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United States · Official source
6,152 records where Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2020
This bill designates the Healing Garden located at 6900 Delta Drive in El Paso, Texas, as the El Paso Community Healing Garden National Memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2020
This resolution remembers the victims, survivors, and the El Paso community on the one-year anniversary of the deadliest attack against Latinos in recent history. The resolution offers condolences and support for everyone impacted by the tragedy. The resolution thanks the first responders and law enforcement for their swift action. The resolution acknowledges the work that remains to combat racism, xenophobia, terrorism, and hate crimes, including by passing legislation to curb gun violence. Finally, the resolution commits to ensuring that another tragedy such as this never happens again.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2020
This resolution confirms that the 2020 presidential election shall be held on November 3, 2020. It recognizes that the United States shall hold elections as constitutionally mandated and legally authorized.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Agricultural Fairs Rescue Act This bill directs the Agricultural Marketing Service of the Department of Agriculture to establish a program to award grants to states or state departments of agriculture to provide support to agricultural fairs for losses sustained by such fairs due to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Grant amounts shall be based on the difference between the average attendance at agricultural fairs in the state for a month occurring in 2019 compared to the corresponding month in 2020. As a condition of receiving a grant, recipients shall agree to (1) prioritize supporting agricultural fairs in the state facing the greatest financial hardship, and (2) use not more than 1% of grant funds for administrative costs incurred in providing support to agricultural fairs.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Merit Systems Protection Board Empowerment Act of 2020 This bill reauthorizes the Merit Systems Protection Board through FY2025 and modifies certain requirements relating to the administration of cases involving whistleblowers. Specifically, it requires cases involving alleged retaliation against whistleblowers to be heard by the board, an administrative law judge, or a designated board employee who has received training regarding the protections afforded whistleblowers under law.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Clean Energy Innovation Funding Act of 2020 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Office of Science, the Office of Electricity, and the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs of the Department of Energy.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Masks for All Act of 2020 This bill provides funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide for the manufacture and distribution of high-quality face masks for every individual in the United States during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. Specifically, the bill directs FEMA to, among other things establish a program to provide three high-quality, reusable face masks to every individual in the United States, including individuals experiencing homelessness and individuals living in group quarters, at no cost, accompanied by specified educational materials; designate face mask pickup sites in each community and provide face masks to each site, allocated according to population, to be distributed to the general public at no cost; consider new designs to create the most comfortable, well-fitting, reusable, and two-way face masks that have adjustable sizing, and if significant improvements in face mask technology are made available, to ensure that such face masks are included in the strategic national stockpile; provide surgical masks and N-95 respirator masks to all individuals working in health care settings in the United States that are experiencing a shortage of such masks, at no cost; and submit to Congress a strategic plan that includes monthly, measurable targets to eliminate shortages and increase domestic production of high-quality masks. The Office of Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall conduct monitoring and oversight of the receipt, disbursement, and use of funds made available under this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act of 2020 This bill authorizes the use of certain foreign assistance funds to provide comprehensive reproductive health care services in developing countries, including abortion services, training, and equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Support Working Families Act of 2020 This bill expands access to pandemic unemployment assistance for individuals with caregiving responsibilities when, due to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), a school or facility is closed or only partially open, care is not available or affordable during the hours of available work, or attending a school or facility presents an unacceptable risk to a child or household.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020
This bill designates the portion of U.S. Route 80 from Selma, Alabama to Montgomery, Alabama, as the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Highway.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020
Save our Stages Act or the SOS Act This bill authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make grants to eligible live venue operators, producers, promoters, or talent representatives to address the economic effects of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic on certain live venues. Specifically, the SBA may make (1) an initial grant of up to $12 million dollars to an eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative; and (2) a supplemental grant that is equal to 50% of the initial grant. An initial grant must be used for costs incurred between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, but a supplemental grant may be used for expenses incurred through June 30, 2021. Such grants shall be used for specified expenses such as payroll costs, rent, utilities, and personal protective equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2020
Paycheck Protection Small Business Forgiveness Act This bill modifies loan forgiveness under the Paycheck Protection Program established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill provides for automatic forgiveness of a paycheck protection loan that is not more than $150,000 if the recipient submits a one-page form. Such form must allow a recipient to submit specified demographc and expenditure information, and certain individuals (e.g., the President, the Vice President, or the head of an executive department) are not eligible for such forgiveness. Further, the bill prohibits any enforcement or other action against a lender relating to loan origination, forgiveness, or guarantee based on the lender's reliance on certifications or documentation submitted by a loan applicant or recipient.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2020
Value in Health Care Act of 2020 This bill makes a series of changes to certain methodologies and components used in the Medicare Shared Savings Program. The program enables accountable care organizations (ACOs) to receive payments for savings stemming from care coordination and management. Among other changes, the bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to increase the shared savings rate for participating ACOs, as specified, and to establish a program that assists ACOs with start-up and operational costs of participation. The bill also extends certain incentive payments for health professionals who participate in eligible alternative payment models.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020
This bill provides FY2020 supplemental appropriations to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program. Under the program, the FCC provides funding for health care providers to purchase telecommunications services, information services, and devices necessary to provide critical connected care services during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. The bill designates the funding as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020
Child Nutrition Relief Act of 2020 This bill extends the authority of the Department of Agriculture to waive certain requirements for the school meal programs due to COVID-19.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020
Stopping COVID Scams Act of 2020 This bill provides the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) authority to prohibit unfair or deceptive commercial practices associated with the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. In prohibiting such practices, the FTC must consider whether the practice (1) involves goods or services explicitly advertised as related to the COVID-19 emergency, (2) involves goods or services for which consumer demand significantly increased shortly before or during the emergency, or (3) relates to the federal or state response to the emergency. The bill further specifies procedures for the FTC and the states to enforce such prohibitions.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2020
No Funds for Apportionment Exclusion Act This bill prohibits using federal funds to carry out the July 21, 2020, presidential memorandum ordering the exclusion of aliens without legal immigration status from being counted for the purposes of apportioning representation in the House of Representatives following the 2020 census.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2020
National Emergency Student Vote Act This bill requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student-aid programs to provide students with additional resources on registering to vote. In addition, IHEs must provide students who are off campus due to a public health emergency with resources on voting by mail (e.g., absentee ballot applications).
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2020
COVID-19 Emergency Telehealth Impact Reporting Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to analyze the impact of expanded Medicare telehealth services that were authorized through emergency waivers related to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. In developing this analysis, HHS must seek input from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, and other stakeholders. Additionally, the final report of the analysis must include conclusions about the impact of telehealth on health care delivery and estimates for Medicare spending on telehealth during the COVID-19 emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2020
COVID-19 Mine Worker Protection Act This bill requires the Department of Labor to promulgate health and safety standards to protect coal miners from occupational exposure to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Labor shall promulgate emergency standards within seven days of this bill's enactment, and such emergency standards shall be in force until permanent standards are established. Labor shall also collect data to track and investigate cases of exposure to COVID-19 among coal miners.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2020
COVID-19 Data Transparency Act This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to standardize reporting by government health departments of COVID-19 data, including information related to hospital admissions, testing, contact tracing, and transmission rates. In addition, the CDC must publicly post and periodically update this information on its website with individually identifiable information excluded.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2020
Protecting Access to Post-COVID–19 Telehealth Act of 2020 This bill modifies requirements relating to coverage of telehealth services under Medicare. Specifically, the bill (1) authorizes the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to generally waive coverage restrictions during national emergencies, (2) allows rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner), (3) removes restrictions that require the originating site (i.e., the location of the beneficiary) to be in a rural area, and (3) allows the home of a beneficiary to serve as the originating site for all services (rather than for only certain services). Additionally, the CMS must report on the utilization of telehealth services specifically during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2020
Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to provide grants and other forms of emergency assistance to certain providers of transportation services that have experienced a significant revenue loss as a direct or indirect result of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Treasury must ensure equal access to the assistance for small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses. As a condition of receipt of assistance, Treasury must require that a provider of transportation services agree to (1) use the funds, on a priority basis, to maintain through December 31, 2020, pay, paid administrative leave, and benefits to all employees after making any adjustments required for retirement or voluntary employee separation; and (2) recall or rehire any employee laid off, furloughed, or terminated because of reduced service as a result of COVID-19, to the extent warranted by increased service levels.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2020
Local Journalism Sustainability Act This bill allows individual and business taxpayers certain tax credits for the support of local newspapers and media. Specifically, individual taxpayers may claim an income tax credit up to $250 for a local newspaper subscription. The bill also allows local newspaper employers a payroll tax credit for wages paid to an employee for service as a journalist and certain small businesses a tax credit for local newspaper and media advertising expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2020
This bill expands the scope of the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry of the Department of Veterans Affairs by including burn pits located in Egypt and Syria under the definition of open burn pits . The registry allows certain veterans and service members to document their exposures and report health concerns related to exposure to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by open burn pits (areas used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment) while serving in certain locations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2020
This bill requires the Department of Defense to include in post-deployment health reassessments a question regarding exposure of service members to open burn pits.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2020
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to report on all research being conducted or funded by DOD to assess the health effects of burn pits. The report must identify challenges to completing such research and must include recommendations to address those challenges.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2020
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide DOD medical providers with mandatory training with respect to the potential health effects of burn pits.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2020
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide budget information regarding incinerators and waste-to-energy waste disposal alternatives to burn pits. DOD must include the information as a dedicated budget line item in the President's FY2022 budget.
United States · United States Congress · 13 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.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2020
This bill provides FY2020 supplemental appropriations to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for maintaining the projected FY2020 and FY2021 levels of operations for immigration adjudication and naturalization services, including maintaining current staffing levels and current contracts at full performance. The bill designates the appropriations as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits. The bill also requires USCIS to add a 10% surcharge to premium processing fees for employment-based petitions and applications until the additional fees collected equal the amount of supplemental appropriations provided by this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2020
Protect Access to Birth Control Act This bill nullifies interim final rules issued by the Department of Labor, the Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Health and Human Services that allow employers with religious or moral objections to be exempt from the requirement that their health insurance plans cover contraceptive services without cost-sharing.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2020
Social Security COVID Correction and Equity Act This bill expands the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) benefits program, temporarily expands the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, and otherwise modifies these programs. Specifically, the bill revises OASDI benefits by (1) modifying funding formulas, (2) extending eligibility for certain benefits, and (3) increasing income thresholds used to determine the percentage of benefits subject to federal income tax. Changes to OASDI funding formulas include (1) increasing the primary insurance amount, (2) establishing new methods to calculate benefits for individuals with lifetime low earnings and for widows and widowers, and (3) modifiying application of the national average wage index to prevent certain reductions to benefits. In addition, children of a deceased, disabled, or retired worker remain eligible for OASDI benefits through age 22 if they are full-time students. Under current law, they receive benefits through age 18. The bill also extends dependent child benefits under the OASDI program to specified family members other than grandparents or step-grandparents, including in cases where a court grants custody of the dependent child to an eligible family member. To receive benefits under current law, either both parents must be disabled or deceased or a grandparent or step-grandparent must legally adopt the dependent child. The bill also temporarily increases income and resource limits for the SSI program, thereby temporarily expanding eligibility. This program helps aged, blind, and disabled individuals with limited income and resources meet their basic needs.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2020
This resolution expresses support for the designation of Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day. (A journeyman lineworker is a person who builds and maintains electrical power systems.)
United States · United States Congress · 6 July 2020
COVID Preparedness, Response, and Effective Planning for Advanced Requirements by the Executive Branch Act or the COVID PREPARE Act This bill requires federal agencies to submit to Congress plans for responding to any resurgence of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, each agency shall submit (1) an initial report detailing an action plan, informed by research and best practices learned from the onset of COVID-19 and previous presidentially declared emergencies, for addressing the needs and mitigating and eliminating the risks and challenges associated with any resurgence in COVID-19 cases; and (2) subsequent reports, on a quarterly basis until the President ends the declared emergency, that update the details submitted in the plan. The initial report shall include agency priorities for preparing for and responding to any resurgence; measurable goals specific to priorities and a time line for addressing each priority; anticipated challenges to addressing priorities and how the agency will address such challenges; how the agency will consult with Congress, the public, state and municipal governments, and relevant stakeholders while working remotely; and how the agency plans to issue relevant guidance to entities under the jurisdiction of the agency.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2020
Flexible Financing for Rural America Act of 2020 This bill allows rural utility service providers to submit to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) a request to adjust the interest rate or modify the terms of certain loans. The request shall include a report summarizing how the adjustment or modification will assist the borrower in providing critical utility services to a rural community. Specifically, on receipt of a request, USDA must adjust the interest rate on the loan to match certain interest rates in effect when the bill is enacted for obligations of comparable maturity to the term remaining on the loan (or a higher rate requested by the borrower), and make modifications to the loan terms as necessary to address changes in the financial position of the borrower due to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency and to promote the financial sustainability of the borrower. In carrying out the adjustments or modifications, USDA shall not impose or collect any fee from, or impose any penalty on, a borrower. The bill also provides funding to implement the adjustments and modifications.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2020
Reviving the Economy Sustainably Towards A Recovery in Twenty-twenty Act or the RESTART Act This bill establishes a loan program whereby the Small Business Administration (SBA) shall guarantee loan amounts to certain businesses affected by COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill requires the SBA to guarantee 100% of program loan amounts made to certain small businesses that have not more than than 5,000 full-time employees. The terms for such loans shall include (1) a maximum duration of not more than seven years; (2) an amount that is not greater than 45% of 2019 gross receipts, up to $12 million; and (3) no payment on principal for the first two years of the loan. A lender that is otherwise approved to make paycheck protection loans may make and approve loans established by the bill, and a recipient may use loan funds for specified allowable expenses including payroll costs, rent, utilities, and personal protective equipment. Such loans may be forgiven up to the amount of total losses incurred by the recipient in the taxable year 2020.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2020
Library Stabilization Fund Act of 2020 This bill establishes and provides funds for a Library Stabilization Fund to assist libraries with responding to and recovering from the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19) pandemic. Specifically, the bill directs the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to allocate funding to states, Indian tribes, and organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians. From these allocated funds, the IMLS must also make emergency library relief grants to state library administrative agencies with approved five-year plans, Indian tribes, and organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians. Additionally, the IMLS must allocate funding to carry out activities that strengthen the ability of libraries to provide services to communities affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The IMLS may enter into arrangements (e.g., grants and contracts) and other forms of assistance with libraries, library consortia and associations, and institutions of higher education to carry out these activities. Funds allocated by the bill may be used to provide support to libraries, such as by supporting general operations; paying staff; purchasing cleaning supplies; training library staff on the safe handling of library materials; providing access to computers and other technology; purchasing digital resources; expanding resources related to early education and literacy, distance learning, and workforce development training; and ensuring access to community services and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2020
Job Creation through Energy Efficient Manufacturing Act This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a Financing Energy Efficient Manufacturing Program that provides grants for energy efficiency improvement projects in the manufacturing sector. The following types of entities are eligible for grants: state energy offices; Native American tribes; nonprofit organizations that focus on providing energy efficiency or renewable energy services and receive funding from states, tribes, or utilities; electric cooperative groups; or entities with a public-private partnership under the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership. The entities that receive grants must then distribute subgrants to certain small- or medium-sized manufacturers (employing no more than 750 employees) located in the same states as the entities. Recipients of subgrants must carry out projects that (1) improve the energy efficiency of the manufacturers, and (2) develop technologies that reduce electricity or natural gas use by the manufacturers. The bill establishes labor requirements for projects that receive grant funding under this bill. In addition, grant projects may only use iron and steel products that are produced in the United States, unless DOE grants a waiver of the requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2020
Bank on Students Coronavirus Emergency Loan Refinancing Act of 2020 This bill establishes refinancing programs for federal and private student loans. Specifically, it allows certain borrowers to refinance their federal student loans down to lower interest rates, and creates the Federal Direct Refinanced Private Loan to allow certain borrowers to refinance their private student loans.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2020
This resolution recognizes the forthcoming centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. The resolution, among other things acknowledges the historical significance of this event as one of the largest single instances of state-sanctioned violence against black people in American history; honors the lives and legacies of the estimated 300 black individuals who were killed during the massacre and the nearly 9,000 who were left homeless and penniless; condemns efforts to cover up the truth and shield the white community, especially government officials, from accountability; condemns the continued legacy of racism and white supremacy against black people in the United States, particularly in the form of police brutality; encourages education about the massacre, the history of white supremacy that fueled the massacre, and subsequent attempts to deny or cover up the massacre, in all elementary and secondary education settings and in institutions of higher education; and recognizes the commitment of Congress to acknowledge and learn from the history of racism and racial violence to reverse the legacy of white supremacy and fight for racial justice.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2020
Congressional Inherent Contempt Resolution This resolution authorizes the House of Representatives to enforce congressional subpoenas by holding noncomplying individuals in contempt and levying monetary penalties against them.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2020
Community Services Block Grant Enhancement Act of 2020 This bill modifies the distribution of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) relief funds with respect to, and temporarily expands eligibility criteria to participate in activities funded by, the Community Services Block Grant. (This grant provides formula-based allotments of federal funds to states, territories, and tribes for anti-poverty activities.) Specifically, the bill exempts funding appropriated for this grant under the CARES Act from a cap on the annual growth of a state's allotment and requires states to distribute COVID-19 relief funding to the local organizations and other eligible entities that carry out block grant activities within specified time frames. In addition, it expands eligibility for programs and activities funded by the block grant to 200% of the federal poverty line (FPL) through FY2022. Under current law, eligibility is set at the FPL, with states authorized to increase eligibility to 125% under certain conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2020
Growing Renewable Energy and Efficiency Now Act of 2020 or the GREEN Act of 2020 This bill provides tax incentives for investment in renewable energy resources and energy efficiency programs. Among other provisions, the bill extends for five years the tax credit for production of electricity from certain renewable resources (e.g., wind facilities, biomass, landfill trash facilities), the election to treat certain tangible property as energy property for purposes of the energy tax credit, and certain provisions of the energy tax credit; expands the energy tax credit to include energy storage technology, waste energy recovery property, and qualified biogas property; extends for two years the tax credit for carbon oxide sequestration; allows elective payments in lieu of certain energy-related tax credits; modifies the phaseout provisions of the income and excise tax credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel and extends the termination date for such credits; extends for five years and increases the tax credit for nonbusiness energy property and the new energy efficient home tax credit; extends for six years the residential energy efficient property tax credit; extends for five years the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings; modifies the limitations on new qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles tax credit and allows a new credit for such vehicles that are previously-owned; allows a new tax credit for zero emission heavy vehicles (vehicles with a gross weight rating of not less than 14,000 pounds and not powered by an internal combustion engine); extends for five years the tax credits for qualified fuel cell motor vehicles and alternative fuel cell refueling property; provides for additional allocations of the advanced energy project tax credit; allows a new tax credit for the labor costs of installing mechanical insulation property; allows a new tax credit to promote environmental justice programs (programs to improve health and economic outcomes of individuals residing in low-income areas or areas populated disproportionately by racial or ethnic minorities); and requires the Department of the Treasury to report on the utility of data from the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program for determining the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by taxpayers for purposes of imposing a fee on them for such emissions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2020
Research Investment to Spark the Economy Act or the RISE Act This bill authorizes the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, the Interior, and Health and Human Services and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Science Foundation, and Environmental Protection Agency to provide support for research regarding COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) or research disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Support under this bill shall be provided through federal science agencies with at least $50 million in basic and applied research obligations in FY2020. Support may be used to provide supplemental funding to extend the duration of a grant to a research institution or national laboratory that was awarded prior to the enactment of this bill, or to expand the purposes of such a grant as specified; provide supplemental funding through existing competitively awarded cooperative agreements and contracts to cover the increased costs of construction of scientific facilities and equipment that have been delayed because of COVID-19; and award grants and cooperative agreements to institutions of higher education to conduct research on the behavioral, social, or economic effects of COVID-19 and the responses to the disease or on the effectiveness of such responses. Agencies must provide the support as rapidly as possible. Provided funds shall remain available for expenditure for up to two years.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2020
Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act This bill establishes measures related to expanding broadband infrastructure and access in unserved and underserved communities. The bill creates the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth, and it provides funding for programs that (1) promote digital equity and broadband capacity building, (2) provide discounts on broadband service for low-income consumers, and (3) subsidize internet services for schools and libraries. The bill establishes specified transparency requirements, such as making federal broadband data available to local governments. It also requires the Federal Communications Commission to expand broadband access for unserved and underserved communities and make the provision of Wi-Fi access on school buses eligible for support under the E-Rate program.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2020
Open Back Better Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide grants to federal and state agencies and tribal organizations to implement building projects that increase resiliency, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and grid integration. It also provides grants for projects that may have combined heat and power and energy storage as project components. States must use at least 40% of grant funds to implement projects in environmental justice communities or low-income communities that have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. No funds may be used for a project unless all of the iron, steel, and manufactured goods used in the project are produced in the United States, with specified exceptions. The bill also directs DOE to hire a specified number of employees to carry out the grant program, including at least 300 full-time employees in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2020
HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization Act of 2020 This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, which provides funds to states and local governments to create affordable housing for low-income individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2020
HOPE for HOMES Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Energy to establish (1) criteria for a HOPE Qualification for contractors to advance their capabilities to efficiently retrofit homes, including a list of courses that meet the criteria and information on how individuals and entities may apply for grants to achieve such qualification; and (2) a Home Energy Savings Retrofit Rebate Program to provide rebates for homeowners to invest in energy efficiency improvements.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2020
Taxpayer Research and Coronavirus Knowledge Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in coordination with specified federal agencies, to compile a public, searchable database of federal contracts, tax benefits, and other support for COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) biomedical research and development, including information regarding the source and amount of such support. HHS must develop the database within one month and update it every two weeks.