Budget

To provide further additional continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2019, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 22 December 2018

DIVISION A--FURTHER ADDITIONAL CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019 Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019 (Sec. 101) This division amends the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019 to provide continuing FY2019 appropriations to several federal agencies through the earlier of February 8, 2019 (December 21, 2018, under current law), or the enactment of the applicable appropriations legislation. It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and ends the partial government shutdown that began when the existing CR expired because seven of the remaining FY2019 appropriations bills have not been enacted. (Five of the FY2019 appropriations bills were enacted earlier this year, including: the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2019; the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019; the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019; the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2019; and the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019.) The CR extends through February 8, 2019: the Department of Homeland Security Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program; the authority for the Department of Health and Human Services Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to withhold from public disclosure certain technical data or scientific information that reveals vulnerabilities of existing medical or public health defenses against biological, chemical, nuclear, or radiological threats; and an exemption from antitrust laws for meetings and consultations to discuss the development of certain vaccines and drugs related to public health threats such as bioterrorism, pandemics, or epidemics. Additionally, the CR has the effect of extending through February 8, 2019, several authorities and programs that were extended in prior CRs, including: the National Flood Insurance Program, the Violence Against Women Act, the authority for the Environmental Protection Agency to collect and spend certain fees related to pesticides, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, and several authorities related to immigration. The CR also delays the release of required Congressional Budget Office and Office of Management and Budget sequestration reports. DIVISION B--MEDICAID EXTENDERS (Sec. 101) The division amends the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 to make appropriations for FY2019, and otherwise revise, the Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Demonstration Program (Under this program, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must award grants to state Medicaid programs to assist states in increasing the use of home and community care for long-term care and decreasing the use of institutional care.) (Sec. 102) Additionally, the division temporarily extends the applicability of Medicaid eligibility criteria that protect against spousal impoverishment for recipients of home and community-based services. (Sec. 103) The division also reduces the federal medical assistance percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) for states that have not implemented asset-verification programs for determining Medicaid eligibility. (Sec. 104) The division reduces funding available to the Medicaid Improvement Fund beginning in FY2021. (Sec. 105) This section exempts the budgetary effects of this division from: (1) the Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) rules established by the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 and the FY2018 congressional budget resolution, and (2) certain budget scorekeeping guidelines. It also requires any debits on the statutory PAYGO scorecard for 2019 to be transferred to the 2020 scorecard. (The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 prohibits certain legislation from increasing the budget deficit. PAYGO scorecards are used to enforce the requirements and determine whether a sequestration order implementing spending cuts is necessary.)

Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2018

Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget to establish a subpage within the website established under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 to publish information regarding federal disaster assistance.

Fairness for Crime Victims Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2018

Fairness for Crime Victims Act of 201 8 This bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to establish points of order in the House of Representatives and the Senate against considering provisions in appropriations legislation that contain changes in mandatory programs (CHIMPs) that would cause the amount available for obligation during the fiscal year from the Crime Victims Fund to be less than the three-year average. A CHIMP is a provision that: (1) would have been estimated as affecting direct spending or receipts if the provision were included in legislation other than an appropriations bill; and (2) results in a net decrease in budget authority in the current year or the budget year, but does not result in a net decrease in outlays over the period of the total of the current year, the budget year, and all fiscal years covered under the most recently adopted budget resolution.

Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2018

Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 2018 This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, headed by an Assistant Secretary. The Assistant Secretary shall serve as the principal advisor to DHS on weapons of mass destruction matters and strategies, and on coordinating efforts to counter weapons of mass destruction. The office shall coordinate DHS strategy and policy to plan, detect, and protect against the importation, possession, storage, transportation, development, or use of unauthorized chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear materials, devices, or agents. The Assistant Secretary shall establish the Securing the Cities program to detect and prevent terrorist attacks and other high consequence events utilizing nuclear or other radiological materials that pose a high risk to homeland security in high-risk urban areas. The bill establishes in the office a Chief Medical Officer who shall serve as the principal advisor to DHS on medical and public health issues. DHS shall transfer to the office all personnel, budget authority, and assets of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office and the Office of Health Affairs.

Federal Government Advertising Equity Accountability Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2018

Federal Government Advertising Equity Accountability Act This bill requires the President to include information in each budget regarding executive agency expenditures for advertising services, including expenditures for the advertising services of socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses and of women and minority-owned businesses.

No Budget No Recess Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2018

No Budget No Recess Act This bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to prohibit the House of Representatives from considering a resolution to adjourn for more than three days in August until the House has approved all of the annual appropriations bills for the fiscal year that begins on October 1 of the year. (Under current law, this restriction applies only to a recess during July.)

Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program Extension Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2018

Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program Extension Act of 2018 This bill amends the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 to extend the Department of Agriculture 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program. (Under current law, the program provides disaster payments to agricultural producers who suffered crop, tree, bush, and vine losses resulting from hurricanes and wildfires that occurred in the 2017 calendar year.) The bill extends the availability of the funding for the program through December 31, 2020, and expands the program to include losses resulting from hurricanes and wildfires occurring in calendar year 2018.

Bipartisan Budget and Appropriations Reform Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2018

Bipartisan Budget and Appropriations Reform Act of 2018 This bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require biennial congressional budget resolutions, instead of the annual budget resolutions required under current law. The bill retains the existing annual process for budget reconciliation and appropriations bills.

Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 November 2018

Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to convene a working group on a regular basis with the Department of Labor, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Health and Human Service, the Small Business Administration, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Commerce, and other appropriate agencies to: develop a report that identifies and describes the potential areas of duplication or fragmentation in post-disaster declarations in federal assessments of data collection methods and data collected and program delivery after post-disaster declarations; determine the applicability of having one federal agency make the assessments for all agencies; identify potential emerging technologies, such as Unmanned Aircraft Systems, to expedite the administration of disaster assistance assessments; and develop and submit to Congress a report on the working group's findings that may include recommendations.

Estate Tax Rate Reduction Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2018

Estate Tax Rate Reduction Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the rate for the tax on estates, gifts, and generation-skipping transfers to 20%. (Under current law, the highest rate is 40%.) The bill also exempts the budgetary effects of the tax reduction from the Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) rules established by the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 and the FY2018 congressional budget resolution.

A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to provide emergency payments to dairy producers.

United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2018

This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue emergency payments to dairy producers. USDA must develop criteria for the payments that give priority to producers who are: (1) located in a state with a high cost of dairy production compared to other states, and (2) on a farm with a high cost of dairy production based on the size of the farm. The emergency payments provided under this bill must be at least $10,000 but no greater than $20,000 per dairy operation. USDA must use $556 million in Commodity Credit Corporation funds to carry out this bill. The bill designates the spending as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) Act of 2010 and the FY2018 congressional budget resolution. (This exempts the spending from various budget enforcement rules.)

Federal Flood Management Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2018

Federal Flood Management Act of 2018 This bill directs executive agencies, including military departments, to reduce the risk of flood losses, minimize flood impacts, and restore and preserve natural floodplains. Agencies must also: (1) evaluate the effects of an action taking place in a floodplain, (2) ensure planning programs and budget requests incorporate flood hazard considerations, and (3) indicate their compliance with this bill to the Office of Management and Budget when making a request for a new authorization or appropriation. The bill sets forth characteristics to be used in determining whether an agency action impacts a floodplain. The Mitigation Framework Leadership Group must reassess annually the implementation of these requirements, and provide recommendations to the Water Resources Council. An agency undertaking a federally funded project must comply with federal flood risk management standards, including construction guidelines, flood-proofing measures, and elevation techniques. Projects may be exempted if compliance would not be in the interest of national security, a project is in response to an emergency, or the standard is demonstrably inappropriate. An agency facilitating a financial transaction in an area subject to a base flood (a base flood has a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any year) has a duty to inform any private party of the hazards. Agencies must report on their compliance with this bill to the Council on Environmental Quality.

Rightsizing the Federal Workforce Through Attrition Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2018

Rightsizing the Federal Workforce Through Attrition Act This bill directs the Office of Management and Budget to reduce the total number of federal employees.

Federal CIO Authorization Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2018

Federal CIO Authorization Act of 2018 This bill reorganizes Office of Management and Budget (OMB) information technology (IT) activities and establishes new IT reporting requirements. The bill renames (1) the Office of E-Government & Information Technology (E-Gov) as the Office of the Federal Chief Information Officer (Federal CIO), and (2) the E-Government Fund as the Federal IT Fund. The office shall be headed by a Federal Chief Information Officer who shall report directly to the Director of OMB (currently, the head of E-Gov reports to the Deputy Director). There is established in the office a Federal Chief Information Security Officer. Agencies must report IT expenditures to the Federal CIO. The Federal CIO must publish timely, searchable, computer-readable data on agency IT expenditures, projects, and programs. The Federal CIO shall submit to Congress a proposal for consolidating IT across the federal government and increasing the use of shared services.

To support the capacity of the International Monetary Fund to prevent money laundering and financing of terrorism.

United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2018

This bill amends the International Financial Institutions Act to require: (1) the Department of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support the use of the IMF's administrative budget for technical assistance that strengthens the capacity of IMF members to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing, and (2) the National Advisory Council on International Monetary and Financial Policies to report on the effectiveness of such assistance and on the efficacy of U.S. efforts to achieve this goal.

GREAT Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2018

Grant Reporting Efficiency and Agreements Transparency Act of 2018 or the GREAT Act This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget, jointly with the executive department that issues the most federal grant awards in a calendar year, to: (1) establish government-wide data standards for information reported by grant recipients, (2) issue guidance directing federal agencies to apply those standards, and (3) require the data reported by grant recipients and collected from all agencies to be published on a single public portal.

PEPFAR and Protections for Orphans and Vulnerable Children Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2018

PEPFAR and Protections for Orphans and Vulnerable Children Act of 2018 This bill amends the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 to extend certain provisions related to the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a U.S. governmental initiative addressing the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. Specifically, the bill extends through FY2023 provisions that: require the Inspectors General of the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for Global Media, jointly with the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Agency for International Development, to coordinate and conduct oversight of PEPFAR programs; limit U.S. contributions to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to 33% of funds contributed from all sources; require that certain fund contributions be withheld under specified circumstances, such as if funds were used to assist a country that has repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism; and require that more than half of the PEPFAR budget be allocated for specified HIV/AIDS treatment and care. The bill also extends through FY2024 annual reporting requirements relating to HIV/AIDS treatment providers and costs.

PEPFAR Extension Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2018

PEPFAR Extension Act of 2018 This bill amends the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 to extend certain provisions related to the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a U.S. governmental initiative addressing the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. Specifically, the bill extends through FY2023 provisions that: require the Inspectors General of the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for Global Media, jointly with the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Agency for International Development, to coordinate and conduct oversight of PEPFAR programs; limit U.S. contributions to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to 33% of funds contributed from all sources; require that certain fund contributions be withheld under specified circumstances; require that at least half of the PEPFAR budget be allocated for specified HIV/AIDS treatment and care; and require that at least 10% of such budget be expended for assistance to orphans and other children.  The bill also extends through FY2024 annual reporting requirements relating to HIV/AIDS treatment providers and costs.

Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2018

Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act This bill requires the Government Publishing Office (GPO) to establish and maintain a publicly available website containing copies of all congressionally mandated reports. The website must feature, in addition to certain descriptive information related to such reports: (1) the ability to retrieve a report through specified types of searches; (2) a means for downloading reports individually or in bulk; (3) an electronic means for federal agencies to submit reports to the GPO, as required by the bill; and (4) in tabular form, a list of all reports that can be searched and sorted by time frame or submission status. The Office of Management and Budget must issue guidance to federal agencies on the bill's requirement for agencies to submit copies of congressionally mandated reports and related information to the GPO. With respect to each report, the relevant federal agency may redact or withhold certain information in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act and other laws. The Library of Congress must submit to the GPO a list of all congressionally mandated reports that are required to be submitted during a year as soon as practicable, but no later than April 1 of the following year. The list shall be provided in an open format and must include specified identifying and otherwise descriptive information.

Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2018

Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act This bill amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to make permanent the authorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The bill eliminates the requirement that the funds which are deposited into the LWCF remain in there until appropriated by Congress to carry out the purposes of the LWCF. Funds deposited into the LWCF may be spent without being subject to the appropriations process. These funds are in addition to amounts made available by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 or otherwise appropriated from the LWCF. The President shall submit to Congress detailed account, program, and project allocations as part of the President's annual budget submission. At least 1.5% of the annual authorized funds shall be used for projects that secure recreational public access to existing federal public land for hunting, fishing, and other recreational purposes.

PEPFAR Extension Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2018

PEPFAR Extension Act of 2018 This bill amends the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 to extend certain provisions related to the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a U.S. governmental initiative addressing the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. Specifically, the bill extends through FY2023 provisions that: require the Inspectors General of the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for Global Media, jointly with the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Agency for International Development, to coordinate and conduct oversight of PEPFAR programs; limit U.S. contributions to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to 33% of funds contributed from all sources; require that certain fund contributions be withheld under specified circumstances; and require that at least half of the PEPFAR budget be allocated for specified HIV/AIDS treatment and care. The bill also extends through FY2024 annual reporting requirements relating to HIV/AIDS treatment providers and costs.

Medicare and Medicaid Protection Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2018

Medicare and Medicaid Protection Act of 2018 This bill prohibits the Senate from considering any budget reconciliation bill or resolution that would affect the Medicare or Medicaid programs in one of several specified ways (e.g., by increasing the Medicare eligibility age or converting Medicaid into a block grant program).

BUDGET PRIORITIES FOR SOUTH ASIA

United States · United States House of Representatives · 25 July 2018

Department of Homeland Security Chief Data Officer Authorization Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2018

Department of Homeland Security Chief Data Officer Authorization Act This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to designate a career appointee of DHS as its Chief Data Officer. The bill sets forth the responsibilities of the Chief Data Officer, including: (1) ensuring that DHS conforms with recognized data management best practices, (2) coordinating the release of data for public use after privacy reviews, (3) promoting the use of modern data systems to improve DHS operations, and (4) serving as the liaison to other federal agencies and the Office of Management and Budget on data.

Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2019 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2020 through 2028.

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2018

Establishes the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2019 and sets forth budgetary levels for FY2020-FY2028. Recommends levels and amounts for FY2019-FY2028 for: federal revenues, new budget authority, budget outlays, deficits (on-budget), debt subject to limit, debt held by the public, and the major functional categories of spending. Includes reconciliation instructions directing 11 specified House authorizing committees to submit deficit reduction legislation to the House Budget Committee by September 14, 2018. Sets forth budget enforcement procedures addressing: long-term direct spending, allocations for Overseas Contingency Operations/ Global War on Terrorism, changes in mandatory programs, advance appropriations, estimates of debt service costs and credit programs, adjustments to spending levels, transfers from the general fund of the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund, and Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) guarantee fees. Establishes reserve funds for legislation relating to: investments in national infrastructure, amendments to the Internal Revenue Code, extending pro-growth tax policies, repeal or replacement of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or the presumptions of service connection for veterans who served offshore of the Republic of Vietnam or Korea. Sets forth policy statements on several fiscal and domestic policy issues.

Transportation Empowerment Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2018

Transportation Empowerment Act This bill proposes the return to the states of discretionary authority and fiscal responsibility for national surface transportation systems not within the purview of the federal government. It imposes a funding limitation on transportation programs and projects based upon availability of funding through the Highway Trust Fund. The bill also provides funding for certain core highway programs for FY2019-FY2023, including the federal-aid highway program, emergency relief, the federal lands access program, and the highway research and development program. It adjust amounts in the Highway Trust Fund and the tax rates on gasoline and special motor fuels to support such core programs. The bill repeals provisions relating to metropolitan transportation planning and congestion mitigation and air quality improvement. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require the return of excess tax receipts to states for surface transportation programs, and (2) reduce tax rates on gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, and special fuels. The provisions of this bill shall apply only if the Office of Management and Budget certifies that it is deficit neutral.

Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2018

Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 2018 This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, headed by an Assistant Secretary. The Assistant Secretary shall serve as the principal advisor to DHS on weapons of mass destruction matters and strategies, and on coordinating efforts to counter weapons of mass destruction. The office shall coordinate DHS strategy and policy to plan, detect, and protect against the importation, possession, storage, transportation, development, or use of unauthorized chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear materials, devices, or agents. The Assistant Secretary shall establish the Securing the Cities program to detect and prevent terrorist attacks and other high consequence events utilizing nuclear or other radiological materials that pose a high risk to homeland security in high-risk urban areas. The bill establishes in the office a Chief Medical Officer who shall serve as the principal advisor to DHS on medical and public health issues. DHS shall transfer to the office all personnel, budget authority, and assets of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office and the Office of Health Affairs.

Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2018

Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act of 2018 This bill establishes in the executive branch a Federal Acquisition Security Council. The Office of Management and Budget shall designate a senior-level official to serve as the chairperson of the council. The council shall perform functions that include developing: (1) criteria and processes for assessing threats and vulnerabilities relating to supply chain risk posed by the acquisition of information technology to national security and the public interest, and (2) standards and measures for supply chain risk management. The chairperson shall report annually to Congress on the council's activities. Any agency that makes information technology available for procurement by other agencies shall: identify information technology products made available to other agencies that pose the greatest risk to national security or the public interest; complete a risk assessment of such products; in each case in which the agency identifies a significant supply chain risk posed by information technology, make the risk assessment available to all agencies through the council and develop a plan to mitigate that risk; and develop a vetting process for conducting supply chain risk assessments regarding prospective providers of information technology and make the process available to all agencies. The Department of Homeland Security may: (1) assist agencies in conducting risk assessments and implementing mitigation requirements for information technology, and (2) provide such additional guidance or tools as necessary to support actions taken by agencies.

Children's Budget Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2018

Children's Budget Act This bill requires the President's annual budget submission to include a detailed and separate analysis of current and requested levels of spending for children and children's programs.

Focus on Children Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2018

Focus on Children Act This bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to produce studies and reports regarding federal spending on children. The CBO must provide: studies of legislation containing changes in spending on children, upon the request of a congressional committee; an annual report regarding spending on children; and an annual report on the President's budget request for spending on children. The CBO may provide a warning report to Congress regarding a fiscal year in which outlays for interest on the public debt will exceed spending on children. The CBO must also develop and maintain a public website that includes: the reports and studies required by this bill, a dashboard containing key indicators and visualization tools to assist the public in understanding trends in spending on children, and an open data portal that contains quantitative data on federal spending on children.

Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2019

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2018

Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2019 Provides FY2019 appropriations for the legislative branch, including the Senate and Joint Items such as: the Joint Economic Committee, the Joint Committee on Taxation, the Office of the Attending Physician, and the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services. Provides FY2019 appropriations for: the Capitol Police; the Office of Compliance; the Congressional Budget Office; the Architect of the Capitol; the Library of Congress, including the Congressional Research Service and the Copyright Office; the Government Publishing Office; the Government Accountability Office; the Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund; and the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development. (Pursuant to the longstanding practice of each chamber of Congress determining its own requirements, funds for the House are not included in the Senate bill.) Sets forth permissible and prohibited uses for funds provided by this bill.

21st Century IDEA

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2018

21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act or the 21st Century IDEA This bill requires an executive agency that maintains a website or digital service that is made available to the public to: eliminate or consolidate websites or web pages that are duplicative or overlapping; ensure that each public-facing website and digital service has a consistent appearance; ensure that each website, web-based form, and web-based application is accessible to individuals with disabilities; ensure that each website or digital service contains a search function that allows users to easily search content intended for public use; provide the website or digital service through an industry standard secure connection; ensure that each website or digital service is designed around user needs; and ensure that users of the website or digital service have the option for a more customized digital experience. Any agency website that is made available to the public after this bill's enactment shall be in compliance with website standards of the General Services Administration's Technology Transformation Services. Each agency shall make available to the public an online, mobile-friendly, digital service option for any in-person government transaction or paper-based process in a manner that decreases cost, increases digital conversion rates, and improves customer experience. Each agency shall submit to the Office of Management and Budget and Congress a plan to accelerate the use of electronic signature standards. Each agency's Chief Information Officer must meet specified requirements related to coordinating the customer experience and digital service delivery.

United States Transportation Command Infrastructure Assessment Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2018

United States Transportation Command Infrastructure Assessment Act of 2018 This bill requires the United States Transportation Command, in coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOT), to make available to congressional Appropriations, Armed Services, and Transportation committees a description and assessment of the condition of the defense transportation sector functions, systems, assets, and dependencies as they relate to supporting Department of Defense operational capabilities and assets, including any related Transportation Engineering Agency Infrastructure Assessments. In coordination with DOT, the Command shall identify and submit to those committees consolidated and prioritized resource requirements for transportation infrastructure at the same time the President submits to Congress the budget for the next fiscal year.

Providing for further consideration of the bill (H.R. 5895) making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3) to rescind certain budget authority proposed to be rescinded in special messages transmitted to the Congress by the President on May 8, 2018, in accordance with title X of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act 1974.

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2018

Sets forth the rule for consideration of H.R. 5895 (Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019) and H.R. 3 (Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act).

SPECTRUM NOW Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2018

Supplementing the Pipeline for Efficient Control of The Resources for Users Making New Opportunities for Wireless Act or the SPECTRUM NOW Act This bill amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to authorize the Office of Management and Budget to make a payment from the Spectrum Relocation Fund for costs of spectrum research and development and planning activities under specified circumstances.

SPECTRUM NOW Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2018

Supplementing the Pipeline for Efficient Control of The Resources for Users Making New Opportunities for Wireless Act or the SPECTRUM NOW Act This bill amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to authorize the Office of Management and Budget to make a payment from the Spectrum Relocation Fund for costs of spectrum research and development and planning activities under specified circumstances.

Keep Buying American Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2018

Keep Buying American Act of 2018 This bill directs each agency required to submit reports under Executive Order 13788, titled "Buy American and Hire American," to make each report available to the public and Congress at the same time it submits the report to the Department of Commerce and the Office of Management and Budget. Each agency that was previously required to submit a report under such order shall make each report available to the public and to Congress.

Recognizing the national debt as a threat to national security.

United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2018

Recognizes that the national debt is a threat to national security and that deficits are unsustainable, irresponsible, and dangerous. Commits to restoring regular order to the appropriations process and immediately passing a balanced budget.

John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019

United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2018

John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 This bill authorizes FY2019 appropriations and sets forth policies regarding the military activities of the Department of Defense (DOD), military construction, and the national security programs of the Department of Energy (DOE). It does not provide budget authority, which is provided in subsequent appropriations legislation. The bill authorizes appropriations to DOD for: Procurement; Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation; Operation and Maintenance; Cooperative Threat Reduction; Working Capital Funds; Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction; Defense-Wide Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities; the Defense Inspector General; the Armed Forces Retirement Home; and the Defense Health Program. This bill also authorizes appropriations for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), which are exempt from limits on discretionary spending. OCO appropriations authorized in the bill support base budget requirements as well as OCO activities. The bill authorizes the FY2019 personnel strengths for active duty and reserve forces and sets forth policies regarding military personnel; compensation and other personnel benefits; health care; acquisition policy and management; DOD organization and management; civilian personnel matters; matters relating to foreign nations; and strategic programs, cyber, and intelligence matters. Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 The bill addresses shifting threats to national security and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 The bill authorizes appropriations and sets forth policies regarding military construction for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and defense agencies, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program, and Guard and Reserve Forces facilities. The bill authorizes appropriations for base realignment and closure (BRAC) activities and prohibits an additional BRAC round. The bill also authorizes appropriations and sets forth policies for DOE national security programs, including the National Nuclear Security Administration.

REVIEW OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2019 STATE DEPARTMENT BUDGET REQUEST

United States · United States Senate · 24 May 2018

Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018

Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act This bill rescinds approximately $15 billion in budget authority over 2018-2028 that was proposed to be rescinded by the President under procedures included in the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. (A rescission is legislation enacted by Congress that cancels the availability of previously enacted budget authority before the authority would otherwise expire. Under current law, the President may propose rescissions to Congress, which must be enacted into law to take effect. Congress may rescind all, part, or none of the amounts proposed by the President. If Congress does not pass rescission legislation within 45 days of continuous session of Congress, the President must make the funds available.) The bill rescinds budget authority from specified programs and accounts within: the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Energy, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, the Department of State, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the U.S. Agency for International Development. the Department of Transportation, the Department of the Treasury, the Corporation for National and Community Service, and the Railroad Retirement Board.

STRENGTHENING AMERICAN DIPLOMACY: REVIEWING THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET, OPERATIONS AND POLICY PRIORITIES

United States · United States House of Representatives · 23 May 2018

FAITH in Congress Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2018

Foster Accountability, Integrity, Trust, and Honor in Congress Act or the FAITH in Congress Act This bill prohibits Members of Congress from being paid if both chambers of Congress have not: (1) agreed to a budget resolution for the next fiscal year by April 15, or (2) passed each of the regular appropriations bills for the next fiscal year by September 30. The bill also includes provisions that: eliminate automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress; prohibit funds provided for the official travel expenses of Members of Congress and legislative branch employees from being used for airline accommodations that are not coach-class, with some exceptions; prohibit former Members of Congress and elected officers of Congress from lobbying Congress; and prohibit the House of Representatives from considering legislation that does not have demonstrable bipartisan support.

No Budget, No Vacation Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2018

No Budget, No Vacation Act This bill prohibits Congress from recessing, adjourning, considering other matters, or spending funds on official travel beginning on August 1 of each year until both chambers have passed a congressional budget resolution and all of the regular appropriations bills for the next fiscal year. The bill also sets forth requirements for regular quorum calls in the Senate until the budget and appropriations process has been completed.

NIMBLE Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

National Innovation Modernization by Laboratory Empowerment Act or the NIMBLE Act This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to delegate signature authority to the nonmilitary national laboratories for certain agreements. Activity under such an agreement must have a total cost of less than $1 million (including the contributions of the national laboratory and the cost share of the contractor). Agreements must fall within the scope of: a strategic plan for the laboratory that has been approved by DOE, or the most recent congressionally approved budget for DOE activities that are to be carried out by the laboratory.

VA MISSION Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 or VA MISSION Act of 2018 This bill consolidates Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) community care programs, revises other VA health care programs and facilities provisions, and makes appropriations for veterans care. The bill establishes the Veterans Community Care Program to furnish hospital care, medical services, and extended care services through certain non-VA providers to veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system or otherwise entitled to VA care. The VA may enter agreements with non-VA providers to furnish veterans with care that is otherwise not feasibly available. The VA shall: (1) establish standards for VA health care quality and for non-VA care in areas of VA expertise, (2) prohibit rehiring previously-removed VA providers, (3) provide prompt payment to providers, and (4) establish opioid prescribing practices for non-VA providers. The Veterans Choice Program is terminated after one year. The bill establishes the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment. The VA may: (1) provide care for the live donor of a transplant for a veteran, and (2) carry out a Specialty Education Loan Repayment Program and other actions to recruit health care professionals. The VA family caregiver program is expanded. The Office of Management and Budget shall review each enhanced-use facility lease. The bill establishes pilot programs for medical scribes, mobile deployment teams for underserved facilities, and graduate medical education. The bill extends VA pension reductions for Medicare-covered veterans in nursing homes.

Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2019

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2018

Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2019 Provides FY2019 appropriations for the legislative branch, including the House of Representatives and Joint Items such as: the Joint Economic Committee, the Joint Committee on Taxation, the Office of the Attending Physician, and the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services. Provides FY2019 appropriations for: the Capitol Police; the Office of Compliance; the Congressional Budget Office; the Architect of the Capitol; the Library of Congress, including the Congressional Research Service and the Copyright Office; the Government Publishing Office; the Government Accountability Office; the Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund; and the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development. (Pursuant to the longstanding practice of each chamber of Congress determining its own requirements, funds for the Senate are not included in the House bill.) Sets forth permissible and prohibited uses for funds provided by this bill.

Education and Energy Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2018

Education and Energy Act of 2018 This bill amends the Mineral Leasing Act to require excess revenue from new mineral and geothermal leases to be provided to the states in which the revenue is generated to supplement the education of students in kindergarten through grade 12 and to supplement public support of institutions of higher education. The bill applies to revenue from new leases that are in excess of the Congressional Budget Office's estimated revenue for the leases in the prior fiscal year.

Expanding Housing Opportunities for Foster Youth Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2018

Expanding Housing Opportunities for Foster Youth Act of 2018 This bill increases the budget authority for the Family Unification Vouchers program, which provides housing assistance to foster youth.

21st Century IDEA

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2018

21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act or the 21st Century IDEA (Sec. 3) This bill requires an executive agency that creates a public website or digital service, or that redesigns an existing public legacy website or digital service, to ensure that the website or service: is accessible to individuals with disabilities, has a consistent appearance, does not overlap with or duplicate any legacy websites; contains a search function, is provided through an industry standard secure connection, is designed around user needs, provides users with the option for a more customized digital experience that allows users to complete digital transactions in an efficient and accurate manner, and is fully functional and usable on common mobile devices. Each agency that maintains a public website or digital service shall report: (1) to Congress on those websites and services, including the cost of modernization, and (2) annually to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on the agency's progress in implementing the requirements. Agencies must ensure that Intranets established after enactment of this bill conform to the requirements for public websites. Any website of an agency that is made available to the public after enactment shall be in compliance with the website standards of the Technology Transformation Services of the General Services Administration (GSA). (Sec. 4) The OMB shall issue guidance to each agency to: (1) identify public nondigital, paper-based, or in person government services; and (2) include in the agency's budget request a list of nondigital services with the greatest impact that could be made available to the public through an online, mobile-friendly, digital service option in a manner that decreases cost, increases digital conversion rates, and improves customer experience, and an estimation of the cost and schedule associated with carrying out such modernization. Agencies must make forms used by the public available digitally and report on forms, services, and processes that cannot be digitized. Each agency shall maintain an accessible method of completing digital services through in-person, paper-based, or other means, such that individuals without the ability to use digital services are not deprived of, or impeded in, access to such services. (Sec. 5) Each agency shall submit to the OMB and Congress a plan to accelerate the use of electronic signatures. (Sec. 6) Each agency's Chief Information Officer shall: coordinate and ensure alignment of the internal and external customer experience programs and strategy of the agency, coordinate with the management leaders of the agency to ensure proper funding to support this bill's implementation, continually examine the agency's public digital service delivery strategy and submit recommendations providing guidance and best practices, identify areas of concern that need improvement using data relating to customer experience and satisfaction, and coordinate and ensure compliance with requirements for federal websites to be mobile friendly. (Sec. 7) Each agency shall: (1) seek to maintain as much standardization and commonality with other agencies as practicable in implementing this bill's requirements to best enable future transitions to centralized shared services; and (2) coordinate the implementation of such requirements, including the development of standards and commonalities. The GSA must make available under a Federal Supply Schedule the systems and services necessary to fulfill this bill's requirements. Such schedule shall ensure interoperability between agencies, compliance with industry standards, and adherence to best practices for design, accessibility, and information security.