Defence

POISE Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2019

Prevention and Oversight of Intelligence Sharing with Enemies Act or the POISE Act This bill expresses the sense of Congress that elements of the intelligence community are obligated to notify Congress upon discovering that an individual in the executive branch has disclosed, outside established intelligence channels, certain classified information to specified adversary foreign governments (North Korea, Iran, China, Russia, and Cuba).

HEARTS and Rural Relief Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2019

HEARTS and Rural Relief Act This bill makes a series of changes relating to Medicare coverage and requirements, particularly with respect to military retirees. Specifically, the bill (1) exempts certain military retirees who are under 65 years of age, and who no longer receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, from the requirement to enroll in Medicare medical services in order to be eligible for TRICARE; (2) increases funding for the Medicare Improvement Fund; and (3) temporarily provides for Medicare coverage of certain prostate cancer DNA Specimen Provenance Assay tests. The bill also makes other changes to Medicare payment systems for certain items and services. Among other things, the bill (1) requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to specify the criteria used to exclude certain procedures from the list of covered surgical procedures that may be performed in an ambulatory surgical center under Medicare, and (2) extends the instruction from the CMS for contractors not to enforce the requirements for direct physician supervision of outpatient therapeutic services in critical access and small rural hospitals through 2021.

To prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from transmitting certain information to the Department of Justice for use by the national instant criminal background check system.

United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2019

This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from transmitting personally identifying information of a veteran or their beneficiary to the national instant criminal background check system utilized by licensed importers or dealers of firearms solely on the basis that such veteran has a service-connected disability.

Student Veterans Housing Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2019

Student Veterans Housing Act of 2019 This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to make payments of monthly housing stipends during holidays or other closures at educational institutions and also specifies how monthly housing stipends are paid between school terms or when a recipient transfers to another institution of higher learning.

Federal Law Enforcement and Public Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2019

Federal Law Enforcement and Public Protection Act This bill directs each civilian or military federal law enforcement agency to prescribe requirements for the safe storage and locking of service firearms when they are not in use. It specifies minimum standards for safe storage and locking, directs agencies to report lost or stolen firearms, and requires agencies to provide training and written materials to law enforcement officers.

HEARTS and Rural Relief Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2019

HEARTS and Rural Relief Act This bill makes a series of changes relating to Medicare coverage and requirements, particularly with respect to military retirees. Specifically, the bill (1) exempts certain military retirees who are under 65 years of age, and who no longer receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, from the requirement to enroll in Medicare medical services in order to be eligible for TRICARE; (2) increases funding for the Medicare Improvement Fund; and (3) temporarily provides for Medicare coverage of certain prostate cancer DNA Specimen Provenance Assay tests. The bill also makes other changes to Medicare payment systems for certain items and services. Among other things, the bill (1) requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to specify the criteria used to exclude certain procedures from the list of covered surgical procedures that may be performed in an ambulatory surgical center under Medicare, and (2) extends the instruction from the CMS for contractors not to enforce the requirements for direct physician supervision of outpatient therapeutic services in critical access and small rural hospitals through 2021.

Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2019

Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes the U.S. Coast Guard and the Federal Maritime Commission for FY2020-FY2021, and authorizes a specified level of end-of-year strength for active duty personnel and military training student loads to the Coast Guard for such fiscal years. Among other things, the bill addresses (1) retirement grades for Coast Guard personnel, (2) promotion authority for Coast Guard personnel, (3) the use of unmanned maritime and aircraft systems in the Coast Guard, and (4) diversity at the Coast Guard Academy. The bill revises or sets forth policies relating to the Coast Guard, including passenger vessel security and safety requirements, vessel operation requirements, coastwise endorsement determinations, Coast Guard advisory committees, safety zones to address special activities such as offshore energy development in the exclusive economic zone, the use of engine cut-off switches on recreational vessels, polar security cutter acquisitions, and vessel certification extensions.

ENLIST Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2019

Encourage New Legalized Immigrants to Start Training Act or the ENLIST Act This bill allows the enlistment in the Armed Forces of certain aliens who have been unlawfully present in the United States. Specifically, such a person is one who (1) was unlawfully present on December 31, 2012, and has been continuously present since that date, (2) was under 15 years of age on the date of initial entry, and (3) is otherwise eligible for original enlistment in a regular military service component. The bill also establishes a process by which the status of such an alien shall be adjusted to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. It includes conditions under which that status may be rescinded upon a separation from the Armed Forces.

EXAMINING THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE'S DEPLOYMENT TO THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER

United States · United States House of Representatives · 20 June 2019

Expressing support for the designation of the month of June 2019 as "National Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Month" and June 27, 2019, as "National Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day".

United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2019

This resolution supports the designation of National Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Month and National Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day. The resolution supports (1) the education of members of the Armed Forces, veterans, their families, and the public about post-traumatic stress injury; and (2) efforts by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to foster cultural change around the issue of post-traumatic stress injury. The resolution also encourages officers of the Armed Forces to support treatment of members of the Armed Forces who suffer from post-traumatic stress injury.

Parity in Veterans Health Care Rights Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2019

Parity in Veterans Health Care Rights Act This bill expands eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits (including dependency and indemnity compensation) in situations where a veteran has been disabled or died as a result of medical treatment or vocational rehabilitation. Under the bill, the VA must award such benefits if a disability or death of a veteran was caused by hospital care, a medical service, or an extended care service furnished by a non-VA provider as part of the Veterans Community Care Program. The proximate cause of the disability or death in these situations must have been (1) carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or a similar instance of fault on the part of the provider; or (2) an event that was not reasonably foreseeable.

A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of June 16 through June 23, 2019, as "National GI Bill Commemoration Week" and celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944.

United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2019

This resolution expresses support for the designation of the week of June 16-June 23, 2019, as National GI Bill Commemoration Week. The resolution also honors the achievements of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 in democratizing higher education and affirms Congress's responsibility to ensure that veterans' educational assistance endures as an honorable investment of public dollars.

A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that the President should posthumously award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Harry W. Colmery.

United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2019

This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the President should posthumously award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Harry W. Colmery.

VETS Safe Travel Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2019

Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act or the VETS Safe Travel Act This bill makes certain veterans eligible for the Transportation Security Administration PreCheck Program at no cost if they meet the program's background check and security requirements. Veterans who are eligible for this fee waiver are those who have been determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs to have incurred permanent blindness, or those who have been determined to require the use of a wheelchair, prosthetic limb, or other assistive device to aid with mobility due to (1) loss, or loss of use, of a limb; or (2) full or partial paralyzation.

Department of State Authorization Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2019

Department of State Authorization Act of 2019 This bill authorizes, revises, and repeals various provisions related to the Department of State. The bill provides statutory authority to establish an Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and an Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy and Security and eliminates the position for the Special Representative and Policy Coordinator for Burma (Myanmar). The bill imposes limitations on special appointments not expressly authorized by Congress. The State Department may not expend any amounts for reduction-in-force actions unless it has provided justification to Congress. The State Department shall make certain efforts to promote diversity in its workforce, including expanding anti-harassment and antidiscrimination training and gathering data to devise ways to promote participation from a range of demographic categories in professional development programs. The State Department shall semiannually consult with other departments and agencies regarding the security of certain information systems and commission independent penetration testing of such systems. The bill directs the State Department to take various actions to update its public diplomacy efforts, including establishing a Director of Research and Evaluation to assess existing programs. The State Department shall assess each country's capacity to combat public corruption. For countries that do not meet the minimum standards, the State Department shall utilize proper measures to combat corruption. The State Department shall establish a working group on security assistance, including activities such as peacekeeping and military financing assistance. The bill revises various requirements and limits related to such assistance and transferring defense articles to foreign countries.

VA Emergency Transportation Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2019

VA Emergency Transportation Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reimburse a veteran for the reasonable value of emergency transportation by a non-VA provider (1) to a facility for emergency treatment, or (2) from a non-VA facility where the veteran was treated to a VA or other federal facility for additional care.

Expressing support for the designation of the week of June 16 through June 23, 2019, as National GI Bill Commemoration Week and Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944.

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2019

This resolution honors the achievements of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 in democratizing higher education and affirms Congress's responsibility to ensure that veterans' educational assistance endures as an honorable investment of public dollars.

Refuge System Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2019

Refuge System Protection Act This bill authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ), at the request of the Department of the Interior, to bring in a district court a civil action against any individual or entity that destroys, causes the loss of, causes Interior to make risk mitigation efforts with respect to, or injures any resource that is within the boundaries any land or water that is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The bill also authorizes DOJ, at the request of Interior, to bring in a district court an in rem action against any instrumentality (e.g., a vessel, vehicle, or aircraft) that destroys, causes the loss of, causes Interior to make risk mitigation efforts with respect to, or injures any such system resource. Among others, it shall be an affirmative defense in either type of action that the destruction of, loss of, risk mitigation regarding, or injury to a system resource was caused by an otherwise legal act or omission that occurred outside the boundaries of the resource. In either type of action, the court may award response costs and damages. .

War Powers Amendments of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2019

War Powers Amendments of 2019 This joint resolution revises the War Powers Resolution, a law designed to limit the President's power to introduce Armed Forces into hostilities. Changes include shortening the time that Armed Forces may be involved in hostilities without congressional action and providing for judicial enforcement. The President shall remove any Armed Forces introduced into hostilities without congressional approval within 30 days unless Congress (1) declares war, (2) enacts a joint resolution specifically authorizing such use of the Armed Forces, (3) extends this deadline by 30 days, or (4) is unable to meet because of an attack on the United States. Current law allows such use of the Armed Forces for 60 days from when the President first reports to Congress about the engagement and allows for a 60-day extension. If Congress takes no such actions, funds may not be used to continue Armed Forces involvement in the hostilities, except to withdraw. The bill removes a provision requiring the removal of such engaged Armed Forces if Congress passes a concurrent resolution requiring such removal. A member of Congress may sue in district court for an order directing the President to comply with this bill. A judgment in such an action shall be directly appealable to the Supreme Court. The bill amends various provisions relating to (1) the President reporting to and consulting with Congress regarding the use of the Armed Forces without congressional authorization, and (2) procedures for the expedited handling of joint resolutions related to such use of force.

Improve Well-Being for Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 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.

Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2019

Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 This bill provides $4.59 billion in FY2019 emergency supplemental appropriations to federal departments and agencies for humanitarian assistance and security to respond to migrants attempting to enter the United States at the southern border. The funding provided by this bill is designated as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits. The bill provides appropriations to the Department of Justice for the Executive Office for Immigration Review and the U.S. Marshals Service; the Department of Defense for the Operation and Maintenance accounts of the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Army National Guard; and the Department of Health and Human Services for the Administration for Children and Families. Within the Department of Homeland Security, the bill provides appropriations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this bill.

Refuge System Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2019

Refuge System Protection Act This bill authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ), at the request of the Department of the Interior, to bring in a district court a civil action against any individual or entity that destroys, causes the loss of, causes Interior to make risk mitigation efforts with respect to, or injures any resource that is within the boundaries of any land or water that is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The bill also authorizes DOJ, at the request of Interior, to bring in a district court an in rem action against any instrumentality (e.g., a vessel, vehicle, or aircraft) that destroys, causes the loss of, causes Interior to make risk mitigation efforts with respect to, or injures any such system resource. Among others, it shall be an affirmative defense in either type of action that the destruction of, loss of, risk mitigation regarding, or injury to a system resource was caused by an otherwise legal act or omission that occurred outside the boundaries of the resource. In either type of action, the court may award response costs and damages.

Palomares Veterans Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2019

Palomares Veterans Act of 2019 This bill includes veterans who participated in the cleanup of radioactive materials at Palomares, Spain, as radiation-exposed veterans for purposes of the Department of Veterans Affairs presumption of service-connection for specified cancers. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific disabilities diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded.

Countering Hizballah in Lebanon’s Military Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2019

Countering Hizbollah in Lebanon's Military Act of 2019 This bill limits the use of security assistance funds for Lebanon until certain conditions are met. Specifically, 20% of funds appropriated or made available for such security assistance may not be obligated or expended until the President certifies to Congress that (1) the Lebanese Armed Forces have taken measurable steps to limit or expel Hezbollah-influenced military personnel that have significant influence over the Lebanese Armed Forces' policies or activities, (2) activities of the Lebanese Armed Forces to disarm Hezbollah demonstrate a serious commitment to fulfill United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 calling for such disarmament, and (3) the Lebanese Armed Forces have not cooperated or partnered with Hezbollah during the last year. The President may waive the first two requirements if it is in U.S. national security interest to do so.

VETS Safe Travel Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2019

Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act or the VETS Safe Travel Act This bill makes certain veterans eligible for the Transportation Security Administration PreCheck Program at no cost if they meet the program's background check and security requirements. Veterans who are eligible for this fee waiver are those who require the use of a wheelchair, prosthetic limb, or other assistive device to aid with mobility due to (1) loss, or loss of use, of a limb; (2) full or partial paralyzation; or (3) permanent blindness.

National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Extension Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2019

National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Extension Act of 2019 This bill extends for an additional four years the exemption from the means test under Chapter 7 bankruptcy for qualifying members of an Armed Forces reserve component or the National Guard. Currently, the exemption expires on December 19, 2019.

To direct the Secretary of Defense to report on vulnerabilities from sea level rise to certain military installations located outside the continental United States.

United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2019

This bill requires the Department of Defense to report to Congress on the vulnerabilities to sea level rise of (1) the Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia, and (2) the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site (in the Marshall Islands). The report shall include identification of alternative locations for the continuance of the installations' operations.

Defense Maintenance Data Transparency Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2019

Defense Maintenance Data Transparency Act This bill requires the Department of Defense to consult with stakeholders to develop guidelines for the acquisition of intellectual property (e.g., technological processes), to include model forms and definitions of key terms.

Flying Tiger Flight 739 Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2019

Flying Tiger Flight 739 Act This bill requires the Department of Defense to authorize inclusion on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in the District of Columbia of the names of the 93 soldiers who died on Flying Tiger Flight 739 when it crashed in the Pacific Ocean en route to Vietnam on March 16, 1962.

Countering Hezbollah in Lebanon's Military Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2019

Countering Hezbollah in Lebanon's Military Act of 2019 This bill limits the use of security assistance funds for Lebanon until certain conditions are met. Specifically, 20% of funds appropriated or made available for such security assistance may not be obligated or expended until the President certifies to Congress that (1) the Lebanese Armed Forces have taken measurable steps to limit or expel Hezbollah-influenced military personnel that have significant influence over the Lebanese Armed Forces' policies or activities, (2) activities of the Lebanese Armed Forces to disarm Hezbollah demonstrate a serious commitment to fulfill United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 calling for such disarmament, and (3) the Lebanese Armed Forces have not cooperated or partnered with Hezbollah during the last year. The President may waive the first two requirements if it is in U.S. national security interest to do so.

To improve the leasing projects of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to update its Planning and Activating Community Based Outpatient Clinics handbook at least once every five years to reflect current policies and practices.

Active Cyber Defense Certainty Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019

Active Cyber Defense Certainty Act This bill limits the prosecution of computer fraud and abuse offenses where the conduct constituting an offense involves a response to, or defense against, a cyber intrusion.

JROTC Cyber Training Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019

JROTC Cyber Training Act This bill directs the Department of Defense to implement a program to prepare Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps students for careers in computer science and cybersecurity. The program may include such elements as internships and cooperative research opportunities, funding for training of instructors, activities to improve the quality of training in these fields, and informal education.

Protecting NATO Skies Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019

Protecting NATO Skies Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the transfer of an F-35 aircraft to Turkey and various activities related to such a transfer. The prohibition may be waived if the President certifies to Congress that Turkey does not intend to accept delivery of the S-400 air defense system, which Turkey has agreed to buy from Russia.

Secure Federal LEASEs Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019

Secure Federal Leases from Espionage And Suspicious Entanglements Act or the Secure Federal LEASEs Act This bill instructs the General Services Administration (GSA), the Architect of the Capitol, or any federal agency (other than the Department of Defense) that has independent statutory leasing authority (federal lessee), before entering into a lease agreement or approving a novation agreement with an entity involving a change of ownership under a lease that will be used for high-security leased space, to require the entity to identify the immediate or highest-level owner of the space and disclose whether that owner is a foreign person or entity, including the country associated with the ownership entity. A federal lessee shall require the entity to (1) provide such identification and disclosure when first submitting a proposal in response to a solicitation for offers issued by the federal lessee; and (2) update such information annually, including the list of the immediate or highest-level owners of that entity or the information required to be provided related to each such owner. The GSA shall develop a government-wide proposal for identifying all immediate, highest-level, or beneficial owners of high-security leased spaces before entering into a lease agreement to accommodate a federal tenant. The bill provides a rule for language in a lease agreement (concerning restriction of access to high-security space) between a federal lessee and an entity to accommodate an agency in a building or improvement used for high-security leased space.

To provide for a safe transit exception to service level requirements for Department of Defense aircraft flying over Colorado wilderness areas, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019

This bill allows military aircraft operating outside of designated Department of Defense airspace in the wilderness areas in the mountainous regions of Colorado to deviate from service-level requirements if oxygen requirements, icing levels, engine power limitations, cloud clearance, or turbulence prevent the aircraft from safely transiting the areas while maintaining such service-level requirements.

Recognizing the critical importance of military aviation training in the State of Colorado, including training conducted at the High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site.

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019

This resolution recognizes the critical importance of military aviation training in Colorado, including training conducted at the High-Altitude Army National Aviation Training Site, to the national security interests of the United States and to military readiness.

DEFEND Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019

Deterring Espionage by Foreign Entities through National Defense Act of 2019 or the DEFEND Act This bill makes changes to provisions governing federal civil claims for trade secret misappropriation. Specifically, it does the following: increases punitive damages for a victim, extends the statute of limitations for filing a claim, and allows claims for conduct that occurs outside the United States if the offense causes substantial economic harm in the United States.

Buy Clean Transparency Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019

Buy Clean Transparency Act of 2019 This bill requires federal contracting agencies to assess how the products they procure affect the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The term federal contracting agencies  means the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Commerce, the Environmental Protection Agency, the General Services Administration, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The agencies must publish their assessments.

Military Readiness and Injury Prevention Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019

Military Readiness and Injury Prevention Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Defense to carry out a pilot program to predict and prevent musculoskeletal injuries in members of the Armed Forces.

Sixth Amendment Preservation Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019

Sixth Amendment Preservation Act This bill limits the detention authority of the United States. Current law prohibits the indefinite detention of a U.S. citizen by the United States unless it is authorized by an act of Congress. This bill prohibits the indefinite detention of any person by the United States unless it is consistent with the Constitution. Additionally, it specifies that a general authorization to use military force or similar measure, on its own, does not authorize the indefinite detention of a person who is arrested in the United States. Finally, the bill repeals a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 affirming the authority of the Armed Forces to detain individuals captured in connection with hostilities pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force pending the end of hostilities.

Protecting Our Gold Star Families' Education Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019

Protecting Our Gold Star Families' Education Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Education to expand the Pell Grant program to include grants for the dependents (including independent students) of a veteran who died serving on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces in Iraq or Afghanistan on or after September 11, 2001. To qualify for assistance, the dependents must be less than 33 years of age. Pell Grant rules pertaining to the determination of financial need do not apply to the grants awarded by this bill for veterans' dependents.

IMPLEMENTATION OF ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD SYSTEMS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA) AND THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD)

United States · United States House of Representatives · 12 June 2019

VA Mission Telehealth Clarification Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2019

VA Mission Telehealth Clarification Act This bill authorizes health professional trainees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide treatment to veterans via telemedicine. To provide such treatment, a trainee must be under the supervision of a VA health care professional who is authorized to provide health care via telemedicine.

Deborah Sampson Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2019

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that gender-specific services are continuously available at every VA medical center and community-based outpatient clinic. Additionally, the VA must conduct a study, interviewing women veterans and employees, to assess the need for and use of extended hours as a means of reducing barriers to care.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Improvement Act of 2019

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.

SEA FUEL Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2019

Securing Energy for our Armed Forces Using Engineering Leadership Act of 2019 or the SEA FUEL Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Defense to carry out a program of research, development, testing, evaluation, study, and demonstration of technologies related to blue carbon capture and direct air capture, with the goals of developing technologies to turn carbon dioxide into clean fuels, creating products for military uses, and using the technologies at military facilities and in military transportation. The bill defines "blue carbon capture" as the removal of dissolved carbon dioxide from seawater through engineered or inorganic processes and "direct air capture" as the use of equipment to capture carbon dioxide directly from the air.

Safe Water for Military Families Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2019

Safe Water for Military Families Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to ensure that, no later than January 1, 2029, it uses only non-fluorinated firefighting foam, which does not contain a perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. DOD shall study best practices to clean up ground contaminated by PFAS substances.

National Defense Strategy Implementation Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2019

National Defense Strategy Implementation Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to report on and plan means to defeat China and Russia in competition and war. Specifically, the bill requires DOD to report on operational concepts and plans concerning China and Russia, including on key strategically significant scenarios identified in the National Defense Strategy; requires DOD to develop and implement a plan to strengthen the analytic capabilities, expertise, and processes necessary to meet the strategy; directs the Commission on the National Defense Strategy for the United States to report annually on the execution of the strategy and makes the commission permanent.

REVAMP Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2019

Renovate and Enhance Veterans Meeting Halls and Posts Act of 2019 or the REVAMP Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to award grants to veterans service organizations in rural areas to (1) repair or rehabilitate a facility in a rural area, and (2) acquire or upgrade computers and technology for such a facility. An organization may not receive a grant in any fiscal year in an amount exceeding the lesser of (1) the aggregate cost of such proposed activities and uses, or (2) $75,000. An organization that receives such a grant for a fiscal year shall be ineligible for any such grant for the next five fiscal years. Grants awarded under this bill may not be used for the construction or acquisition of new facilities.