United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2018
Duty to Report Act of 2018 This bill requires each candidate for public office (and certain affiliated individuals) to notify the Federal Bureau of Investigation upon receiving unsolicited information (or an offer of such information) about another candidate for the same office from a source the candidate knows to be a foreign power, unless (1) the candidate reasonably believes the information is in the public domain, or (2) the information could not give an advantage to the receiving candidate. An individual who fails to comply with this bill may be criminally liable.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2018
Ensuring National Constitutional Rights for Your Private Telecommunications Act of 2018 or the ENCRYPT Act of 2018 This bill prohibits a state from requiring a manufacturer, developer, seller, or provider of a technology product or service to: (1) alter the security functions of its product or service to allow a government agency to conduct a physical search or user surveillance, or (2) use its product or service to decrypt encrypted information. A technology product or service includes a commercial computer product, electronic device, or online service that is publicly available. Additionally, it bars a state from prohibiting the manufacture, sale or lease, or provision of a technology product or service because it uses encryption or similar security functions.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2018
International Human Rights Defense Act of 2018 This bill establishes in the Department of State a permanent Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex) Peoples who shall serve as the principal State Department advisor regarding human rights for LGBTI people and represent the United States in diplomatic matters relevant to the human rights of LGBTI people. The special envoy shall periodically provide Congress with a U.S. global strategy to prevent and respond to criminalization, discrimination, and violence against LGBTI people. The State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development may provide assistance to prevent and respond to such activities against LGBTI people. The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is amended to require that annual country reports on human rights practices include information on criminalization, discrimination, and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2018
Bus Operator and Pedestrian Protection Act This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to require public transportation safety grant recipients that operate fixed route bus service to: (1) develop a risk reduction program for bus operations to improve safety by reducing the number and rates of accidents, injuries, assaults on bus operators, and fatalities; (2) submit the program, including the implementation plan required by this bill, to DOT for review and approval; and (3) implement the program and plans approved by DOT. The recipient of a public transportation safety grant shall report to DOT, for inclusion in the National Transit Database, any information on each assault on an public transportation vehicle operator.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2018
North Korea Nuclear Baseline Act This bill directs the President to submit to Congress a report, with biannual updates, on the status of North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs in order to establish a baseline of progress for denuclearization negotiations. Every 365 days such reports shall include an assessment of U.S. and international capacity to access and investigate in North Korea suspicious sites or allegations of covert nuclear activities.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018
Recognizes the significance of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month as an important time to celebrate the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States. Recognizes that the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities enhance the rich diversity of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2018
Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2018 This bill establishes a series of programs and requirements relating to the health of minority populations, including provisions to improve data collection, health literacy, health workforce diversity, and overall access to health care.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act This bill prohibits the Bureau of Land Management from administering an oil and gas leasing, development, production, and transportation program in and from the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Defend Against Russian Disinformation and Aggression Act This bill amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act establish within the Department of State a Coordinator for Sanctions Policy who shall oversee the diplomatic aspects of U.S. and U.N. sanctions enforcement. The Department of Defense shall seek to conduct more North Atlantic Treaty Organization naval exercises to defend Europe and deter Russian aggression. The bill sets forth reporting requirements with respect to: (1) federal cyber countermeasures, and (2) Russian government-linked corruption.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2018
Executive Branch Comprehensive Ethics Enforcement Act of 2018 This bill expands the duties and authorities of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE). Among other things, the bill authorizes the OGE to do the following: issue subpoenas during investigations; and order corrective actions (e.g., divestiture) and issue administrative remedies (e.g., suspension or demotion).
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2018
Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Act or the WILD Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2023 the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, the African Elephant Conservation Act, the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997, the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994, the Great Ape Conservation Fund, and the Marine Turtle Conservation Fund. Federal agencies that have duties relating to invasive species management for the protection of water and wildlife must: (1) inhibit or reduce the populations of invasive species and effectuate restoration or reclamation efforts on land they manage, and (2) develop a strategic plan for implementing an invasive species program designed to achieve a substantive annual net reduction of invasive species populations or infested acreage in managed areas. This bill amends the Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000, including to authorize the Department of the Interior to award a multi-year grant for carrying out a project that is an effective, long-term conservation strategy for great apes (defined in the Act as chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, orangutans, and gibbons) and their habitats. This bill amends the Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004 to expand eligibility for financial assistance to include: (1) a wildlife management authority of a U.S. territory, and (2) projects for the conservation of freshwater turtles and tortoises. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must establish Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prizes for: (1) prevention of wildlife poaching and trafficking, (2) promotion of wildlife conservation, (3) management of invasive species, (4) protection of endangered species, and (5) nonlethal management of human-wildlife conflicts. The bill establishes advisory boards for those prizes.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2018
Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2018 This bill requires the House of Representatives and the Senate to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the U.S. merchant mariners of World War II, in recognition of their service during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2018
Secure Data Act of 2018 This bill prohibits: (1) a federal agency from requiring or requesting a manufacturer, developer, or seller of any computer hardware, software, or electronic device made available to the general public to design or alter the security functions in such products to allow the surveillance of any user or the physical search of such product by any agency; and (2) a court from issuing an order to compel any such manufacturer, developer, or seller to design or alter the security functions in its product to allow such surveillance, or to allow the physical search of such product, by an agency. The bill exempts from such prohibition mandates, requests, or court orders authorized under the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2018
Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2018 or the BURMA Act of 2018 This bill provides humanitarian assistance for Burma (Myanmar) and Bangladesh and imposes sanctions on Burmese military or security officials responsible for serious human rights abuses. The bill provides humanitarian assistance for Burma, Bangladesh, and the surrounding region, including assistance for the Rohingya minority. The Department of State, the Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. Agency for International Development shall jointly submit to Congress a strategy for promoting economic growth in Burma.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2018
Executive Cyberspace Coordination Act of 2018 This bill establishes the National Office for Cyberspace within the Executive Office of the President to coordinate cyberspace issues within the federal government. The responsibilities of the office include achieving an assured, reliable, secure, and survivable information infrastructure and related capabilities for the federal government, while promoting national economic interests, security, and civil liberties.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2018
Opioid Workforce Act of 2018 This bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2018
Kittens In Traumatic Testing Ends Now Act of 2018 or the KITTEN Act of 2018 This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit the Department of Agriculture from using cats in experiments that may cause pain or stress, unless the pain or stress is a result of a physical exam or training program.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2018
Albatross and Petrel Conservation Act This bill authorizes the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to promulgate regulations to implement and enforce the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, done at Cape Town, South Africa, on February 2, 2001. This bill authorizes USFWS and NMFS to take action to conserve albatrosses and petrels, including to: reestablish albatrosses and petrels; prevent the introduction of, eradicate, or control invasive and nonnative species that have or may have an adverse effect on albatrosses and petrels; conserve, protect, and restore breeding sites; undertake measures for the conservation and protection of albatross and petrel habitat and other marine habitats that provide food for albatrosses and petrels; undertake scientific research to assess the effects of pollutants and marine debris on albatrosses and petrels; develop and implement measures to prevent, minimize, or mitigate the taking or disturbance of albatrosses and petrels in U.S. waters or by U.S. vessels; develop and undertake measures to minimize the bycatch of albatrosses and petrels; and share information on the conservation status of albatrosses and petrels, the threats facing albatrosses and petrels, and any actions taken under this bill. This bill prohibits the taking of an albatross or petrel without a permit, authorization, or exemption. USFWS, in consultation with NMFS, may authorize the taking of an albatross or petrel under exceptional circumstances or incidental to otherwise lawful activities. This bill gives the USFWS, the NMFS, and the Coast Guard authority to enforce this bill. This bill authorizes cooperation with other countries to achieve and maintain a favorable conservation status of albatrosses and petrels.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2018
Directs the Department of Commerce to transmit to the House of Representatives, by 14 days after the adoption of this resolution, copies of any document, correspondence, or other communication that refers or relates to: (1) the addition of a question on citizenship to the 2020 decennial census of population; and (2) the December 12, 2017, letter from Arthur E. Gary, General Counsel, Justice Management Division, Department of Justice, to Ron Jarmin, Acting Director, Bureau of the Census.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2018
This bill authorizes the Federal Aviation Administration to carry out a pilot program to provide grants to support the education and recruitment of aviation maintenance technical workers and the development of the aviation maintenance industry workforce.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2018
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that compensation of public school teachers should be comparable to other college graduates with years in the workforce where the teachers are employed.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2018
Global Engagement Center Authorities Act of 2018 This bill revises provisions relating to the Global Engagement Center and its role in countering foreign and non-state propaganda and disinformation efforts aimed at undermining the policies, security, or stability of the United States and its allies and partner states. It also modifies the center's grant program for assisting specified entities in countering such propaganda and disinformation efforts. The Department of State shall brief Congress at least annually on the activities of the center.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2018
Prohibiting Threatened and Endangered Creature Trophies Act of 2018 or the ProTECT Act of 2018 This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit taking threatened species within the United States or U.S. territorial seas as trophies or importing such trophies. A trophy is a dead animal, or part of the animal, that was obtained under an authorization issued by a state, foreign government, or private landowner.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2018
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness Month. (PCOS is caused by a hormone imbalance. Symptoms can include infertility, weight gain, excess hair growth, and acne.) Recognizes the need for further research, improved treatment and care options, and a cure for PCOS. Acknowledges the struggles affecting all women and girls afflicted with PCOS.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2018
Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act This bill addresses certain driftnet fishing. (Driftnet fishing is a method of fishing in which a gillnet composed of a panel or panels of webbing, or a series of such gillnets, is placed in the water and allowed to drift with the currents and winds for the purpose of entangling fish in the webbing.) Currently, the use of large-scale drift gillnets with a total length of 2.5 kilometers or more is prohibited in the United States. The bill expands the definition of large-scale driftnet fishing to prohibit the use of gillnets with a mesh size of 14 inches or greater. This expanded prohibition does not apply within the U.S. exclusive economic zone prior to January 1, 2020. The Department of Commerce must conduct a transition program to facilitate the phase out of large-scale driftnet fishing and to promote the adoption of alternative fishing practices that minimize the incidental catch of living marine resources. Commerce may award grants to program participants.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2018
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the legislative process would greatly benefit from once again having an office dedicated to giving nonpartisan, technical advice to Congress; (2) the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) represents a cost-effective improvement to the governance of the United States; and (3) funding should be restored for the OTA.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2018
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into an agreement with the city of Vallejo, California, for the transfer to the VA of Mare Island Naval Cemetery in Vallejo, California, to be maintained as a national shrine.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2018
Cyber Deterrence and Response Act of 2018 This bill establishes a process to identify and impose sanctions against foreign persons, entities, and countries responsible for state-sponsored cyberattacks against the United States. The President may impose financial, export, and entry sanctions against foreign nations that have aided or directed such cyberattacks or may waive such sanctions on a case-by-case basis for up to a year. The President shall periodically brief Congress on state-sponsored cyber activities against the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2018
Repeated Objectionable Bothering of Consumers on Phones Act or the ROBOCOP Act This bill directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to: (1) require providers of text messaging or voice services, for no additional charge, to enable technology that verifies the accuracy of caller ID information; (2) require providers to offer subscribers optional free robocall-technology blocking technology; and (3) provide an exemption process for subscribers originating a call if there is a need to provide misleading or inaccurate information (such as a call to conduct an activity of a domestic violence shelter or medical practice). The bill allows private actions to enjoin or recover damages for violations of the FCC's caller identification technology standards. States may bring civil actions for a pattern or practice of a failure to provide such technology or options. The bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to make it unlawful for persons within or outside the United States, with the intent to cause harm, to intentionally interfere with call-blocking technology. The FCC must report on whether the requirements of this bill have reduced unwanted calls to consumers.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2018
Disabled Access Credit Expansion Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for expenditures by an eligible small business to provide access to disabled individuals, to: (1) increase from $10,250 to $20,500 the annual dollar limitation for eligible access expenditures, (2) require the $20,500 limit to be adjusted for inflation after 2018, and (3) increase from $1 million to $2.5 million the gross receipts limitation for an eligible small business.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2018
Special Counsel Transparency Act of 2018 This bill establishes reporting requirements with respect to a special counsel appointed under Department of Justice (DOJ) regulations. Specifically, it establishes these requirements: a special counsel must report periodically on the status of an investigation; a special counsel who is removed from office must report on the status of an investigation, as of the date of dismissal; and DOJ must report on the status of an investigation following the removal of a special counsel.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2018
Recognizes Estonia's, Latvia's, and Lithuania's 100th anniversary of independence, the 27th anniversary of their independence from the Soviet Union, and their political, economic, social, and military progress. Reiterates support for the European Deterrence Initiative as a means to enhance deterrence and increase military capabilities on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's eastern flank.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2018
Stephen Michael Gleason Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Stephen Michael Gleason.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2018
Congressional Oversight Needed For Likely Illicit and Corrupt Transactions Act This bill amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require an officer or employee of the Executive Office of the President or the White House who is recused from a particular matter for a financial conflict of interest to notify Congress and the Office of Government Ethics and provide the specific reasons for the recusal.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2018
Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act This bill sets forth requirements and limitations with respect to the removal from office of a special counsel appointed by the Attorney General, or of another official appointed by the Attorney General who exercises a similar degree of independence from the Department of Justice (DOJ) chain of command. Specifically, a special counsel or other appointed official: may only be removed by the Attorney General or the most senior Senate-confirmed DOJ official, in certain circumstances; may only be removed for misconduct, dereliction of duty, incapacity, conflict of interest, or other good cause; must be provided written notice that specifies the reason for removal; and may file an action to challenge the removal not later than 10 days after notice was provided.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2018
Music Modernization Act This bill makes various changes to copyright law related to sound recordings, including providing protection for sound recordings fixed before February 15, 1972, creating a system for paying royalties to producers and sound engineers, and establishing a statutory blanket license for digital music services. The blanket license allows music services to distribute sound recordings covered by the license without negotiating for the rights for each individual recording, as long as the music service complies with the license's requirements, such as paying the required royalties.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2018
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.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2018
Hack Your State Department Act This bill requires the Department of State to design, establish, and make publicly known a Vulnerability Disclosure Program to improve cybersecurity. The program requirements include: (1) identifying which information technology should be included, (2) providing a readily available means of reporting discovered security vulnerabilities, and (3) identifying the offices and position that will be responsible for addressing security vulnerability disclosures. The bill requires the State Department to establish a bug bounty pilot program to provide compensation for reports of previously unidentified security vulnerabilities of its internet-facing information technology.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2018
Preventing Preemptive War in North Korea Act of 2018 This bill prohibits funds from being used without express congressional authorization for kinetic military operations in North Korea absent an imminent threat to the United States. The prohibition shall not apply to the introduction of the Armed Forces to: (1) repel an attack on the United States, its territories or possessions, the Armed Forces, or U.S. allies; or (2) rescue or remove U.S. personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2018
I mproving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to permit a Member of Congress to use a VA facility to meet with constituents during normal business hours.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018
Recognizes the accomplishments and example of Cesar Estrada Chavez, pledges to promote his legacy, and encourages the people of the United States to commemorate his legacy and to always remember his rallying cry, "Si, se puede!" ("Si, se puede!" is Spanish for "Yes, we can!")
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2018
Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2018 This bill prohibits discrimination, under a federally assisted program, against public school students on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or that of their associates. The bill authorizes federal departments and agencies to terminate the educational assistance of recipients found to be violating this prohibition. An aggrieved individual may assert a violation of this bill in a judicial proceeding and recover reasonable attorney's fees.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018
This bill makes technical amendments to the U.S. Code to revise references to statutory provisions formerly classified to title 50, Appendix-War and National Defense
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018
Condemns the attack in the United Kingdom on Sergei Skripal, a former Russian intelligence officer, and his daughter Yulia on March 4, 2018. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States stands in firm partnership with the United Kingdom, and (2) Russian aggression across all domains should not be accepted.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018
Global Fragility and Violence Reduction Act of 2018 This bill directs the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to: (1) establish the Global Initiative to Reduce Fragility and Violence, related to reducing and addressing the causes of violence, violent conflict, and fragility, with a focus on 10 pilot countries to be determined by USAID; and (2) develop and submit to Congress an initial interagency implementing strategy which shall include individual pilot country plans. The bill provides for initiative and pilot plan updates. The Government Accountability Office shall review U.S. government activities in each pilot country.
![Official portrait of Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000582_200.jpg)