United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Department of Justice (DOJ) should defend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) in ongoing litigation. Currently, DOJ supports the ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit that upheld a district court ruling that certain provisions of the PPACA are not severable from the remainder of the Act and therefore that the entire law is invalid. The Fifth Circuit's ruling is currently pending appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020
Mobile Options for Testing In Our Neighborhoods Act or the MOTION Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants within 120 days to, among others, specified health facilities, governmental health departments, and nonprofits for establishing or maintaining mobile testing programs for COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and the virus that causes it. In awarding these grants, HHS must take into account certain state-based plans for COVID-19 testing and give priority to applicants that serve communities with limited access to transportation, medically underserved populations, and areas with shortages of health professionals.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 2020
Promoting and Advancing Communities of Color through Inclusive Lending Act This bill revises requirements applicable to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) and addresses lending during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. The bill establishes mandatory set-asides for (1) minority CDFIs under the CDFI Fund, and (2) CDFIs and MDIs under existing COVID-19 economic aid programs. The bill also establishes an impact bank designation for certain small depository institutions that lend primarily to low-income borrowers and establishes programs for impact banks and MDIs regarding investments, technical assistance, and federal government deposits. Finally, the Department of the Treasury must provide capital and interest-free loans to CDFIs, MDIs, impact banks, and credit unions that primarily serve low-income, underserved communities. The bill also reduces the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program minimum issuance amount from $100 million to $25 million for FY2020 and to $50 million for fiscal years thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2020
This resolution remembers the victims, survivors, and the El Paso community on the one-year anniversary of the deadliest attack against Latinos in recent history. The resolution offers condolences and support for everyone impacted by the tragedy. The resolution thanks the first responders and law enforcement for their swift action. The resolution acknowledges the work that remains to combat racism, xenophobia, terrorism, and hate crimes, including by passing legislation to curb gun violence. Finally, the resolution commits to ensuring that another tragedy such as this never happens again.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Agricultural Fairs Rescue Act This bill directs the Agricultural Marketing Service of the Department of Agriculture to establish a program to award grants to states or state departments of agriculture to provide support to agricultural fairs for losses sustained by such fairs due to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Grant amounts shall be based on the difference between the average attendance at agricultural fairs in the state for a month occurring in 2019 compared to the corresponding month in 2020. As a condition of receiving a grant, recipients shall agree to (1) prioritize supporting agricultural fairs in the state facing the greatest financial hardship, and (2) use not more than 1% of grant funds for administrative costs incurred in providing support to agricultural fairs.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Helping Open Properties Endeavor Act of 2020 or the HOPE Act of 2020 This bill establishes an equity facility in the Department of the Treasury to assist commercial mortgage borrowers. Specifically, Treasury must guarantee the purchase by financial institutions of certain equity instruments backed by a commercial mortgage. The bill defines commercial mortgage as a mortgage loan secured by an interest in real property owned for rental income. Borrowers with reduced revenues from their commercial property may qualify for an amount not to exceed 10% of the outstanding amount owed on their commercial mortgage. The bill sets forth eligibility requirements for borrowers, as well as requirements for the equity instruments, including rates, fees, repayment, and the rights of purchasers.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3519 East Walnut Street in Pearland, Texas, as the "Tom Reid Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4020 Broadway Street in Houston, Texas, as the "Benny C. Martinez Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020
Save our Stages Act or the SOS Act This bill authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make grants to eligible live venue operators, producers, promoters, or talent representatives to address the economic effects of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic on certain live venues. Specifically, the SBA may make (1) an initial grant of up to $12 million dollars to an eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative; and (2) a supplemental grant that is equal to 50% of the initial grant. An initial grant must be used for costs incurred between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, but a supplemental grant may be used for expenses incurred through June 30, 2021. Such grants shall be used for specified expenses such as payroll costs, rent, utilities, and personal protective equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2020
Paycheck Protection Small Business Forgiveness Act This bill modifies loan forgiveness under the Paycheck Protection Program established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill provides for automatic forgiveness of a paycheck protection loan that is not more than $150,000 if the recipient submits a one-page form. Such form must allow a recipient to submit specified demographc and expenditure information, and certain individuals (e.g., the President, the Vice President, or the head of an executive department) are not eligible for such forgiveness. Further, the bill prohibits any enforcement or other action against a lender relating to loan origination, forgiveness, or guarantee based on the lender's reliance on certifications or documentation submitted by a loan applicant or recipient.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020
This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for a sovereign and democratic Iraq and calls on the United States to provide continued support for Iraq and its citizens through trade and investment, medical assistance, and stabilization efforts coordinated with international partners. It also calls on Iraq to take appropriate action to protect U.S. diplomats and service members and to allow humanitarian and stabilization assistance programs to be implemented without delays or impediments.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020
ESP Family Leave Act This bill provides that employees who are education support professionals will be considered as meeting the hours of service requirements to become eligible for family or medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, if they have worked a number of hours equal to not less than 60% of the total monthly hours expected for their job descriptions and duties, as assigned for the previous school year. The bill defines an education support professional as an employee within a public school or public institution of higher education which may include (1) paraeducators who provide instructional and noninstructional support; (2) secretarial, clerical, and administrative support staff; (3) custodians and maintenance service workers who provide building and grounds maintenance and repair; (4) skilled trade workers who provide services in schools, e.g., electricians, carpenters, and machinery operators; (5) workers who provide food service; (6) workers who provide school transportation and delivery services; (7) computer audiovisual, and language technical support staff; (8) security staff; (9) nursing, health, and therapy support staff; and (10) other staff that may serve public education students. The Department of Labor may provide a method for calculating leave under the Act for education support professionals.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2020
No Funds for Apportionment Exclusion Act This bill prohibits using federal funds to carry out the July 21, 2020, presidential memorandum ordering the exclusion of aliens without legal immigration status from being counted for the purposes of apportioning representation in the House of Representatives following the 2020 census.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2020
Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Authorization Act This bill authorizes the allocation of certain funds for purposes related to the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, requires the Department of State to develop a strategy for prioritizing efforts to increase disaster response and resilience in the Caribbean, and establishes monitoring and reporting requirements. Funds for carrying out the initiative shall be used for purposes that include (1) promoting citizen safety, security, and the rule of law in the Caribbean; (2) prioritizing efforts to combat corruption; and (3) promoting the rule of law in the Caribbean and countering influence from authoritarian regimes. The State Department shall develop a strategy that incorporates specific, measurable benchmarks demonstrating a prioritization of efforts to increase disaster response and resilience through carrying out specified coordination, resilience, and preparedness programs in beneficiary countries. The State Department must also submit an implementation plan that includes a timeline and stated objectives for such actions to be taken.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2020
Represent America Abroad Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of State to establish the Represent America Mid-Career Foreign Service Entry Program to increase diversity in the Foreign Service by recruiting mid-career professionals who are from minority groups. As part of the program, the State Department shall (1) establish and publish eligibility criteria for participation; (2) carry out recruitment efforts to attract highly qualified, mid-career professionals from minority groups; and (3) include appropriate mentorship and other career development opportunities for program participants. The State Department must submit an annual report on the status of the program.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2020
COVID-19 Data Transparency Act This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to standardize reporting by government health departments of COVID-19 data, including information related to hospital admissions, testing, contact tracing, and transmission rates. In addition, the CDC must publicly post and periodically update this information on its website with individually identifiable information excluded.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2020
This resolution supports the designation of a National Day of Civility. The resolution encourages a national campaign to promote civility and calls on all Americans to practice civility.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2020
This bill delays until the first calendar year that is 12 months after the end of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency the application of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rule dated May 14, 2020. That rule allows private health insurance plans to decide whether support provided by a prescription drug manufacturer to cover a patient's costs for a drug counts toward the patient's annual out-of-pocket limit. The bill requires enforcement of the previous rule, which allows plans to exclude drug manufacturer support from a patient's annual out-of-pocket limit only if a generic version of the drug is available.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2020
Isolate COVID-19 Act of 2020 This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to provide payments to states, tribes, and territories in order to lease hotels to temporarily house individuals with confirmed or presumed cases of COVID-19 who are unable to self-isolate at home and do not need inpatient or outpatient health care.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2020
Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to provide grants and other forms of emergency assistance to certain providers of transportation services that have experienced a significant revenue loss as a direct or indirect result of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Treasury must ensure equal access to the assistance for small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses. As a condition of receipt of assistance, Treasury must require that a provider of transportation services agree to (1) use the funds, on a priority basis, to maintain through December 31, 2020, pay, paid administrative leave, and benefits to all employees after making any adjustments required for retirement or voluntary employee separation; and (2) recall or rehire any employee laid off, furloughed, or terminated because of reduced service as a result of COVID-19, to the extent warranted by increased service levels.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2020
MFAR Transparency Act This bill restricts the implementation of, and requires additional reporting with respect to, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rule titled Medicaid Program; Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation , published on November 18, 2019. The proposed rule establishes new reporting requirements for states with respect to supplemental payments and upper payment limits under Medicaid and generally modifies requirements relating to state Medicaid financing. The bill prohibits the CMS from finalizing or otherwise implementing the proposed rule without congressional authorization. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must report on the fiscal impact of the proposed rule on health care facilities and state and local governments.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2020
Families Learning and Understanding English Together Act of 2020 or the FLUENT Act This bill authorizes the Department of Education (ED) to establish a grant program to improve the literacy and English skills of English language learners. Specifically, ED may award grants to providers of family literacy services to provide these services to families with English language learners. These services may only be provided to a family in which each parent is 16 years of age or older and at least one child is under the age of 8. Further, ED must make grants to or enter into contracts with at least two national organizations with expertise in providing family literacy services to English language learners. These national organizations must provide grantees with technical assistance and training. Additionally, ED must annually evaluate the grant program. The bill also requires grantees to meet specified outcome measures.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2020
Stopping Malign Activities from Russian Terrorism Act This bill directs the Department of State to report to Congress as to whether Russia qualifies as a state sponsor of terrorism. The State Department shall also report to Congress as to whether the following armed entities qualify as foreign terrorist organizations: (1) entities in the Donbas region of Ukraine controlled or aided by Russia, and (2) entities controlled by or associated with the Donetsk People's Republic or Lugansk People's Republic.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2020
Deadly Escalation by Foreign Entities Notification and Disclosure Act or the DEFEND Act This bill requires the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to brief Congress if ODNI determines with moderate or high confidence that a foreign government is deliberately seeking to kill or cause serious bodily injury to any member of the Armed Forces, either directly or indirectly. The briefing shall include information such as a description of the nature and extent of the foreign government's efforts and an assessment of the foreign government's motivations. After giving an initial briefing, the ODNI shall give periodic updated briefings.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2020
GI Internship Program Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a program to match veterans who are entitled to educational assistance with internships to provide such veterans with work experience and marketable skills. The VA shall establish criteria that employers must meet to participate in the program. The following employers are excluded from participating in the program: (1) government agencies, (2) employers who cannot provide the VA with certain assurances, and (3) employers who have previously participated in the program and failed to abide by its requirements. The VA shall pay individuals who are full-time participants in such an internship the amount of educational assistance payable to those participating in a full-time apprenticeship or other on-job training programs. Interns shall be considered as employees of the VA, not the program employer, for purposes of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Additionally, each intern and employer shall provide the VA with a monthly certification that the intern worked at least 35 hours each week performing functions that provided the individual with valuable experience. The VA and the Department of Labor shall create and publicize a website to serve as a portal for the program. The VA shall (1) minimize the administrative burdens incurred by employers due to their participation in the program, and (2) ensure that employer participation is at no cost to the employer.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2020
Social Security COVID Correction and Equity Act This bill expands the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) benefits program, temporarily expands the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, and otherwise modifies these programs. Specifically, the bill revises OASDI benefits by (1) modifying funding formulas, (2) extending eligibility for certain benefits, and (3) increasing income thresholds used to determine the percentage of benefits subject to federal income tax. Changes to OASDI funding formulas include (1) increasing the primary insurance amount, (2) establishing new methods to calculate benefits for individuals with lifetime low earnings and for widows and widowers, and (3) modifiying application of the national average wage index to prevent certain reductions to benefits. In addition, children of a deceased, disabled, or retired worker remain eligible for OASDI benefits through age 22 if they are full-time students. Under current law, they receive benefits through age 18. The bill also extends dependent child benefits under the OASDI program to specified family members other than grandparents or step-grandparents, including in cases where a court grants custody of the dependent child to an eligible family member. To receive benefits under current law, either both parents must be disabled or deceased or a grandparent or step-grandparent must legally adopt the dependent child. The bill also temporarily increases income and resource limits for the SSI program, thereby temporarily expanding eligibility. This program helps aged, blind, and disabled individuals with limited income and resources meet their basic needs.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2020
COVID-19 Youth Sports and Healthy Working Families Relief Act This bill establishes measures to provide economic assistance to youth sports providers, programs, and organizations in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill (1) requires the Small Business Administration to establish a loan program for youth sports providers affected by COVID-19, (2) expands the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to include expenses for youth physical activities, (3) makes certain sports and fitness expenses eligible to be paid for with Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and (4) increases the maximum contribution per household for Dependent Care FSAs.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2020
SEC Data Protection Act This bill directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to adopt regulations to protect from unlawful use or disclosure sensitive nonpublic proprietary information the SEC receives from investment advisers.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2020
This resolution expresses support for the designation of Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day. (A journeyman lineworker is a person who builds and maintains electrical power systems.)
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
Assisted Living Facility Coronavirus Reporting Act This bill temporarily imposes reporting requirements related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) cases in assisted living facilities on states as a condition of receiving certain federal COVID-19 relief funding. Specifically, states must report each week on suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 in assisted living facilities to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with the data disaggregated by race and other demographic characteristics. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services must publish the information provided by states. States must also require assisted living facilities to notify federal, state, and local health agencies and facility residents, their representatives, and their families within one calendar day of any confirmed cases of COVID-19 or the onset of new respiratory symptoms at a particular facility. In addition, subject to some limitations, the bill applies federal COVID-19 reporting requirements for nursing facilities and skilled nursing facilities to assisted living facilities and requires the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the use of required reporting by nursing homes to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19 in such facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2020
This resolution recognizes the forthcoming centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. The resolution, among other things acknowledges the historical significance of this event as one of the largest single instances of state-sanctioned violence against black people in American history; honors the lives and legacies of the estimated 300 black individuals who were killed during the massacre and the nearly 9,000 who were left homeless and penniless; condemns efforts to cover up the truth and shield the white community, especially government officials, from accountability; condemns the continued legacy of racism and white supremacy against black people in the United States, particularly in the form of police brutality; encourages education about the massacre, the history of white supremacy that fueled the massacre, and subsequent attempts to deny or cover up the massacre, in all elementary and secondary education settings and in institutions of higher education; and recognizes the commitment of Congress to acknowledge and learn from the history of racism and racial violence to reverse the legacy of white supremacy and fight for racial justice.
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 · 24 June 2020
This resolution applauds free and fair elections in Tonga and encourages deepened U.S. cooperation with Tonga in areas of mutual interest. The resolution also recognizes Tonga's participation in multinational security forces and multilateral institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2020
This resolution applauds free and fair elections in Fiji and encourages deepened U.S. cooperation with Fiji in areas of mutual interest. The resolution also recognizes Fiji's participation in multinational security forces and multilateral institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2020
This resolution commends the subsistence of democratic institutions in Papua New Guinea and encourages deepened U.S. cooperation with Papua New Guinea in areas of mutual interest. The resolution also recognizes Papua New Guinea's participation in multinational organizations and applauds the country's multilateral efforts to ensure access to electricity throughout the region.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2020
HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization Act of 2020 This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, which provides funds to states and local governments to create affordable housing for low-income individuals.
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 · 15 June 2020
This resolution recognizes the historical significance and supports the continued celebration of Juneteenth Independence Day, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2020
Real Economic Support That Acknowledges Unique Restaurant Assistance Needed To Survive Act of 2020 or the RESTAURANTS Act of 2020 This bill temporarily establishes and provides funding for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, from which the Department of the Treasury shall make grants to eligible food and beverage purveyors to cover specified costs. The amount of such a grant shall be reduced by the amount of (1) any emergency grant received for an economic injury disaster loan, or (2) any paycheck protection loan amount forgiven under the Paycheck Protection Program established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). For the grant program's initial period, Treasury must (1) prioritize awarding grants to marginalized and underrepresented communities, and (2) only award grants to eligible food and beverage purveyors with annual revenues of less than $1.5 million.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2020
Civil Deployment Notification Act of 2020 This bill requires the President to provide Congress with notice of intent to use militia and armed forces to suppress an insurrection in a state or to enforce federal authority and a justification for exercising such authority. The bill provides that the President's authority to use such military force expires 14 days after it is exercised unless Congress enacts an extension of such authority.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020
This resolution condemns Russia's attempts to harmfully influence domestic politics and stimulate unrest in the United States and allied countries. The resolution calls on the United States, as well as the European Union, to consider imposing additional sanctions against Yevgeniy Prigozhin and his affiliated entities. (Prigozhin is a Russian businessman accused of interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and the 2018 U.S. midterm elections).
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020
This joint resolution nullifies a rule published on June 5, 2020, by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency within the Department of the Treasury. The rule generally revises the office's implementation of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), which requires banks to serve the credit needs of low- and moderate-income communities. Under the CRA, a bank receives credit, which influences the bank's performance rating, for conducting specified activities related to this requirement in designated assessment areas. Among other things, the rule revises qualifying CRA activities, sets forth new procedures for determining if an activity qualifies under the CRA, and expands designated assessment areas.
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 · 8 June 2020
Justice in Policing Act of 2020 This bill addresses a wide range of policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability. It includes measures to increase accountability for law enforcement misconduct, to enhance transparency and data collection, and to eliminate discriminatory policing practices. The bill facilitates federal enforcement of constitutional violations (e.g., excessive use of force) by state and local law enforcement. Among other things, it does the following: lowers the criminal intent standard—from willful to knowing or reckless—to convict a law enforcement officer for misconduct in a federal prosecution, limits qualified immunity as a defense to liability in a private civil action against a law enforcement officer or state correctional officer, and authorizes the Department of Justice to issue subpoenas in investigations of police departments for a pattern or practice of discrimination. The bill also creates a national registry—the National Police Misconduct Registry—to compile data on complaints and records of police misconduct. It establishes a framework to prohibit racial profiling at the federal, state, and local levels. The bill establishes new requirements for law enforcement officers and agencies, including to report data on use-of-force incidents, to obtain training on implicit bias and racial profiling, and to wear body cameras.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020
Great American Outdoors Act This bill establishes the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund to support deferred maintenance projects on federal lands. For FY2021-FY2025, there shall be deposited into the fund an amount equal to 50% of all federal revenues from the development of oil, gas, coal, or alternative or renewable energy on federal lands and waters. Deposited amounts must not exceed $1.9 billion for any fiscal year. The fund must be used for priority deferred maintenance projects in specified systems that are administered by the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of Indian Education. The Government Accountability Office must report on the effect of the fund in reducing the backlog of priority deferred maintenance projects for the specified agencies. Additionally, the bill makes funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) permanent. The President shall annually report to Congress specified details regarding the allocation of funds to the LWCF. Congress may provide for alternate allocations using specified procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020
George Floyd Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to take specified steps to address accreditation standards, management operations, and misconduct of law enforcement. Specifically, it requires DOJ to develop uniform accreditation standards for law enforcement agencies and adopt policies and procedures to encourage law enforcement agencies to pursue accreditation. It authorizes DOJ to make grants to law enforcement agencies to obtain accreditation from certified organizations. The bill authorizes DOJ to make grants for studying law enforcement agency management and operations standards and developing pilot programs to address law enforcement misconduct. DOJ must study the prevalence and effect of any law, rule, or procedure that allows a law enforcement officer to delay the investigation and prosecution of complaints of law enforcement misconduct. The bill also establishes the Task Force on Law Enforcement Oversight to coordinate the detection and referral of complaints of alleged law enforcement misconduct. Law enforcement agencies must report data regarding practices on traffic violation stops, pedestrian stops, frisk and body searches, and use of deadly force. Finally, DOJ must create a medallion for survivors of each law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty and memorialized on the wall of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
![Official portrait of Rep. Gonzalez, Vicente [D-TX-34]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/115_rp_tx_15_gonzalez_vicente_200.jpg)