United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2018
This bill amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to require congressional approval for a presidential adjustment of an import due to a national security threat. Specifically, the bill requires the President to submit a proposal to Congress, which Congress may approve by a joint resolution. Under current law, the President determines whether any adjustment of an import is necessary, and must submit to Congress the reasons for any action taken or not taken. The bill retroactively applies to any proposed action made two years before enactment of this bill. In general, any rate of duty modification occurring in the time period two years before enactment of this bill and the date before enactment of this bill must revert to the previous rate.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2018
National Senior Investor Initiative Act of 2018 This bill amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to establish the Senior Investor Taskforce within the Securities and Exchange Commission. The taskforce must report on topics relating to investors over the age of 65, including industry trends and serious issues impacting such investors, and make recommendations for legislative or regulatory actions to address problems encountered by senior investors. The Government Accountability Office must report on the costs of the financial exploitation of senior citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 6 July 2018
Responsible Additions and Increases to Sustain Employee Health Benefits Act of 2018 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow unused health flexible spending arrangement account balances (or a portion of the balances) to be carried forward into the next plan year.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2018
Cut the Perks Act This bill requires a political appointee who personally requests the obligation or expenditure of federal funds in willful violation of a federal law, rule, or regulation to reimburse the government for the amount of such obligation or expenditure.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2018
Skills Investment Act of 2018 This bill expands tax-favored Coverdell education savings accounts to allow the accounts to be used for educational or skill development expenses such as training services, career and technical education activities, career services, youth workforce investment activities, and adult education and literacy activities. The bill also: renames the accounts "Coverdell lifelong learning accounts," increases contribution limits, modifies the age-based contribution restrictions, allows a tax credit for a portion of an employer's contributions to an employee's account, and allows beneficiaries to deduct contributions made by or on behalf of the beneficiary.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2018
Family Reunification Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure that each unaccompanied alien child removed by a federal official or employee from the custody of a parent or legal guardian at or near a port of entry or within 100 miles of the border be reunited with the parent or legal guardian at the earliest possible date unless: a state court terminates the rights of a parent or legal guardian, determines that it is in the child's best interests to be removed from the parent or legal guardian, or makes any similar determination that is authorized under state law; a state or county child welfare official determines that it is in the child's best interests to be removed from his or her parent or legal guardian because the child is in danger of abuse or neglect from the parent or legal guardian; or DHS requires continued separation because the child is a trafficking victim or is at significant risk of becoming a trafficking victim, there is a strong likelihood that the adult is not the child's parent or legal guardian, or the child is in danger of abuse or neglect from the parent or legal guardian.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2018
Solar Vocational Education and Training for our Servicemembers Act or the Solar VETS Act This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with the Department of Defense, to develop a training course for careers in solar-related occupations to be (1) made available at military installations and to eligible members of the Armed Forces, and (2) administered by institutions of higher education pursuant to an agreement with DOE.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2018
Cottonwood Land Exchange Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture, upon request by Yavapai County, Arizona, to convey to the county 80 acres of land within Coconino National Forest in exchange for 369 acres of county land.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2018
Keep Families Together Act This bill prohibits an agent or contractor of the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, or the Department of Health and Human Services from removing a child who is under the age of 18 and has no permanent immigration status from his or her parent or legal guardian at or near the port of entry or within 100 miles of the U.S. border unless: an authorized state court determines that it is in the child's best interests to be removed; a state or county child welfare official with expertise in child trauma and development determines that it is in the child's best interests to be removed because of abuse or neglect; or the Chief Patrol Agent or the Area Port Director authorizes separation based on a documented finding that the child is a trafficking victim or is at significant risk of becoming a victim, a strong likelihood exists that the adult is not the parent or legal guardian, or the child is in danger of abuse or neglect. A child may not be removed from a parent or guardian unless an independent licensed child welfare expert authorizes the separation within 48 hours of such removal. An agency may not remove a child from a parent or legal guardian solely for the policy goals of deterring migration to the United States or of promoting immigration law compliance. The bill sets forth presumptions: (1) in favor of family and sibling unity and parental rights, and (2) that detention is not in the best interests of families and children. The bill limits the prosecution of asylum seekers.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2018
Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act or the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act This bill makes several changes to state Medicaid programs to address opioid and substance use disorders. Specifically, the bill: modifies provisions related to coverage for juvenile inmates and former foster care youth, establishes a demonstration project to increase provider treatment capacity for substance use disorders, requires the establishment of drug management programs for at-risk beneficiaries, establishes drug review and utilization requirements, extends the enhanced federal matching rate for expenditures regarding substance use disorder health home services, and temporarily requires coverage of medication-assisted treatment. The bill also alters Medicare requirements to address opioid use. Specifically, the bill: exempts substance use disorder telehealth services from specified requirements, requires the initial examination for new enrollees to include an opioid use disorder screening, modifies provisions regarding electronic prescriptions and post-surgical pain management, requires prescription drug plan sponsors to establish drug management programs for at-risk beneficiaries, and requires coverage for services provided by certified opioid treatment programs. The bill also addresses other opioid-related issues. Specifically, the bill: establishes and expands programs to support increased detection and monitoring of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, and increases the maximum number of patients that health care practitioners may initially treat with medication-assisted treatment (i.e., under a buprenorphine waiver). Additionally, the bill temporarily eliminates the enhanced federal matching rate for Medicaid expenditures regarding specified medical services provided by certain managed care organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2018
Fight Illicit Networks and Detect Trafficking Act or the FIND Trafficking Act This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on the use of virtual currencies and online marketplaces in sex and drug trafficking. The GAO must study topics including: how illicit proceeds are transferred into the U.S. banking system, state and non-state actors that benefit from or participate in such activity, and preventative efforts from federal and state agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2018
International Human Rights Defense Act of 2018 This bill establishes in the Department of State a permanent Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex) Peoples who shall serve as the principal State Department advisor regarding human rights for LGBTI people and represent the United States in diplomatic matters relevant to the human rights of LGBTI people. The special envoy shall periodically provide Congress with a U.S. global strategy to prevent and respond to criminalization, discrimination, and violence against LGBTI people. The State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development may provide assistance to prevent and respond to such activities against LGBTI people. The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is amended to require that annual country reports on human rights practices include information on criminalization, discrimination, and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 2018
Bill Mulder and Ryan Larkin Posttraumatic Growth Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a two-year pilot program to study the effectiveness of nonprofit post-traumatic growth programs to determine: (1) the outcomes of such programs in contrast to traditional models of mental health care, (2) the possible integration of such nonprofit programs into VA mental health care programs, and (3) the budgetary impact of such integration. Veterans who are at risk of suicide and not participating in traditional mental health treatment are eligible for such program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2018
Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Amendments Act of 2018 This bill revises various elements of the compensation system for border patrol agents at U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Among other things, the bill increases the overtime compensation available for border patrol agents who handle canines and limits the amount of overtime that is credited toward retirement for certain agents.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2018
Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2018 This bill requires the House of Representatives and the Senate to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the U.S. merchant mariners of World War II, in recognition of their service during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2018
VA Hospitals Establishing Leadership Performance Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish qualifications and related performance metrics for each human resources position within the Veterans Health Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2018
Cooperate with Law Enforcement Agencies and Watch Act of 2018 This bill limits a financial institution's liability for maintaining a customer account in compliance with a written request by a federal or state law enforcement agency. A federal or state agency may not take an adverse supervisory action against a financial institution with respect to maintaining an account consistent with such a request.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2018
Preventing Addiction for Susceptible Seniors Act of 2018 or the PASS Act of 2018 This bill alters several requirements under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Specifically, the bill: (1) requires prescription drug plan sponsors to establish drug management programs for at-risk beneficiaries; (2) requires electronic prescription programs to enable the secure transmittal of prior authorization requests for covered drugs; and (3) establishes individuals who are identified as at-risk beneficiaries for prescription drug abuse as qualifying participants in medication therapy management programs. The bill also requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a secure online portal to allow: (1) data sharing among the CMS, Medicare prescription drug benefit plans, and Medicare Advantage (MA) plans; and (2) referrals by such plans of substantiated fraud, waste, or abuse in order to initiate or assist investigations by contracted entities under the Medicare Integrity Program. The CMS must also: (1) identify outlier prescribers of opioids under Medicare prescription drug benefit plans and MA plans, based on specialty and geographic area; and (2) annually notify such prescribers of their status and provide them with resources on proper prescribing methods.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2018
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that compensation of public school teachers should be comparable to other college graduates with years in the workforce where the teachers are employed.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2018
VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 or VA MISSION Act of 2018 This bill consolidates Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) community care programs, revises other VA health care programs and facilities provisions, and makes appropriations for veterans care. The bill establishes the Veterans Community Care Program to furnish hospital care, medical services, and extended care services through certain non-VA providers to veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system or otherwise entitled to VA care. The VA may enter agreements with non-VA providers to furnish veterans with care that is otherwise not feasibly available. The VA shall: (1) establish standards for VA health care quality and for non-VA care in areas of VA expertise, (2) prohibit rehiring previously-removed VA providers, (3) provide prompt payment to providers, (4) establish opioid prescribing practices for non-VA providers, and (5) carry out the modernization or realignment of Veterans Health Administration facilities. The Veterans Choice Program is terminated after one year. The bill establishes: (1) the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment, and (2) the Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission. The VA may: (1) provide care for the live donor of a transplant for a veteran, and (2) carry out a Specialty Education Loan Repayment Program and other actions to recruit health care professionals. The VA family caregiver program is expanded. The Office of Management and Budget shall review each enhanced-use facility lease. The bill establishes pilot programs for medical scribes, mobile deployment teams for underserved facilities, and graduate medical education. The bill extends VA pension reductions for Medicare-covered veterans in nursing homes.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2018
Burn Pits Accountability Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) and the military departments to evaluate whether each member of the Armed Forces has been (1) based or stationed where an open air burn pit was used to dispose of waste, or (2) exposed to toxic airborne chemicals. Members located where an open burn pit was used or exposed to toxic airborne chemicals must be enrolled in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, unless the member elects not to enroll. The evaluations must be included in periodic health assessments, physical exams conducted immediately prior to separation from active duty, and deployment assessments. DOD must share the results of the evaluations with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2018
Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer William “Bill” Mulder (Ret.) Transition Improvement Act of 2018 This bill extends, expands, and modifies transition assistance and educational assistance for former members of the Armed Forces and their spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2018
Supports: (1) the designation of National Small Business Week, (2) efforts to encourage consumers to shop locally, and (3) efforts to increase awareness of the value of locally owned small businesses and the impact of locally owned small business on the U.S. economy. Honors the vital role of small business and entrepreneurs in the United States during such week. Recognizes: (1) the important role of the Small Business Administration as a valuable resource for the U.S. entrepreneur, (2) the importance of creating policies that promote a business friendly environment for small business owners free of unnecessary regulations, and (3) the National Small Business Person of the Year and the National Lender of the Year. Encourages young entrepreneurs to pursue their passions and create more start-up businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2018
Celebrates the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the state of Israel. Encourages equitable treatment of Israel in international fora and the diplomatic recognition of Israel from governments worldwide. Reiterates support for a negotiated Israeli-Palestinian settlement leading to a two-state solution.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2018
Give Useful Information to Define Effective Compliance Act or the GUIDE Compliance Act This bill amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to require certain procedures for guidance issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2018
Disabled Access Credit Expansion Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for expenditures by an eligible small business to provide access to disabled individuals, to: (1) increase from $10,250 to $20,500 the annual dollar limitation for eligible access expenditures, (2) require the $20,500 limit to be adjusted for inflation after 2018, and (3) increase from $1 million to $2.5 million the gross receipts limitation for an eligible small business.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2018
Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018 This bill extends access to Department of Defense commissaries and morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) facilities to Purple Heart recipients, veterans with a service-connected disability, Medal of Honor recipients, former prisoners of war, and veteran caregivers. (Commissaries are grocery/department stores on military installations that sell food and some household items. MWR facilities offer a range of services on bases including libraries, outdoor recreation, dining, golf courses, and sports and fitness centers.)
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2018
This bill requires the Internal Revenue Service to provide a single point of contact for any taxpayer whose tax return has been delayed or otherwise adversely affected due to tax-related identity theft. The single point of contact must track the taxpayer's case to completion and coordinate with other specialized units to resolve case issues as quickly as possible.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018
Amends Rule I (The Speaker) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to declare that if, on the first day of the second session of a Congress, the most recent fiscal year ended with a federal budget deficit of 5% or more of the gross domestic product, then the position of Speaker of the House shall be declared vacant and the individual who served as Speaker as of the last day of the first session of the Congress is ineligible to serve as Speaker in the second session of that Congress. Makes this provision inapplicable if the House determines that the budget deficit for a fiscal year was attributable to a national emergency or a recession.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2018
Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2018 This bill prohibits discrimination, under a federally assisted program, against public school students on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or that of their associates. The bill authorizes federal departments and agencies to terminate the educational assistance of recipients found to be violating this prohibition. An aggrieved individual may assert a violation of this bill in a judicial proceeding and recover reasonable attorney's fees.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2018
Community Services Block Grant Reauthorization Act of 2018 This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 the Community Services Block Grant program and otherwise revises the program, including with respect to program administration and leadership, minimum and maximum allotments to states, and performance measurement.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2018
Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2018 This bill reauthorizes through FY2023 and revises the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
Agricultural Certainty for Reporting Emissions Act This bill amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to exempt air emissions from animal waste at a farm from specified release notification requirements, recordkeeping requirements, and associated penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
Common Sense Credit Union Capital Relief Act of 2018 This bill delays to 2021 the National Credit Union Administration rule titled "Risk-Based Capital" published on October 29, 2015. (The rule establishes a new method, beginning in 2019, for measuring whether a credit union is adequately capitalized.)
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2018
Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2018 This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to exempt, from specified requirements and restrictions under that Act and other laws, the provision of certain unapproved, investigational drugs to a terminally ill patient who has exhausted approved treatment options and is unable to participate in a clinical trial involving the drugs. The manufacturer or sponsor of an eligible investigational drug must publish annual summaries on any use of the drug in accordance with these provisions. The bill limits the liability of a sponsor, manufacturer, licensed physician, clinical investigator, or hospital that provides, or declines to provide, an eligible investigational drug to an eligible patient in accordance with the bill.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2018
Financial Product Safety Commission Act of 2018 This bill removes the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from the Federal Reserve System, converts the bureau into an independent commission, and modifies its leadership structure.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2018
Protecting Children from Identity Theft Act This bill requires the Social Security Administration (SSA) to develop a database to facilitate the verification of consumer information upon request by a certified financial institution. Such verification shall be provided only with the consumer's consent and in connection with a credit transaction. Users of the database shall pay system costs as determined by the SSA.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2018
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to designate and operate centers of Alzheimer's disease research, education, and clinical activities in at least three VA health care facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2018
United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2018 This bill extends Military Financing Program grants for Israel through FY2023. The Department of Defense shall conduct a joint assessment with Israel regarding: (1) precision guided munitions needed by Israel in a sustained armed confrontation with Hezbollah and other armed groups and terrorist organizations, and (2) related U.S. assistance and resupply planning. The President may utilize the Special Defense Acquisition Fund to transfer precision guided munitions and related defense articles and services to reserve stocks for Israel. Authorities for loan guarantees and the war reserves stockpile for Israel are extended through FY2023. The Department of Homeland Security shall establish a seven-year grant program with Israel to support: (1) cybersecurity research and development, and (2) commercialization of cybersecurity technology. The U.S. Agency for International Development may enter into memoranda of understanding with Israel to advance common goals on energy, agriculture and food security, democracy, economic growth, education, and health. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shall continue to work with the Israel Space Agency to pursue peaceful space exploration and science initiatives. The President may enter into a cooperative project agreement with Israel to carry out research and joint production of defense articles and services to detect and destroy unmanned aerial vehicles (i.e., drones) that threaten the United States or Israel. The bill states that it is U.S. policy to ensure that Israel maintains its qualitative military edge.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2018
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Economic Exclusion Act This bill expands sanctions against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The President shall report to Congress regarding: foreign and domestic supply chains that significantly aid the IRGC; Iranian state-owned entities that provide support to terrorist entities, including Mahan Air; and foreign persons owned or controlled by the IRGC, including companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange or companies with a value in excess of $100 million. The bill states that it is U.S. policy to prevent Iran's membership in the World Trade Organization and similar international bodies as long as Iran remains a state sponsor of terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2018
Bipartisan HSA Improvement Act of 2018 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify various requirements for health savings accounts (HSAs). The bill allows: individuals participating in an HSA to receive or be eligible to receive specified items and services at onsite employee clinics and retail health clinics, individuals who are covered by a spouse's health flexible spending arrangement to contribute to an HSA, high deductible health plans that are required for an HSA to include coverage with no deductible for care and prescription medications related to the treatment of medically complex chronic conditions, and HSAs to be used for certain sports and fitness expenses. The bill also: expands the definition of insurance that is permitted under an HSA to include insurance consisting of coverage for excepted benefits (Excepted benefits are not subject to certain requirements under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.), modifies the definition of a dependent to include a child who has not attained the age of 27, and modifies the eligibility rules and other requirements for individuals who also participate in health flexible spending arrangements or health reimbursement arrangements.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2018
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Women's History Month. Recognizes and honors the women and organizations in the United States that have fought for and continue to promote the teaching of women's history.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2018
Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Rewards Act This bill establishes in the Department of the Treasury the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Rewards Program. The program may provide rewards to individuals furnishing information leading to the restraining, seizure, forfeiture, or repatriation of stolen assets linked to foreign government corruption.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2018
Financial Technology Protection Act This bill provides for the investigation of new financial technologies (e.g., digital currencies) and their use in terrorism and other illicit activities. Specifically, the bill: establishes the Independent Financial Technology Task Force, which must report annually on such matters; establishes the FinTech Leadership in Innovation Program to support the development of tools and programs to detect such activities; and directs the Department of the Treasury to provide a reward for a person who provides information regarding terrorist use of digital currencies.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2018
Calls for countries that are party to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction to work to resolve international parental child abduction cases, including by applying the convention retroactively with respect to cases initiated prior to the date on which the countries involved became a party to the convention.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2018
Border and Port Security Act This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), every fiscal year, to hire, train, and assign at least 500 new officers above the level as of September 30 of the immediately preceding fiscal year until the total number of officers equals the requirements identified each year in the Workload Staffing Model developed by the CBP. The CBP shall, every fiscal year, hire, train, and assign specified levels of new agricultural specialists, full-time investigators within its Office of Professional Responsibility, and support staff, including technicians, to perform non-law enforcement administrative functions. In calculating the number of officers needed at each port of entry through the Workload Staffing Model, the Office of Field Operations of the CBP shall: (1) rely on data collected regarding the inspections and other activities conducted at each such port of entry; and (2) consider volume from seasonal surges, other projected changes in commercial and passenger volumes, the most current commercial forecasts, and other relevant information. The bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require CBP's annual report on staffing to include information on how many agricultural specialists are assigned to each field office and port of entry and information concerning the progress made toward meeting officer, agricultural specialist, and support staff hiring targets, while accounting for attrition. The CBP must also report on infrastructure and equipment needed to prevent the illegal transportation of opioids and other drugs through U.S. ports of entry.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2018
Better Access to Technical Training, Learning, and Entrepreneurship for Servicemembers Act or the BATTLE for Servicemembers Act This bill directs the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security to waive additional training under the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) under certain circumstances. The TAP provides information and training to service members and their spouses to assist them in the transition to civilian life by pursuing additional education, finding a job in the public or private sector, or starting their own business. Under the bill, service members must participate in TAP training programs unless they choose to opt out of such programs.
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