United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2020
This resolution condemns Iran's state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the international covenants on human rights. Further, it calls on Iran to immediately release all imprisoned or detained Baha'is, and it urges the President and the Department of State to impose sanctions on Iranian officials and others who are responsible for serious human rights abuses, including abuses against Iran's Baha'i community.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2020
Promoting Secure 5G Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Director at each international financial institution (e.g., the International Monetary Fund or the International Finance Corporation) that it is U.S. policy to support institutional assistance with advanced wireless technologies only if they provide appropriate security for users, encourage assistance with infrastructure or policy reforms that facilitate the use of secure advanced wireless technologies, and cooperate with institutional member states to strengthen international support for such technologies.
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 · 8 January 2020
This resolution (1) disapproves of the Speaker of the House of Representatives' decision to refuse to transmit to the Senate the two articles of impeachment adopted on December 18, 2019, and (2) demands that the Speaker immediately transmit the articles to the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019
This bill prohibits the Fish and Wildlife Service from awarding specified wildlife conservation grants to entities that fund or support certain persons or entities that are credibly alleged to have committed gross human rights violations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2019
Moving Our Democracy and Congressional Operations Towards Modernization Resolution This resolution implements recommendations made by the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress. Among other things, the resolution establishes a centralized human resources program; revises orientation for Members-Elect; requires a survey of Members to determine the level of interest in establishing an academy to provide continuing education opportunities for Members; and requires reports on actions to address technology issues, the accessibility of legislative information, and the accessibility of U.S. Capitol buildings and grounds. The resolution authorizes the Committee on House Administration to carry out recommendations included in the reports.
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 · 3 December 2019
Universal Charitable Giving Act of 2019 This bill allows individual taxpayers a deduction from gross income (above-the-line deduction) for charitable contributions even if such taxpayers do not elect to itemize deductions for the taxable year. The deduction may not exceed one-third of the taxpayer's standard deduction amount.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 2019
Guidance Clarity Act of 2019 This bill requires federal agencies to state on the first page of guidance documents that (1) such guidance does not have the force and effect of law, and (2) noncompliance by regulated parties with suggested behavior in such guidance does not conclusively establish a violation of applicable law. Excluded from this requirement is guidance directed to the issuing agency or other agency that is not intended to have a substantial effect on the behavior of regulated parties, as well as internal executive branch legal advice or opinions addressed to executive branch officials.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 2019
Unclaimed Savings Bond Act of 2019 This bill establishes requirements and procedures for the Department of the Treasury to transfer ownership of matured, unredeemed savings bonds and related records to states.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2019
Corporate Governance Reform and Transparency Act of 2019 This bill requires a proxy advisory firm to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and prohibits an unregistered proxy advisory firm from using interstate commerce to provide proxy-voting research, analysis, or recommendations to any client. With respect to these firms, the bill (1) establishes procedures for both registration and termination of registration; (2) requires each firm to employ an ombudsman, designate a compliance officer, and file specified documents with the SEC; and (3) prohibits unfair, coercive, or abusive practices. The SEC must report annually on its website regarding registration applications and related matters.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2019
World War II Pacific War Heroes Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs Congress to make arrangements for the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of the service of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and Merchant Marine, as well as the citizen and noncitizen civilians who fought with the U.S. military, who were surrendered, captured, or abandoned to become prisoners of war of Japan during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2019
United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to arrange for the award of a single gold medal to the U.S. Army Ranger veterans of World War II in recognition of their dedicated wartime service. Following its award, the gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution where it shall be available for display and research.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2019
Time to Rescue United States Trusts Act or the TRUST Act This bill establishes congressional rescue committees to develop recommendations and legislation to improve critical social contract programs. A critical social contract program is a federal program for which a federal trust fund is established (e.g., Social Security, Medicare, and federal highway programs), with outlays of at least $20 billion during the year preceding the year in which this bill is enacted, and for which the amount of dedicated federal funds and federal trust fund balances will be inadequate to meet the total amount of outlays of the program that would otherwise be made. Each rescue committee may develop recommendations and legislation to improve the program for which it was established, including by (1) increasing the duration of positive balances of the federal trust fund established for the program, and (2) providing for the solvency of the federal trust fund established for the program during a 75-year period. Congress must use specified expedited legislative procedures to consider legislation that is approved and submitted by the rescue committees.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2019
General James N. Mattis Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to General James N. Mattis in recognition of his distinguished military career. Following the award, the medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where it shall be available for display as appropriate and made available for research. The U.S. Mint may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2019
Countering Turkish Aggression Act of 2019 This bill directs the President to impose sanctions related to Turkey. The President shall impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on (1) specified officials of Turkey's government, such as the president and vice president of Turkey; (2) any foreign person that knowingly sells to, provides support to, or conducts a transaction with Turkey's armed forces; and (3) any foreign person that supplies goods or services that support petroleum production for use by Turkey's armed forces. The President may temporarily stop the application of such sanctions upon certifying to Congress that Turkey (1) is not operating in certain parts of Syria without U.S. support, and (2) has withdrawn its troops and Turkey-supported rebel groups from occupied areas. The President shall impose additional sanctions on Turkey based on Turkey's purchase of a surface-to-air defense system from Russia. No funds may be obligated or expended to transfer to Turkey's armed forces any U.S. defense articles, services, or technology.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2019
Nursing Home Workforce Quality Act This bill repeals certain restrictions under Medicare and Medicaid that prohibit the approval of nurse-aide training and competency evaluation programs in skilled nursing facilities that have been subject to specified regulatory actions (e.g., civil penalties) for substandard quality of care. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must still disapprove such programs for up to two years; however, the CMS must rescind the disapproval upon completion of corrective action and may require additional oversight of the program for purposes of rescission.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2019
This resolution expresses support for the relationship between the United States and Bulgaria. The resolution recognizes Bulgaria"s efforts to ensure regional and international security.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2019
Bankruptcy Venue Reform Act of 2019 This bill limits where a non-individual debtor (e.g., a corporate debtor) may file for chapter 11 bankruptcy. Specifically, these debtors must file in the district court for the district in which the principal place of business or principal assets of the debtor are located. Under current law, these debtors may also file where they are domiciled (i.e., incorporated) or where there is a chapter 11 case pending concerning an affiliate, general partner, or partnership. For certain debtors who are issuers of securities, their principal place of business is defined in the bill as the address of the entity's principal executive office as provided in specified Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2019
Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act or the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement a pilot program to assess the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder through a method where veterans train service dogs for veterans with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2019
Jurists United to Stop Trafficking Imitation Child Exploitation Act of 2019 or the JUSTICE Act of 2019 This bill broadens the prohibition on importation or transportation of obscene materials. Specifically, the bill makes it a crime to import, or knowingly use a common carrier or interactive computer service to transport, a child sex doll.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
Negro Leagues Baseball Centennial Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Negro National League, a professional baseball league that was formed in response to African-American players being banned from baseball's major leagues. The design of the coins shall be emblematic of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and its mission to promote tolerance, diversity, and inclusion. All surcharges from sales of these coins shall be paid to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to fund educational and outreach programs and exhibits.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
This bill establishes a point of order against legislation that increases long-term direct spending. The point of order may be raised in the House or the Senate against legislation that would cause a net increase in direct spending of more than $5 billion in any of the four consecutive 10-fiscal year periods beginning with the first fiscal year that is 10 fiscal years after the current fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2019 This bill provides a private right of action against state and local jurisdictions with certain policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts, and contains additional provisions related to such jurisdictions. Currently, such cooperation is generally not required. An individual (or certain relatives of such an individual) who is the victim of any felony for which an alien has been arrested, convicted, or sentenced to a prison term of at least one year may sue a state or local jurisdiction if the jurisdiction failed to comply with (1) certain Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requests related to arresting and detaining aliens, and (2) a DHS request to detain the alien in question or provide a notification about the release of the alien. A jurisdiction that accepts certain federal grants may not assert immunity in such a civil action. A jurisdiction (or employee of a jurisdiction) that complies with certain DHS detainer requests shall be deemed to be acting as an agent of DHS. A complying jurisdiction or employee of the jurisdiction shall not be liable in any lawsuit relating to compliance with such requests. In a lawsuit against an employee of the jurisdiction, the United States shall be substituted in as the defendant, and remedies shall be limited to provisions for bringing tort claims against the federal government.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019
Improving Transparency for the American People Act of 2019 This resolution expands the duties of the Clerk of the House of Representatives to include reporting on adoption of a standardized format for certain legislative documents, assessing funding and other resources needed to expedite and complete the legislation comparison project, and assigning unique identifiers to persons required to file lobbying statements or reports with the Clerk. The resolution requires the Clerk's website to include a database of the expiration dates of all federal programs and a database of certain recorded votes taken in committees, beginning with the 116th Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2019
Southern Campaign of the Revolution National Heritage Corridor Act of 2019 This bill establishes the Southern Campaign of the Revolution National Heritage Corridor in North Carolina and South Carolina. The University of South Carolina, as the managing entity for the corridor, shall submit a Corridor Management Action Plan for the corridor.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019
Travel Promotion, Enhancement, and Modernization Act of 2019 This bill extends funding for Brand USA, the Corporation for Travel Promotion, through FY2027 and raises the fee for using the electronic system for travel authorization.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2019
One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act This bill requires a federal agency that issues a license for the conduct of a lunar activity to require that each license applicant agree to abide by recommendations, guidelines, or principles issued by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) related to the protection and preservation of U.S. government lunar artifacts. A federal agency may exempt specific activities from such an agreement if the activities have legitimate and significant historical, archaeological, anthropological, scientific, or engineering value; assess a penalty fee for violations of such an agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
Ensuring Accurate and Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act of 2019 This bill requires states, as a condition of federal payment under Medicaid for family planning services, to report certain abortion data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Currently, reporting is voluntary.) The CDC must develop standardized questions for states with respect to specified variables (e.g., maternal demographics and methods of abortion).
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
Achieving Lasting Electoral Reforms on Transparency and Security Act or the ALERTS Act This bill requires federal agencies and state and local governments to provide notification regarding election cybersecurity incidents. Specifically, federal entities must share information about an election cybersecurity incident with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). If there is credible evidence that an unauthorized intrusion into an election system occurred that put voter information or other systems at risk, DHS must, with limited exceptions, share this information with relevant state and local offices and with appropriate members of Congress. State and local election offices must notify individuals possibly affected by this intrusion.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019
This concurrent resolution (1) condemns the Houthi movement in Yemen for violence and humanitarian and other violations, (2) expresses concern about Iran's support for the Houthis, (3) urges parties in the Yemeni civil war to uphold a December 2018 ceasefire and withdrawal agreement, and (4) urges the U.S. government to support a peace process to end the civil war and humanitarian crisis.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019
Improve Well-Being for Veterans Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to award grants for a period of three years to eligible entities for the provision of suicide prevention services to veterans and their families. Under the bill, eligible entities include tribally designated housing entities, community-based organizations, and other private entities that meet certain requirements. Entities must submit an application to receive financial assistance that includes a description of the services they propose to provide, among other elements. The bill requires the VA to equitably distribute grants across geographic regions and areas with the most need. Additionally, the VA shall give preference to entities that are experienced in providing suicide prevention services. Entities receiving funding must notify service recipients that funding is wholly or partially from the VA.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019
Tax Relief and Expedited Assistance for Disasters Act of 2019 or the TREAD Act This bill provides tax relief for qualified disaster areas (i.e., an area, excluding a California wildfire disaster area, for which a major disaster was declared on or after January 1, 2018). Specifically, the bill provides for distributions and loans from retirement plans for disaster assistance, a tax credit for wages paid by employers in a qualified disaster area, a temporary suspension of limitations on the deductibility of charitable contributions, and an automatic extension of filing deadlines for taxpayers affected by disasters.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2019
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Improvement Act of 2019 This bill creates an allowance for a deceased veteran's or deceased service member's surviving spouse who is receiving dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) from the Department of Veterans Affairs. DIC is a monthly payment made to survivors and dependents of (1) certain veterans, and (2) service members killed while on active military duty. The bill provides a formula for calculating the monthly rate of the allowance based on the DIC amount the spouse is entitled to receive. Payment amounts under the Survivor Benefit Plan shall not be affected by the implementation of the DIC allowance.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2019
CECL Consumer Impact and Study Bill of 2019 This bill directs the Securities and Exchange Commission and federal financial regulators to report on the implementation of the Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL) accounting standard and its impact on credit availability, capital requirements, financial institutions, and nonfinancial institutions. Required compliance with the CECL standard is delayed until one year after submission of this report.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2019
Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2019 This bill establishes several prohibitions, requirements, and standards relating to prior authorization processes under Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Specifically, the bill prohibits MA plans from instituting additional prior authorization requirements for surgeries (including related items) that are furnished to a patient during other surgeries for which prior authorization was not required or was already received. Additionally, MA plans must (1) establish an electronic prior authorization program that meets specified standards, including the ability to provide real-time decisions in response to requests for items and services that are routinely approved; (2) annually publish specified prior authorization information, including the percentage of requests approved and the average response time; and (3) meet other standards, as set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, relating to the quality and timeliness of prior authorization determinations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2019
Partnership Fund for Peace Act of 2019 This bill requires the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to establish the Partnership Fund for Peace for promoting economic development in Palestine and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. Specifically, the bill directs the USAID to establish this fund to finance (1) small and medium-sized Palestinian entrepreneurs and companies in order to promote the private sector and create jobs in Palestinian territories, and (2) people-to-people peacebuilding programs that support reconciliation between Palestinians and Israelis. An economic partnership, entrepreneur, or company requesting support from the fund must include a Palestinian entrepreneur or company as a partner. A people-to-people partnership requesting support from the fund must include a nonprofit organization that brings Palestinians and Israelis together for reconciliation or nonprofit organizations that further reconciliation between Arab and Jewish citizens of Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2019
Our Obligation to Recognize American Heroes (OORAH) Act of 2019 This bill authorizes jurisdiction over certain Iranian assets so that judgments against Iran for the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, may be collected by the victims' families. Specifically, the bill establishes personal jurisdiction for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York over Iranian funds held outside the United States by any foreign securities intermediary.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2019
This resolution condemns Iranian state-sponsored terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and officials and Iranian dissidents and expresses support for the people of Iran who are engaged in legitimate and peaceful protests against the Iranian regime.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2019
This resolution urges Congress to take all appropriate measures to use certain principles as a framework for potential legislation and regulations to protect small business owners seeking financing that would start, continue, or expand operations and create jobs.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019
National Right-to-Work Act This bill repeals those provisions of the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act that permit employers, pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement that is a union security agreement, to require employees to join a union as a condition of employment (including provisions permitting railroad carriers to require, pursuant to such an agreement, payroll deduction of union dues or fees as a condition of employment).
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019
Stronger Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 and revises the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978 to expand services for preventing and treating child abuse. Specifically, the bill establishes requirements concerning collecting and exchanging data about child abuse and neglect. For instance, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to (1) establish uniform national standards for tracking and reporting child fatalities and near-fatalities resulting from maltreatment, and (2) develop an electronic interstate data exchange system that allows states to share information from their child abuse and neglect registries with other states. In addition, the bill addresses child abuse and neglect related to families impacted by substance use disorders, racial bias in the child protective services system, and child sexual abuse. Finally, the bill requires HHS to examine unregulated custody transfers and make recommendations for preventing, identifying, and responding to such transfers.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019
Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act This bill treats certain military survivor benefits that are received by children as earned income of the child for the purposes of the kiddie tax (the tax on the unearned income of children). This has the effect of exempting the benefits from such tax.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019
Women's Suffrage Centennial Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 400,000 $1 silver coins that are emblematic of the women who played a vital role in rallying support for the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Such coins may be issued during the period beginning on January 1, 2020, and ending on December 31, 2020. All surcharges received from the sales of such coins shall be paid to the American Women's History Initiative of the Smithsonian Institution.
![Official portrait of Rep. Timmons, William R. [R-SC-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/t000480_200.jpg)