United States · United States Congress · 27 November 2018
Strongly condemns Russia's actions against Ukraine in the Kerch Strait, including the attack and seizure of Ukrainian naval ships and sailors. Calls on Russia to release the sailors and ships and to stop its harassment of ships in the strait. Calls on the President to express his administration's opposition to Russia's attack at every opportunity, and affirms the Department of State's declaration that it is U.S. policy to never recognize Russia's attempted annexation of Crimea. Urges the international community to unite in opposition to Russia's actions in the strait.
United States · United States Congress · 27 November 2018
Innovators to Entrepreneurs Act of 2018 This bill amends the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act to require the National Science Foundation (NSF) to provide as an option under the Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Program participation in an I-Corps Teams course by grantees of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program and other entities. The cost of participation by such a grantee in a course may be furnished: through I-Corps Teams grants, through funds awarded to grantees under the SBIR Program or the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program, by the grantor federal agency using funds set aside for the SBIR and STTR Programs, or by the participating teams. The NSF shall develop an I-Corps course, to be offered by I-Corps regional nodes, to support commercialization-ready participants. The course shall support participants that have completed an I-Corps Teams course and participants that have made the decision to market an innovation. The Government Accountability Office shall report on the I-Corps Program, including by assessing the effects of the I-Corps on the commercialization of federally funded research and development, the higher education system, regional economies, and the national economy.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2018
First Step Act This bill amends various provisions of law and sets forth new provisions: to require the Department of Justice to establish and the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to implement a risk and needs assessment system; to modify the computation of good time credit; to allow federal correctional officers to securely store and carry concealed firearms on BOP premises outside the security perimeter of a prison; to limit the use of restraints on federal prisoners who are pregnant or in postpartum recovery; to reduce mandatory minimum prison terms for certain nonviolent repeat drug offenses; to broaden the existing safety valve to permit a sentence below the mandatory minimum for certain nonviolent, cooperative drug offenders with a limited criminal history; to make the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 retroactive; to require prisoners to be placed within 500 miles of their primary residence; to require low-risk prisoners to be placed on home confinement for the maximum amount of time permitted; to reauthorize through FY2022 and modify eligibility for an elderly offender early release pilot program; to require the BOP to help prisoners obtain identification documents prior to release, to incorporate de-escalation procedures into training programs, and to make tampons and sanitary napkins available free of charge; to authorize Federal Prison Industries to sell products to additional markets; to require probation and pretrial services officers to perform court-directed supervision of sex offenders conditionally released from civil commitment; to require the BOP to establish pilot programs on youth mentorship and service to abandoned, rescued, or vulnerable animals; and to limit juvenile solitary confinement.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2018
Reinvigorating American Energy Infrastructure Act This bill expands eligibility for the Department of Energy's loan guarantee program for advanced fossil energy technology projects to include certain high efficiency, low emissions coal-fired power plants.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2018
Saudi Arabia Accountability and Yemen Act of 2018 This bill suspends certain weapons transfers to Saudi Arabia. It also imposes sanctions on individuals for various activities related to the civil war in Yemen and for involvement in the death of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The United States may not authorize transfers to Saudi Arabia of missiles, ammunition, ground vehicles, aircraft, or other weapons that fall within Categories III, IV, VII, or VIII of the U.S. Munitions List. The prohibitions do not apply to ground-based missile defense systems and shall expire September 30, 2020. The United States may not provide in-flight refueling for Saudi coalition aircraft involved in the civil war. (A Saudi-led coalition has been fighting against Ansar Allah, a group in armed conflict with the government of Yemen.) The United States shall impose sanctions on individuals who are blocking the flow of humanitarian goods and services into Yemen or working to undermine the country's stability. This includes sanctions on supporters of Ansar Allah if the United States determines the group has not made meaningful efforts towards peace. This bill amends the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act to impose sanctions on foreign individuals, including any members of the Saudi royal family, who are responsible for or who aided in Khashoggi's death.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2018
Restore the Harmony Way Bridge Act This bill directs the White County Bridge Commission to convey, without consideration, to the New Harmony Bridge Bi-State Commission, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the bridge and the approaches thereto across the Wabash River at or near New Harmony, Indiana, under the jurisdiction of the commission. The Act of April 12, 1941 (creating the commission) is repealed effective on the date that the commission completes such conveyance.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2018
Condemns: (1) the anti-Semitic attack at the Tree of Life synagogue building in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 27, 2018, in which 11 innocent people were killed and 6 were injured, and (2) rising anti-Semitism. Honors the memory of the victims and expresses the hope that their memory may be a blessing to their families and community. Reaffirms the commitment of the United States to condemn anti-Semitism, protect the right of people in the United States to freely exercise their religious beliefs, and ensure their safety and security.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2018
Delivering Outcomes for American Workers Act This bill directs the Department of Labor to (1) establish and carry out a pay-for-performance workforce development program for eligible entities, including states and Indian tribes; and (2) issue guidance, at least annually, specifying long-term employment-related goals for projects carried out under the program.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2018
Innovation Zone Act This bill replaces the Experimental Sites Initiative of the Department of Education (ED) with an innovation zone initiative consisting of voluntary experiments by participating institutions of higher education. Under the experiments, ED and the institutions may test the effectiveness of statutory and regulatory flexibility that aims for: (1) an increase in student success (e.g., reductions in student loan debt and increases in student retention and employment outcomes); and (2) a reduction of regulations on institutions or ED, without harm to students.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2018
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Retirement Security Week and acknowledges the need to raise public awareness of a variety of tax-preferred retirement vehicles.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2018
Get the Lead Out of Assisted Housing Act of 2018 This bill addresses the removal of lead from drinking water in federally assisted housing. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to require specified testing and remediation with respect to water service lines containing lead; authorizes HUD to inspect all sources of lead contamination in federally assisted housing and to mitigate sources of lead exposure; establishes a grant program for states and local governments to create inventories of water service lines containing lead and to test for lead in the drinking water at child care facilities, schools, and public water fountains; and allows recipients of certain HUD assistance to use such assistance to replace water fixtures and service lines containing lead.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2018
PEPFAR Extension Act of 2018 This bill amends the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 to extend certain provisions related to the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a U.S. governmental initiative addressing the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. Specifically, the bill extends through FY2023 provisions that: require the Inspectors General of the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for Global Media, jointly with the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Agency for International Development, to coordinate and conduct oversight of PEPFAR programs; limit U.S. contributions to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to 33% of funds contributed from all sources; require that certain fund contributions be withheld under specified circumstances; require that at least half of the PEPFAR budget be allocated for specified HIV/AIDS treatment and care; and require that at least 10% of such budget be expended for assistance to orphans and other children. The bill also extends through FY2024 annual reporting requirements relating to HIV/AIDS treatment providers and costs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2018
Designates September 2018 as National Workforce Development Month. Expresses support for federal initiatives to promote workforce development. Acknowledges that workforce development plays a crucial role in supporting workers and growing the economy.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2018
Calls for the release of imprisoned journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, and expresses concern about the crackdown by Burma (Myanmar) on journalists and freedom of the press. Calls on the President and the Department of State to engage with the government of Burma regarding these issues.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2018
Supports renaming the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, after Senator John McCain in recognition of his long support for NATO.
United States · United States Congress · 28 August 2018
National Airmail Museum Act This bill designates the airmail museum located at Smith Field in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as the "National Airmail Museum."
United States · United States Congress · 27 August 2018
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable John Sidney McCain, III, a Senator from Arizona. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on August 27, 2018, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the deceased Senator.
United States · United States Congress · 23 August 2018
Eastern Legacy Extension Act This bill extends the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail by 1,200 miles from Wood River, Illinois, to the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 2018
Global Fragility and Violence Reduction Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development to submit to Congress: (1) a 10-year Global Initiative to Reduce Fragility and Violence aimed at reducing and addressing the causes of violence, instability, and fragility in at least six priority countries; and (2) a related implementing strategy. Funds made available in any Act making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for priority countries may be used to support this initiative and individual priority country plans. The Government Accountability Office shall review U.S. assistance activities in each priority country.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 2018
Synthetic Drug Awareness Act of 2018 This bill requires the Surgeon General to report to Congress on the health effects of new psychoactive substances (e.g., synthetic marijuana), specifically those used since January 2010 by individuals who are 12 to 18 years old.
United States · United States Congress · 16 August 2018
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Paul Laxalt, former Member of the Senate. Extends deepest condolences and gratitude to his family. Honors Paul Laxalt's legacy, life, service to the Senate, and commitment to the people of Nevada and the United States. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on August 16, 2018, it stands adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Paul Laxalt.
United States · United States Congress · 16 August 2018
Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy Act or the DRIVE-Safe Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation to promulgate regulations to implement an apprenticeship program for licensed commercial motor vehicle drivers under the age of 21.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2018
Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of: one Congressional Gold Medal to Katherine Johnson, in recognition of her service to the United States as a mathematician; one Congressional Gold Medal to Dr. Christine Darden, for her service to the United States as an aeronautical engineer; and two Congressional Gold Medals in commemoration of the lives of Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, in recognition of their service to the United States during the Space Race.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Fund for Innovation and Success in Higher Education Act or the FINISH Act This bill provides support for increasing access to higher education for high-need students, increasing their graduation rates, improving the efficiency of postsecondary education, and evaluating higher education programs.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2018
Sanction Terrorist Operations Using Human Shields Act of 2018 or the STOP Using Human Shields Act This bill provides for the imposition of sanctions on members of foreign terrorist organizations, including Hamas and Hizballah, and other foreign persons, agencies, or instrumentalities of foreign states with regard to use of civilians, other specially protected persons, or specially protected property to shield lawful targets from attack or to deliberately cause casualties to such persons or the destruction to such property during an armed conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2018
Task Force on the Impact of the Affordable Housing Crisis Act of 2018 This bill establishes the Task Force on the Impact of the Affordable Housing Crisis and requires the task force to make recommendations on how to use affordable housing to improve the effectiveness of federal programs and improve life outcomes.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2018
Retirement Security Flexibility Act of 2018 This bill modifies the nondiscrimination requirements that apply to certain employer-sponsored 401(k) retirement plans that include automatic contribution arrangements.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2018
Refund to Rainy Day Savings Act This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to establish and implement a Refund to Rainy Day Savings Program to permit a taxpayer to defer payment on 20% of a tax refund to be deposited into a Treasury account, accumulate interest, and disbursed to the taxpayer in six months. The bill also amends the Assets for Independence Act to reauthorize the Assets for Independence (AFI) federal matched savings program through FY2023 and require appropriations for the program to be reserved for: general research and evaluation, grants for AFI innovation projects to expand the availability of matched savings accounts to low-income individuals, and a three-year pilot program to evaluate savings matches for low-income taxpayers. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must establish a three-year matched savings account pilot program to encourage savings by low-income taxpayers. Under the program, HHS may provide grants to qualified entities to match funds saved by low-income taxpayers under the Refund to Rainy Day Savings Program. Qualified entities for the pilot program include: nonprofit organizations, state or local government agencies or tribal governments applying with a nonprofit organization, sites that offer free tax assistance under certain Internal Revenue Service programs, and low-income credit unions and community development financial institutions that work with a local community-based organization to address poverty and the needs of community members for economic independence and stability. HHS must: (1) contract with an independent research organization to evaluate the pilot program, and (2) report annually to Congress on the progress and outcomes of the pilot program.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2018
Strengthening Financial Security Through Short-Term Savings Accounts Act of 2018 This bill allows employers to enroll employees in short-term savings accounts that are funded using automatic contributions deducted from participating employees' wages. For each pay period, the employer must transfer to the account an amount equal to the percentage of the employee's compensation or a fixed amount, as determined by the employer. Employees may elect to adjust, stop, or pause their contributions. The balance in an account may not exceed $10,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) and must be made readily available to the employee at any time.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2018
Commemorates the lives, careers, and service of the five victims of the Capital Gazette shooting in Annapolis, Maryland. Honors the survivors of the attack and the families of the victims and pledges continued support for their recovery. Thanks law enforcement officers and other emergency first responders for their heroic actions. Reaffirms the commitment of the Senate to defending the first amendment of the Constitution of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2018
Reaffirms the commitment of the United States to the collective defense of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and urges members to work together at the upcoming 2018 NATO summit to meet urgent security threats.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2018
Growing American Food Exports Act of 2018 This bill amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to reauthorize through FY2023 and modify the Department of Agriculture Biotechnology and Agricultural Trade Program. The purpose of the program is to remove, resolve, or mitigate significant regulatory nontariff barriers to the export of U.S. agricultural commodities into foreign markets through policy advocacy and certain targeted projects.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2018
Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to extend protective custody over alien children under age 18 who are accompanied by a parent and apprehended at the border or are seeking admission to the United States at a port of entry. DHS must temporarily house an alien child under age 18 in a family residential center during the pendency of civil or criminal proceedings. DHS must increase the number of available beds in family residential centers. The Department of Justice must increase the number of immigration judge teams to conduct prioritized proceedings for accompanied alien children and families apprehended at the southwest border or who are seeking admission to the United States at a port of entry.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2018
Protect Kids and Parents Act This bill requires that a child of alien parents or legal guardians who are asylum applicants must be detained in the same facility. A "child" is defined as an individual who has not reached the age of 18, has no permanent immigration status, and was in the custody and presence of a parent or legal guardian when the parent or legal guardian was detained for illegally entering the United States. The bill also: directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to increase the total number of immigration judges and Board of Immigration staff attorneys; directs Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to increase the total number of DHS personnel who process asylum applications; requires DOJ and DHS to establish procedures for expedited consideration and processing of asylum applications; requires expedited removal of asylum applicants whose applications have been denied; establishes a strong presumption in favor of family unity; requires DHS to publish guidance for locating separated children; and requires the Government Accountability Office to study, and report on, the prosecution of asylum seekers between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2018.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2018
Supporting Useful Career Counseling in Elementary and Secondary Schools (SUCCESS) Act of 2018 This bill amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to direct the Department of Education (ED) to award competitive grants to enable institutions of higher education or other entities that provide state-recognized elementary and secondary school counseling credentials to: consult with state or local boards to assess local and regional employment needs and trends; develop best practices for training school counselors to provide career counseling based on those trends; and implement curricula, training modules, or materials to train school counselors based on those best practices. ED shall publish and disseminate the best practices. The Government Accountability Office shall report on school counselor certification requirements and the impact of those requirements on the availability of effective career counseling.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2018
Designates June 19, 2018, as Juneteenth Independence Day. Recognizes the historical significance and supports the continued celebration of Juneteenth Independence Day, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2018
Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2018 This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to delay until 2021 the reimposition of the annual fee on certain health insurance providers based on market share. Under current law, the fee is suspended for 2019 and is scheduled to be reimposed in 2020.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2018
Apprenticeship Hubs Across America Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Labor to establish and carry out a program to award grants to workforce intermediaries (certain entities that facilitate the establishment of registered apprenticeship programs) to enable them to engage a variety of stakeholders, such as local boards, secondary schools, institutions of higher education, and employers, to support, develop, and implement registered apprenticeship programs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2018
Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Reauthorization Act of 2018 or the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2018 This bill reauthorizes through FY 2023 and revises the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Act. Among other changes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must publish its research report on its website. Additionally, the bill amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize certain educational programs about preterm birth to also include information relating to substance-use disorders, depression, and immunization.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2018
Using Data To Help Protect Children and Families Act This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants for predictive analytics pilot programs that develop strategies for risk and safety assessments relating to child abuse and neglect.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2018
Dr. Todd Graham Pain Management Improvement Act of 2018 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to publish a report on whether Medicare payments, coverage, and coding policies for non-opioid pain management treatments should be revised. The report must include an analysis of pain management and prescribing guidelines, access to non-opioid treatments, and the effect of any recommended changes on Medicare and enrollee opioid addiction.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018
Victims of Child Abuse Act Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Sec. 2) This bill reauthorizes for FY2019-FY2023 grants for local and regional children's advocacy centers (CACs), as well as for technical assistance and training. CACs coordinate a multidisciplinary response to child abuse. The bill adds a new finding specifying the need for state chapters of CAC networks (1) to help local communities coordinate their multidisciplinary services, and (2) to provide oversight of, and training and technical assistance in, the effective delivery of evidence-informed programming. It modifies grants for regional CACs, including to add, as a new program objective, collaboration with state chapters; and to require regional CACs to assist local CACs, multidisciplinary teams, and state chapters, in addition to communities. It also modifies grants for local CACs, including to add, as a new grant purpose, promoting the effective delivery of the evidence-informed Children's Advocacy Model and the multidisciplinary response to child abuse; to allow grants to support direct services for victims of human trafficking, in addition to victims of child pornography; and to require a portion of grants to be distributed to state chapters. The Department of Justice must report annually on efforts to monitor and evaluate the program activities of regional CACs and the extent to which both urban and rural populations are served by the regional CAC program. (Sec. 3) The bill provides immunity from civil and criminal liability under federal, state, and local law for people who make good-faith reports of child abuse or neglect or who provide related information or assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018
Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Demonstration Act of 2018 This bill authorizes the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to implement a mobility demonstration program to enable public housing agencies to administer housing-choice rental-assistance vouchers in a manner designed to (1) encourage low-income families receiving such assistance to move to lower-poverty areas, and (2) expand access to opportunity areas. HUD shall require public housing agencies applying to participate in the program to submit a specified Regional Housing Mobility Plan.
![Official portrait of Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/y000064_200.jpg)