United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2021
Hearing Protection Act This bill removes silencers from the definition of firearms for purposes of the National Firearms Act. It also treats persons acquiring or possessing a firearm silencer as meeting any registration and licensing requirements of such Act. The Department of Justice must destroy certain records relating to the registration, transfer, or making of a silencer. The bill also revises the definitions of firearm silencer and firearm muffler under the federal criminal code and includes such items in the 10% excise tax category.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2021
Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act This bill establishes a federal statutory framework to regulate the carry or possession of concealed firearms across state lines. Specifically, an individual who is eligible to carry a concealed firearm in one state may carry or possess a concealed handgun (other than a machine gun or destructive device) in another state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms. It sets forth requirements for the lawful concealed carry across state lines. The bill preempts most state and local laws related to concealed carry and establishes a private right of action for a person adversely affected by interference with a concealed-carry right established by this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2021
Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2021 This bill establishes requirements regarding audits of certain financial agencies performed by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Specifically, the bill directs the GAO to complete, within 12 months, an audit of the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve banks. In addition, the bill allows the GAO to audit the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve banks with respect to (1) international financial transactions; (2) deliberations, decisions, or actions on monetary policy matters; (3) transactions made under the direction of the Federal Open Market Committee; and (4) discussions or communications among Federal Reserve officers, board members, and employees regarding any of these matters.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2020
Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act This bill establishes grant programs to address neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), and contains other related provisions. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall award grants to eligible entities to support research on and facilitate access to investigational drugs that diagnose or treat ALS. The Food and Drug Administration shall award grants to public and private entities to cover the costs of research and development of drugs that diagnose or treat ALS and other severely debilitating neurodegenerative diseases. HHS shall also establish the Collaborative for Neurodegenerative Diseases, which shall support the development and regulatory approval of drugs that address ALS and other rare neurodegenerative diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2020
This resolution requires the Clerk of the House of Representatives, after reading a bill's title, to read the estimated cost of the bill as determined by the Congressional Budget Office.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2020
Fair Care Act of 2020 This bill addresses the health care system, including Medicare, Medicaid, the private health insurance market, and the prescription drug approval process. The bill also revises tax provisions related to certain health care costs and establishes requirements for lawsuits involving health care provided, at least in part, through a federal program or with federal funds.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2020
Designating the Chinese Communist Party as a Transnational Organized Crime Group Act This bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to designate the Chinese Communist Party as a transnational organized crime group and a top international criminal organization. DOJ must also report on violations of federal racketeering laws committed or aided by the Chinese Communist Party.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2020
Hezbollah Money Laundering Prevention Act of 2020 This bill establishes measures to deter money laundering by Hezbollah in Lebanon and Latin America. Specifically, the Department of the Treasury must prohibit or place conditions on the opening or maintaining of certain correspondent or payable-through accounts by the Central Bank of Syria if Treasury determines that certain jurisdictions in Lebanon or areas in Latin America are jurisdictions of primary money laundering concern. Further, the President must sanction certain senior foreign political figures or foreign persons that the President determines have knowingly provided material support to or engaged in a significant transaction with Hezbollah.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2020
BUILDER Act of 2020 or the Building United States Infrastructure through Limited Delays and Efficient Reviews Act of 2020 This bill revises the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, including by establishing procedures for determining the level of review needed for proposed agency actions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020
Election Fraud Prevention Act This bill requires each state, in order to receive certain election assistance funds, to prohibit the knowing collection and transmission of a ballot in a federal election that was mailed to another person (commonly referred to as ballot harvesting), with exceptions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2020
This resolution expresses support for those unjustly imprisoned in Russia, including Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed. The resolution calls for the release of Trevor Reed and calls on Russia to respect his universally recognized human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2020
This resolution supports the announcements of (1) the establishment of full diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and between Israel and Bahrain, and (2) the suspension of Israeli actions to apply sovereignty in parts of the West Bank. Further, it calls on each of these countries to encourage greater people-to-people normalization, and it calls on other Arab and Muslim countries to establish full relations with Israel. It also reaffirms the House of Representatives' support for a negotiated, two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 14 August 2020
Protecting Jobs and Wages from Regulations Act of 2020 This bill revises and expands the requirements for federal agency rulemaking by requiring agencies, in making a rule, to base all preliminary and final factual determinations on evidence and to consider the legal authority under which the rule may be proposed, the specific nature and significance of the problem the agency may address with the rule, any reasonable alternatives for the rule, and the potential costs and benefits associated with such alternatives.
United States · United States Congress · 14 August 2020
Chinese Research Funds Accounting Act This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on federal funding made available to entities located in China or majority owned or controlled by the Chinese Communist Party for research in the five years prior to enactment of this bill. Not later than 120 days after the enactment of this bill, the GAO shall brief Congress on the data that is available with respect to federal funding made available to such entities for research.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act This bill authorizes the President to use the Armed Forces to defend Taiwan against a direct attack by China's military, a taking of Taiwan's territory by China, or a threat that endangers the lives of civilians in Taiwan or members of Taiwan's military. The bill also directs the Department of Defense to convene an annual regional security dialogue with Taiwan and other partners to improve U.S. security relationships with countries in the Western Pacific. (Taiwan is self-governing, but China considers it a renegade province.)
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2020
Passport Backlog Elimination Act This bill requires the Department of State to submit and implement a plan containing specified actionable strategies to eliminate the backlog of passport applications that is due to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2020
COVID-19 Veterans Memorial Extension Act This bill extends the seven-year legislative authority for one year for each commemorative work that was authorized to be established during the seven-year period immediately before the enactment of this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2020
Surface Transportation Advanced through Reform, Technology, and Efficient Review Act or the STARTER Act This bill addresses provisions related to federal-aid highway, transit, highway safety, motor carrier, innovation, and resiliency programs of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Among other provisions, the bill extends FY2020 enacted levels through FY2025 for federal-aid highway, transit, and safety programs; requires DOT to provide competitive grants for projects to provide parking for commercial motor vehicles on the federal-aid highway system; authorizes DOT to modify loan interest rates under the transportation infrastructure finance and innovation (TIFIA) program for borrowers impacted by COVID-19 (i.e. coronavirus disease 2019); specifies that projects that provide access to hospitals and health care providers in areas of limited public transportation options are eligible to be carried out as public transportation research projects; creates a public awareness campaign to reduce instances of driving while under the influence of prescription and over-the-counter medications; directs DOT to promulgate regulations to implement an apprenticeship program for licensed commercial motor vehicle drivers under the age of 21; establishes new competitive grant programs to spur innovation of connected vehicle applications into practical and effective operational deployments, and to test the safe integration of automated driving system technologies into the on-road transportation system; and addresses projects to improve the resiliency of federal-aid highways and bridges on and off the National Highway System.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2020
Just and Unifying Solutions To Invigorate Communities Everywhere Act of 2020 or the JUSTICE Act This bill addresses policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability. The bill funds state and local grants, incentivizes state and local reporting on the use of certain policing practices, creates new federal offenses for certain misconduct, establishes a commission to study the conditions affecting Black men and boys, and establishes best practices and training requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020
America: Foreign Influence Resistance Starts with Transparency Act or the America FIRST Act This bill requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) to disclose additional information related to gifts and contracts from foreign sources. Specifically, the bill requires IHEs, nonprofit departments within IHEs, and affiliates of IHEs (e.g., professors and researchers) to disclose in the byline of publications the total value of gifts, contracts, and financial assets received by them from foreign sources. The Department of Education (ED) must determine appropriate enforcement actions for failures to do so, such as imposing a probationary period or limiting eligibility for federal funds. Additionally, IHEs must report to ED a gift or contract from a foreign source that has an annual value of $50,000 or more, considered in combination with all other gifts from or contracts with a foreign source. The fair market value of in-kind gifts is included in such limit. (Currently, a report is due if the annual value is $250,000 or more, considered alone or in combination with all other gifts from or contracts with a foreign source.) Such reports to ED must also include the content of the contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020
This bill requires flexible spending arrangements established for 2020 to provide for the rollover of unused benefits or contributions to 2021. It also permits plan participants to modify their election amount and extends the grace period for the 2020 plan year to 12 months after the end of such plan year.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2020
Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 This bill modifies provisions related to the forgiveness of loans made to small businesses under the Paycheck Protection Program implemented in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill establishes a minimum maturity of five years for a paycheck protection loan that has a remaining balance after the application of forgiveness. The bill also extends the covered period during which the recipient of a paycheck protection loan may use such funds for certain expenses while remaining eligible for forgiveness of the loan. Further, the bill prohibits the Small Business Administration from limiting the non-payroll portion of a forgivable covered loan amount. Currently, only 25% of a paycheck protection loan may be allocated to non-payroll expenses such as rent and utilities. The bill extends the period of time in which an employer may rehire or eliminate a reduction in employment, salary, or wages that would otherwise reduce the forgivable amount of a paycheck protection loan. However, the forgivable amount must be determined without regard to a reduction in the number of employees if the recipient is (1) unable to rehire an employee, (2) able to demonstrate an inability to hire a similarly qualified employee, or (3) able to demonstrate an inability to return to the same level of business activity. Lastly, the bill eliminates a provision that makes a paycheck protection loan recipient who has such indebtedness forgiven ineligible to defer payroll tax payments.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2020
Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 This bill modifies provisions related to the forgiveness of loans made to small businesses under the Paycheck Protection Program implemented in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill establishes a minimum maturity of five years for a paycheck protection loan that has a remaining balance after the application of forgiveness. The bill also extends the covered period during which the recipient of a paycheck protection loan may use such funds for certain expenses while remaining eligible for forgiveness of the loan. Further, the bill prohibits the Small Business Administration from limiting the non-payroll portion of a forgivable covered loan amount. Currently, only 25% of a paycheck protection loan may be allocated to non-payroll expenses such as rent and utilities. The bill extends the period of time in which an employer may rehire or eliminate a reduction in employment, salary, or wages that would otherwise reduce the forgivable amount of a paycheck protection loan. However, the forgivable amount must be determined without regard to a reduction in the number of employees if the recipient is unable to rehire an employee and is able to demonstrate an inability to hire a similarly qualified employee. Lastly, the bill eliminates a provision that makes a paycheck protection loan recipient who has such indebtedness forgiven ineligible to defer payroll tax payments.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Getting Americans Back to Work Act This bill prohibits an individual from receiving unemployment benefits, including pandemic unemployment compensation, during any week in an amount that exceeds that individual's average weekly wages prior to receiving such benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Expanding Medical Partnerships with Israel to Lessen Dependence on China Act or the EMPIL-DOC Act This bill authorizes a bilateral grant program with Israel to develop health technologies, with an emphasis on the use of technology, personalized medicine, and data in relation to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Technologies to be developed through this program include, among others, artificial intelligence, respiratory assist devices, and diagnostic tests. In addition, the program conditions funding on a matching contribution from the government of Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2020
This resolution condemns political imprisonments in Russia and calls on Russia to release its political prisoners. The resolution also urges the United States to advocate for the release of such prisoners and to identify the Russian officials responsible for their imprisonment.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2020
Protecting Life in Crisis Act This bill specifies that federal funds allocated for COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) response efforts may not, in general, be used for abortions. Current law (specifically, language that has historically been included in certain appropriations bills, commonly referred to as the Hyde Amendment) generally prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions. The bill also restricts the use of federal tax credits or other federal funding for health insurance coverage if the coverage includes abortions.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2020
This resolution calls for the International Olympic Committee to rebid the 2022 Winter Olympics if China fails to demonstrate significant progress in securing fundamental human rights. The resolution also expresses support for the well-being of Olympic athletes and the integrity of sport.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2020
Coronavirus Public Safety and Economic Recovery Act This bill limits, under certain conditions, a business's liability under federal law for death or disability related to COVID-19 (i.e. coronavirus disease 2019) and promotes alternative dispute resolution mechanisms with respect to such liability. Specifically, the bill establishes the COVID-19 Response Commission to make recommendations to mitigate the spread of the disease. An individual may not sue a business that follows a national or state guideline aligned with these recommendations unless the individual notifies the business of practices that placed the individual at risk of contracting COVID-19 and the business failed to remedy those practices. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in consultation with the commission, must also provide education for state and local governments and businesses on strategies to minimize exposure to COVID-19. In addition, the Judicial Conference of the United States must develop an alternative dispute resolution program to resolve federal COVID-19 liability claims, and the Small Business Administration, when awarding certain general business loans, must give priority to states that enact similar laws to limit liability and promote alternative dispute resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2020
Enforcing Accountability and Transparency in International Trade Act This bill requires the U.S. Trade Representative to report on its plans to pursue a U.S. strategy regarding the World Trade Organization (WTO). Such plans must (1) facilitate the full implementation of WTO agreements, (2) enable the maximum benefits from trade to accrue to those members of the WTO that face the greatest difficulty integrating into the multilateral trading system, and (3) ensure that certain members of the WTO do not receive special and differential treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2020
Secure Our Systems Against China's Tactics Act or the SOS ACT Act This bill authorizes the Department of the Treasury to temporarily guarantee up to 50% of an investment made during the public health emergency declared due to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) in a business that (1) incurred losses due to COVID-19, (2) advances a national security interest, and (3) is susceptible to being purchased by a Chinese entity.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2020
Taxpayers and Savers Protection Act or the TSP Act This bill prohibits any sums in the Thrift Savings Fund from being invested in a security that is listed on an exchange in a jurisdiction in which the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (1) has never conducted the mandatory inspection or investigation of a registered public accounting firm, and (2) is prevented from conducting such inspection or investigation because of a position taken by an authority in that jurisdiction.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2020
This concurrent resolution establishes the Joint Select Committee on the Events and Activities Surrounding China's Handling of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus to investigate and report to Congress and the executive branch, including recommendations on the origins and causes of the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19); certain coronavirus-related policies, decisions, and activities by the government of China; accountability for policies, decisions, and activities related to influencing the World Health Organization's response to the coronavirus outbreak; vulnerabilities in the U.S. domestic and global supply chain to combat a global pandemic due to reliance on Chinese manufacturing; information related to lessons learned from China's handling of the coronavirus; and actions the federal government should take in response to China's handling of the coronavirus.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2020
This bill defers for four years the tax on gain from investment in opportunity zone property. Opportunity zone property is property located in low-income communities for which certain tax incentives are provided, including deferral of the recognition of capital gains.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2020
Taxpayer Accountability for Airlines Relief Act This bill requires air carriers receiving federal loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act due to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) to limit compensation of certain executives until the air carrier repays such loans. Specifically, the bill prohibits such air carriers from paying its executives who earned a compensation of more than $425,00 in 2019 a salary that is greater than their 2019 salary.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2020
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should make no voluntary contributions to the World Health Organization (WHO) until Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus resigns and an international commission is established to investigate the WHO's response to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2020
Helping Emergency Responders Overcome Emergency Situations Act of 2020 or the HEROES Act of 2020 This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, wages and other income up to $50,000 of qualified first responders for the period beginning on February 15, 2020, and ending on June 15, 2020. A qualified first responder is any individual (1) who is a physician, nurse, pharmacist, law enforcement officer, corrections officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, or paramedic who provides services in a county with at least one confirmed case of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019); or (2) who provides services in a licensed medical or care facility located in such county. The Department of the Treasury may extend the exclusion for an additional three-month period beyond June 15, 2020, if Treasury determines that the COVID-19 emergency is likely to be ongoing during the extended period.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2020
This bill rescinds the appropriation to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts provided for in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The CARES Act appropriated $25 million to the center to prepare for and respond to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2020
Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act This bill imposes various restrictions related to China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region, including by prohibiting certain imports from Xinjiang and imposing sanctions on those responsible for human rights violations there. Goods manufactured or produced in Xinjiang shall not be entitled to entry into the United States unless Customs and Border Protection (1) determines that the goods were not manufactured by convict labor, forced labor, or indentured labor under penal sanctions; and (2) reports such a determination to Congress and to the public. The President shall periodically report to Congress a list of foreign entities and individuals knowingly facilitating (1) the forced labor of Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and members of other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang; and (2) efforts to contravene U.S. laws regarding the importation of forced labor goods from Xinjiang. The President shall impose property-blocking sanctions on the listed individuals and entities and impose visa-blocking sanctions on the listed individuals. Securities issuers required to file annual or quarterly reports with the Securities Exchange Commission shall disclose in such reports certain information related to Xinjiang, including instances where the issuer knowingly (1) engaged in activities with an entity helping to create mass surveillance systems in Xinjiang, (2) engaged in activities with an entity running or building detention facilities for Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang, or (3) acquired a significant amount of textiles produced in Xinjiang. After being notified of such a disclosure, the President shall determine whether to investigate if sanctions or criminal charges are warranted.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2020
Earmark Elimination Act of 2020 This bill establishes a point of order in the House of Representatives against considering legislation that contains a congressional earmark, limited tax benefit, or limited tariff benefit. If the point of order is raised and sustained, the congressional earmark, limited tax benefit, or limited tariff benefit shall be deemed to be stricken from the legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2020
Microloan Improvement Act of 2020 This bill revises the microloan program through which the Small Business Administration (SBA) provides, through designated intermediaries, certain financial assistance to small businesses. Specifically, the bill raises the limit on the aggregate amount for loans the SBA makes to an intermediary participating in the microloan program. Further, the bill (1) authorizes an intermediary to offer a line of credit to a small business, (2) increases the average amount for loans from an intermediary to participating small businesses that makes the intermediary eligible for a reduced interest rate on SBA loans, and (3) makes certain intermediaries eligible to receive a 5% technical assistance grant. The bill also places limits on the repayment term for a microloan, and it prohibits the SBA from imposing any additional limitation on the term for repayment of a microloan. The SBA must reserve 15% of new loan funds that are made available for disbursement as microloans to designated underutilized states and make the remaining 85% available for any state.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2020
Microloan Transparency and Accountability Act of 2020 This bill modifies provisions related to the Small Business Administration's (SBA) disbursement of certain financial assistance. Specifically, the bill establishes a 5% technical assistance grant for intermediaries who make 25% of their loans to rural small businesses. Further, the bill requires the SBA to report certain metrics related to the disbursement of microloans to small businesses, including (1) the number, amount, and percentage of such loans that went into default in the previous year; (2) the extent to which microloans are provided to small businesses in rural areas; and (3) the average size, rate of interest, and amount of fees charged for each microloan.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2020
Lawful Interstate Transportation of Firearms Act This bill revises criminal provisions related to the interstate transportation of firearms and ammunition. An individual may transport a firearm between two places (e.g., states) where it is legal to possess, carry, or transport the firearm. During transport, the firearm must be unloaded and secured or securely stored. Additionally, an individual may transport ammunition, or a detachable magazine or feeding device, between two places where it is legal to possess, carry, or transport the ammunition, magazine, or feeding device. During transport, the ammunition, magazine, or feeding device must not be loaded into a firearm and must be securely stored. The term transport includes staying in temporary lodging; stopping for food, fuel, vehicle maintenance, an emergency, or medical treatment; and any other activities that are incidental to the transportation. The bill prohibits the arrest or detention of an individual for a state or local firearm or ammunition violation unless there is probable cause to believe the individual failed to comply with the provisions of this bill, and there is probable cause to believe the individual committed another crime.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020
Trillion Trees Act This bills establishes requirements and incentives to plant trees and conduct other land management practices for the purposes of capturing and storing carbon.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2020
This resolution condemns Iran's state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the international covenants on human rights. Further, it calls on Iran to immediately release all imprisoned or detained Baha'is, and it urges the President and the Department of State to impose sanctions on Iranian officials and others who are responsible for serious human rights abuses, including abuses against Iran's Baha'i community.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2020
Danger Pay for U.S. Marshals Act This bill prohibits the Department of State from denying a request from the U.S. Marshals Service for danger pay. (Danger pay is a form of additional compensation for federal employees who are working in a foreign area and who are under threat of physical harm or imminent danger as a result of civil insurrection, civil war, terrorism, or wartime conditions.)