United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019
Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish standards for facilities holding aliens in its custody, phases out using non-DHS facilities for such purposes, and contains other related provisions. The standards shall comply with the American Bar Association's Civil Immigration Detention Standards. The DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) shall conduct periodic unannounced inspections of each facility and shall take various actions against noncompliant facilities, including imposing fines, cancelling contracts, and closing facilities. DHS shall report to Congress any death of an alien in its custody within 24 hours and conduct an investigation within 30 days that identifies policy changes that could reduce the likelihood of such a death. DHS is prohibited from entering into contracts for third parties to operate detention facilities and shall terminate existing contracts within three years of the bill's enactment. The bill establishes that OIG facility inspection reports and contracts for an outside entity to operate a detention facility are records available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act. DHS shall maintain certain information relating to detained aliens, including the alien's location and whether the alien was separated from family. The bill provides for various requirements and procedures related to detaining aliens, including (1) prohibiting DHS from detaining children, (2) imposing a presumption that an alien should be released, and (3) establishing that aliens in custody shall be subject to the least restrictive conditions. The bill also abolishes mandatory detention for asylum seekers.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019
Tobacco to 21 Act This bill prohibits the sale of tobacco products to (1) anyone under the age of 21, or (2) anyone under the age of 30 without photo identification of the purchaser's age. The Food and Drug Administration must enforce this prohibition by, for example, conducting undercover compliance checks, performing retailer inspections, and initiating enforcement actions for noncompliance. The bill establishes penalties for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2019
This resolution urges (1) the President to issue a proclamation recognizing Earth Day, consistent with the practice of the previous administration; and (2) governments and people to continue building upon the Paris Agreement and other efforts to ensure that future generations inherit a livable, sustainable, and ecologically rich planet. In addition, it encourages the American people to mark Earth Day by working to address environmental challenges, educate others about the need for year-round action, and honor the stewardship ethic for which Senator Gaylord Nelson stood.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2019
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that only a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can ensure Israel's survival as a secure Jewish and democratic state and fulfill the legitimate aspirations for a Palestinian state. It also expresses the sense that any U.S. proposals that fail to expressly endorse a two-state solution will likely put a peaceful end to the conflict further out of reach.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2019
Renewable Energy for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Act This bill addresses renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy storage in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Specifically, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must establish a grant program under which USDA may award grants for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency activities, energy storage, smart grids, or microgrids. In addition, USDA may award grants to train residents of Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands to develop, construct, maintain, or operate renewable energy systems. The Department of Energy must ensure that its national laboratories offer to provide technical assistance to grant recipients. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on renewable energy and energy efficiency in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2019
Regulatory Oversight Barring Obnoxious Calls and Texts Act of 2019 or the ROBO Calls and Texts Act of 2019 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a Robocall Division within the Enforcement Bureau. The Robocall Division shall be tasked with (1) ensuring consumer protection and compliance with federal laws relating to robocalls; (2) serving as a line of communication between the federal government and the communications industry, as well as between the FCC and related federal agencies, to coordinate efforts to eliminate robocalls; and (3) managing and addressing consumer complaints regarding robocalls. Additionally, the bill requires the FCC to compel telecommunications providers to adopt technological standards for preventing robocalls.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2019
House Intern Pay Act of 2019 This bill addresses the compensation of interns for Members of the House of Representatives. The bill modifies a capped allowance for compensating interns who serve in the offices of Members of the House during a calendar year. The Committee on House Administration must establish an equivalent allowance for each Member's office for that purpose. An unused portion of the allowance may be reallocated to another Member's office, depending on specified circumstances. Furthermore, the bill requires that the hourly rate for interns be at least $15 per hour for the first year and provides for inflationary adjustments in subsequent years.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2019
Protecting Airport Communities from Particle Emissions Act This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration to contract the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a national study on the characteristics, distributions, sources, and potential health effects of airborne ultrafine particles.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2019
Climate Change Education Act This bill declares that the evidence for human-induced climate change is overwhelming and undeniable. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must establish a Climate Change Education Program to increase the climate literacy of the United States by broadening the understanding of human-induced climate change, including possible consequences and potential solutions; apply the latest scientific and technological discoveries to provide learning opportunities to people of all ages; and help people understand and promote implementation of new technologies, programs, and incentives related to climate change, climate adaptation and mitigation, and climate resilience. NOAA must also establish a grant program for climate change education.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2019
Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, known as the "Ghost Army," collectively, in recognition of its service during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2019
Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 This bill revises regulations related to the safety, sale, and advertisement of tobacco products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes, e-hookah, e-cigars, and vape pens). Among other requirements, the bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement regulations that require color graphics depicting the negative health consequences of smoking on the labeling of cigarette packages; requires the FDA to apply regulations on tobacco products to all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes; raises the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products to age 21, and makes it unlawful to market, advertise, or promote any electronic nicotine delivery system to individuals under such age; prohibits the retail online sale of tobacco products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems; prohibits the use of flavored products in an electronic nicotine delivery system, except in specified circumstances; increases the user fees that the FDA collects from manufacturers and importers; and directs the FDA to regulate products containing synthetic nicotine (not made or derived from tobacco).
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2019
Family Farmer Relief Act of 2019 This bill increases the aggregate debt limit for a family farmer who files for bankruptcy under chapter 12 (family farmer or fisherman reorganization).
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2019
This resolution affirms that the U.S.-Israel economic partnership has benefitted both countries and is a foundational component of the strong alliance. The resolution recognizes that science and technology innovation present promising new frontiers for U.S.-Israel economic cooperation, particularly in light of widespread drought, cybersecurity attacks, and other major challenges impacting the United States. It also encourages the President to regularize and expand forums of economic dialogue with Israel and foster public and private sector participation. The resolution supports the exploration of new agreements with Israel, including in the fields of energy, water, agriculture, medicine, neurotechnology, and cybersecurity.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2019
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that all briefings held by the President or federal agencies should be made available to the press, with certain exceptions.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2019
Community Health Investment, Modernization, and Excellence Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 the Community Health Center Fund, which provides enhanced funding for community health centers and the National Health Service Corps.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2019
Anti-Lunch Shaming Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the stigmatization of a child who is unable to pay for meals provided by schools under the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program. The bill applies to a child who either does not have funds to pay for a meal or has outstanding credit that was extended by a school food authority (SFA). A SFA may not permit public identification or stigmatization of the child, such as by requiring a wristband or hand stamp. The child also may not be required to (1) perform chores or activities that are not required of students generally, or (2) dispose of food after it has been served to the child. Any communication related to outstanding credit must be directed to the child's parent or guardian. A child may be required to deliver a letter regarding outstanding credit that is addressed to a parent or guardian if the letter is not distributed to the child in a manner that stigmatizes the child. The bill also expresses the sense of Congress regarding several issues regarding the administration of the school meal programs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019
Concentrating on High-value Alzheimer's Needs to Get to an End Act of 2019 or the CHANGE Act of 2019 This bill modifies the requirements under Medicare for diagnosing and treating Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive impairments in older adults. Specifically, the bill expands the cognitive impairment detection benefit during annual wellness visits to require the use of validated detection tools and documentation of the results in the patient's medical record. Further, when a cognitive impairment is detected, the patient must be referred to an appropriate diagnostic service provider and other specified supports. Additionally, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services must implement Medicare policies that increase the identification and response to patients' Alzheimer's disease risk factors and incentivize providers to utilize high-quality cognitive impairment diagnosis practices. The Government Accountability Office also must conduct a study of policies that may accelerate progress in Alzheimer's disease research and enhance the quality of care for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019
Safe Step Act This bill requires a group health plan to establish an exception to medication step-therapy protocol in specified cases. A medication step-therapy protocol establishes a specific sequence in which prescription drugs are covered by a group health plan or a health insurance issuer. A request for such an exception to the protocol must be granted if (1) the treatment is expected to be ineffective, (2) the treatment will cause or is likely to cause an adverse reaction to the individual, (3) the treatment is expected to decrease the individual's ability either to perform daily activities or occupational responsibilities or adhere to the treatment plan, (4) the individual is stable based on the prescription drugs already selected, or (5) there are other medical reasons that warrant withholding the treatment. The bill requires a group health plan to implement and make readily available a clear process for an individual to request an exception to the protocol. Requests must be granted no later than three days after receipt of the request. In certain cases where the life, health, and ability of the individual are jeopardized by the protocol, the request shall be granted no later than 24 hours after receipt of the request.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019
Conserving Ecosystems by Ceasing the Importation of Large Animal Trophies Act or the CECIL Act This bill addresses international wildlife conservation efforts and trophy hunting. Specifically, this bill restricts (1) the importation or exportation of species that have been proposed to be listed as threatened or endangered species, or (2) the importation of a sport-hunted trophy of a threatened species or endangered species. In addition, the bill abolishes the International Wildlife Conservation Council of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Finally, the Government Accountability Office must study the effectiveness of trophy hunting in supporting international wildlife conservation efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019
Bear Protection Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the import, export, and commerce of bear viscera or related products except for limited acts carried out solely to enforce wildlife protection laws.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019
Homeless Veterans with Children Reintegration Act This bill directs the Department of Labor to give homeless veterans with dependent children service priority under homeless veterans reintegration programs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019
National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants Act or the NO BAN Act This bill imposes limitations on the President's authority to suspend or restrict aliens from entering the United States and terminates certain presidential actions implementing such restrictions. It also prohibits religious discrimination in various immigration-related decisions, such as whether to issue an immigrant or non-immigrant visa, with certain exceptions. The President may temporarily restrict the entry of any aliens or class of aliens after the Department of State determines that the restriction would address specific acts that threaten U.S. interests such as security or public safety. The bill also imposes limitations on such restrictions, such as requiring the President, State Department, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide specific evidence of a need for the restriction, and to narrowly tailor the restriction to meet a compelling government interest. Before imposing a restriction, the President, State Department, and DHS shall consult with Congress. The State Department and DHS shall report to Congress about the restriction within 48 hours of the restriction's imposition, with regular updates. If such reports are not made, the restriction shall immediately terminate.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019
Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act This bill sets forth provisions concerning the restoration, economic development, and conservation of, and recreational access to, certain public lands in Northern California. The bill establishes the South Fork Trinity-Mad River Restoration Area, the Northwest California Public Lands Remediation Partnership, the Trinity Lake and Del Norte County visitor centers, the Horse Mountain Special Management Area, the Elk Camp Ridge National Recreation Trail, and the Sanhedrin Conservation Management Area. The bill designates specified federal lands as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, the North Fork Wilderness as the North Fork Eel River Wilderness, specified federal lands as potential wilderness areas, and specified segments of certain rivers and creeks and of a specified river estuary as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Also, the bill authorizes the utilization of certain forest residues for research and development of bio-based products that result in net carbon sequestration; authorizes initiatives to restore degraded redwood forest ecosystems in the Redwood National Forest and state parks; requires studies concerning certain visitor accommodations and recreational trails in the Six Rivers, Shasta-Trinity, and Mendocino National Forests, as applicable; authorizes partnerships for trail and campground maintenance, public education, visitor contacts, and visitor center staffing on federal lands in Mendocino, Humboldt, Trinity, and Del Norte Counties; and adjusts the boundaries of the Elkhorn Ridge Wilderness.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019
San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act This bill establishes the San Gabriel National Recreation Area in California as a unit of the National Park System, consisting of 51,107 acres of federal lands and interests in land. The Department of the Interior must (1) cooperate with the Department of Defense (DOD) to develop opportunities for the management of the federal lands under DOD jurisdiction that are included within the recreation area, (2) create a comprehensive management plan for the recreation area, and (3) develop an integrated visitor services plan for the recreation area. The bill establishes (1) the San Gabriel National Recreation Area Public Advisory Council to advise Interior on the development and implementation of the management plan and the visitor services plan, and (2) the San Gabriel National Recreation Area Partnership to coordinate activities of governmental and private entities in advancing the purposes of this bill and to improve management and recreational opportunities within the recreation area. The Department of Agriculture must modify the boundaries of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument in California to include 109,143 acres of additional, identified National Forest System lands and administer those lands as part of the monument. The bill designates (1) specified areas as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, and (2) specified river and creek segments as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019
Central Coast Heritage Protection Act This bill designates specified land within the Bakersfield Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management and in the Los Padres National Forest in California as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, and as the Black Mountain Scenic Area. The bill designates certain land in the Los Padres National Forest as the Machesna Mountain Potential Wilderness Area, to be incorporated into the Machesna Mountain Wilderness Area; the Fox Mountain Potential Wilderness Area, to be incorporated into the San Rafael Wilderness; the Condor Ridge Scenic Area; and the Condor National Scenic Trail. The bill also designates specified segments of the Indian, Mono, Matilija, Sespe, and Piru Creeks and Sisquoc River in California as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System and requires studies of new trails for recreation opportunities in California. Indian tribes shall be assured access to the wilderness areas, scenic areas, and potential wilderness areas designated by this bill for traditional cultural and religious purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019
Helping Homeless Veterans Act of 2019 This bill permanently extends the following Department of Veterans Affairs programs and services: homeless veterans reintegration programs, referral and counseling services for veterans at risk of homelessness who are transitioning from certain institutions (including penal institutions), financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing, a grant program for homeless veterans with special needs, treatment and rehabilitation for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans, housing assistance for homeless veterans, and the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019
Helping Ensure Life- and Limb-Saving Access to Podiatric Physicians Act or the HELLPP Act This bill adds podiatrists as covered physicians under the Medicaid program. Additionally, the bill revises certain documentation requirements related to Medicare coverage of therapeutic shoes for individuals with diabetes. Finally, the bill subjects payments made to a Medicaid provider or supplier to a continuing levy for federal taxes owed by the provider or supplier.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019
Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct an interagency review of the status of women and lung cancer. The review must report on the status of existing research and current knowledge gaps; identify new opportunities for collaborative research to determine the causes of lung cancer and advance prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment; and provide recommendations for a national cancer screening strategy and public education campaign.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019
Driving America Forward Act This bill expands the tax credit for new plug-in electric drive motor vehicles and extends the tax credit for new fuel cell motor vehicles. (Under current law, taxpayers who purchase a qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicle are eligible for a tax credit of up to $7,500, which begins to phase out once a manufacturer sells 200,000 qualified vehicles.) The bill allows an additional 400,000 vehicles per manufacturer to be eligible for a credit of up to $7,000 before the credit begins to phase out. The bill also extends the tax credit for fuel cell motor vehicles through 2028. (Under current law, the credit expired after 2017.)
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019
Global Health Security Act of 2019 This bill directs the President to create the Global Health Security Agenda Interagency Review Council to implement the Global Health Security Agenda, an initiative launched by nearly 30 nations to address global infectious disease threats. The council's responsibilities include (1) providing policy recommendations on agenda-related goals, objectives, and implementation; (2) helping federal agencies with implementation; and (3) reviewing the progress and challenges in achieving U.S. commitments, including assistance to help other countries meet agenda targets. The bill also directs the federal agencies involved with the agenda to prioritize its implementation and to take certain steps to achieve that goal.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019
Keeping Girls in School Act This bill authorizes the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to enter into acquisition, assistance, or financing agreements to address societal, cultural, health, and other barriers that adolescent girls face in accessing quality secondary education. The USAID shall seek to ensure that such activities meet various requirements related to monitoring and evaluating outcomes, collecting data, and adhering to gender-equality promotion policies. The Department of State shall periodically update and report to Congress a publicly available U.S. global strategy to empower adolescent girls. The U.S. Global Strategy to Empower Adolescent Girls, issued in March 2016, may serve as the initial version of the strategy. The USAID shall periodically report to Congress on the activities initiated under this bill and efforts to monitor and evaluate such activities.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019
Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2019 This bill withdraws any federal lands and interests that are within the boundaries of the Chaco Cultural Heritage Withdrawal Area and any land or interest located in such area which is acquired by the United States after enactment of this bill from entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws; location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, and geothermal leasing laws. The Department of the Interior may convey the federal lands to, or exchange such lands with, an Indian tribe in accordance with an approved resource management plan. Certain oil and gas leases for federal lands on which drilling options have not started before the end of the primary term of the applicable lease and that are not producing oil or gas in paying quantities must terminate by operation of law pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act and federal regulations, and may not be extended by Interior. Any portion of federal land subject to such a lease that has been terminated, relinquished, or acquired by the United States shall also be withdrawn as described above.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019
Protecting United States Businesses Abroad Act This bill authorizes the President to impose visa-blocking sanctions on foreign individuals or entities that engage in certain forms of corruption, expropriation, or extortion to the detriment of a U.S. person or entity that has made an investment in a foreign country. Some of the actions subject to sanctions include (1) using state authority to extort payments from or intimidate such a U.S. investor, (2) expropriating the assets of a U.S. investor without just compensation, and (3) engaging in extortion or threatening force against a U.S. investor. The President shall report to Congress on sanctions imposed under this bill. The Department of State shall develop and report to Congress a strategy to coordinate U.S. government efforts to protect such U.S. investors from corruption.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019
Guaranteed Refugee Admission Ceiling Enhancement Act or the GRACE Act This bill establishes that the maximum number of refugees admitted each fiscal year shall be no less than 95,000 and that the maximum number shall be treated as the numerical goal for refugee admissions for the applicable fiscal year. The President may set a higher number if it is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest. Currently, the number admitted each fiscal year may not exceed 50,000 unless the President determines that a higher number is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest. The bill directs the President to take into consideration information from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees when establishing the maximum admission number and making certain other related decisions. The President shall report to Congress quarterly on (1) the number of refugees admitted during the preceding quarter, (2) the number of aliens who were security-cleared during the preceding quarter, (3) a plan to reach the numerical goal for admitted refugees for that fiscal year, and (4) other related information.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019
Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination in the Workplace Act or the BE HEARD in the Workplace Act This bill sets forth provisions to prevent discrimination and harassment in the workplace and raises the minimum wage for tipped employees. Specifically, the bill (1) makes it an unlawful employment practice to discriminate against an individual in the workplace based on sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth, a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, and a sex stereotype; (2) prohibits employers from entering into contracts or agreements with workers that contain certain nondisparagement or nondisclosure clauses; (3) prohibits predispute arbitration agreements and postdispute agreements with certain exceptions, and (4) establishes grant programs to prevent and respond to workplace discrimination and harassment, provide legal assistance for low-income workers related to employment discrimination, and establish a system of legal advocacy in states to protect the rights of workers. Additionally, the bill, among other things requires employers who have 15 or more employees to adopt a comprehensive nondiscrimination policy; requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to provide specified training and resource materials, establish and convene a harassment prevention task force, and establish an Office of Education and Outreach with regard to prohibited discrimination and harassment in employment; requires specified studies, reports, and research on prohibited harassment in employment; and grants employees the right to retain their tips.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019
Green Bus Act of 2019 This bill requires all buses purchased or leased with Federal Transit Administration funds to be zero-emission beginning on October 1, 2029. The Department of Transportation (DOT) must issue an annual best practices report on zero-emission bus programs to help states and transit agencies implement zero-emission bus fleets. The bill reauthorizes through FY2029 specific programs related to low or no emission vehicles and components. DOT must give preference in awarding grants under the low or no emission program to transit agencies who have completed a full fleet transition plan.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019
Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act This bill exempts individuals with metastatic breast cancer from certain waiting periods for disability insurance benefits under the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program and related Medicare coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019
Revitalizing Underdeveloped Rural Areas and Lands Act of 2019 or the RURAL Act of 2019 This bill modifies the definition of income used to determine the tax-exempt status of a mutual or cooperative telephone or electric company to exclude certain government grants, contributions, and assistance. Specifically, the bill excludes from income (1) grants, contributions, and assistance provided under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act or by local, state, or regional governmental entities for disasters or emergencies; and (2) certain grants or contributions provided by a government entity for electric, communications, broadband, internet, or other utility facilities or services.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2019
This resolution states that it is U.S. policy to (1) commemorate the Armenian Genocide, the killing of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923; (2) reject efforts to associate the U.S. government with efforts to deny the existence of the Armenian Genocide or any genocide; and (3) encourage education and public understanding about the Armenian Genocide.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2019
Global Fragility Act This bill directs the Department of State to establish the interagency Global Fragility Initiative to stabilize conflict-affected areas and prevent violence globally, and establishes funds to support such efforts. The State Department shall devise a plan for the initiative, including its organizational structure and goals. The State Department shall lead in foreign policy, diplomatic, and political efforts. The U.S. Agency for International Development shall lead in development, humanitarian, and non-security policies. Other departments and agencies, including the Department of Defense, shall provide support as necessary. The State Department shall select priority countries and regions that are particularly at risk, and report to Congress 10-year plans for each. Each plan shall include information including descriptions of goals, plans for reaching such goals, and benchmarks for measuring progress. The State Department shall report to Congress every two years about the initiative's progress. The Government Accountability Office shall consult Congress every two years about opportunities to assess the initiative and recommend improvements. The bill creates the Stabilization and Prevention Fund to support efforts to stabilize conflict-affected areas, including areas at risk from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or other terrorist organizations. The bill establishes the Complex Crises Fund to support programs to address emerging, unforeseen, or complex challenges abroad.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States Act or the STATES Act This bill eliminates regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act for certain marijuana-related activities that comply with state or tribal law. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to study and report on the effects of marijuana legalization on traffic safety.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Preventing Opportunities for Teen E-Cigarette and Tobacco Addiction Act or the PROTECT Act This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to implement a campaign to reduce and prevent the use of electronic cigarettes and emerging tobacco products among youth and young adults. As part of this process, the CDC must conduct research about the types and patterns of use of such products and the corresponding health impacts of their use. The CDC also must provide grants to state agencies, local health departments, and nonprofits to further reduce the use of electronic cigarettes among young people.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Access Technology Affordability Act of 2019 This bill allows a refundable tax credit equal to the amounts paid for qualified access technology for use by a blind individual who is the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, or a dependent of the taxpayer. "Qualified access technology" is hardware, software, or other information technology with the primary function of converting or adapting information that is visually represented into forms or formats useable by blind individuals. The credit is limited to (1) costs that are not compensated by insurance or otherwise, and (2) an aggregate amount of $2,000 per blind individual in any period of three consecutive taxable years. The credit must be adjusted for inflation after 2020 and terminates after five years.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
This resolutions lauds the contributions of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to advancing U.S. national security interests and recognizes that continued U.S. leadership in NATO is essential to fulfilling the organization's core tasks.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
This resolution acknowledges over 85 years of effective state-based alcohol regulation since the passage of the Twenty-first Amendment to the Constitution (repealing Prohibition) and reaffirms the continued support of Congress for policies that allow states to effectively regulate alcohol.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
Gluten in Medicine Disclosure Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the sale of any drug intended for human use that contains an ingredient derived from a gluten-containing grain unless the drug's label (1) states that the drug contains such an ingredient, and (2) identifies the type of grain from which the ingredient is derived.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
Pink Tax Repeal Act This bill prohibits product manufacturers or service providers from selling substantially similar products at different prices based on the gender of the intended purchaser. If, for example, the only difference between two products is the color, they are substantially similar.