United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2020
Healthcare Broadband Expansion During COVID-19 Act This bill temporarily expands the Rural Health Care Program of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). It also establishes and provides funding for the Emergency Rural Health Care Connectivity Fund through FY2022 to carry out the Rural Health Care Program. Currently, the FCC subsidizes 65% of the cost of broadband for eligible public and nonprofit rural health care facilities through the Rural Health Care Program. This bill expands the program to encompass health care providers not located in rural areas, including mobile and temporary facilities, and it increases the subsidy rate to 85%. The bill also requires the FCC to (1) promulgate regulations to expedite the receipt of funds under the program, and (2) release funding for all requests within a designated time frame.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2020
Patriot Retention Act This bill allows a retired service member who has more than 20 years of service, and who possesses a skill for which a critical shortage exists, to serve as paid member of the Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces and to concurrently receive retired pay.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2020
Indian Health Service Health Professions Tax Fairness Act of 2020 This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, payments under the Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program and certain amounts received under the Indian Health Professions Scholarships Program.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2020
All Dependent Children Count Act This bill extends the 2020 recovery rebates of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to all taxpayer dependents.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2020
This bill provides funds with which the Federal Communications Commission shall reimburse small business broadband providers for costs incurred during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency period to voluntarily (1) provide free or discounted service to students in need of distance learning capacity, or (2) refrain from disconnecting low-income households that cannot afford to make a full payment.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Immediate Relief for Rural Facilities and Providers Act of 2020 This bill establishes grant programs and other forms of financial assistance for health care providers in response to the national emergency relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill establishes (1) a grant program to provide emergency assistance to critical access hospitals, certain rural hospitals, and providers participating in Medicare; (2) a grant program to provide emergency assistance to health care practices and ambulatory surgery centers for staff salaries; and (3) a loan program to provide low-interest loans to health care practices and ambulatory surgery centers. The bill also temporarily increases reimbursements to rural hospitals under the Medicare swing-bed program. (The program allows rural hospitals to use beds, as needed, for either acute care or skilled nursing facility care.)
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Pandemic Healthcare Access Act This bill preserves the eligibility of health savings account (HSA) participants covered by any health plan during the coronavirus emergency period. The coronavirus emergency period is the period beginning on March 13, 2020, and ending on the later of (1) the last day on which a presidential declaration of emergency under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act with respect to the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19) is in effect, or (2) the last day on which a presidential declaration of national emergency under the National Emergencies Act with respect to the coronavirus is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Tribal Medical Supplies Stockpile Access Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to deploy drugs, vaccines, biological products, medical devices, and other supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile directly to health programs or facilities operated by the Indian Health Service (IHS), tribes, or tribal organizations. Such supplies from the stockpile are used to respond to public health emergencies. Specifically, if HHS distributes pandemic or epidemic products (e.g., drugs or medical devices) to states or other entities, HHS must also deploy such products directly to health programs or facilities operated by IHS or other tribal entities.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
Proper and Reimbursed Care for Native Veterans Act or the PRC for Native Veterans Act This bill specifies that the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense must reimburse the Indian Health Service (IHS), tribes, or tribal organizations for health care services provided to American Indian and Alaska Native veterans, regardless of whether such services are provided directly by the IHS, tribes, or tribal organizations, or through certain contracts for services.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
Educational Award Parity Act This bill allows AmeriCorps members who are 55 years of age or older and served in any program, including the National Civilian Community Corps or Volunteers in Service to America, to transfer their national service educational award to a family member. Currently, only members who served in AmeriCorps State and National may transfer such an award.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
This resolution encourages (1) the people of the United States to join in a national effort to salute AmeriCorps members and alumni and to raise awareness about the importance of national and community service, and (2) all individuals to consider opportunities to serve in AmeriCorps. The resolution also acknowledges the accomplishments of AmeriCorps members, alumni, and community partners, and recognizes their important contributions to the lives of the people of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
Air Force Budget Transparency Act of 2020 This bill requires the President's annual budget to include any funds for an Air Force pass-through item in the Defense-wide budget of the Department of Defense (DOD) rather than in the Air Force budget. An Air Force pass-through item is a program, project, or activity for which (1) funds would otherwise be requested for the Air Force; and (2) funds made available for execution will be executed by another department, agency, or element of DOD.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
TRICARE ECHO Improvement Act This bill expands benefits available under the TRICARE Extended Health Care Option program for beneficiaries with special needs, including by expanding coverage of respite care and durable medical equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2020
Forgotten Vietnam Veterans Act This bill revises the definition of Vietnam era for purposes of the laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Specifically, the bill adjusts the start date of the era to November 1, 1955 (currently February 28, 1961), when relating to veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020
Major Richard Star Act This bill provides that a combat-disabled uniformed services retiree with fewer than 20 years of creditable service may concurrently receive, without reduction veterans' disability compensation, and retired pay or combat-related special compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that ensuring an accurate count of American Indians and Alaska Natives is vital for the 2020 decennial census of population and that an undercount of such population could result in underrepresentation and underfunding for tribal households. The resolution also expresses the sense that federal, state, and local governments and tribal nations should work together to encourage participation in the 2020 decennial census of population.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2020
This bill directs the Department of Justice, in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, to establish a pilot program to improve documentation of whether inmates of state prisons and local jails are veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2020
This resolution supports the principles and goals of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), affirms U.S. support for the purchase of vaccines for developing countries through GAVI, and encourages continued collaboration with, and investment in, GAVI to introduce and sustain new and underused vaccines in immunization programs.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2020
Guard and Reserve Hazard Duty Pay Equity Act This bill provides hazardous duty incentive pay to members of an Armed Forces reserve component or the National Guard who perform a parachute jump as an essential part of their military duty. Currently, only active duty members are entitled to hazardous duty incentive pay for performing such duties.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020
Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the legacy of Harriet Tubman as an abolitionist. The Secretary may issue coins under this bill only during the period of January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022. All surcharges received by Treasury from the sale of such coins must be paid to Project Legacy in Brooklyn, New York, for the purpose of accomplishing and advancing its mission.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020
This bill revises the tax deduction for interest on education loans to provide that the $2,500 limitation on such deduction shall apply separately to each taxpayer claiming the deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2020
Bridging the Tribal Digital Divide Act of 2020 This bill establishes an interagency coordination program for tribal access to broadband service and further expands broadband access on tribal land, including by setting aside certain funds for its deployment and establishing a pilot program for tribes to grant rights-of-way for the construction, maintenance, and facilitation of broadband service on their land.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2020
This resolution supports the designation of Public Radio Music Day. It also expresses deep appreciation for the role of public radio music stations in serving listeners, musicians, and hundreds of communities in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2020
Trusted Traveler REAL ID Relief Act of 2020 This bill revises certain requirements related to the REAL ID Act of 2005 (required enhanced driver's licenses for domestic flights) for purposes of boarding a federally regulated commercial aircraft. Specifically, the bill exempts individuals with a known traveler number (assigned to an individual and accepted as validating that the individual holding such identifier is a member of a known low-risk population) from REAL ID requirements; requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to accept enrollment in PreCheck as an allowable alternative to presenting a REAL ID compliant credential to board a commercial aircraft until April 1, 2022; directs the TSA to develop, socialize, and implement alternative checkpoint screening procedures for individuals arriving at a checkpoint without a form of acceptable identification; provides an opportunity for airports to request the TSA to conduct REAL ID implementation exercises; and allows states to establish a process for the submission of electronic documents and electronic facial images when individuals are applying for a REAL ID compliant identification.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2020
Understanding and Studying American Civics Act of 2020 or the USA Civics Act of 2020 This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 and revises the American History for Freedom grant program. The bill renames the program as the American Civics Education Program. The bill authorizes the Department of Education to award grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) once every three years to establish or strengthen academic programs to promote American political thought and history; the history, achievements, and impact of American representative democracy and constitutional democracies globally; and the means of participation in political and civic life. Currently, such grants are awarded to IHEs for three years and are focused on traditional American history and the history and achievements of Western civilization. IHEs may use grants to support additional activities, such as collaborating with federal or state humanities programs and using open educational resources.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2020
Advancing FASD Research, Prevention, and Services Act This bill reestablishes and expands programs for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The Department of Health and Human Services must establish a research agenda on FASD, facilitate and disseminate findings on public health surveillance and research to prevent FASD, and establish multiple grant programs. Depending on the specific grant program, eligible grantees may include states, tribes and tribal organizations, public and private nonprofits, and educational institutions. Among other purposes, the grants support research on the diagnosis, intervention, and prevention of FASD; expand and coordinate surveillance; and foster collaboration to provide integrated services to individuals with FASD. The bill also directs the Department of Education and the Department of Justice to develop and disseminate trainings and best practices related to FASD.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2020
This resolution recognizes the contributions of the Free File program and supports its continued success. The Free File program is a public-private partnership between tax preparation software companies and the Internal Revenue Service to offer free online tax preparation and e-filing services to low- and moderate-income taxpayers at no cost to the federal government.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2020
Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act This bill establishes a presumption of service-connection for specified diseases becoming manifest in certain veterans to a degree of disability of 10% or more within 15 years of the veteran's separation from active military, naval, or air service. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific diseases or disabilities diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded. Veterans addressed by this bill are those who (1) trained in fire suppression, and (2) served on active duty in a military occupational specialty or career field with a primary responsibility of firefighting or damage control for at least five years in the aggregate.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2020
This resolution expresses support for Australia, as well as greater collaboration between the United States and Australia to promote wildfire mitigation and prevention.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2020
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 305 Northwest 5th Street in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as the "Clara Luper Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2020
United States-Israel PTSD Collaborative Research Act This bill establishes a grant program for collaborative efforts between the United States and Israel to advance research on post-traumatic stress disorders. The Department of Defense, in coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of State, shall award grants to eligible academic institutions or nonprofit entities in the United States. Work shall be conducted by the eligible entity and an entity in Israel under a joint research agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2020
Israel Anti-Boycott Act This bill prohibits participation by certain entities and individuals in boycotts or requests for boycotts imposed by international governmental organizations (i.e., the United Nations and the European Union). Specifically, the bill applies to covered persons the prohibition of specified actions in compliance with or in support of a boycott against a country that is friendly to the United States and that is not itself the object of a U.S. boycott. The bill defines a covered person as a domestic concern, the U.S. government or a state government, or a representative or official of such domestic concern or government. The bill also adds to the list of specified prohibited actions the act of furnishing information to any foreign country or international governmental organization that furthers an imposed boycott. Under current law, a person who violates the prohibitions against such boycotts may be subject to a monetary fine or imprisonment; however, the bill removes imprisonment as a potential penalty for certain violations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2020
This resolution condemns the actions of Iran with respect to Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752. It also expresses support for the protestors in Iran and condemns Iran for killing citizens protesting their government. In addition, it calls on Iran to refrain from using violence and to protect the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2020
Family Support Services for Addiction Act of 2020 This bill directs the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to award grants to certain nonprofits to develop or expand services for individuals with substance use disorders and their families. Activities may include (1) developing education, resources, and trainings on issues related to substance use disorders and family support; (2) reducing stigma; and (3) educating health care providers about substance use disorders in families.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2020
Veteran Suicide Prevention Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to complete a review of the deaths of all covered veterans who died by suicide during the five-year period preceding the enactment of this bill. Covered veterans are those who received VA hospital care or medical services during the five-year period preceding the death of the veteran. The VA shall report on the results of the review and make such report publicly available.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2020
Effective Assistance of Counsel in the Digital Era Act This bill prohibits the Department of Justice from monitoring the contents of a privileged electronic communication between an incarcerated person and his or her legal representative.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2020
American Innovation and Manufacturing Leadership Act of 2020 This bill addresses the use and regulation of fluorinated compounds in products and manufacturing, including by requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to establish specified production and consumption baselines for the phase-down of specified fluorinated compounds.
United States · United States Congress · 23 December 2019
Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2019 This bill indefinitely extends Medicare coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant recipients for individuals who do not have other coverage. Under current law, Medicare coverage is limited to 36 months following a transplant.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019
This resolution recognizes and honors Smokey Bear's 75 years of service to the United States. The resolution also expresses support for Smokey Bear's commitment to preventing unwanted human-caused wildfires and promoting forest health. Finally, the resolution encourages the Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters, and the Ad Council to explore ways Smokey Bear's message can be modernized to reflect current science and differentiate between unwanted human-caused wildfires and beneficial natural and prescribed fires.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2019
Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2019 This bill allows additional hospitals to qualify as critical access hospitals (CAHs) that receive special payment under Medicare. Currently, in order to qualify as a CAH under Medicare, a hospital must either (1) be located more than 35 miles (or 15 miles in mountainous regions or areas with only secondary roads) from another hospital, or (2) have been certified prior to January 1, 2006, by the state as a necessary provider of services in the area. The bill allows a hospital to also qualify if the hospital is a small, rural hospital that (1) serves a health professional shortage area, or a high number of low-income individuals or Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries; (2) has experienced financial losses for two consecutive years; and (3) attests to having a strategic plan to address financial solvency.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2019
This resolution recognizes the importance of Christmas symbols and traditions. The resolution (1) disapproves of attempts to ban references to Christmas, and (2) supports the use of these symbols and traditions by those who celebrate Christmas.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2019
FAA Family and Medical Leave Act This bill revises the personnel management system of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to provide FAA employees the same family and medical leave benefits as other federal employees.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2019
Promoting Aviation Regulations for Technical Training (PARTT) 147 Act of 2019 This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish requirements for issuing aviation maintenance technician school certificates and associated ratings. Among other requirements, the bill sets forth application requirements for a certificate to operate an aviation maintenance technician school, including that applications must include a description of the manner in which the school's curriculum will ensure students are capable of attaining a mechanic certificate and associated ratings; establishes facility and instructor requirements for each school; directs each school to establish and maintain a quality control system that provides procedures for recordkeeping, assessment, issuing credit for experience, issuing of final course grades, ensuring sufficient number of instructors, granting of graduation documentation, and corrective action for addressing deficiencies; and requires schools to maintain a pass rate of at least 70% for students who take the written, oral, or practical (or any combination thereof) FAA mechanic tests.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2019
Locality Pay Equity Act of 2019 This bill (1) prohibits the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) from defining more than one local wage area for prevailing rate employees within a pay locality, except with respect to the pay locality designated as Rest of United States ; and (2) requires the OPM to ensure that this bill shall not have the effect of reducing the rate of basic pay for an individual serving as a prevailing rate employee.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2019
Eliminate Network Distribution of Child Exploitation Act or the END Child Exploitation Act This bill extends the period of time, from 90 days to 180 days, that electronic communication service providers and remote computing service providers (providers) must preserve the contents of a report that is submitted to the CyberTipline of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Further, providers may voluntarily preserve the contents of a report for longer than 180 days to reduce the proliferation of or to prevent the online sexual exploitation of children.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2019
Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 This bill establishes and modifies several requirements to address prescription drug prices under Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs. The bill generally limits payment amounts for drugs and biologics under Medicare medical services, reduces cost-sharing under the Medicare prescription drug benefit, modifies certain authorities and requirements under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, revises provisions relating to regulatory approval and commercial availability of generics and biosimilars, and establishes several reporting requirements for drug manufacturers with respect to drug prices.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2019
Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill provides federal housing assistance to Indians and Native Hawaiians. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2024 and otherwise revises housing assistance block grants for Indians and Native Hawaiians. Among other things, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must award competitive grants to eligible recipients of block grants to carry out affordable housing activities, such as housing rehabilitation projects. The bill authorizes HUD to guarantee housing loans for Indians and Native Hawaiians through FY2024. Additionally, the bill provides statutory authority for the Tribal HUD-VASH program, which provides rental assistance and supportive services to Indians who (1) are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, (2) are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and (3) live in or near an area where a tribe or tribally designated housing entity provides assistance for affordable housing. The program must be carried out by HUD in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Under the program, grants must be made to entities eligible for housing assistance block grants. HUD may also make renewal grants to entities that have received prior program grants. The bill also requires the Department of Agriculture to set aside and reserve certain rural housing funds for Indian tribes.
![Official portrait of Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c001053_200.jpg)