United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2020
This resolution expresses the sorrow of the Senate upon the death of former Senator Mark Andrews and requests that an enrolled copy of this resolution be transmitted to the family of the Senator.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2020
This resolution recognizes the efforts and sacrifices of the wildland firefighters who have risked their lives to fight intense wildfires in 2020. The resolution also honors the ultimate sacrifice of the wildland firefighters who lost their lives assisting in fighting wildfires in 2020 and extends deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of those wildland firefighters.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2020
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to transfer certain unobligated COVID-19 funds from the Veterans Health Administration to other specified VA accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2020
This resolution condemns China's campaign against religious freedom in Tibet. The resolution also calls for an investigation into China's use of forced labor and urges the United States to scrutinize economic partners that utilize Tibetan or other forced labor programs.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2020
This bill waives certain advance notice requirements applicable to the Four Forest Restoration Initiative Phase 2 Stewardship contract. The initiative is designed to restore fire-adapted ecosystems across four national forests in Arizona. No later than seven days after entering into such contract the Forest Service shall submit the notices otherwise required.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2020
This bill creates a point of order against considering legislation in the Senate that modifies the total number of Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill allows the point of order to be waived by a vote of two-thirds of the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2020
Native American Child Protection Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 and otherwise revises certain programs related to the prevention, investigation, treatment, and prosecution of family violence, child abuse, and child neglect involving Indian children and families. Specifically, the bill revises the Indian Child Abuse Treatment Grant Program to encourage the use of grants for culturally appropriate treatment services and programs. The bill renames the Indian Child Resource and Family Services Centers as the National Indian Child Resource and Family Services Center. It also requires such center to (1) provide advice, technical assistance, and training to urban Indian organizations; (2) develop certain technical assistance materials for Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations; and (3) develop model intergovernmental agreements between tribes and states to prevent, investigate, treat, and prosecute incidents of family violence, child abuse, and child neglect involving Indian children and families. Additionally, the bill revises the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Program to allow Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and intertribal consortia to use program funds for additional activities, such as operational costs for child protective services.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2020
This resolution supports the designation of the week of September 20, 2020, as National Small Business Week in celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners and the invaluable contribution small businesses make to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2020
This resolution designates September 21-September 25, 2020, as National Falls Prevention Awareness Week, encourages raising public awareness about preventing falls among older adults, and recognizes the agencies and organizations that work to reduce the incidence of such falls.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2020
Puppy Protection Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to expand standards that govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals to include new requirements for commercial dog dealers. Specifically, the standards must require dog dealers to provide to dogs adequate housing, exercise, and veterinary care; appropriate and nutritious food; continuous access to potable water; and meaningful socialization with humans and compatible dogs for at least 30 minutes each day. The standards must also include requirements for breeders to use safe breeding practices and make all reasonable efforts to find humane placement for retired breeding dogs.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2020
Women's History and Nineteenth Amendment Centennial Quarter Dollar Coin Program Act This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue, beginning January 1, 2022, quarter-dollar coins in commemoration of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment granting women the right to vote. Treasury may issue quarter dollars, beginning January 1, 2026, with up to five different designs emblematic of the United States semiquincentennial. One of the quarter dollar designs must be emblematic of a woman's or womens' contribution to the birth of the nation or the Declaration of Independence or any other monumental moments in American history. Beginning January 1, 2027, Treasury shall issue quarter dollars that have designs on the reverse that are emblematic of sports played by American youth. Beginning January 1, 2027, Treasury shall issue half dollars that have designs on the reverse that are emblematic of a sport tailored to athletes with a range of disabilities, including physical impairment, vision impairment and intellectual impairment (i.e., a Paralympic sport). Treasury is authorized to design and manufacture medals for award at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020
China Trade Relations Act of 2020 This bill withdraws normal trade relations treatment from China and expands the bases of ineligibility for this treatment to include specified violations of human rights by China.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020
Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act of 2020 This bill provides for the portability of professional licenses of service members and their spouses who are relocated under military orders to a location that is not within the jurisdiction of the license. Specifically, a professional license in good standing of a service member or spouse shall be considered valid and in good standing in the new jurisdiction for the duration of such military orders. To establish and maintain eligibility, a service member or spouse must (1) provide a copy of the military orders to the licensing authority in the jurisdiction in which the new residency is located; (2) remain in good standing with the licensing authority that issued the license; and (3) submit to the authority of the licensing authority in the new jurisdiction for the purposes of standards of practice, discipline, and fulfillment of any continuing education requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020
This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that the establishment of full diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and between Israel and Bahrain are historic achievements. Further, it encourages other Arab nations to establish full relations with Israel, and it reaffirms the Senate's support for a negotiated, two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2020
Forest Health and Biomass Energy Act of 2020 This bill addresses biomass energy, particularly with respect to materials removed from high-hazard areas (e.g., areas that pose wildfire risks). The bill directs the Department of Energy, in coordination with the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), to assess the potential to produce biomass energy from certain land under the administrative jurisdiction of Interior and USDA. With respect to the removal of timber located within certain high-hazard areas, USDA shall not charge a stumpage rate or assign any value to (1) certain trees, (2) forest processing residues or byproducts of forest restoration, or (3) a large dead tree that is not suitable for higher-valued wood products because of decay. The bill establishes the High Hazard Area Wood Biomass Fund, into which USDA may deposit a percentage of the revenue generated from base stumpage rates of timber sales that occur on National Forest System land to assist timber operators and biomass energy producers with the collection, harvest, storage, and transportation of biomass material removed from high-hazard areas. The President shall include in the annual budget submission an annual performance metric, which shall be established by USDA, for the harvest of wood biomass material in green tons made available for bioenergy markets.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2020
This resolution expresses gratitude to the brave law enforcement officers who serve their communities and condemns individuals who commit violence against them. It also calls on the people of the United States to denounce the September 2020 attack on deputies of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2020
Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act of 2020 This bill establishes a new section in the Environmental and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice to enforce federal laws concerning animal cruelty.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2020
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument Boundary Adjustment Act This bill modifies the boundary of the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument in Arizona to include approximately 97.71 acres of identified Forest Service land. The bill transfers administrative jurisdiction over the Forest Service land from the Forest Service to the National Park Service (NPS). The NPS shall administer the added land as part of the monument.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2020
DHS Illicit Cross-Border Tunnel Defense Act This bill authorizes for FY2021 and FY2022 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) activities to identify and remediate illicit cross-border tunnels. CBP shall also develop and report to Congress a strategic plan to improve such operations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2020
Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act This bill authorizes the establishment of a National Global War on Terrorism Memorial in the area of the National Mall.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2020
Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020 This bill recognizes the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority for purposes of developing and implementing a horseracing anti-doping and medication control program and a racetrack safety program. The authority shall establish an anti-doping and medication control standing committee and a racetrack safety standing committee to provide guidance to the authority on the development and maintenance of the programs. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shall have oversight over the authority. The authority shall submit to the FTC any proposed rule, standard, or procedure developed by the authority to carry out the horseracing anti-doping and medication control program or the racetrack safety program. The authority shall seek to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency or an entity equal in qualification under which the entity acts as the anti-doping and medication control enforcement agency under this bill. Among the required elements of the horseracing safety program are sets of training and racing safety standards consistent with the humane treatment of horses, a system to maintain track surface quality, programs for injury and fatality analysis, investigation and disciplinary procedures, and an evaluation and accreditation program. The bill sets forth other provisions regarding (1) funding, conflicts of interest, and jurisdiction; (2) registration with the authority; (3) program enforcement; (4) rule violations and civil sanctions; (5) testing laboratories; (6) review of final decisions of the authority by an administrative law judge; (7) unfair or deceptive acts or practices; and (8) agreements with state racing commissions.
United States · United States Congress · 13 August 2020
Tribal Connect Act of 2020 This bill expands tribal access to the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support (E-rate) program, which provides discounted broadband internet access and telecommunications services to certain schools and libraries. It also establishes a pilot program to provide E-rate support to certain community-serving institutions. First, a tribe may designate a tribal library or tribal library consortium, including a public-serving library of a tribal college or university, as a library or library consortium that is eligible for E-rate support. The tribe may make this designation regardless of whether the library or consortium is eligible for certain assistance from a state library administrative agency. In addition, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must establish a program to provide E-rate support to tribes for qualifying essential community-serving institutions (e.g., community centers). E-rate support may be provided to institutions designated by tribes if (1) the institutions are exclusively owned by the tribes; and (2) the institutions intend to deliver publicly available internet access to students, teachers, librarians, and community members. Further, the bill requires the FCC to (1) provide technical assistance and training, (2) develop performance measures, and (3) review and submit annual reports.
United States · United States Congress · 13 August 2020
This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the President should do everything within his power to achieve resolution and repayment by China of the defaulted Chinese bonds held by 20,000 families in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2020
La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior, after receiving a request from La Paz County, Arizona, to convey approximately 4,800 acres of identified land managed by the Bureau of Land Management to the county. Interior shall exclude from the conveyance any federal land that contains significant cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreational resources. As a condition of the conveyance, La Paz County and any subsequent owner shall make good faith efforts to avoid disturbing tribal artifacts; minimize impacts on tribal artifacts if they are disturbed; coordinate with the Colorado River Indian Tribes Tribal Historic Preservation Office to identify artifacts of cultural and historic significance; and allow tribal representatives to rebury unearthed artifacts at, or near, where they were discovered. The federal land is withdrawn from the operation of U.S. mining and mineral leasing laws.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2020
This bill reauthorizes the Navajo Electrification Demonstration Program, under which the Department of Energy must provide implementation grants to the Navajo Nation for bringing electricity to Navajo households.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2020
Emergency Wildfire and Public Safety Act of 2020 This bill addresses wildfire preparedness and response. Among other things, the bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to select three forest landscapes on which to conduct projects to reduce the risk of wildfire, restore ecological health, or adapt to the increased risk of wildfire due to climate change. USDA and the Department of the Interior shall expedite the placement of wildfire detection equipment in areas at risk of wildfire, expedite related permitting, expand the use of satellite data to assist wildfire response, and establish a center to train individuals in methods to mitigate wildfire risk. The bill excludes certain forest management activities from environmental review requirements. Interior may make a determination that an emergency situation exists regarding National Forest System land and authorize specified emergency actions. Such a determination and such actions are not subject to administrative review. Interior shall provide grants, loans, and loan guarantees to support biomass conversion facilities. The bill allows the export of unprocessed timber of dead and dying trees from federal land in California. Interior shall establish a grant program to assist in the development and utilization of innovative activities relating to workforce development in the forest sector, raise public awareness about the forest sector, and connect individuals to careers in the forest sector. The Department of Energy shall provide support to improve the energy resilience, power needs, and energy efficiency of critical facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2020
Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail Designation Act This bill designates the trail extending approximately 3,292 miles and following the route operated by the Butterfield Overland Mail Company, known as the Ox-Bow Route, to transport mail and passengers between the eastern end points of St. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis, Tennessee, and extending westward through the states of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, to the western end point of San Francisco, California, as the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail. The United States shall not acquire for the trail any land or interest in land outside of the exterior boundary of any federally administered area without the consent of the owner of such land or interest in land.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Toxic Exposure in the American Military Act of 2020 or the TEAM Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to address health care and benefits for veterans with conditions related to exposure to toxic substances, including by requiring the VA to furnish consultation, testing, and treatment to certain veterans exposed to such substances.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2020 This bill modifies and extends certain pandemic unemployment programs and establishes requirements for state unemployment systems to process unemployment claims, transmit information, and address fraud.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Cost Recovery and Expensing Acceleration to Transform the Economy and Jumpstart Opportunities for Businesses and Startups Act of 2020 or the CREATE JOBS Act This bill allows permanent expensing of qualified property (i.e., property with a recovery period of 20 years or less and that is computer software, water utility property, or film, television, or live theatrical production property). It also modifies depreciation provisions for residential rental property and nonresidential real property. The bill repeals provisions for the amortization of research and experimental expenditures, thus providing for direct expensing of such expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Coronavirus Assistance for American Families Act This bill allows individual taxpayers an additional 2020 recovery rebate in the amount of $1,000 ($2,000 for joint returns), plus $1,000 for each dependent of the taxpayer. The amount of such rebate is phased out for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income exceeds $75,000 ($150,000 for joint returns). A recovery rebate is a stimulus payment for taxpayers and their dependents who are adversely affected by COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Air America Act of 2020 This bill establishes the service of Air America employees as qualifying service for purposes of the Civil Service Retirement System. (Air America was a government-owned airline that provided air transport for certain covert operations in Southeast Asia, including Laos and Vietnam, between 1950 and 1976.) The bill applies to U.S. citizens who were employees of Air America or another affiliated company, as specified, between January 1, 1950 and December 31, 1976. Benefit applications must be filed within two years of the date of enactment of this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
This bill requires an online retailer to disclose whether articles sold through its platform originate in China. Specifically, any online retailer selling articles of foreign commerce imported into the United States shall legibly state and conspicuously disclose on the webpage for each such article if the article or any major component thereof originates in China or if the article was manufactured or assembled in China. The bill also authorizes the Department of the Treasury to determine the acceptable method of disclosure and to authorize the exception of certain articles from disclosure requirements. Further, such disclosure is not required to be made for specified types of products (e.g., coffee and tea, spices, and silk products).
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act This bill establishes several grant programs and otherwise requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take actions to improve mental and behavioral health and prevent burnout among health care providers. Specifically, HHS must award grants to (1) health professions schools, state or local governments, or nonprofits to provide training for health care providers on suicide prevention, other behavioral health issues, and strategies to improve well-being; and (2) health care providers, prioritizing those in COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) hot spots, to establish or expand programs to promote mental and behavioral health among health care providers involved with COVID-19 response efforts. HHS must also study issues related to, and develop policy recommendations on, preventing burnout and improving mental and behavioral health among health care providers, removing barriers to accessing care and treatment, and identifying strategies to promote resiliency. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must conduct a campaign to encourage health care providers to seek support and treatment for mental and behavioral health concerns.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2020
Brandon Act This bill modifies the regulatory requirement for the referral of a member of the Armed Forces for a mental health evaluation. It requires that commanding officers or supervisors make referrals and soon as practicable and that the referral process protect the confidentiality of the member.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2020
Protecting America From Spies Act This bill expands the grounds for barring aliens who have engaged in acts relating to espionage or sabotage from entering the United States. Specifically, any alien shall be inadmissible if the alien has engaged in or will engage in an act that (1) violates a U.S. law relating to espionage or sabotage; (2) would violate any U.S. law relating to espionage or sabotage if it occurred in the United States; or (3) violates any U.S. law prohibiting the export of goods, technology, or sensitive information. Currently, an alien shall be inadmissible if the alien seeks to enter the United States to engage in such an action. Furthermore, the bill expands these grounds of inadmissibility and other security-related grounds to cover the spouse or child of the barred alien if the act occurred in the last five years. The bill also modifies the authority of the Department of Justice to waive certain security-related grounds of inadmissibility for an alien applying for a nonimmigrant visa.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2020
This resolution declares that (1) the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable John Lewis, a late Member of the House of Representatives; and (2) when the Senate adjourns on July 28, 2020, it will stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the Honorable John Lewis.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020
Time to Rescue United States Trusts Act of 2020 or the TRUST Act of 2020 This bill establishes congressional rescue committees to develop recommendations and legislation to improve critical social contract programs. A critical social contract program is a federal program for which a federal trust fund is established (e.g., Social Security, Medicare, and federal highway programs), with outlays of at least $20 billion during the year preceding the year in which this bill is enacted, and for which the amount of dedicated federal funds and federal trust fund balances will be inadequate to meet the total amount of outlays of the program that would otherwise be made. Each rescue committee may develop recommendations and legislation to improve the program for which it was established, including by (1) increasing the duration of positive balances of the federal trust fund established for the program, and (2) providing for the solvency of the federal trust fund established for the program during a 75-year period. Congress must use specified expedited legislative procedures to consider legislation that is approved and submitted by the rescue committees.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020
This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide additional funding to certain transportation projects that were awarded competitive grants but require additional funds to complete such projects due to the effects of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). In providing additional funds, DOT shall provide an amount equal to not less than 10% of the total project costs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020
Continuous Health Coverage for Workers Act This bill provides health insurance premium assistance through 2020 for individuals who become unemployed, are furloughed, or receive a reduction in hours. Specifically, the bill treats premiums as paid for individuals who pay a specified minimum amount toward the premium and (1) are terminated from employment and elect to continue insurance coverage through the COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) program, (2) receive a greater than 30% reduction in paid hours but remain eligible for coverage under a group health plan, or (3) have been terminated or receive reduced hours for the duration of time that their employers voluntarily offer coverage under a church health plan. The bill also specifies requirements for individuals changing, or enrolling in, health plans under the program. Additionally, the bill requires employers to provide eligible individuals specified written notice about the premium assistance program, including, among other information, available health plan enrollment options and the date that such assistance expires. The Department of the Treasury must reimburse employers, group health plans, and insurance issuers through a payroll tax credit or refund for unpaid premiums that were treated as paid under the program. Premium assistance is not considered income for federal income tax purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020
Special Districts Provide Essential Services Act This bill makes special districts eligible for the Coronavirus Relief Fund and the Municipal Liquidity Facility program. Specifically, the bill makes special districts eligible for payments from amounts paid to states from any new appropriations to the fund. A special district must submit a request for payment to the state with information demonstrating that the special district has experienced or is likely to experience during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency reduced revenue or operational funding derived from provided services, taxes, fees, or other sources of revenue; reduced indirect funding from the federal government, the state, or a unit of general government below the state level; or as a result of the COVID-19 emergency, increased expenditures necessary to continue operations. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall include special districts as eligible issuers in the Municipal Liquidity Facility program, which was created in response to the COVID-19 emergency to buy municipal securities.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2020
Secure Our Transit Systems from Chinese Interference Act This bill eliminates the temporary exemption to certification requirements for the procurement of rail rolling stock for use in public transportation with respect to contracts between public transportation agencies and certain rolling stock manufacturers. Such manufacturers include ones that are owned or controlled by, are a subsidiary of, or otherwise are related legally or financially to a corporation based in a country that (1) is identified as a nonmarket economy country, (2) was identified by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) as a foreign country included on the priority watch list, and (3) is subject to monitoring by the USTR.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2020
No Funds to China's Military Act of 2020 This bill prohibits using federal funds to purchase goods or services from an individual or entity that the Department of Defense has determined is controlled by or affiliated with China's military or defense industrial base. This prohibition applies to federal funds provided to a state or local government or private entity. Before an executive agency provides federal funds to such a government or private entity, the recipient shall certify that it will comply with this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2020
Civil Justice for Victims of China-Originated Viral Infections Diseases Act or the Civil Justice for Victims of COVID Act This bill allows a foreign government to be sued in U.S. district court regarding that government's actions related to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak. A foreign government shall not have sovereign immunity against a lawsuit in the United States seeking money damages for physical or economic injury occurring in the United States following any reckless action or omission of that foreign government (or any official or agent of that government) that caused or substantially contributed to the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States. If the United States is in discussions with a foreign state seeking to resolve claims related to COVID-19 against that foreign state, a court may stay a pending case brought under this bill against that foreign state.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2020
Water-Energy Technology Demonstration and Deployment Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior and the Department of Energy (DOE) to partner with at least one institution of higher education to form the Western Water Resilience Center to research the development, commercialization, and deployment of water and energy technologies. Interior shall also establish a pilot program within the Bureau of Reclamation to allow DOE participation in certain projects.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2020
Back to Work Child Care Grants Act of 2020 This bill establishes a grants program for licensed child care providers that were in continuous operation immediately prior to March 1, 2020, to pay for specified fixed costs and operating expenses for a period of not more than nine months.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2020
Emergency Support for Nursing Homes and Elder Justice Reform Act of 2020 This bill establishes a series of requirements relating to the quality of care provided in nursing and long-term care facilities, specifically with respect to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and elder abuse, and also modifies and extends several elder justice programs and initiatives. Among other things, the bill (1) requires a portion of any funds received through COVID-19 appropriations to be used for personal protective equipment and testing in Medicare skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), Medicaid nursing facilities (NFs), and long-term care facilities, including assisted living facilities, and for specialized strike teams to address outbreaks in SNFs and NFs; (2) requires SNFs, NFs, and long-term care facilities to report COVID-19 cases and deaths, as well as unrelated deaths, from January 1, 2020, onwards and on a continual daily basis; and (3) requires a specified portion of COVID-19 appropriations to be directed to state and tribal agencies responsible for adult protective services. Additionally, the bill reauthorizes through FY2023 (1) grants to support state long-term care ombudsman programs, (2) elder abuse forensic centers, and (3) grants to support state adult protective services.