United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2018
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2018 This bill reauthorizes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for FY2019, provides for the continuation of the International Space Station, and authorizes NASA programs and activities, including a low-Earth orbit commercialization program, a lunar discovery program, an unmanned aircraft systems operation program, a 21st Century Aeronautics Research Capabilities Initiative, and a small satellite launch services program.
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
Facilitate Addressing Issues with Regulating Forced Labor in International Seafood Harvesting Act or FAIR FISH Act This bill makes the Secretary of Commerce a member of the Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking, and directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Food and Drug Administration to report to Congress on the existence of human trafficking in seafood product supply chains.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2018
First Step Act This bill amends various provisions of law and sets forth new provisions: to require the Department of Justice to establish and the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to implement a risk and needs assessment system; to modify the computation of good time credit; to allow federal correctional officers to securely store and carry concealed firearms on BOP premises outside the security perimeter of a prison; to limit the use of restraints on federal prisoners who are pregnant or in postpartum recovery; to reduce mandatory minimum prison terms for certain nonviolent repeat drug offenses; to broaden the existing safety valve to permit a sentence below the mandatory minimum for certain nonviolent, cooperative drug offenders with a limited criminal history; to make the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 retroactive; to require prisoners to be placed within 500 miles of their primary residence; to require low-risk prisoners to be placed on home confinement for the maximum amount of time permitted; to reauthorize through FY2022 and modify eligibility for an elderly offender early release pilot program; to require the BOP to help prisoners obtain identification documents prior to release, to incorporate de-escalation procedures into training programs, and to make tampons and sanitary napkins available free of charge; to authorize Federal Prison Industries to sell products to additional markets; to require probation and pretrial services officers to perform court-directed supervision of sex offenders conditionally released from civil commitment; to require the BOP to establish pilot programs on youth mentorship and service to abandoned, rescued, or vulnerable animals; and to limit juvenile solitary confinement.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2018
Hurricanes Florence and Michael and California Wildfire Tax Relief Act This bill allows various tax credits, tax deductions, and modifications to existing tax rules for individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Florence, Hurricane Michael, and wildfires in California.
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
This bill revises nationally significant freight and highway projects by: (1) eliminating the limitation on grants for certain highway freight projects, (2) expanding the Department of Transportation's authority to administer grants for such projects, (3) adding additional public and economic benefit requirements for such projects, and (4) modifying congressional notification requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2018
Home Health Payment Innovation Act of 2018 This bill allows the home confinement requirement for home health services to be waived under Medicare and Medicare Advantage. The bill also alters the payment methodology under the Medicare prospective payment system for home health services, including by eliminating the requirement that such methodology include certain behavioral assumptions regarding the implementation of specified changes to units of payment and case-mix adjustment factors.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2018
Recognizes the 40th anniversary of the first delivery of the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to the Army. Pledges robust and continued congressional support for the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2018
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7521 Paula Drive in Tampa, Florida, as the "Major Andreas O'Keeffe Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2018
Save Our Seas Act of 2018 This bill addresses marine debris and maritime safety issues. Specifically, the bill amends the Marine Debris Act to reauthorize through FY2022 and revise the Marine Debris Program, including to require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to respond to severe marine debris events. Hamm Alert Maritime Safety Act of 2018 The bill establishes maritime safety requirements, such as requirements concerning vessel inspections, safety equipment, voyage data recorders, oversight of recognized organizations that act on behalf of the Coast Guard, and timely weather forecasts and hazard advisories. Coast Guard Blue Technology Center of Expertise Act The U.S. Coast Guard may establish a Blue Technology Center of Expertise to promote awareness about blue technologies and their potential to enhance the Coast Guard's mission readiness and operational performance. Blue technology includes technology that supports maritime domain awareness (e.g., surveillance), search and rescue, emergency response, maritime law enforcement, or protection of the marine environment.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2018
Agricultural Trade Improvement Act of 2018 This bill establishes a process by which a core seasonal industry may petition for countervailing and antidumping duties.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2018
Recognizes: (1) the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15, 2018, through October 15, 2018; and (2) the integral role of Latinos and their manifold heritage in the economy, culture, and identity of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2018
Addiction Treatment Quality Improvement Act of 2018 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to assess the status of Medicare quality measures regarding opioid- and substance-use disorders and to develop a plan to address any gaps.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2018
Recognizes the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Irma in Florida and honors the victims who lost their lives. Reaffirms the commitment of the Senate to: (1) support the people of Florida, and (2) provide resources to assist communities striving to return to normalcy.
United States · United States Congress · 25 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 · 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 · 24 September 2018
Venezuela Humanitarian Relief, Reconstruction, and Rule of Law Act of 2018 This bill provides for humanitarian aid for the people of Venezuela, in light of the humanitarian and political crisis there. It also provides for (1) sanctions against those responsible for corruption and narcotics trafficking in Venezuela, (2) efforts to help rebuild the country's infrastructure and restructure its debt, and (3) efforts to otherwise address the humanitarian and political crisis.
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
Neonatal Abstinence Intervention Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to issue guidance for state Medicaid programs to improve care for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome and their parents or guardians.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2018
Designates September 2018 as National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month. Expresses support for: (1) research to find better treatments and a cure for spinal cord injuries, and (2) clinical trials for new therapies for individuals living with paralysis. Commends the dedication of organizations, researchers, doctors, and others that are working to improve the quality of life for individuals living with spinal cord injuries and for their families.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2018
Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act This bill allows: (1) a veteran to use, possess, or transport medical marijuana in accordance with applicable state law; (2) a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) physician to discuss with a veteran the use of medical marijuana as a treatment if the physician is in a state that authorizes such treatment; or (3) a VA physician to recommend, complete forms for, or register veterans for participation in a state-approved medical marijuana treatment program. The VA shall report to Congress regarding: (1) the effects of medical marijuana on veterans in pain; and (2) the relationship between state-approved medical marijuana treatment programs, program access, and opioid abuse reduction.
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 · 28 August 2018
Recognizes the importance of inventions, patents, and copyrights as part of maintaining a competitive global economy and U.S. leadership in the world. Expresses support for academic technological developments that promote entrepreneurship and for academic innovations in local communities. Expresses support for the mission of the National Academy of Inventors, acknowledges the academy for its role in elevating the contributions of academic inventors, and congratulates the academy for its rapid expansion.
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
PFAS Accountability Act of 2018 This bill requires the federal government, on the request of a state, to cooperate with the state to address drinking water, surface water, groundwater, land surface, or subsurface strata contaminated from a perfluorinated compound originating from a federal facility or a former facility, such as a decommissioned military installation. A "perfluorinated compound" means a perfluoroalkyl substance or a polyfluoroalkyl substance that is man made with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom.
United States · United States Congress · 23 August 2018
South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act of 2018 This bill addresses harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in the South Florida ecosystem. An algal bloom is a rapid growth of algae that may create toxic or hypoxic (severely low-oxygen) conditions that are harmful to humans, animals, aquatic ecosystems, and the economy. The Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia must assess potential approaches to reduce harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in the ecosystem. The task force must also submit a plan, based on the assessment, for reducing, mitigating, and controlling harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in the region.
United States · United States Congress · 23 August 2018
Hidden Figures Way Designation Act This bill designates the area between the intersections of 3rd Street, SW and E Street, SW and 4th Street, SW and E Street, SW in Washington, District of Columbia, as "Hidden Figures Way." The bill redesignates the address of 300 E Street, SW in the District as "300 Hidden Figures Way."
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 2018
Maternal Care Access and Reducing Emergencies Act or the Maternal CARE Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to health professional training programs for training that addresses implicit bias (e.g., racial bias) in the practice of obstetrics and gynecology. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Health Resources and Services Administration must award grants to up to 10 states for pregnancy medical home programs that reduce adverse maternal health outcomes and racial disparities. Among other requirements, such programs must prioritize the care of Medicaid enrollees. The National Academy of Medicine must make recommendations for incorporating bias recognition in clinical skills tests at medical schools.
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
Military Lending Improvement Act of 2018 This bill revises consumer credit protections for active members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents, including by (1) expanding such protections to cover individuals who have been separated from the Armed Forces for up to one year, (2) expanding the protections to cover loans for purchasing personal property secured by such personal property, (3) reducing the maximum allowable annual interest rate of covered loans, (4) prohibiting creditors from installing a device on a borrower's car that can affect the car's operation or report its location, and (5) imposing certain limitations on debt collection practices.
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
Helping Seniors Afford Medicare Act of 2018 This bill makes a series of changes relating to Medicare enrollment, eligibility, and cost-sharing, such as by establishing an annual out-of-pocket limit for enrollees and reducing cost-sharing for certain low-income individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2018
Designates the first week of August 2018 as World Breastfeeding Week and designates August 2018 as National Breastfeeding Month. Expresses support for policies and funding to ensure that all mothers who choose to breastfeed can access a full range of support.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2018
Expresses support for the existing One National Program with the goals of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and oil usage, protecting national security, and protecting human health and welfare. Expresses support for politics that will: (1) achieve maximum feasible oil-use reductions and reduce GHG emissions from mobile sources; (2) recognize the rights and importance of states to set and follow stronger vehicle emissions standards under the Clean Air Act; and (3) ensure that the Administration, the Department of Transportation, and the Environmental Protection Agency solicit input from states impacted by changes to existing standards for emissions and fuel economy.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2018
Combat Online Predators Act This bill amends the federal criminal code to increase the maximum prison term for a stalking offense, if the victim is under 18 years of age.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2018
3D Printed Gun Safety Act of 2018 This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it unlawful to intentionally publish digital instructions for programming a three-dimensional printer to make a firearm.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2018
Untraceable Firearms Act of 2018 This bill generally prohibits and penalizes the manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase, or receipt of a ghost gun. A ghost gun is a firearm that lacks a unique serial number.
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 · 25 July 2018
Space Frontier Act of 2018 The bill revises provisions relating to commercial space launch license applications and experimental permits. The Department of Transportation shall consolidate across federal agencies requirements to protect the public health and safety, safety of property, national security interests, and foreign policy interests of the United States relevant to any commercial space vehicle into a single application set that satisfies those requirements and expedites the coordination of commercial space services. The bill revises and sets forth provisions relating to nongovernmental earth observation activities. NASA must ensure that the International Space Station remains a viable and productive facility capable of potential U.S. use through at least FY2030.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2018
Haiti and Armenia Reforestation Act of 2018 This bill authorizes the President to provide certain financial assistance to, and establish grant and pilot programs for, the governments of Haiti and Armenia to address deforestation in their countries.
![Official portrait of Rep. Nelson, Bill [D-FL-11]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/n000032_200.jpg)