United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2020
This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to purchase from a wet market in China any live animal or animal product. The bill defines a wet market as a marketplace (1) where fresh meat and live animals are bought, sold, and slaughtered; and (2) that is not subject to health regulations comparable to U.S. regulations on similar establishments.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2020
Small Business Expense Protection Act of 2020 This bill amends the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to provide that tax deductions for ordinary business expenses and other tax incidents shall not be affected by the exclusion from gross income of amounts related to loan forgiveness received in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2020
Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act This bill makes previously unused immigrant visas available to nurses and physicians who petition for such a visa before the date that is 90 days after the end of the declared national emergency relating to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak. The number of visas available shall be the total number of unused employment-based immigrant visas from FY1992-FY2020, up to 40,000. Of such visas, 25,000 shall be reserved for nurses and 15,000 for physicians. Certain family members may accompany the principal beneficiary of a visa provided under this bill, and visas for such family members shall (1) be made available from the unused visas from FY1992-FY2020, and (2) not be counted against the 40,000 cap. Visas provided under this bill shall be exempt from per-country limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2020
This bill requires the Farm Service Agency to provide payments to producers that sold feeder cattle or live cattle during any month in calendar year 2020 to offset losses due to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, payments must be provided (1) in the case of feeder cattle, if the average national sale price per hundredweight for feeder cattle for that month is less than $150; and (2) in the case of live cattle, if the average national sale price per hundredweight for live cattle for that month is less than $121. A producer may receive payments for not more than 10,000 head of cattle in calendar year 2020. Additionally, a producer must have owned the feeder cattle or live cattle for not less than 30 days before the date on which the cattle were sold.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2020
Strengthening America's Supply Chain and National Security Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take specified actions concerning the importation of pharmaceutical products from China and any other countries selected by DOD. DOD must submit to Congress a classified report that addresses, among other issues, the percentage of pharmaceutical products used by DOD that are made by such countries and recommendations related to the domestic manufacturing capacity and the resiliency of the supply chain for such products. An unclassified summary of this report must be published on a DOD website. A manufacturer of a pharmaceutical product that has received market approval must annually submit to HHS specified information about the product's active and inactive pharmaceutical ingredients, including the sources of such ingredients and the percentage of the aggregate amount of such ingredients from China and other countries selected by DOD. HHS shall provide such information to DOD. In addition, the bill revises certain statutory tests used to determine the country of origin of a pharmaceutical product. Specifically, a pharmaceutical product shall be deemed to have the same country of origin as the product's active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). (A recent court case held that a drug manufactured in the United States using an API from India is considered a U.S.-made product for procurement purposes.)
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2020
Tax Filing Relief for America Act This bill extends the filing deadline for tax returns and the payment of tax to July 15, 2020, for taxable year 2019.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2020
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue to provide educational assistance through December 21, 2020, for programs of education that have been converted to distance learning due to an emergency or health-related situation. Such assistance includes monthly housing stipends or subsistence allowances.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act This bill imposes various restrictions related to China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region, including by prohibiting certain imports from Xinjiang and imposing sanctions on those responsible for human rights violations there. Goods manufactured or produced in Xinjiang or by entities working under certain Xinjiang government programs shall not be entitled to entry into the United States unless Customs and Border Protection (1) determines that the goods were not manufactured by convict labor, forced labor, or indentured labor under penal sanctions; and (2) reports such a determination to Congress and to the public. The President shall periodically report to Congress a list of foreign entities and individuals knowingly facilitating (1) the forced labor of Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and members of other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang; and (2) the importation of forced labor goods from Xinjiang. The President shall impose property-blocking sanctions on the listed individuals and entities and impose visa-blocking sanctions on the listed individuals. Securities issuers required to file annual or quarterly reports with the Securities Exchange Commission shall disclose in such reports certain information related to Xinjiang, including instances where the issuer knowingly (1) engaged in activities with an entity helping to create mass surveillance systems in Xinjiang, (2) engaged in activities with an entity running or building detention facilities for Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang, or (3) acquired a significant amount of textiles produced in Xinjiang. After being notified of such a disclosure, the President shall determine whether to investigate if sanctions or criminal charges are warranted.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
Protect Our Military Families' 2nd Amendment Rights Act This bill broadens the scope of allowable firearm transactions involving active duty service members and their spouses. Specifically, the bill allows a licensed gun dealer, importer, or manufacturer to sell or ship a firearm or ammunition to the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty outside the United States. (Current law already allows a licensed dealer, importer, or manufacturer to sell or ship a firearm or ammunition to a member of the Armed Forces on active duty outside the United States.) The bill also specifies that, for purposes of federal firearms laws, a member of the Armed Forces on active duty, or his or her spouse, is a resident of the state in which (1) the member or spouse maintains legal residence, (2) the permanent duty station of the member is located, and (3) the member maintains a home from which he or she commutes to the permanent duty station.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
Cover Crop Flexibility Act of 2020 This bill modifies the federal crop insurance program to address the planting of cover crops following prevented planting. Specifically, the bill allows a producer that is prevented from planting its first crop to plant a second crop and receive an indemnity equal to the full guarantee for the first crop if the second crop (1) is an approved cover crop, and (2) cannot be harvested for grain or other uses unrelated to livestock forage or conservation. Under current law, if a producer plants a second crop it can only get an indemnity worth at most 35% of the prevented planting guarantee for the first crop. For a producer planting a cover crop following prevented planting, the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) may provide separate prevented planting coverage factors that include preplanting costs, the cost of cover crop seed, and the cost of fencing and supplying water to livestock. Further, the FCIC must conduct research and development regarding a policy to insure crops on fields that regularly utilize cover crops, including research to examine the extent that cover crops reduce risks of prevented planting and other crop insurance losses.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
This resolution ensures continued U.S. support for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the 30th anniversary of their independence. The resolution also reaffirms the commitment of the United States to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2020
This bill allows a veteran with a combat-related disability and fewer than 20 years of creditable service to receive retirement pay, without reduction, concurrent with disability compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2020
This resolution expresses support for Australia, as well as greater collaboration between the United States and Australia to promote wildfire mitigation and prevention.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2020
Health Care Workforce Protection Act of 2020 This bill extends targeted liability protection to certain manufacturers, distributors, prescribers, and users of approved respiratory protective devices that are used under certain conditions during a declared public health emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020
State Veterans Home Inspection Simplification Act This bill alters certain requirements relating to inspection and certification of Medicare skilled nursing facilities that are also state veterans homes. Specifically, the bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to treat state veterans homes that are inspected and determined to meet applicable standards set by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as also meeting applicable standards for skilled nursing facilities under Medicare. The CMS must also use VA inspection reports for such facilities in lieu of state inspection reports for purposes of the Nursing Home Compare website.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020
This resolution commemorates the 150th anniversary of the historic seating of Hiram Rhodes Revels, Senator of Mississippi, as the first African American Senator.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020
This resolution calls upon the United Nations Security Council to extend certain expiring restrictions placed on Iran and on arms technology suppliers to Iran, including an export ban prohibiting Iran from exporting weapons and an embargo preventing the sale of arms to Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020
This resolution recognizes Black History Month as an opportunity to reflect on U.S. history and to commemorate the contributions of African Americans. It calls for the United States to (1) honor the contribution of pioneers who helped to ensure its legacy; and (2) move forward as a nation "indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020
Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act This bill prohibits a state from receiving certain federal law enforcement grants if it takes certain immigration-related actions. Specifically, a state is barred from receiving such grants if it (1) issues a driver license to an individual who does not have proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the United States, or (2) prohibits a local or state government entity or official from sharing immigration enforcement information with the Department of Homeland Security.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020
Hazard Eligibility and Local Projects Act This bill makes an entity seeking assistance under a hazard mitigation assistance program eligible to receive such assistance for certain projects already in progress.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2020
Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act This bill establishes a new criminal offense for performing or attempting to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus is 20 weeks or more. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. The bill provides exceptions for an abortion (1) that is necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. A physician who performs or attempts to perform an abortion under an exception must comply with specified requirements. A woman who undergoes a prohibited abortion may not be prosecuted for violating or conspiring to violate the provisions of this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2020
Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for purposes outside the United States related to abortion. Specifically, the bill prohibits funding to certain foreign or domestic organizations that perform or promote abortions, furnish or develop items intended to procure abortions, or provide financial support for an entity that conducts such activities. Current U.S. policy prohibits the provision of federal funds to a foreign nongovernmental organization unless it agrees to not perform or actively promote abortions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2020
Fiscal State of the Nation Resolution This concurrent resolution requires the congressional budget committees to conduct an annual joint hearing to receive a presentation from the Comptroller General regarding (1) the Government Accountability Office's audit of the financial statement of the executive branch, and (2) the financial position and condition of the federal government.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2020
This resolution commemorates the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz extermination camp and honors victims of the Holocaust. The resolution also calls on the United States to continue to work to end genocide and recommits to combatting all forms of anti-Semitism.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2020
This concurrent resolution calls for honoring the 234th anniversary of the enactment of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom on Religious Freedom Day, January 16, 2020. The resolution affirms that religious freedom includes the right of individuals of any faith and individuals of no faith to live, work, associate, and worship in accordance with their beliefs; all people of the United States can be unified in supporting religious freedom because it is a fundamental human right; and the American people will remain forever unshackled in matters of faith.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2020
This resolution commends the President, U.S. Armed Forces, and intelligence community in leading a strike against Qasem Soleimani, leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, and reaffirms the commitment of the United States to countering global terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019
Lawful Interstate Transportation of Firearms Act This bill revises criminal provisions related to the interstate transportation of firearms and ammunition. An individual may transport a firearm between two places (e.g., states) where it is legal to possess, carry, or transport the firearm. During transport, the firearm must be unloaded and secured or securely stored. Additionally, an individual may transport ammunition, or a detachable magazine or feeding device, between two places where it is legal to possess, carry, or transport the ammunition, magazine, or feeding device. During transport, the ammunition, magazine, or feeding device must not be loaded into a firearm and must be securely stored. The term transport includes staying in temporary lodging overnight; stopping for food, fuel, vehicle maintenance, an emergency, or medical treatment; and any other activities that are incidental to the transportation. The bill prohibits the arrest or detention of an individual for a state or local firearm or ammunition violation unless there is probable cause to believe the individual failed to comply with the provisions of this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2019
Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2019 This bill allows additional hospitals to qualify as critical access hospitals (CAHs) that receive special payment under Medicare. Currently, in order to qualify as a CAH under Medicare, a hospital must either (1) be located more than 35 miles (or 15 miles in mountainous regions or areas with only secondary roads) from another hospital, or (2) have been certified prior to January 1, 2006, by the state as a necessary provider of services in the area. The bill allows a hospital to also qualify if the hospital is a small, rural hospital that (1) serves a health professional shortage area, or a high number of low-income individuals or Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries; (2) has experienced financial losses for two consecutive years; and (3) attests to having a strategic plan to address financial solvency.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2019
Support And Value Expectant Moms and Babies Act of 2019 or the SAVE Moms and Babies Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from approving any new drug (either as a brand-name drug or a generic) intended to terminate a pregnancy and imposes additional restrictions on such drugs that are already approved. Under the bill, an already-approved drug intended to terminate a pregnancy may be dispensed to a patient only with a prescription. Furthermore, the FDA may not approve any labeling change that would authorize (1) using the drug after 70 days of gestation, or (2) dispensing the drug by any means other than in-person administration by the prescribing health care practitioner. The FDA must also impose additional restrictions on such already-approved drugs, including by (1) requiring the prescribing health care practitioner to receive a special certification, (2) prohibiting the practitioner to also act as the dispensing pharmacist, and (3) requiring the practitioner to have the ability to provide surgical intervention to the patient. The bill also rescinds any investigational use exemption already granted to such a drug if the bill would have prohibited the FDA from granting the exemption. (Currently, the FDA may grant an exemption to certain market approval requirements if a drug is intended solely for use in safety and effectiveness investigations.)
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2019
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a grant program to conduct cemetery research and produce educational materials for the Veterans Legacy Program. The program provides the public with engagement and educational opportunities regarding veterans interred in national, state, or tribal veterans' cemeteries. Additionally, the bill requires the VA to report on the efficacy of the grant program.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2019
Volunteer First Responder Housing Act This bill expands eligibility for assistance under the Department of Agriculture Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program and the Department of Housing and Urban Development Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program with respect to qualified volunteer first responders.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2019 This bill establishes a presumption, for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care benefits and wartime disability compensation, that a veteran was exposed to certain toxins, chemicals, and hazards from burn pits if such veteran served on active duty in a covered location during a specified time frame. A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air. Specifically, the bill identifies the following covered locations and corresponding time periods Iraq, between August 2, 1990, and February 28, 1991, as well as from March 19, 2003, until burn pits are no longer used in this location; Southwest Asia (including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates), from August 2, 1990, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations; Afghanistan and Djibouti from September 11, 2001, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations; and other locations and time periods set forth by the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry or determined by the VA. Under the bill, if an exposed veteran submits insufficient evidence to establish a service-connection for purposes of disability compensation, the VA shall provide a medical examination and request medical opinions regarding a causal link between the disability and a toxin, chemical, or hazard.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
This resolution recognizes and celebrates small businesses by (1) acknowledging the importance of promoting a business-friendly environment for small business owners, (2) encouraging young entrepreneurs to pursue their passions and create more startup businesses, and (3) conveying appreciation for the ways small businesses support their communities and workers.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
This resolution expresses support for National Adoption Month and National Adoption Day and encourages people to consider adoption to increase the number of children living in safe, permanent homes.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2019
Monarch and Pollinator Highway Act of 2019 or the MPH Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Transportation to provide grants to states, Indian tribes, and federal land management agencies to carry out pollinator-friendly practices on roadsides and highway rights-of-way, including the planting and seeding of native, locally-appropriate grasses, wildflowers, and milkweed.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2019
This resolution expresses support for (1) the goals and ideals of American Diabetes Month, including encouraging individuals to fight diabetes through public awareness about prevention and treatment options and enhancing education about the disease; and (2) decreasing the prevalence of type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes in the United States through increased research, treatment, and prevention.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2019
Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through 2027 the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program within the Department of the Treasury. The Government Accountability Office must report on insurance coverage of cyberterrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2019
21st Century Space Grant Modernization Act of 2019 This bill revises provisions relating to the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shall carry out the program with the objective of providing hands-on research, training, and education programs with measurable outcomes in each state. NASA shall carry out the program through a space grant consortium in each state. The bill revises the purposes of the program to support space research programs that promote equally the state and regional STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) interests of each space grant consortium. NASA shall award grants to the lead institution of each state's space grant consortium to carry out at least three of six specified research, training, and education programs. The bill repeals certain provisions relating to the program, including provisions establishing the space grant review panel.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2019
National Purple Heart Honor Mission Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the mission of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. The bill limits the issuance of such coins to the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2022. The bill prescribes surcharges for coin sales, which shall be paid to the National Purple Heart Honor Mission, Inc., to support the mission of such organization, including capital improvements to the National Purple Heart Honor Mission facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2019
This resolution requires the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate to establish a McCain-Mansfield Fellowship Program through which certain veterans may participate in a two-year fellowship in the personal office of a Senator.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2019
Bring Our Heroes Home Act This bill establishes at the National Archives a collection of records that relate to the fate or status of missing Armed Forces personnel. Each government office must identify and locate such records in its possession and transmit them to the Archives. The bill establishes a temporary board to ensure and facilitate the review, transmission, and public disclosure of such records. The bill generally makes such records public, with specified exceptions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2019
Immigrant Investor Program Reform Act This bill reauthorizes the EB-5 investor program through September 2025 and makes various changes to the program, such as imposing various oversight mechanisms. (EB-5 visas provide permanent resident status to qualified investors whose investments create a certain number of jobs.)
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2019
Down Syndrome Discrimination by Abortion Prohibition Act This bill creates new federal crimes related to the performance of an abortion on an unborn child who has Down syndrome. It subjects a violator to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. It also authorizes civil remedies, including damages and injunctive relief. A woman who undergoes such an abortion may not be prosecuted or held civilly liable.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2019
U.S. Beef Integrity Act This bill modifies label requirements for meat food products of cattle. Specifically, the bill prohibits the label of cattle meat or a meat food product of cattle from bearing the phrase Product of U.S.A. unless such meat or meat food product is exclusively derived from one or more cattle born, raised, and slaughtered in the United States. The requirement does not apply to cattle meat or a meat food product of cattle that is intended and offered for export to a foreign country.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2019
Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies for Health Act of 2019 or the CONNECT for Health Act of 2019 This bill expands coverage of telehealth services under Medicare. Among other things, the bill allows the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to waive certain restrictions, such as geographic restrictions, for services provided in high-need health professional shortage areas; excludes mental health and emergency medical services, as well as services provided at rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, and Indian Health Service facilities, from such geographic restrictions; and allows the CMS to generally waive coverage restrictions during national emergencies. Additionally, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission must report on information relating to the access of Medicare beneficiaries to telehealth services at home. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation may also test alternative payment models relating to expanded telehealth services.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2019
This resolution declares that (1) the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Kay Hagan, former Member of the Senate; and (2) when the Senate adjourns on October 30, 2019, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the Honorable Kay Hagan.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2019
Time to Rescue United States Trusts Act or the TRUST Act 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.
![Official portrait of Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000605_200.jpg)