United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2020
Reviving the Economy Sustainably Towards A Recovery in Twenty-twenty Act or the RESTART Act This bill establishes a loan program whereby the Small Business Administration (SBA) shall guarantee loan amounts to certain businesses affected by COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill requires the SBA to guarantee 100% of program loan amounts made to certain small businesses that have not more than than 5,000 full-time employees. The terms for such loans shall include (1) a maximum duration of not more than seven years; (2) an amount that is not greater than 45% of 2019 gross receipts, up to $12 million; and (3) no payment on principal for the first two years of the loan. A lender that is otherwise approved to make paycheck protection loans may make and approve loans established by the bill, and a recipient may use loan funds for specified allowable expenses including payroll costs, rent, utilities, and personal protective equipment. Such loans may be forgiven up to the amount of total losses incurred by the recipient in the taxable year 2020.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2020
Library Stabilization Fund Act of 2020 This bill establishes and provides funds for a Library Stabilization Fund to assist libraries with responding to and recovering from the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19) pandemic. Specifically, the bill directs the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to allocate funding to states, Indian tribes, and organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians. From these allocated funds, the IMLS must also make emergency library relief grants to state library administrative agencies with approved five-year plans, Indian tribes, and organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians. Additionally, the IMLS must allocate funding to carry out activities that strengthen the ability of libraries to provide services to communities affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The IMLS may enter into arrangements (e.g., grants and contracts) and other forms of assistance with libraries, library consortia and associations, and institutions of higher education to carry out these activities. Funds allocated by the bill may be used to provide support to libraries, such as by supporting general operations; paying staff; purchasing cleaning supplies; training library staff on the safe handling of library materials; providing access to computers and other technology; purchasing digital resources; expanding resources related to early education and literacy, distance learning, and workforce development training; and ensuring access to community services and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2020
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish and administer a DOD regional center for security studies for the Arctic, to be located in Alaska or Hawaii and known as the Ted Stevens Arctic Center for Security Studies.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2020
This resolution expresses support for the designation of National Borinqueneers Day and recognizes the bravery, service, and sacrifice of Puerto Rican soldiers of the 65th Infantry Regiment in the armed conflicts of the United States in the 20th and 21st centuries.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2020
Community Services Block Grant Enhancement Act of 2020 This bill modifies the distribution of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) relief funds with respect to, and temporarily expands eligibility criteria to participate in activities funded by, the Community Services Block Grant. (This grant provides formula-based allotments of federal funds to states, territories, and tribes for anti-poverty activities.) Specifically, the bill exempts funding appropriated for this grant under the CARES Act from a cap on the annual growth of a state's allotment and requires states to distribute COVID-19 relief funding to the local organizations and other eligible entities that carry out block grant activities within specified time frames. In addition, it expands eligibility for programs and activities funded by the block grant to 200% of the federal poverty line (FPL) through FY2022. Under current law, eligibility is set at the FPL, with states authorized to increase eligibility to 125% under certain conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2020
Research Investment to Spark the Economy Act or the RISE Act This bill authorizes the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, the Interior, and Health and Human Services and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Science Foundation, and Environmental Protection Agency to provide support for research regarding COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) or research disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Support under this bill shall be provided through federal science agencies with at least $50 million in basic and applied research obligations in FY2020. Support may be used to provide supplemental funding to extend the duration of a grant to a research institution or national laboratory that was awarded prior to the enactment of this bill, or to expand the purposes of such a grant as specified; provide supplemental funding through existing competitively awarded cooperative agreements and contracts to cover the increased costs of construction of scientific facilities and equipment that have been delayed because of COVID-19; and award grants and cooperative agreements to institutions of higher education to conduct research on the behavioral, social, or economic effects of COVID-19 and the responses to the disease or on the effectiveness of such responses. Agencies must provide the support as rapidly as possible. Provided funds shall remain available for expenditure for up to two years.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2020
The COVID-19 Hospital and Health Provider Loan Forgiveness Act of 2020 This bill establishes and otherwise modifies requirements for the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). The program provides Medicare payments in advance to eligible providers experiencing claims or cash flow disruptions, such as during national emergencies; the program was specifically expanded in response to COVID-19 to encompass more types of providers, subject to certain recoupment and repayment provisions. The bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to waive recoupment and repayment for providers who meet specified requirements. Among other criteria, providers must not have engaged in surprise billing practices with respect to COVID-19 patients. Providers must still repay any amounts not used for COVID-19 expenses; the bill caps the interest rate on such repayments at 2% upon a demonstration of hardship. The bill also requires private health insurers to treat out-of-network COVID-19 services as in-network for purposes of payment and cost-sharing.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2020
This resolution condemns bigotry and acts of violence or discrimination against Iranian Americans and others. The resolution, among other things encourages U.S. elected officials to engage Iranian Americans to share their experiences with their communities to end stereotypes, correct misconceptions, and convey instances of abuse against the Iranian American community; calls upon law enforcement authorities to investigate and vigorously prosecute crimes committed against Americans that are based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, or ethnicity; urges the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in the Department of Homeland Security to conclude a thorough and timely investigation into detentions of Iranian Americans at the border; and calls on Customs and Border Protection to immediately halt any orders that encourage discrimination on the basis of nationality or religion, including those targeting individuals of Iranian heritage.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2020
This bill requires the Department of the Interior to obtain consent from, rather than merely consult with, the Cherokee Nation prior to taking any land into trust that is within the boundaries of the original Cherokee territory in Oklahoma.
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 · 15 June 2020
Military Housing Oversight, Maintenance, and Enhancement for Servicemembers Act or the Military HOMES Act This bill (1) requires mold mitigation measures for military families who are residing in military housing, (2) makes publicly available the criteria and metrics to be used by the Department of Defense (DOD) to analyze the performance of landlords that receive incentive fees, (3) establishes a working group to promulgate guidance regarding best practices for mold mitigation in privatized military housing and for determining when the presence of mold in such housing is an emergency situation requiring the relocation of the residents, (4) expands the uniform code of basic housing standards for privatized military housing to include government owned and controlled military family housing inside or outside the United States, (5) appoints at least one Exceptional Family Member Program housing liaison for each military department to assist military families, and (6) requires a report on the progress made by DOD in implementing the recommendations contained in a specified certain Government Accountability Office report regarding military housing.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2020
PPP Access for Rural Hospitals Act This bill includes within the Paycheck Protection Program, established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), certain rural hospitals or hospitals serving low-income patients that are designated as critical care hospitals.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020
Tribal Reservation Pandemic Protection Act This bill prohibits for one year any federal action to (1) revoke the status of land that is held in trust for the benefit of a federally recognized Indian tribe, (2) revoke a reservation proclamation, or (3) rescind a record of decision on which a trust status or reservation proclamation was established. The bill also nullifies any such federal action taken during the one-year period preceding the bill's enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020
Increasing Rural Health Access During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Act of 2020 This bill establishes, as part of certain grants for telehealth networks and resource centers, a pilot project to increase the use of remote patient monitoring technology in rural areas during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. Specifically, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) must award grants to eligible entities in rural areas to coordinate care for individuals with chronic conditions and conduct other activities using remote patient monitoring technology. Eligible entities must meet requirements for participating in telehealth networks and must use appropriate technologies. Grant funds may be used, for example, to develop or acquire computer hardware and other equipment. In awarding these grants, HRSA shall give priority to entities that are capable of establishing programs quickly and that use technologies that provide continuous, real-time coaching services.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020
Creating Capacity for Communities in Need Act This bill provides for an exception, during the national emergency relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), to provisions under the Stark law (i.e., the Physician Self-Referral Law) that prohibit physician-owned hospitals from expanding facility capacity. Specifically, the bill excludes from such restrictions any increase in operating rooms, procedure rooms, or beds for which a hospital is licensed or begins construction during the period of March 13, 2020, through the last day of the national emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2020
SFC Heath Robinson Burn Pit Transparency Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to submit quarterly reports on veterans' burn pit exposure, and to inform veterans of the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry if a veteran presents at a medical facility for treatment related to exposure to toxic chemicals caused by open burn pits. A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2020
Reopening America by Supporting Workers and Businesses Act of 2020 This bill permits states to provide not more than two weekly payments of $600 to individuals who were eligible for pandemic unemployment compensation during any week after the enactment of this bill but who are no longer eligible as a result of becoming thereafter reemployed. A state may make such payments as a lump sum. Additionally, states participating in pandemic unemployment programs must (1) establish a process for employers to report when an individual refuses an offer of employment; and (2) provide individuals claiming unemployment benefits with notice of the state’s laws with respect to returning, or refusing to return, to work.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2020
Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act This bill establishes a grant program, as well as a new center within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to facilitate access to investigational therapies for neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (i.e., ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a progressive and fatal disease). Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must award grants for the provision of investigational drugs for ALS and other rapidly progressing neurodegenerative diseases through an expanded access (i.e., compassionate use) program. HHS may award these grants to (1) a small business that is the sponsor of an investigational new drug application, or (2) a participating clinical trial site for such a sponsor. Additionally, HHS must establish within the FDA a Center of Excellence for Neurodegenerative Diseases. The center shall have duties and authorities similar to those of the FDA's Oncology Center of Excellence, which helps expedite the development of medical products and assists providers in requesting access to investigational drugs.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2020
This bill requires states to certify a process for distributing Coronavirus Relief Funds to local governments. Specifically, each state that received such funds shall provide the Department of the Treasury, by June 12, 2020, with a certification that the state has in effect a procedure to distribute the funds to units of local government, including a detailed description of such procedure. If a state fails to comply with this requirement, 25% of such payment shall be booked as a debt owed to the federal government.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2020
American Critical Mineral Exploration and Innovation Act of 2020 This bill addresses the availability, development, and production of domestic critical minerals, including by providing incentives to increase domestic production of critical minerals that are needed to ensure the economic and national security of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2020
Coronavirus Provider Protection Act This bill generally exempts health care professionals and related health care entities (e.g., hospitals and medical clinics) from liability for harm caused in the course of arranging or providing health care services during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2020
Postal Preservation Act This bill provides additional funding to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) in response to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Specifically, the bill appropriates $25 billion to the USPS for its Postal Service Fund for revenue forgone due to COVID-19 and $15 billion for its Office of Inspector General. The bill requires the USPS, during the pandemic, to prioritize the purchase of, and make available to all USPS employees and facilities, personal protective equipment and to conduct additional cleaning and sanitizing of USPS facilities and delivery vehicles. The Office of Inspector General shall (1) conduct oversight, audits, and investigations of projects and activities carried out with appropriated funds; and (2) initiate an audit of the use of such appropriations and report to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2020
COVID-19 Dependent Care Flexible Spending Arrangement Rollover Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to issue regulations or other guidance that permit the unused balance as of the end of plan year 2020 of any dependent care flexible spending arrangement to be rolled over to plan year 2021.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2020
This bill requires the Department of Defense to provide a National Guard member separating from active service after full-time duty in support of the government response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) with the transitional health benefits provided to a separating active-duty reservist.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2020
Caring for Survivors Act of 2020 This bill increases the monthly rate of dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill also adjusts the amount payable to surviving spouses and children of veterans who were rated as totally disabled for a period of less than 10 years before their death. Finally, the bill authorizes the furnishing of dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses who remarry after the age of 55.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2020
This resolution 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. It recognizes the need for further research, improved treatment and care options, and a cure for PCOS. It also acknowledges the struggles affecting all women and girls afflicted with PCOS.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2020
This resolution supports the designation of ALS Awareness Month and commends efforts to improve the quality and length of life for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Promoting Alzheimer's Awareness to Prevent Elder Abuse Act This bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review and update, if necessary, certain best practices, replication guides, and other training materials for law enforcement, judicial officials, and others whose work may bring them in contact with elder abuse. Specifically, DOJ must address victims and witnesses who have Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in these materials. Additionally, in creating or compiling these materials, DOJ must consult with the Department of Health and Human Services and, as appropriate, other entities with relevant expertise in elder abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Small Business Expense Protection Act of 2020 This bill amends the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to provide that tax deductions for ordinary business expenses and other tax incidents shall not be affected by the exclusion from gross income of amounts related to loan forgiveness received in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
COVID-19 Designation of Immediate Special Authority of Spectrum for Tribes' Emergency Response in Indian Country Act or the COVID-19 DISASTER in Indian Country Act This bill grants emergency special temporary authority and provides funds to deploy wireless broadband service on tribal lands and Hawaiian home lands. Specifically, the bill directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to grant emergency special temporary authority to Indian tribes, certain tribal entities, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands if they request such authority to use electromagnetic spectrum to provide wireless broadband service over tribal lands or Hawaiian home lands. The FCC must grant such emergency authority within 10 days of receiving a request. In addition, the bill provides funds to specified Department of Agriculture grant programs for (1) immediate deployment of wireless broadband service on tribal lands and Hawaiian home lands, including repairs to damaged infrastructure and backhaul costs; and (2) technical assistance and training.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Accelerate Long-term Investment Growth Now Act or the ALIGN Act This bill makes permanent the expensing of certain new business equipment. Expensing allows the deduction of the full amount of an expense item in the same taxable year.
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 thanks the teachers of the United States and promotes the teaching profession by encouraging students, parents, school administrators, and public officials to recognize National Teacher Appreciation Week.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2020
Secure Our Elections Act This bill waives matching funds requirements for states that receive election security grants from the Election Assistance Commission. Such grants are available to states to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19) for the 2020 federal election cycle.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2020
Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act This bill makes previously unused immigrant visas available to nurses and physicians who petition for such a visa before the date that is 90 days after the end of the declared national emergency relating to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak. The number of visas available shall be the total number of unused employment-based immigrant visas from FY1992-FY2020, up to 40,000. Of such visas, 25,000 shall be reserved for nurses and 15,000 for physicians. Certain family members may accompany the principal beneficiary of a visa provided under this bill, and visas for such family members shall (1) be made available from the unused visas from FY1992-FY2020, and (2) not be counted against the 40,000 cap. Visas provided under this bill shall be exempt from per-country limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2020
Tribal COVID-19 Disaster Assistance Cost Share Relief Act This bill increases to 100% the federal share of certain disaster assistance provided to Indian tribal governments in connection with COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
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
Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Extension Act of 2020 This bill extends for five years the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program, through which Medicare pays certain rural hospitals on the basis of reasonable incurred costs rather than under the standard prospective payment system.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2020
This bill requires the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review any purchase by a Chinese entity of a controlling interest in a U.S. company deemed critical to national security, critical infrastructure, or of cultural significance. The President may approve such a purchase only if, among other things, the purchase price was not significantly affected by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic and the sale will not permit additional access to distribute propaganda or alter U.S. news and media consumption. The bill's provisions cease to have force or effect once the United States has substantially recovered from the economic impacts of the pandemic.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2020
Pandemic Response and Opportunity Through National Service Act This bill expands, and modifies the priorities and administration of, national service programs, including AmeriCorps and Senior Corps, to address the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic and its recovery period. Among other changes, the bill increases the number of national service positions, as well as the living allowances and other benefits associated with these positions. The living allowance is also excluded from gross income for federal tax purposes. In addition, the Corporation for National and Community Service must (1) establish a pilot project to allow state service commissions to directly place individuals, and (2) disseminate national service opportunities through a promotional campaign and other means.
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
Girls' Leadership, Engagement, Agency, and Development Act of 2019 or the Girls LEAD Act This bill directs the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to jointly report to Congress a strategy to strengthen the participation of adolescents, particularly girls, in democracy, human rights, and governance. The State Department and the USAID shall (1) implement activities to achieve this goal, including activities to increase adolescent girls' civic and political knowledge and skills and address barriers to political participation; and (2) prioritize foreign assistance funding for democracy, human rights, and governance programs toward achieving the goals in this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2020
Temporary Responders for Immediate Aid in Grave Emergencies Act of 2020 or the TRIAGE Act of 2020 This bill (1) directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a database to facilitate the provision of health care services by volunteers during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency, and (2) authorizes HHS to award grants to states to expedite the reactivation of expired health care licenses of health care professionals who volunteer during the emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2020
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to prescribe specified technical qualifications necessary for appointment as a licensed hearing aid specialist in the Veterans Health Administration. Under the bill, at least one licensed hearing aid specialist must be appointed at each VA medical center.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020
This resolution recognizes Turkish National Sovereignty and Children's Day. The resolution expresses support for democracy in Turkey and commends the contributions of Turkish Americans.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020
This bill provides $3 billion in appropriations to the Department of Energy for expenses related to the acquisition, transportation, and injection of domestic petroleum products for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The appropriations are available through FY2021 and are designated as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020
Help Our Heroes Access Medicine Act of 2020 This bill allows the Department of Defense to waive cost-sharing requirements under the TRICARE pharmacy benefits program during a declared national or public health emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2020
This bill extends federal torts claim coverage for certain personal injury claims (i.e., medical malpractice liability protection) to urban Indian organizations and their employees by deeming them as part of the Public Health Service. Currently, such coverage is provided to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Indian contractors, and their employees.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2020
Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0 This bill directs certain penalties assessed by the Securities Exchange Commission against pharmaceutical companies for specified violations to the 10-Year Pediatric Research Initiative Fund, an existing fund that supports pediatric disease research. In making allocations from that fund, the National Institutes of Health shall prioritize pediatric research that does not duplicate existing research activities.
![Official portrait of Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c001053_200.jpg)