United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2020
Federal System Incident Response Act of 2020 This bill requires federal agencies to notify impacted individuals following major or significant cybersecurity incidents, or incidents determined to have involved sensitive personal information. Each agency must make available information relating to an incident to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Department of Defense, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to help mitigate future incidents. CISA shall perform continuous monitoring of incidents of federal information systems and produce an annual report. OMB shall develop guidance on what constitutes a major incident. Each agency must develop training on how to identify and respond to an incident.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2020
CARA 2.0 Act of 2020 This bill expands various programs and activities to address substance use disorders, including by requiring research on prevention strategies and treatment modalities; supporting workforce education and training; revising federal regulation of opioids; and increasing access to medication-assisted treatment and other recovery services.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2020
Open Courts Act of 2020 This bill requires the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to establish a single electronic system for all public court records that is publicly accessible for free. Under the existing Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system, users are charged fees for accessing court documents. To fund the development of the new consolidated system, the Judicial Conference must temporarily establish a schedule of additional fees for higher-volume nongovernmental users of PACER. To fund the operations of the new system, the Judicial Conference shall collect an annual fee from each federal agency equal to that agency's PACER fees in 2018, adjusted for inflation. The Judicial Conference may also establish reasonable filing fees based on specified factors, including the extent of a person's use and the interests of justice.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2020
This resolution mourns the death of former Senator Paul Spyros Sarbanes and requests that an enrolled copy of this resolution be transmitted to the family of the Senator.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2020
COVID-19 Vaccine Awareness Support Act of 2020 This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to award grants to state, tribal, territorial, and local health departments or nonprofits to disseminate information about COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), including regarding the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2020
Ensuring American Leadership over International Standards Act of 2020 This bill requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology to contract with a nongovernmental entity to conduct a study on (1) the activities of China's government and China's industrial entities within international standards bodies, and (2) how such actions affect the development and setting of international standards for emerging technologies. The entity shall report the study to Congress.
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
Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness Act or the REEF Act This bill provides that payments made from the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Account shall not be subject to reduction with respect to unemployment compensation programs for qualified railroad employees.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2020
Harnessing Effective and Appropriate Long Term Health for Moms On Medicaid Act of 2020 or the HEALTH for MOM Act of 2020 This bill allows state Medicaid programs to cover services that are provided by pregnancy medical homes (designated providers or health teams that provide high-risk pregnancy and postpartum coordinated care services).
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2020
This resolution declares that the violence perpetrated by China against Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and members of other Muslim minority groups constitutes genocide. The resolution demands that China cease its persecution of the aforementioned groups and urges the United States, as well as the international community, to take measures to prevent the continuation of atrocities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2020
Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt Wildlife Trafficking Reauthorization and Improvements Act of 2020 This bill permanently authorizes the Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking and revises requirements concerning the task force.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2020
This resolution honors Yitzhak Rabin for his service to the Israeli people and extends the sympathy and condolences of the House of Representatives to his family and the people of Israel on the 25th anniversary of his death. Further, it expresses support for (1) the close ties and special relationship between the United States and Israel; (2) community leaders and government officials who work to encourage coexistence and cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians; and (3) a negotiated, two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2020
Risk-Informed Spending for Cybersecurity Act This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget, in coordination with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, to develop a standard model for creating a risk-based budget for cybersecurity spending. The risk-based budget must (1) be developed by identifying and prioritizing cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities through analysis of threat intelligence, incident data, and tactics, techniques, procedures, and capabilities of cyber threats; and (2) allocate resources based on the risks identified and prioritized. Within two years of the development of the model, federal agencies must begin using the model to develop annual cybersecurity and information technology budget requests.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2020
This resolution recognizes the importance of the Dayton Peace Accords, which ended the Bosnian War and brought peace to the region, and condemns human rights abuses that took place during the conflict
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 · 24 September 2020
Coordination Of Medicare Payments and Workers' Compensation Act or the COMP Act This bill alters provisions relating to Medicare secondary payer rules with respect to workers' compensation settlement arrangements. Among other things, the bill provides that a Medicare set-aside fulfills secondary payer obligations if the set-aside is included in the arrangement and meets certain other criteria.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2020
Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act This bill establishes certain administrative requirements with respect to the Medicaid provider enrollment process. Specifically, the bill requires (1) state Medicaid programs to adopt a streamlined screening and enrollment process for eligible out-of-state pediatric providers, and (2) the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to establish a process for providers to enroll simultaneously in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2020
Pandemic Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Act of 2020 This bill establishes in the legislative branch the Pandemic Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Commission to make recommendations and propose legislation for modification, consolidation, harmonization, or repeal of regulations to reduce compliance costs, encourage growth and innovation, improve competitiveness, and protect public safety. The commission must give priority to regulations (1) the repeal or modification of which may assist recovery or response to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic and future pandemics, (2) that impose disproportionately high costs on a small entity, (3) that create substantial recurring paperwork burdens or transaction costs, or (4) that could be made more effective while reducing regulatory costs. The bill sets forth reporting requirements for the commission and procedures for congressional consideration of commission reports, recommendations, and proposed legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2020
Great Lakes Navigation Act of 2020 This bill requires that at least 12% of funds made available each fiscal year from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund be used for projects that are located within the Great Lakes Navigation System.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2020
Air Carrier Worker Support Extension Act of 2020 This bill extends authority for the Department of the Treasury to provide financial assistance to passenger air carriers, cargo air carriers, and contractors of passenger air carriers for the continuation of payment of employee wages, salaries, and benefits. The maximum amounts of financial assistance that may be provided by Treasury for this purpose are $25.5 billion for passenger air carriers, $300 million for cargo air carriers, and $3 billion for contractors . The bill provides specific deadlines and procedures under which Treasury must provide financial assistance to air carriers and contractors. To be eligible for financial assistance, an air carrier or contractor must (1) agree not to reduce pay and benefits or conduct involuntary furloughs until March 31, 2021; and (2) agree, through March 31, 2022, not to repurchase stock, pay dividends, or make other capital distributions. Additionally, Treasury may require carriers that receive assistance to maintain service to points served before March 1, 2020. Such authority terminates on April 1, 2022. The bill limits the maximum allowable compensation of an officer or employee of an air carrier or contractor that receives assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020
Ensuring Relief for Americans Impacted by Economic and Natural Disasters Act, 2020 This bill provides $86.6 billion in FY2020 supplemental appropriations to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Disaster Relief Fund. The bill designates the funding as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020
Protect and Serve Act of 2020 This bill establishes a new criminal offense for knowingly assaulting a law enforcement officer and causing serious bodily injury (or attempting to do so) in circumstances that affect interstate commerce. It imposes criminal penalties—a prison term, a fine, or both—on a violator.
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
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2020 This bill directs 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 Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley. After the award the medal shall be given to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
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 · 15 September 2020
Make PPE in America Act This bill requires procurement contracts for personal protective equipment (PPE) to be long-term and for domestically manufactured PPE. Specifically, contracts entered into by the Departments of Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, Defense, Education, or Veterans Affairs for the procurement of PPE must be for a duration of at least three years, including a base period and all option periods, to incentivize investment in the production of PPE, and materials and components of PPE, in the United States. The bill provides exceptions (1) where a nonavailability determination has been made, (2) where a sufficient quantity of a satisfactory quality cannot be procured as and when needed at U.S. market prices, and (3) where the department certifies every 120 days that it is necessary to procure PPE under alternate procedures to respond to the immediate needs of a public health emergency. Such departments may transfer to the Strategic National Stockpile any excess PPE acquired under a contract.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2020
This resolution: finds the 2020 presidential elections in Belarus to be undemocratic; stands with the people of Belarus in their pursuit of democracy and human rights; calls on Belarus to uphold its human rights obligations; and urges the United States to respond to the events in Belarus, including through sanctions.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2020
Modernizing Notice of Lease Terminations for Servicemembers Act of 2020 This bill specifies that a service member who is authorized under current law to terminate a lease of premises or a motor vehicle lease without incurring an early termination fee may use electronic means to provide notice of the termination.
United States · United States Congress · 13 August 2020
This resolution expresses the Senate's affirmation that U.S. assistance should be delivered directly to the Lebanese people following the recent explosion in Beirut. Further, it calls on Lebanon to conduct a transparent investigation into the cause of, and responsibility for, the explosion and to prioritize policies and programs that advance the interests of the Lebanese people.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2020
Strengthening Reporting of Actions Taken Against the Normalization of Relations with Israel Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of State to include specified information concerning Arab-Israeli relations in the annual Country Report on Human Rights Practices. Such information shall include (1) the status of laws that punish individuals for people-to-people relations with Israelis (i.e., anti-normalization laws); (2) instances of prosecution or extrajudicial retribution against citizens or residents of Arab countries for calling for peace with Israel, visiting Israel, or engaging Israeli citizens in any country; and (3) evidence of steps taken by Arab governments toward permitting or encouraging people-to-people relations between their citizens or residents and Israeli citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2020
Fighting Emerging Narcotics Through Additional Nations to Yield Lasting Results Act or the FENTANYL Results Act This bill creates two programs, establishes a reporting requirement, and otherwise modifies provisions to facilitate global cooperation against synthetic drug trafficking. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of State to establish a program to provide capacity-building assistance for law enforcement agencies of specified countries to identify, track, and detect certain synthetic drugs (e.g., fentanyl). The State Department must also carry out an international exchange program for drug demand reduction experts to provide educational and professional development on demand-reduction matters relating to the illicit use of narcotics and other drugs. The bill requires the State Department to include new sections in its annual international narcotics control strategy report that contain (1) an assessment of the countries likely involved in the trafficking of synthetic opioids; and (2) policies of responding to new psychoactive substances. The bill also expands the definition of major illicit drug producing country to include countries that produce synthetic drugs. Under current law, foreign assistance may be withheld from such countries.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2020
Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2020 This bill extends through FY2025 authority for debt-for-nature swaps and debt buyback programs that reduce or convert debt obligations from eligible countries to the United States into funding for nature conservation and protection efforts in that country.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2020
COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020 This bill authorizes the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to waive certain limitations with respect to Medicare coverage of hospice care during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the CMS may allow respite care to be provided in other settings besides inpatient facilities and may allow such care to be provided for up to 15 (rather than up to 5) consecutive days.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
K2 Veterans Advocacy Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into an agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to complete a study to identify and assess any causation or correlation between exposure to toxicants at the Karshi-Khanabad (K2) Air Base in Uzbekistan between October 7, 2001, and November 21, 2005, and incidents of cancer or other diseases in members of the Armed Forces. The bill also expands the definition of an open burn pit, for purposes of the VA's open burn pit registry, to include burn pits located on land in Uzbekistan. A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that (1) the 130th year anniversary of the 1890 Land-Grant Educational Institutions should be observed with appropriate ceremonies and activities to recognize the collective contributions that these 19 historically Black federal land-grant educational institutions have made to the United States, (2) the Department of Agriculture and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture should remain committed to supporting the goals of the Second Morrill Act and the Smith-Lever Act, and (3) the Second Morrill Act and the Smith-Lever Act have helped the United States develop agricultural leaders.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
REO Act of 2020 This bill establishes the Reentry Employment Opportunities Program to make grants for the purpose of providing job training opportunities to formerly incarcerated adults, youths, and young adults who have dropped out of school. Grants are awarded to entities such as nonprofit organizations, organizations serving women or a minority population, and state and local governments to carry out projects related to apprenticeship programs, occupational skills education, on-the-job training, work experience, job referrals, basic skills remediation, educational services, and work readiness activities for such individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Ukraine Security Partnership Act This bill contains provisions related to U.S. support for Ukraine. The Department of State shall report to Congress a strategy on (1) using diplomacy to support Ukraine, and (2) encouraging other countries to donate excess defense equipment to Ukraine. The State Department shall also establish a U.S.-Europe Working Group on Ukraine. The President shall appoint a Special Envoy for Ukraine, who shall engage in diplomatic activities related to the peace process between Ukraine and Russia and dialogue with countries in the Black Sea region. The bill also authorizes the State Department for FY2021-FY2025 to (1) provide grants and loans to Ukraine for acquiring U.S. defense equipment and services through the Foreign Military Financing program, and (2) provide training for Ukraine's military through the International Military Education and Training program. From FY2021-FY2025, Ukraine shall have priority access to excess U.S. defense articles.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Repairing Existing Public Land by Adding Necessary Trees Act or the REPLANT Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) annually for each of the 10 years after enactment of this bill to transmit to Congress an estimate of the sums necessary to be appropriated, in addition to the funds available from other sources, to replant and otherwise treat an acreage equal to the acreage to be cut over that year, plus a sufficient portion of the backlog of lands found to be in need of treatment to eliminate the backlog within the 10-year period. After such 10-year period, USDA shall transmit annually to Congress an estimate of the sums necessary to replant and otherwise treat all lands being cut over and maintain planned timber production on all other forested lands in the National Forest System to prevent the development of a backlog of needed work larger than the needed work at the beginning of the fiscal year. Each reforestation activity included in a renewable resource assessment shall be carried out in accordance with applicable Forest Service management practices and definitions, including those contained in a specified amendment and regulations related to silvicultural practices. The Forest Service shall, based on recommendations from regional foresters, create a priority list of reforestation projects that primarily take place on priority land, promote effective reforestation following unplanned events, and may include activities to ensure adequate and appropriate seed availability. USDA shall give priority to projects on the priority list.
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
Safeguarding America's Frontline Employees To Offer Work Opportunities Required to Kickstart the Economy Act or the SAFE TO WORK Act This bill limits liability for injuries related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Generally, an individual alleging harm from exposure to coronavirus or related medical treatment occurring before October 1, 2024, may sue only under the causes of action created by this bill, with limited exceptions. However, the bill does not preempt any law that imposes stricter limits on liability or otherwise provides greater protections to defendants. An individual or entity engaged in business or other activities may be liable for injuries resulting from coronavirus exposure only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the defendant did not make reasonable efforts to comply with government standards and guidance, (2) the defendant's actions constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (3) actual exposure caused the plaintiff's injury. (The clear and convincing evidence standard is a higher standard of proof than is typically required in a civil action.) Similarly, a health care provider may be liable for injuries connected to coronavirus-related services only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the provider's actions constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (2) such actions directly caused the injury. The bill also contains various coronavirus-related protections for defendants, including protections that (1) exempt an employer or operator of public accommodations that meets certain requirements from liability under certain federal laws, (2) impose limitations on coronavirus-related class action lawsuits, and (3) limit liability for certain injuries related to workplace coronavirus testing.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020
Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act This bill authorizes the Drug-Free Communities Support Program, subject to certain limitations, to waive matching funds requirements applicable to certain grants for reducing substance use among youth. Before waiving these requirements, the program must determine that a grantee is unable to raise funds because of the COVID-19 (i.e. coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. Currently, the Office of National Drug Control Policy administers this program, and community coalitions that receive the grants must match a specified percentage of the federal award amount with nonfederal funds, including in-kind contributions.
![Official portrait of Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000449_200.jpg)