United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2019
National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2019 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to designate 9–8–8 as the universal telephone number for a national suicide prevention and mental-health crisis hotline. The Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs must jointly report on how to make the use of 9–8–8 operational and effective across the country.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2019
This resolution urges the federal government to establish a goal of conserving at least 30% of the land and 30% of the ocean within its territory by 2030.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2019
Scrutinizing White House Activities that Make Profits Act of 2019 or the SWAMP Act This bill prohibits expending funds to host any head-of-state meeting or multilateral summit at any property in which the President or his immediate family holds a majority ownership, including the Trump International Hotel in the District of Columbia and the Mar-a-Lago Club.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2019
Restoring Integrity to America's Elections Act This bill revises provisions regarding the Federal Election Commission (FEC), including to change FEC membership. The bill reduces the number of members of the FEC from eight to five, including by removing the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House as ex officio members. No more than two members may be affiliated with the same political party. A Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel shall recommend to the President individuals for nomination to the FEC. The President shall appoint the FEC chair, subject to Senate confirmation. The bill distributes the FEC's powers between the chair and the other FEC members. The bill modifies the process for (1) the FEC to initiate an investigation, and (2) a party aggrieved by the FEC's dismissal of the party's complaint or the FEC's failure to take action on the party's complaint. Persons who submit written comments regarding requests for advisory opinions must be given an opportunity to appear at FEC hearings on such requests. The FEC's administrative penalty authority is extended permanently. FEC forms must allow for the use of an accent mark as part of a person's identification. The bill provides statutory authority for limitations on ex parte communications as applied to FEC members and employees. The bill specifies that FEC attorneys may represent the FEC before the Supreme Court.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2019
Equity in Pretrial Medicaid Coverage Act This bill allows an otherwise eligible individual who is in custody pending disposition of charges (i.e., pretrial detainees) to receive Medicaid benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2019
End Double Taxation of Successful Civil Claims Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the deduction from gross income (above-the-line deduction) for attorney fees and court costs to include such fees and costs paid in connection with any legal action involving a civil claim (currently, limited to actions involving unlawful discrimination, the False Claims Act, and Medicare payments).
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2019
Restoring Health Benefits for Justice-Involved Individuals Act of 2019 This bill allows an otherwise eligible individual who is in custody pending disposition of charges (i.e., pretrial detainees) to receive Medicare, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or veterans' health benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2019
Ending Homelessness Act of 2019 This bill provides additional funding for, and otherwise addresses, assistance to homeless individuals and families. The funding provided by the bill is designated as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits. Specifically, the bill provides additional FY2020-FY2024 funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to (1) award emergency relief grants to address unmet needs of homeless populations in jurisdictions with the highest need, and (2) provide additional incremental rental voucher assistance for individuals and families who are homeless. The bill also provides FY2022-FY2024 funding for HUD to award grants to provide outreach and coordinate services for individuals and families who are homeless or formerly homeless. Further, the bill provides additional annual funding beginning in FY2020 for the Housing Trust Fund (dedicated to affordable housing for extremely low-income and very low-income families) and incremental project-based voucher and rental assistance. During the first five fiscal years in which such additional funding is available, HUD must ensure that priority for occupancy in assisted units is given to individuals and families who are homeless. Further, units receiving such assistance may not require families to contribute more than 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. Additionally, the bill provides FY2020 funding for HUD to provide technical assistance to states, local governments, and nonprofit organizations to integrate and coordinate homeless assistance with federal health care programs. Finally, the bill permanently reauthorizes certain homeless assistance grants and makes permanent the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
STEM Opportunities Act of 2019 This bill provides for guidance, data collection, and grants for groups historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education at institutions of higher education (IHEs) and at federal science agencies. Specifically, the bill requires the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to provide specified guidance related to such groups to federal science agencies and IHEs. Each federal science agency must collect comprehensive demographic data on recipients of merit-reviewed research and development grants given to IHEs and federal laboratories supported by that agency. Each agency must also implement recommendations from the OSTP report titled Reducing the Impact of Bias in the STEM Workforce . In addition, each agency must carry out a pilot program and implement evidence-based policies and practices to minimize the effect of implicit bias in the grant review process. The National Science Foundation (NSF) must carry out and publish a survey to collect data on the demographics of STEM faculty, by broad fields of STEM, at different types of IHEs. The NSF must also carry out a variety of grant programs, including grants for increasing (1) the recruitment, retention, and advancement of individuals from underrepresented minority groups in STEM careers; (2) the recruitment and retention of minority students who are underrepresented in STEM fields; and (3) student participation in computer science and computational thinking education programs at tribal colleges and universities.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
This joint resolution nullifies a rule issued by the Department of Education (ED) on September 23, 2019. The rule revised the process for a student loan borrower to obtain a discharge from a student loan if an institution of higher education misrepresented a material fact. Among other requirements, the 2019 rule requires each borrower to apply to ED for a defense to repayment. However, under the previous 2016 rule, an application could be submitted on behalf of an entire group (e.g., veterans).
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
Greg LeMond 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 presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Greg LeMond, in recognition of his contributions to the United States as an athlete, activist, role model, and community leader.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
Rural Housing Preservation Act of 2019 This bill authorizes rental assistance to low-income tenants of certain multifamily public housing in rural areas and otherwise revises provisions related to low-income housing.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
Captive Primate Safety Act This bill revises requirements governing the trade of wildlife species, including to add nonhuman primate species to the list of wildlife species that may not be imported, exported, transported, sold, received, acquired, or purchased in interstate or foreign commerce.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
Big Cat Public Safety Act This bill revises requirements governing the trade of big cats (i.e., species of lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, or cougar or any hybrid of such species). Specifically, it revises restrictions on the possession and exhibition of big cats, including to restrict direct contact between the public and big cats.
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 · 26 September 2019
This resolution expresses support for a credible, inclusive, and transparent presidential election in Afghanistan on September 28, 2019, and commends the people of Afghanistan for their commitment to democracy and the rule of law.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
This concurrent resolution calls for an end to the consumption and trade of dog and cat meat and urges nations to adopt and enforce laws banning that trade.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2019
Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2019 This bill requires states to direct their local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prevent and prohibit conduct, including bullying (including cyberbullying through electronic communications) and harassment, that (1) limits students' ability to participate in, or benefit from, school programs; or (2) creates a hostile or abusive educational environment that adversely affects students' education. LEAs shall also provide (1) students, parents, and educational professionals with annual notice of the conduct prohibited in their disciplinary policies; (2) students and parents with grievance procedures that target such conduct; and (3) the public with annual data on the incidence and frequency of that conduct at the school and LEA level. The Department of Education must conduct, and report on, an independent biennial evaluation of programs and policies to combat bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools. The National Center for Education Statistics shall collect state data to determine the incidence and frequency of the conduct prohibited by LEA disciplinary policies.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2019
Safe Step Act This bill requires a group health plan to establish an exception to medication step-therapy protocol in specified cases. A medication step-therapy protocol establishes a specific sequence in which prescription drugs are covered by a group health plan or a health insurance issuer. A request for such an exception to the protocol must be granted if (1) an otherwise required treatment has been ineffective, (2) such treatment is expected to be ineffective and delaying effective treatment would lead to irreversible consequences, (3) such treatment will cause or is likely to cause an adverse reaction to the individual, (4) such treatment is expected to prevent the individual from performing daily activities or occupational responsibilities, (5) the individual is stable based on the prescription drugs already selected, or (6) there are other circumstances as determined by the Employee Benefits Security Administration. The bill requires a group health plan to implement and make readily available a clear process for an individual to request an exception to the protocol, including required information and criteria for granting an exception. The bill further specifies timelines under which plans must respond to such requests.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2019
Indian Health Service Advance Appropriations Act of 201 9 This bill authorizes advance appropriations for the following Indian Health Service appropriations accounts: Indian Health Services, Indian Health Facilities, and Contract Support Costs. The advance appropriations provide new budget authority that first becomes available in the first fiscal year after the budget year. The bill requires the President's budget request to include information on estimates for the advance appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2019
Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2019 This bill modifies and reauthorizes various programs and provisions related to Tibet and China. The President shall provide grants to nongovernmental organizations for projects supporting Tibetan communities in Tibet in areas such as sustainable economic development, cultural preservation, and education. The Department of State shall (1) seek to establish a U.S. consulate in Lhasa, Tibet; (2) establish a Tibet section in the U.S. embassy in Beijing; (3) make diplomatic efforts on issues such as water security in the region; and (4) encourage Nepal to provide legal documentation to certain Tibetan residents in Nepal. The State Department shall not authorize any additional Chinese consulates in the United States until the U.S. consulate in Lhasa is established. The bill reauthorizes the Office of the U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues and expands the office's duties to include additional tasks, such as pursuing international coalitions to ensure that the next Dalai Lama is appointed solely by the Tibetan Buddhist faith community. The bill also adds China-related topics to an existing annual report on international religious freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2019
E-Cigarette Device Standards Act of 2019 This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration to establish design standards that prevent consumers from modifying electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes and vape pens) or their components.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2019
This bill directs the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to report to Congress on China's expanded influence in international organizations, including the purpose of such influence and the tactics used to gain this expanded influence.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2019
Block All New Oil Exports Act or the BAN Oil Exports Act This bill requires the President to ban the exportation of crude oil and natural gas from the United States. The President may provide an exemption to the ban in specified circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2019
Ending New Nicotine Dependencies Act of 2019 or the ENND Act This bill revises requirements for electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes, e-hookah, and vape pens). Specifically, the bill prohibits electronic nicotine delivery systems from containing flavors other than tobacco; sets forth standards on the permissible design of these systems; requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to report on the public health risks of tobacco use, including a focus on these systems and other alternative tobacco products; subjects these systems to excise tax requirements; and directs HHS to conduct a public awareness campaign to educate the public about the health implications of using these systems.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2019
Telecommunications Safety Act of 2019 This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration to study the health effects of radiofrequency radiation from the fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks and future mobile networks.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2019
Access to Healthy Food for Young Children Act of 2019 This bill revises several provisions related to the child and adult care food program. Among other things, the bill requires reimbursements to be adjusted annually to reflect the Consumer Price Index for food away from home, rather than the Consumer Price Index for food at home used under current law; provides for an additional meal service to be served in child care settings with eight or more hours between the first meal service and the beginning of the fourth meal service; expands geographical eligibility for tier I family or group day care homes; and requires the Department of Agriculture to establish an advisory committee to examine the feasibility of reducing unnecessary or duplicative paperwork for those participating or seeking to participate in the program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2019
Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act This bill directs the Department of Education to award grants to state educational agencies to support school-based, mental-health-services providers at public elementary and secondary schools.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2019
This concurrent resolution supports existing regulations with the goals of (1) reducing greenhouse gas emissions and oil usage, and (2) protecting national security and human health and welfare. The concurrent resolution also supports policies that will help meet these goals, such as policies that achieve maximum feasible reductions in oil use.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2019
Protect America’s Wildlife and Fish In Need of Conservation Act of 2019 or the PAW and FIN Conservation Act of 2019 This bill nullifies several 2019 rules that revise regulations relating to the listing of endangered or threatened species and the designation of critical habitats. The restored rules automatically give threatened species the same protections as endangered species; revise requirements governing when an agency must consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service about endangered species, threatened species, or their habitats; prohibit economic assessments from being considered in listing decisions; and revise the criteria used for designating critical habitats for the species. Rulemakings related to these regulations must incorporate climate change impacts.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2019
Heightened Oversight of Travel, Eating, and Lodging Act of 2019 or the HOTEL Act This bill prohibits federal agencies from using U.S. government funds to pay for expenses at lodging establishments that are owned by or employ certain public officials or their relatives, including by providing travel reimbursement or a per diem allowance for the cost of lodging, with exceptions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2019
Protect American Values Act This bill prohibits using federal funds to implement the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds , published August 14, 2019, which expands the definition of a public charge for immigration purposes. (An alien who is a public charge may be denied certain immigration benefits, such as lawful permanent residence. Currently, a public charge is generally interpreted as an individual who is primarily dependent on the government for subsistence. The DHS rule would define a public charge to mean an individual who receives more than 12 months' worth of designated public benefits in a 36-month period.)
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2019
PILT Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill extends the payment in lieu of taxes program through FY2029. "Payments in Lieu of Taxes" (PILT) are federal payments to local governments that help offset losses in property taxes due to the existence of nontaxable federal lands within their boundaries
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2019
Methane Emissions from Transmission Harm American Neighborhoods and the Environment Act or the METHANE Act This bill requires operators of distribution pipelines to use advanced leak detection technology to detect and repair leaking pipelines, including high sensitivity methane detectors mounted on a vehicle or aircraft that is equipped with global positioning system technology. The bill also requires operators to report to the Department of Transportation any event that involves a release of gas from a pipeline facility that results in an unintentional estimated gas loss of 50,000 cubic feet or more.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2019
This resolution designates September 2019 as National Voting Rights Month, encourages people to uphold the right to vote, encourages Congress to pass certain voting rights legislation, recommends the development of a curriculum in public schools and universities regarding voting, encourages the U.S. Postal Service to issue a special Fannie Lou Hamer stamp during the month of September, and invites Congress to allocate funds for public service announcements regarding elections.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2019
Transit to Trails Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish the Transit to Trails Grant Program to award grants to certain governmental and private entities for projects that increase transportation access to public lands, waters, parkland, or monuments for critically underserved communities. Among other things, the bill requires DOT to develop transportation planning procedures for projects conducted under the program that are consistent with metropolitan and statewide planning processes, grant recipients to contribute matching funds equal to not less than 100% of the grant amount, grant awards to be at least $25,000 and not more than $500,000, and publicized schedules and routes for transportation systems that are developed after the receipt of a grant under the program.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2019
E-Cigarette Tax Parity Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the taxation of electronic cigarettes and alternative nicotine products at rates applicable to other tobacco products. An "alternative nicotine product" is defined as any product containing nicotine which is suitable for and likely to be offered to, or purchased by, a consumer for the inhalation, ingestion, absorption, or consumption of nicotine, but does not include tobacco, processed tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, pipe tobacco, or roll-your-own tobacco, or any product approved by the Food and Drug Administration for sale as a tobacco cessation product.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2019
Arctic Refuge Protection Act of 2019 This bill designates approximately 1,559,538 acres of land within Alaska in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2019
Federal Jobs Guarantee Development Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Labor to establish a pilot program to provide grants to eligible entities (i.e., political subdivisions of states and Tribal entities with a high unemployment rate) for programs to guarantee employment to individuals residing in the areas served by such entities.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2019
Climate Stewardship Act of 2019 This bill provides funding and incentives for states, Indian tribes, local governments, and other entities to carry out climate stewardship practices, including farm and ranch conservation practices, reforestation projects, and wetland restoration projects. For example, the bill extends through FY2030 the Conservation Reserve Program, the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and the Conservation Stewardship Program. It also modifies and increases funding levels for some of these programs. The Forest Service must award cost-share grants to states, Indian tribes, local governments, and nonprofit entities to conduct projects to reforest certain land. The bill also establishes a civilian conservation corps to provide youth from low-income communities, indigenous communities, and communities of color with the academic, vocational, and social skills necessary to pursue long-term, productive careers in the forest sector and the wetland restoration sector. Further, the bill sets forth a grant program for states, Indian tribes, local governments, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit entities to conduct coastal wetland restoration projects, including projects that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2019
This joint resolution nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule that repealed the Clean Power Plan, which established emission guidelines for states to follow in limiting carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants; finalized the Affordable Clean Energy rule, which replaced the Clean Power Plan with emission guidelines for states to use when developing plans to limit carbon dioxide; and revised requirements that govern the process under which the EPA and states develop emission standards for pollutants emitted by existing stationary sources.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2019
Fair Share for Workers Act This bill imposes an additional tax on the income of corporations that have gross revenues in excess of $1 billion and a wage disparity level in excess of 3,000%. A "wage disparity level" is defined as the ratio of the annual salary of the highest compensated officer of the corporation to the median annual salary of all employees of the corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2019
National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2019 This bill establishes the National Criminal Justice Commission. The commission must conduct a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system; make recommendations for criminal justice reform; and disseminate findings and guidance to the federal government and to state, local, and tribal governments.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2019
Women's History and Nineteenth Amendment Centennial Quarter Dollar Coin Program Act This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue quarter-dollar coins in commemoration of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment granting women the right to vote. The design on the reverse of each coin shall be emblematic of the accomplishments and contributions of a prominent woman who was a resident of a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory. Such coins shall be issued in alphabetical order of the area represented, starting with the state of Alabama. Treasury shall initiate a program to promote collection of the coins and recognition of their subjects, and strike and make available for sale silver bullion coins that are the exact duplicates of the coins.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2019
This joint resolution rescinds the State Relief and Empowerment Waivers guidance issued on October 24, 2018, which relaxes the criteria for states to obtain waivers from certain health insurance plan coverage requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2019
Save Our Seas 2.0: Enhanced Global Engagement to Combat Marine Debris Act This bill directs the Department of State and the President to make efforts to reduce marine debris. The State Department shall implement the U.S. policy to cooperate with foreign governments and the private sector to combat marine debris, which includes support for (1) strengthening systems for processing and reusing waste plastic, (2) developing and using reusable alternatives to disposable plastic products, and (3) deploying technology for capturing value from post-consumer materials and municipal solid waste streams. The President shall direct U.S. representatives to various international bodies to support U.S. marine debris policies. The Environmental Protection Agency is authorized to build partnerships in support such policies. The State Department shall report to Congress on the potential for entering into new agreements or creating a new forum to reduce land-based sources of marine debris and derelict fishing gear.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2019
Build Local, Hire Local Act This bill imposes various requirements on certain federally assisted infrastructure projects. The bill also creates infrastructure-related grant programs and establishes the Buy America Bureau. Such federally assisted infrastructure projects must (1) employ a certain percentage of local workers to the maximum extent practicable; and (2) prioritize hiring certain individuals, such as veterans and those facing barriers to employment. A certain percentage of funds for such projects shall be used for contracts with small businesses and certain targeted businesses, such as those owned by socially or economically disadvantaged individuals, women, or individuals with disabilities. When applying for a contract, grant, or loan related to such a project, the applying entity must disclose whether there are any rulings, such as a civil judgment, finding that the entity has violated certain federal labor and occupational safety laws in the last three years. In addition, the Department of Transportation must award grants to entities in disadvantaged and underserved communities for infrastructure projects that create connected, economically prosperous, and environmentally healthy communities. Further, the Department of Labor must provide grants to workforce development boards and industry partnerships for job training programs to train certain groups, such as individuals with barriers to employment, for jobs in targeted infrastructure industries. The bill also establishes the Buy America Bureau within the Department of Commerce to oversee project compliance with existing laws that require the use of U.S.-made materials in certain federally funded projects.
![Official portrait of Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m001176_200.jpg)