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
Authorizes the Senate Legal Counsel to represent the Senate in Texas v. United States , including to intervene as a party in the matter and related proceedings, and to defend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
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 · 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 · 11 October 2018
Stamp Out Elder Abuse Act of 2018 This bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to issue a Stamp Out Elder Abuse Semipostal Stamp, with the proceeds from the sale of the stamp transferred to (1) the Department of Justice for specified purposes, including prevention and education regarding elder abuse, data collection, and victim services; and (2) the Department of Health and Human Services for purposes of elder justice activities.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2018
Fair Access for Individuals to Receive Leave Act or the FAIR Leave Act This bill repeals the limitation on the aggregate number of workweeks of leave husbands and wives employed by the same employer may be entitled to under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2018
Opioid Advocacy Transparency Act of 2018 This bill expands reporting requirements related to the ownership and investment interests of certain patient-advocacy organizations. Under current law, a manufacturer of drugs, devices, or medical supplies that are covered under Medicaid or Medicare must regularly report on any payment or transfer of value by the manufacturer to a "covered recipient," defined as either a physician who is not an employee of the manufacturer or a teaching hospital. The bill expands the definition of "covered recipient," for purposes of this requirement, to also include patient-advocacy organizations that advocate on issues related to opioids. Furthermore, with respect to transfers of value to such organizations, the bill subjects not only manufacturers but also pharmaceutical trade associations to the reporting requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2018
Reducing Costs for Out-of-Network Services Act of 2018 This bill prohibits health insurers and providers from charging individuals who have health insurance above a certain rate for out-of-network services; providers may also not charge uninsured individuals above a certain rate. States must select the applicable rates from specified options.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2018
This joint resolution nullifies a Department of the Treasury rule (Rev. Proc. 2018-38) that modifies the requirements for information returns filed by certain tax-exempt organizations. The Treasury rule exempts certain tax-exempt organizations that are not 501(c)(3) organizations from the requirement to report the names and addresses of their contributors on returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The organizations must continue to collect and keep the information to make it available to the IRS upon request.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2018
Strengthening Minority-Serving Institutions Act of 2018 This bill permanently extends mandatory funding programs for historically Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions and increases the authorized funding levels for such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2018
Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act of 2018 or the SWIFT Act This bill modifies eligibility requirements and increases benefits for widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses under the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) benefits program. The bill makes widow and widower's benefits available to disabled individuals at any age, whereas currently the benefits are limited to such individuals between ages 50 to 60. Provisions reducing benefits in various instances, such as when a beneficiary is entitled to multiple types of benefits, shall not apply to widow and widower's benefits for individuals with disabilities. For determining whether a beneficiary has a child in his or her care, the bill raises the upper age limit for the child from 16 to 18 years (or 19, if the child is a full-time elementary or secondary school student). An individual with a child in care may receive increased benefits in specified instances. The bill also increases various limits on widow and widower's benefits in certain instances and modifies the calculation for increased benefits for individuals who choose to delay receiving such benefits. For current beneficiaries, increases in OASDI benefits under this bill shall not affect the beneficiary's eligibility for any federal assistance program or the benefit amount to be received under such an assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2018
Recognizes that September 20, 2018, marks one year since the landfall of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Honors the victims of Hurricane Maria and those who contributed to saving lives in the hurricane's aftermath. Reaffirms the Senate's commitment to support the people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as they recover from the hurricane's devastation.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2018
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should take all appropriate measures to ensure that the U.S. Postal Service remains an independent establishment of the federal government and is not subject to privatization in whole or in part.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2018
Women's Pension Protection Act of 201 8 This bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to: (1) extend spousal consent requirements that currently apply to defined benefit pension plans to defined contribution pension plans, and (2) allow certain long-term part-time workers to participate in pension plans that include either a qualified cash or deferred arrangement or a salary reduction agreement. Financial product or service providers who sell retirement financial products or services must provide purchasers of their products or services an easily accessible link to the website of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to obtain information relating to retirement planning or later life economic security. The Women's Bureau of the Department of Labor shall award grants to certain community-based organizations to: (1) improve the financial literacy of women who are working age or in retirement, and (2) assist low-income women and victims of domestic violence in obtaining qualified domestic relations orders and the benefits they are entitled to through the orders.
United States · United States Congress · 28 August 2018
This joint resolution nullifies a rule by the Department of Treasury, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Health and Human Services regarding short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans. Short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans are plans that may only offer coverage for a limited amount of time under law and that are exempt from the market requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (e.g., coverage of individuals with preexisting conditions). The rule increases the maximum authorized duration of such plans from less than 3 months (including renewals) to an initial maximum duration of less than 12 months (with a total duration of up to 36 months, including renewals). The rule takes effect October 2, 2018.
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
E-Verify System Act of 2018 This bill (1) directs the Department of Homeland Security to develop an electronic employment eligibility verification system modeled after E-Verify and phases in the mandatory use of such a system, (2) directs the Social Security Administration to begin work toward the issuance of fraud-resistant and tamper-resistant Social Security cards, and (3) establishes the Office of the Small Business and Employee Advocate to assist small businesses and individuals to comply with employment-related immigration laws.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 2018
Aretha Franklin Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill instructs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of Aretha Franklin in recognition of her outstanding artistic and historical significance to the culture of the United States.
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
Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of: one Congressional Gold Medal to Katherine Johnson, in recognition of her service to the United States as a mathematician; one Congressional Gold Medal to Dr. Christine Darden, for her service to the United States as an aeronautical engineer; and two Congressional Gold Medals in commemoration of the lives of Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, in recognition of their service to the United States during the Space Race.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2018
Medicare and Medicaid Protection Act of 2018 This bill prohibits the Senate from considering any budget reconciliation bill or resolution that would affect the Medicare or Medicaid programs in one of several specified ways (e.g., by increasing the Medicare eligibility age or converting Medicaid into a block grant program).
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2018
Trade Security Act of 2018 This bill amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to revise provisions related to the adjustment of U.S. imports due to a national security threat. The bill allows Congress to block a Presidential import adjustment through a joint resolution. This provision retroactively applies to adjustments made on or after July 1, 2018. However, it shall not apply to specified steel and aluminum import adjustments. The Department of Defense (currently, the Department of Commerce ) must: investigate the national security threat of a U.S. import, and report to the President the results of that investigation. Commerce must provide recommendations regarding such imports upon request by the President.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2018
Protecting Seniors with Student Loans Act of 2018 This bill protects low-income seniors from losing social security benefits due to defaulted student loan debt by increasing the amount of benefits that may be exempted from garnishment by the Department of Education.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2018
This bill directs the Coast Guard to prescribe regulations to require operators of amphibious passenger vessels to provide reserve buoyancy for such vessels through passive means, including watertight compartmentalization, built-in flotation, or other means, to ensure that such vessels remain afloat and upright in the event of flooding, including when carrying a full complement of passengers and crew. The bill sets forth interim requirements for vessels that are not in compliance with the regulations. The bill prohibits vessels whose configuration or operation does not comply with the regulations or interim requirements from operating on U.S. waterways.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Assistance for Workers Harmed by Tariffs on Exports Act This bill provides financial assistance to workers harmed by retaliatory foreign tariffs by expanding the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers program. The program currently provides assistance to workers adversely affected by competing imported goods and services. Under the bill, workers at firms that have seen a significant decrease in sales, production, or exports of goods or services, in whole or in part as a result of tariffs imposed by foreign countries in response to U.S. tariff increases, may petition the Department of Labor for trade adjustment assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Spotlight Act This bill repeals an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) revenue procedure (Rev. Proc. 2018-38) that exempts certain tax-exempt organizations that are not 501(c)(3) organizations from the requirement to report the names and addresses of substantial contributors (persons who contribute more than $5,000 per year) on information returns that are filed with the IRS. The bill requires tax-exempt organizations that fall under sections 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), and 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code (e.g., social welfare organizations, labor organizations, business leagues) to disclose the names and addresses of all substantial contributors on their returns. The information must also be made available to the public. The bill also eliminates the authority of the IRS to provide exceptions to the disclosure requirements for tax-exempt organizations. This provision does not apply to determinations made by the IRS before July 16, 2018.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2018 This bill amends the Revised Statutes to prohibit any person, within 60 days before an election, from communicating, causing to be communicated, or producing for communication certain information on voting, if the person: (1) knows such information to be materially false, and (2) has the intent to impede or prevent another person from exercising the right to vote in an election. The bill also prohibits false statements regarding public endorsements and hindering, interfering with, or preventing voting or registering to vote. A private right of action for preventive relief is established for persons aggrieved by violations of these prohibitions. Criminal penalties are also established for violations. If the Department of Justice (DOJ) receives a credible report that materially false information has been or is being communicated in violation of these prohibitions, DOJ must communicate to the public accurate information designed to correct the materially false information.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2018
Taxpayer First Act of 2018 This bill modifies several administrative procedures and policies of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The bill includes provisions regarding programs that assist taxpayers in filing returns; relief from joint and several liability for a joint tax return; whistle-blower protections; the retention of electronic records; rehiring, removing, or transferring IRS employees; limitations on the access of non-IRS employees to tax returns and return information; the filing requirements for tax-exempt organizations; IRS audit criteria; protections against identity theft and tax refund fraud; penalties for the improper disclosure or use of information by preparers of tax returns; transferring appropriations between IRS accounts to combat tax fraud; streamlined critical pay authority for certain IRS information technology positions; an Internet platform for Form 1099 filings; and the electronic filing of tax returns.
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
Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018 This bill requires the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to: (1) commence establishing a collection of civil rights cold case records, (2) commence preparing and publishing the subject guidebook and index to the collection, and (3) establish criteria for transmitting copies of civil rights cold case records to NARA, to include required metadata. All civil rights cold case records transmitted to NARA for disclosure to the public shall be included in the collection, available to the public for inspection and copying by 60 days after the record's transmission to NARA, and prioritized for digitization by NARA. The Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board is established as an independent agency of impartial private citizens. The records of the review board shall not be destroyed, with an exception.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
CyberTipline Modernization Act of 2018 (Sec. 2) This bill revises reporting requirements for electronic communication service providers and remote computing service providers (providers) who report information to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) on crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Currently, providers must report the facts and circumstances of incidents of apparent child pornography, of which they become aware, to NCMEC via the CyberTipline. This bill retains the existing reporting requirement and provides new authority for providers to also report the facts and circumstances that indicate a child pornography violation is imminent. Additionally, it makes various procedural changes to the reporting requirements, including to do the following: grant discretion to providers to determine what information to include in a report; permit (currently, require) the Department of Justice (DOJ) to designate foreign law enforcement agencies to receive CyberTipline reports from NCMEC; allow NCMEC to forward a report to a foreign law enforcement agency in certain circumstances, even if the foreign law enforcement agency has not been designated by DOJ; and provide explicit permission for a provider to disclose the contents of a report, including visual depictions, to law enforcement agencies, to NCMEC, or as necessary to respond to legal process. Finally, the bill revises and updates various statutory references, including to replace references to “images” with “visual depictions” to make reporting requirements applicable to videos, in addition to images.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Thailand Veteran Agent Orange Parity Act of 2018 The Department of Veterans Affairs may provide to any spina bifida-affected child of a veteran who served on active duty in Thailand beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, and who was exposed to a herbicide agent during such service, the same health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and monetary allowance required to be paid to a similarly affected child of a Vietnam veteran. (The bill extends the presumption of service connection for certain diseases associated with herbicide exposure to such veterans, thus permitting health care benefits and disability compensation to be provided to their children.)
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Expresses support for the rights, freedoms, and equal treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people. Recognizes that LGBTQ rights are human rights and protected by the U.S. Constitution and international treaties. Encourages the celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month in June.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2018
Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2018 or the DISCLOSE Act of 2018 This bill expands the ban on election contributions by foreign nationals to include corporations subject to specified levels of ownership or control by foreign nationals. The bill also expands (1) reporting requirements related to campaign contributions, and (2) disclosure requirements related to the funding sources of political advertisements.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2018
Deter Obnoxious, Nefarious, and Outrageous Telephone Calls Act of 2018 or the DO NOT Call Act. This bill modifies penalties for violating restrictions on the use of telephone equipment, including by increasing the maximum penalties for falsifying caller-identification information.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2018
Strengthening Aviation Security Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Transportation to: (1) require the Federal Air Marshal Service to use a risk-based strategy when allocating resources between international and domestic flight coverage, and (2) ensure that the seating arrangements of federal air marshals on aircraft are determined in a risk-based manner and are most capable of responding to current threats to aviation security.
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 · 21 June 2018
Pharmaceutical Origin Transparency Act of 2018 This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require a drug manufacturer to publish information about each country in which its drugs are manufactured. (A drug is manufactured in a country if the active pharmaceutical ingredient is manufactured in such country.)
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2018
Growing American Food Exports Act of 2018 This bill amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to reauthorize through FY2023 and modify the Department of Agriculture Biotechnology and Agricultural Trade Program. The purpose of the program is to remove, resolve, or mitigate significant regulatory nontariff barriers to the export of U.S. agricultural commodities into foreign markets through policy advocacy and certain targeted projects.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2018
Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act of 2018 This bill establishes in the executive branch a Federal Acquisition Security Council. The Office of Management and Budget shall designate a senior-level official to serve as the chairperson of the council. The council shall perform functions that include developing: (1) criteria and processes for assessing threats and vulnerabilities relating to supply chain risk posed by the acquisition of information technology to national security and the public interest, and (2) standards and measures for supply chain risk management. The chairperson shall report annually to Congress on the council's activities. Any agency that makes information technology available for procurement by other agencies shall: identify information technology products made available to other agencies that pose the greatest risk to national security or the public interest; complete a risk assessment of such products; in each case in which the agency identifies a significant supply chain risk posed by information technology, make the risk assessment available to all agencies through the council and develop a plan to mitigate that risk; and develop a vetting process for conducting supply chain risk assessments regarding prospective providers of information technology and make the process available to all agencies. The Department of Homeland Security may: (1) assist agencies in conducting risk assessments and implementing mitigation requirements for information technology, and (2) provide such additional guidance or tools as necessary to support actions taken by agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2018
21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act or the 21st Century IDEA This bill requires an executive agency that maintains a website or digital service that is made available to the public to: eliminate or consolidate websites or web pages that are duplicative or overlapping; ensure that each public-facing website and digital service has a consistent appearance; ensure that each website, web-based form, and web-based application is accessible to individuals with disabilities; ensure that each website or digital service contains a search function that allows users to easily search content intended for public use; provide the website or digital service through an industry standard secure connection; ensure that each website or digital service is designed around user needs; and ensure that users of the website or digital service have the option for a more customized digital experience. Any agency website that is made available to the public after this bill's enactment shall be in compliance with website standards of the General Services Administration's Technology Transformation Services. Each agency shall make available to the public an online, mobile-friendly, digital service option for any in-person government transaction or paper-based process in a manner that decreases cost, increases digital conversion rates, and improves customer experience. Each agency shall submit to the Office of Management and Budget and Congress a plan to accelerate the use of electronic signature standards. Each agency's Chief Information Officer must meet specified requirements related to coordinating the customer experience and digital service delivery.
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 · 11 June 2018
Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 This bill authorizes the President to: (1) provide hazard mitigation assistance in any area affected by a fire for which assistance was provided under fire management assistance provisions, regardless of whether or not a major disaster is declared; (2) waive the general prohibition on the duplication of benefits if specified conditions apply; and (3) enter into lease agreements with owners of multifamily rental property impacted by a major disaster. Provisions with respect to the repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged facilities are revised concerning large-in lieu contributions, eliminating the 90% and 75% federal shares for public and private nonprofit facilities. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) shall develop and issue guidance for state, local, and tribal governments regarding the identification of evacuation routes. FEMA may: (1) establish one or more national veterinary emergency teams at accredited colleges of veterinary medicine; and (2) develop incentives and penalties that encourage state, tribal, or local governments to close out expenditures and activities on a timely basis related to disaster or emergency assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2018
Opportunities to Provide for Illicit Opioid Interdiction and Detection Act of 2018 or the OPIOID Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to jointly develop technology to (1) screen mail, items, and containers entering the United States for narcotic drugs; and (2) screen motor vehicles, pedestrian traffic, and cargo entering the United States at a land border port of entry for narcotic drugs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2018
Modernizing Congressional Reporting Act of 2018 This bill requires federal agencies to submit reports, written communications, and other information to Congress in an electronic format, unless Congress requests a physical document.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2018
Keep Families Together Act This bill prohibits an agent or contractor of the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, or the Department of Health and Human Services from removing a child who is under the age of 18 and has no permanent immigration status from his or her parent or legal guardian at or near the port of entry or within 100 miles of the U.S. border unless: an authorized state court determines that it is in the child's best interests to be removed; a state or county child welfare official with expertise in child trauma and development determines that it is in the child's best interests to be removed because of abuse or neglect; or the Chief Patrol Agent or the Area Port Director authorizes separation based on a documented finding that the child is a trafficking victim or is at significant risk of becoming a victim, a strong likelihood exists that the adult is not the parent or legal guardian, or the child is in danger of abuse or neglect. An agency may not remove a child from a parent or legal guardian solely for the policy goals of deterring migration to the United States or of promoting immigration law compliance. The bill sets forth presumptions: (1) in favor of family and sibling unity and parental rights, and (2) that detention is not in the best interests of families and children. The Government Accountability Office shall conduct a study of the prosecution of asylum seekers.
![Official portrait of Sen. McCaskill, Claire [D-MO]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m001170_200.jpg)