related to arresting and detaining aliens, and (2) a DHS request to detain the alien in question or provide a notification about the release of the alien. A jurisdiction that accepts certain federal grants may not assert immunity in such a civil action. A jurisdiction (or employee of a jurisdiction) that complies with certain DHS detainer requests shall be deemed to be acting as an agent of DHS. A complying jurisdiction or employee of the jurisdiction shall not be liable in any lawsuit relating to compliance with such requests. In a lawsuit against an employee of the jurisdiction, the United States shall be substituted in as the defendant, and remedies shall be limited to provisions for bringing tort claims against the federal government.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2019
This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to commemorate Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith, four Americans killed in the September 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. (Stevens was the U.S. Ambassador to Libya at the time, Smith was an officer in the Foreign Service, and Doherty and Woods were both government contractors and former Navy SEALs.) After the medal has been awarded, it shall be given to the Central Intelligence Agency Museum.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
Agricultural Trucking Relief Act of 2019 This bill revises regulations related to the transportation of agricultural commodities. Specifically, the bill expands the definition of agricultural commodity to include (1) aquaculture, horticultural, and floricultural commodities; (2) fruits; (3) vegetables; (4) any non-human living animal and the products thereof; and (5) other agricultural products that are sensitive to temperature or climate and at risk of perishing in transit. (Under current law, an agricultural commodity means any agricultural commodity, non-processed food, feed, fiber, or livestock.)
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
Willie O'Ree Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Willie O'Ree, in recognition of his contributions and commitment to hockey, inclusion, and recreational opportunity.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2019
Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act of 2019 This bill requires federally funded entities to certify that they will not perform an abortion, and will not provide funds to any other entity that performs an abortion, except in cases of rape or incest or where a physical condition endangers the woman's life unless an abortion is performed. The bill's requirements do not apply to hospitals, as long as the hospital does not provide funds to any non-hospital entity for abortions that are not otherwise excepted.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2019
National Adoption and Foster Care Home Study Act This bill requires The Department of Health and Human Services to establish a methodology for researched-based home study and to award grants for demonstration projects for states to adopt such methodology in the evaluation of prospective foster and adoptive parents. Such methodology must incorporate specified data-collection tools including, among others, (1) uniform, closed-ended questions; (2) a rating system to report findings; (3) a guidance document for practitioners; and (4) ongoing training for home-study personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2019
Government Shutdown Accountability Act This bill establishes various procedures and requirements for government shutdowns that occur due to a lapse in appropriations. Among other provisions, the bill directs the Office of Personnel Management to designate services related to Federal Employee Health Benefits Program enrollments as excepted services under the Antideficiency Act to require the services to continue during a government shutdown, allows federal employees who are furloughed or working without pay during a government shutdown to seek and obtain employment outside the federal government, limits expenditures for official travel, restricts congressional recesses and adjournments, and prohibits Congress from considering legislation that is unrelated to appropriations or an emergency if a government shutdown is in effect. The provisions that restrict recesses, adjournments, and the consideration of legislation may be waived or suspended by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Members of the applicable chamber of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019
Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 This bill directs various departments to assess whether political developments in Hong Kong justify changing Hong Kong's unique treatment under U.S. law. Hong Kong is part of China but has a largely separate legal and economic system. The Department of State shall report annually to Congress as to whether Hong Kong is sufficiently autonomous from China to justify its unique treatment. The report shall assess whether China has eroded Hong Kong's civil liberties and rule of law as protected by Hong Kong's Basic Law. The Department of Commerce shall report annually to Congress on China's efforts to use Hong Kong to evade U.S. export controls and sanctions. The President shall provide Congress an assessment as to whether to withdraw from the U.S.-Hong Kong extradition treaty, and what actions are needed to protect U.S. citizens and national security interests, if Hong Kong (1) amends its laws to allow the rendition of individuals to countries that lack defendants' rights protections, or (2) passes a national security law. The State Department shall allow otherwise qualified Hong Kong residents to obtain visas to work or study in the United States, even if the applicant had been arrested for participating in certain nonviolent protests supporting human rights or the rule of law. The President shall report to Congress a list of individuals responsible for abducting and torturing people for exercising internationally recognized human rights in Hong Kong. The bill bars such individuals from entering the United States and imposes sanctions on them.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019
Protecting Our Gold Star Families' Education Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Education to expand the Pell Grant program to include grants for the dependents (including independent students) of a veteran who died serving on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces in Iraq or Afghanistan on or after September 11, 2001. To qualify for assistance, the dependents must be less than 33 years of age. Pell Grant rules pertaining to the determination of financial need do not apply to the grants awarded by this bill for veterans' dependents.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019
Grant Reporting Efficiency and Agreements Transparency Act of 2019 or the GREAT Act This bill requires the establishment and use of data standards for information reported by recipients of federal grants. The bill requires the Office of Management and Budget, jointly with the executive department that issues the most federal grant awards, to (1) establish government-wide data standards for information reported by grant recipients, (2) issue guidance directing federal agencies to apply those standards, and (3) require the publication of recipient-reported data collected from all agencies on a single public website. Each agency shall ensure its awards use the data standards for future information collection requests.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2019
Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act or the Broadband DATA Act This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to change the way broadband data is collected, verified, and reported. Specifically, the FCC must collect and disseminate granular broadband service availability data (broadband maps) from wired, fixed-wireless, satellite, and mobile broadband providers. To do this, the FCC is required to establish the Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric (a dataset of geocoded information for all broadband service locations, atop which broadband maps are overlaid) as the vehicle for reporting broadband service availability data. Additionally, the FCC must put forth specified requirements for service availability data collected from broadband providers, and it must create a challenge process to enable the submission of independent data challenging the accuracy of FCC broadband maps.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2019
United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to arrange for the award of a single gold medal to the U.S. Army Ranger veterans of World War II in recognition of their dedicated wartime service. Following its award, the gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution where it shall be available for display and research.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2019
This resolution addresses free speech issues at institutions of higher education (IHEs). Specifically, it recognizes that free speech zones and restrictive speech codes of institutions of higher education are inherently at odds with the freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution. In addition, the resolution urges (1) IHEs to facilitate and recommit themselves to protecting the free and open exchange of ideas; (2) the Department of Education to promote policies that foster debate, academic freedom, intellectual curiosity, and viewpoint diversity on campuses of public IHEs; and (3) the Department of Justice to defend and protect the First Amendment across public IHEs.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
This resolution expresses support for the designation of National Foster Care Month and for the designation of May 31, 2019, as National Foster Parent Appreciation Day.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
This resolution congratulates Vision To Learn on helping 200,000 students and expresses support for its mission to ensure that no child goes without the glasses needed to succeed in school and life.
![Official portrait of Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000575_200.jpg)