Defence

FLIGHT Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020

Fostering Leadership and Inclusion by Growing HBCU Training Act of 2020 or the FLIGHT Act This bill directs the Department of Defense to carry out two five-year pilot programs to assess the feasibility and advisability of mechanisms to reduce barriers to participation in the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps at certain historically Black colleges and universities and certain other minority institutions of higher education (covered institutions) by creating partnerships between satellite or extension Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps units at such institutions and military installations, and assess the feasibility and advisability of providing financial assistance to members of the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps and members of the Coast Guard College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative at covered institutions for participation in flight training.

Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020

Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act of 2020 This bill modifies the extension of dependent coverage under TRICARE by allowing a dependent under the age of 26 to be covered without an additional premium. Additionally, the bill authorizes such coverage of dependents without a premium regardless of whether they are eligible to enroll in an employer sponsored plan.

Protection of Civilians in Military Operations Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020

Protection of Civilians in Military Operations Act This bill expands Department of Defense (DOD) reporting requirements for civilian casualties that result from U.S. military operations and implements other requirements to address and prevent such casualties. Specifically, the bill requires (1) coordination with the Department of State in responding to reports of civilian casualties resulting from military operations, (2) DOD to establish and maintain a database that preserves and organizes reports on investigations of such civilian casualties, and (3) DOD to add personnel to implement its policies relating to civilian casualties from military operations.

National Defense Net Zero Review Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020

National Defense Net Zero Review Act of 2020 This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on (1) the progress of the Department of Defense (DOD) toward reaching net zero energy goals, and (2) DOD operational energy usage. The bill also requires DOD to (1) annually report on total emission levels for each of the ten preceding fiscal years, and (2) develop a master plan for achieving DOD-wide net zero for energy, water, waste management, and emissions.

National Commission on Modernizing Military Installation Designations Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020

National Commission on Modernizing Military Installation Designations Act This bill establishes in the executive branch the National Commission on Modernizing Military Installation Designations, an independent commission charged with reviewing the designations (i.e., names) of certain military installations and other property of the Department of Defense (DOD). Specifically, the commission must review the designations of the following military installations: (1) Camp Beauregard, Louisiana; (2) Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia; (3) Fort Benning, Georgia; (4) Fort Bragg, North Carolina; (5) Fort Gordon, Georgia; (6) Fort Hood, Texas; (7) Fort Lee, Virginia; (8) Fort Pickett, Virginia; (9) Fort Polk, Louisiana; (10) Fort Rucker, Alabama; (11) the U.S.S. Chancellorsville ; and (12) any other military base or property as the commission determines appropriate. In conducting its review, the commission must consider whether current designations represent the values enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and whether a designation features certain other characteristics (e.g., honoring careers or actions that were important to, and well known in, the locality or function to be memorialized). The commission must produce reports with any recommendations for action by the executive branch and Congress related to each military installation. Not later than 30 days after the submission of the recommendations in the final report, DOD must redesignate the military installations with such designations as determined by the commission. The commission shall terminate not later than 30 days after submitting the final versions of its reports and recommendations.

SERVICE Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020

STEM Education and Recruitment by Valuing Increased Community Engagement Act of 2020 or the SERVICE Act This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to promote interest in careers in STEM disciplines, including to maximize strategic partnerships between institutions of higher education and private sector organizations to build and strengthen communities involved in such disciplines. The term STEM disciplines means disciplines relating to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, including disciplines that are critical to the national security functions of DOD and that are needed in the DOD workforce.

FLIGHT Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020

Fostering Leadership and Inclusion by Growing HBCU Training Act of 2020 or the FLIGHT Act This bill directs the Department of Defense to carry out five-year pilot programs to assess the feasibility and advisability of mechanisms to reduce barriers to participation in the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps at certain historically Black colleges and universities and certain other minority institutions of higher education (covered institutions) by creating partnerships between satellite or extension Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps units at such institutions and military installations, and assess the feasibility and advisability of providing financial assistance to members of the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps and members of the Coast Guard College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative at covered institutions for participation in flight training.

Law Enforcement Identification Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020

Law Enforcement Identification Act This bill requires federal law enforcement officers and members of the Armed Forces engaged in crowd control, riot control, or arrest or detainment of individuals engaged in an act of civil disobedience, demonstration, protest, or riot to display clearly visible identifying information.

Honoring Real Patriots Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020

Honoring Real Patriots Act of 2020 This bill states that it is the policy of the United States that no military installation or other property under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense (DOD) shall be named, or may remain named, after any individual who took up arms against the United States during the American Civil War or any individual or entity that supported such efforts. Not later than one year after the enactment of this bill, DOD shall change the name of each military installation and other property under its jurisdiction that is named after any individual who took up arms against the United States during the American Civil War or is named after any individual or entity that supported the effort to take up arms against the United States during such war.

To authorize the Secretary of the Navy to enter into contracts for the procurement of amphibious vessels, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020

This bill authorizes the Department of the Navy to enter into one or more multiyear contracts for the procurement of (1) three amphibious transport dock vessels designated LPD-31, LPD-32, and LPD-33, and (2) one amphibious landing helicopter assault vessel designated LHA-9. Navy must certify to the congressional defense committees that the procurement of the vessels is consistent with the most recent 30-year shipbuilding plan of the Navy and the most recent planning guidance.

CHIPS for America Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020

Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act or the CHIPS for America Act This bill establishes investments and incentives to support U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, research and development, and supply chain security. Specifically, the bill provides an income tax credit for semiconductor equipment or manufacturing facility investment through 2026. The bill also establishes a trust fund to be allocated upon reaching an agreement with foreign government partners to promote (1) consistency in policies related to microelectronics, (2) transparency in microelectronic supply chains, and (3) alignment in policies towards nonmarket economies. The Department of Commerce shall, through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), carry out a program of research and development investment to accelerate the design, development, and manufacturability of next generation microelectronics, including through the creation of a Manufacturing USA institute for semiconductor manufacturing. Commerce shall also establish a program to match state and local government incentives offered to private entities for the purposes of building fabrication facilities relating to semiconductor manufacturing. Further, Commerce shall assess the capabilities of the U.S. industrial base to support the national defense in light of the global nature of supply chains and interdependencies between the industrial bases of the U.S. and foreign countries with respect to the manufacture and design of semiconductors. The Department of Defense shall prioritize the use of specified available amounts for programs, projects, and activities in connection with semiconductor and related technologies. The President shall establish within NIST a subcommittee on matters relating to U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology and innovation, which shall develop a national strategy on semiconductor research.

United States-Israel Military Capability Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020

United States-Israel Military Capability Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Defense, with the concurrence of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, to establish a United States-Israel Operations-Technology Working Group. The purposes of the working group shall be to (1) provide a standing forum for the United States and Israel to identify and share intelligence-informed military capability requirements; (2) assist defense suppliers in both countries to gain government approval for conducting joint science, technology, research, development, test, evaluation, and production efforts; and (3) develop combined U.S.-Israel plans to research, develop, procure, and field weapons systems and military capabilities to meet common capability requirements.

Expressing support for the designation of June 12, 2020, as "Women Veterans Appreciation Day".

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020

This resolution expresses support for the designation of Women Veterans Appreciation Day to recognize the service and sacrifices of women veterans who have served valiantly on behalf of the United States.

[H.A.S.C. No. 116-84]DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE COVID-19 RESPONSE TO DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE CHALLENGES

United States · United States House of Representatives · 10 June 2020

TRICARE Retail Pharmacy Prescription Medication Expansion Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2020

TRICARE Retail Pharmacy Prescription Medication Expansion Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Defense to carry out a three-year pilot program under which eligible beneficiaries under the TRICARE pharmacy benefits program may elect to receive non-generic prescription maintenance medications through military treatment facility pharmacies, retail pharmacies, or the national mail-order pharmacy program.

Maritime Administration Authorization and Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2020

Maritime Administration Authorization and Improvement Act This bill revises provisions related to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps. The bill addresses several aspects of MARAD, including reauthorizing MARAD programs, including programs associated with maintaining the U.S. Merchant Marine; establishing a tanker security fleet of active, commercially viable, militarily useful, privately owned product tank vessels to meet national defense and other security requirements and maintain a United States presence in international commercial shipping; authorizing a grant program to award maritime career training grants to community and technical colleges for the purpose of developing, offering, or improving educational or career training programs for American workers related to the maritime workforce; assessing foreign subsidies to international shipping; and establishing a standing committee of experts to explore and advise on supply chain transportation system vulnerabilities and disruptions and how to minimize them in the event of emergencies and disasters such as the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Additionally, among other provisions, the bill sets forth new requirements for the corps concerning commissioned grades and operational strength numbers, obligated service requirements, training and physical fitness, education loan assistance, recruitment, hiring and promotions, separation and retirement, and other workforce issues.

A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to prohibit the burial in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, of any President or Vice President who is not a member or veteran of the Armed Forces.

United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2020

This bill prohibits the Department of Defense from approving a determination of eligibility for interment or inurnment in Arlington National Cemetery made by the Department of the Army that permits the interment or inurnment in Arlington National Cemetery of an individual who is not a member of the Armed Forces or a veteran, but served as President or Vice President of the United States.

Taiwan Defense Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2020

Taiwan Defense Act This bill requires, no later than April 30 every year, beginning in 2021 and ending in 2026, the Department of Defense (DOD) to submit to Congress a report on the progress of DOD with respect to improving the ability of the U.S. Armed Forces to conduct combined joint operations to deny the ability of China to execute a fait accompli against Taiwan. The bill defines fait accompli as the strategy of China designed to allow it to use military force to seize control of Taiwan before the U.S. Armed Forces are able to respond effectively, while simultaneously deterring an effective combined joint response by the Armed Forces by convincing the United States that mounting such a response would be prohibitively difficult or costly.

Continuity of the Economy Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2020

Continuity of the Economy Act of 2020 This bill requires the President to develop a plan to maintain and restore the U.S. economy in response to a cyberattack or other significant event that is natural or human-caused that results in severe degradation to economic activity. Among other requirements, this plan shall (1) examine the distribution of goods and services across the United States necessary for the reliable functioning of the country during such an event; (2) identify the economic functions of relevant actors whose disruption, corruption, or dysfunction would have a debilitating effect on security, defense readiness, or public health or safety; and (3) identify the critical distribution mechanisms for each economic sector that should be prioritized for operation during such an event.

A bill to authorize pilot programs on the remote provision by the National Guard to State governments and National Guards in other States of cybersecurity technical assistance in training, preparation, and response to cyber incidents, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2020

This bill authorizes the Department of the Army and the Department of the Air Force to separately conduct pilot programs to assess the feasibility and advisability of the development of a capability within the National Guard through which a National Guard of a state remotely provides state governments and the National Guard of other states with cybersecurity technical assistance in training, preparation, and response to cyber incidents.

Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2020

Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act This bill restricts the transfer of federal excess military-grade equipment to federal, state, and local agencies for law enforcement activities. The bill also restricts the use of certain grants funds for specified weapons and military-style equipment. The Government Accountability Office must report on specified issues, including the use of military-style training and equipment by certain federal agencies.

CHIPS for America Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2020

Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act or the CHIPS for America Act This bill establishes investments and incentives to support U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, research and development, and supply chain security. Specifically, the bill provides an income tax credit for semiconductor equipment or manufacturing facility investment through 2026. The bill also establishes a trust fund to be allocated upon reaching an agreement with foreign government partners to promote (1) consistency in policies related to microelectronics, (2) transparency in microelectronic supply chains, and (3) alignment in policies towards nonmarket economies. The Department of Commerce shall, through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), carry out a program of research and development investment to accelerate the design, development, and manufacturability of next generation microelectronics, including through the creation of a Manufacturing USA institute for semiconductor manufacturing. Commerce shall also establish a program to match state and local government incentives offered to private entities for the purposes of building fabrication facilities relating to semiconductor manufacturing. Further, Commerce shall assess the capabilities of the U.S. industrial base to support the national defense in light of the global nature of supply chains and interdependencies between the industrial bases of the U.S. and foreign countries with respect to the manufacture and design of semiconductors. The Department of Defense shall prioritize the use of specified available amounts for programs, projects, and activities in connection with semiconductor and related technologies. The President shall establish within NIST a subcommittee on matters relating to U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology and innovation, which shall develop a national strategy on semiconductor research.

Emergency Medical Supplies Procurement Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2020

Emergency Medical Supplies Procurement Act This bill provides emergency funding, subject to certain limitations, for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to fulfill requests from states, territories, and tribes for critical health care resources to address COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). FEMA and the Department of Health and Human Services must report specified information related to these requests to Congress on a weekly basis until the end of the COVID-19 emergency. In addition, the bill directs the President to use specified authorities, including authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950, to fulfill these requests.

Military Suicide Prevention in the 21st Century Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2020

Military Suicide Prevention in the 21st Century Act This bill requires the Department of Defense to carry out a two-year pilot program to pre-program suicide prevention resources onto smart devices issued to members of the Armed Forces and to provide training on these resources.

George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2020

Justice in Policing Act of 2020 This bill addresses a wide range of policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability. It includes measures to increase accountability for law enforcement misconduct, to enhance transparency and data collection, and to eliminate discriminatory policing practices. The bill facilitates federal enforcement of constitutional violations (e.g., excessive use of force) by state and local law enforcement. Among other things, it does the following: lowers the criminal intent standard—from willful to knowing or reckless—to convict a law enforcement officer for misconduct in a federal prosecution, limits qualified immunity as a defense to liability in a private civil action against a law enforcement officer or state correctional officer, and authorizes the Department of Justice to issue subpoenas in investigations of police departments for a pattern or practice of discrimination. The bill also creates a national registry—the National Police Misconduct Registry—to compile data on complaints and records of police misconduct. It establishes a framework to prohibit racial profiling at the federal, state, and local levels. The bill establishes new requirements for law enforcement officers and agencies, including to report data on use-of-force incidents, to obtain training on implicit bias and racial profiling, and to wear body cameras.

Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2020

Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 This bill authorizes various intelligence-related activities for FY2021 and contains other related provisions. The bill's provisions include requiring the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and other intelligence agencies to establish continuity of operations plans; requiring the ODNI to establish the Social Media Data and Threat Analysis Center; establishing that disclosure of a whistleblower's personally identifiable information may constitute a personnel action and giving the whistleblower a right to sue if such a personnel action was a reprisal against whistleblowing activity; establishing that it is unlawful for a federal government employee to share a whistleblower complaint submitted to the intelligence community inspector general with the subject of the complaint, with limited exceptions; establishing that a qualifying individual shall have a statutory right to appeal a decision related to that individual's access to classified information; establishing funds for grants to promote U.S. competitiveness in fifth-generation wireless technology supply chains and to support the adoption of secure and trusted telecommunications technologies in key markets globally; and requiring a presidential campaign to notify the Federal Bureau of Investigation of certain foreign contacts. The bill also requires reports on topics including (1) signals intelligence collection priorities, (2) use of student loan repayment benefits by intelligence community personnel, (3) a plan for establishing an intelligence community element in the U.S. Space Force, (4) the corrupt activities of Chinese Communist Party officials and Eastern European oligarchs, and (5) the effect of lifting the United Nations arms embargo on Iran.

LIMIT Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2020

Limitations on the Insurrection act including Mechanisms for Invoking its Termination Act or the LIMIT Act This bill provides that the authorities for federal aid to state governments, use of militia and armed forces to enforce federal authority, and interference with state and federal law under the Insurrection Act may only be exercised after the President declares a national emergency under the National Emergencies Act applicable to the situation for which any such authority is exercised. The bill prohibits the exercise of an authority if the national emergency has been terminated.

ELITE Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2020

Equality in Leadership and Inclusion in Top Elements Act of 2020 or the ELITE Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of the Defense to seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center with relevant expertise to conduct an evaluation of the barriers to minority participation in specified units of the Armed Forces.

Department of Defense Anti-Semitism and Racism Awareness Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2020

Department of Defense Anti-Semitism and Racism Awareness Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to include in its surveys questions regarding whether respondents have ever (1) experienced or witnessed racist, anti-Semitic, or supremacist (or extremist as under current law) activity in the workplace; or (2) reported such activity. DOD must submit to Congress a report including (1) the text of the questions included in surveys, and (2) which surveys include such questions.

PLANET Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2020

Preserving Leadership Against Nuclear Explosives Testing Act or the PLANET Act This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for FY2021 to conduct or make preparations for any explosive nuclear weapons test that produces any yield.

CIVIL Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2020

Curtailing Insurrection act Violations of Individuals' Liberties Act or the CIVIL Act This bill prohibits the President from invoking authority to use military force to enforce federal authority or suppress an insurrection in a state unless a certification is made to Congress by the President, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Justice that a state governor has requested such assistance or that the state is unable or unwilling to suppress such an insurrection. The President must consult with Congress, in every instance possible, before invoking the authority to use military force. The bill terminates the authority to use military force to suppress an insurrection after 14 days unless Congress enacts a joint resolution extending such authority. It also sets forth provisions for expedited consideration of a joint resolution in the House of Representative and the Senate. The bill allows individuals or entities who have been injured by, or have a credible fear of injury from, the use of military force to bring a civil action for declaratory or injunctive relief.

Demilitarizing Local Law Enforcement Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2020

Demilitarizing Local Law Enforcement Act of 2020 This bill eliminates the authority of the Department of Defense to operate a military surplus program under which it transfers surplus military property to federal and state agencies for law enforcement and other purposes.

PROTECT Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2020

Police Receiving Overly Traumatizing Equipment Changes Today Act or the PROTECT Act This bill provides incentives to encourage states and local governments to return or to not receive transfers from the Department of Defense (DOD) of certain surplus military property (e.g., controlled firearms, ammunition, grenades, and drones) and eliminates the requirement for DOD to give preference to transfers of property that will be used in counterdrug or border security activities. In addition, the bill authorizes grants for programs and training for law enforcement officers such as training on de-escalation techniques.

Stop Using Military Force Against Civilians Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2020

Stop Using Military Force Against Civilians Act This bill limits the authority of the President, except in the case of a natural disaster, to call into service or use state militia or armed forces to provide aid to a state government following an insurrection or to enforce federal authority. After not more than 3 days, the President must withdraw any militia or armed forces unless an extension of not more than 14 days is enacted (not more than 2 additional authorizations for extension may be enacted).

PFAS Exposure Assessment and Documentation Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2020

PFAS Exposure Assessment and Documentation Act This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish a task force to address the effects of the release of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from activities of DOD. The bill also requires (1) blood testing for PFAS of former and current members of the Armed Forces and their families if a periodic health assessment results in a positive determination of potential exposure to PFAS, (2) sharing by DOD with the Department of Veterans Affairs of the results of health assessments of exposure by a member of the Armed Forces, and (3) DOD to establish a registry of members of the Armed Forces who have been exposed to, or are suspected to have been exposed to, PFAS.

Law Enforcement Identification Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2020

Law Enforcement Identification Act This bill requires federal law enforcement officers and members of the Armed Forces engaged in crowd control, riot control, or arrest or detainment of individuals engaged in an act of civil disobedience, demonstration, protest, or riot to display clearly visible identifying information.

Justice in Policing Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2020

Justice in Policing Act of 2020 This bill addresses a wide range of policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability. It includes measures to increase accountability for law enforcement misconduct, to enhance transparency and data collection, and to eliminate discriminatory policing practices. The bill facilitates federal enforcement of constitutional violations (e.g., excessive use of force) by state and local law enforcement. Among other things, it does the following: lowers the criminal intent standard—from willful to knowing or reckless—to convict a law enforcement officer for misconduct in a federal prosecution, limits qualified immunity as a defense to liability in a private civil action against a law enforcement officer or state correctional officer, and authorizes the Department of Justice to issue subpoenas in investigations of police departments for a pattern or practice of discrimination. The bill also creates a national registry—the National Police Misconduct Registry—to compile data on complaints and records of police misconduct. It establishes a framework to prohibit racial profiling at the federal, state, and local levels. The bill establishes new requirements for law enforcement officers and agencies, including to report data on use-of-force incidents, to obtain training on implicit bias and racial profiling, and to wear body cameras.

Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020

Homeless Veterans Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 This bill addresses the administration of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits for homeless veterans during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, the bill authorizes the VA to reallocate specified grant funds to provide homeless veterans and veterans participating in the Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program with transportation, assistance required for safety and survival, and communications equipment and services; collaborate with organizations to manage use of VA land for homeless veterans for living and sleeping; provide a maximum rate, in certain situations, for per diem payments that is three times the rate authorized for state homes for domiciliary care; provide amounts for additional transitional housing beds to facilitate access to housing and services provided to homeless veterans; and waive certain inspection and safety code requirements to allow grant recipients and therapeutic housing facilities to make adjustments (e.g., facilitating social distancing or isolation needs). Per diem payments may be used to provide assistance required for safety and survival (e.g., food) for homeless veterans and formerly homeless veterans residing in a facility operated by a grant recipient or entity that receives per diem payments for furnishing services to homeless veterans. Finally, the bill requires the VA to ensure that veterans participating in or receiving services under a program for homeless veterans have access to telehealth services. The VA must ensure telehealth capabilities are available to such veterans, VA case managers, and community-based service providers.

Veterans Economic Recovery Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020

Veterans Economic Recovery Act of 2020 This bill addresses the employment and retraining of veterans, specifically during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. The bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a program under which the VA must provide up to 12 months of nontransferable retraining assistance to up to 35,000 eligible veterans for the pursuit of a specified program of education. Under the bill, an eligible veteran is an individual who, among other requirements, is unemployed due to COVID-19. Veterans who receive retraining assistance may only use such assistance to pursue specified programs, including those designed to provide training for high-demand occupations. The Government Accountability Office must report on the outcomes and effectiveness of the retraining assistance program. The bill provides access to the National Directory of New Hires to the VA and the Department of Labor for the purpose of tracking the employment of veterans. The bill makes updates to the VA's High Technology Pilot Program, including by expanding the class of providers of high technology education programs. The bill reauthorizes and expands the program for the provision of off-base transition training for veterans and their spouses, including by requiring a preference for participation by states with economies significantly impacted by COVID-19. Finally, the bill implements a five-year grant program requiring the VA to make grants to organizations for the provision of transition assistance to members of the Armed Forces who are separated, retired, or discharged from the Armed Forces, and spouses of such members.

Restoration of Civil Rights Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020

Restoration of Civil Rights Act of 2019 This bill expands remedies under provisions regarding civil actions for deprivation of rights under color of law. Specifically, the bill provides that any person against whom such an action is filed for an act or omission taken in the person's official capacity may not raise as a defense that such act or omission did not violate a clearly established statutory or constitutional right; in any action filed in which a person is held liable for an act or omission taken in the person's official capacity, any state or territory (including the District of Columbia) of which the person is an employee shall be vicariously liable if the act or omission of the person is attributable to violations of the Fourteenth Amendment by the state or territory; any person who is an employee or contractor of a state or territory and is found to be liable for acts or omissions occurring in the course and scope of such person's employment or agreement is entitled to indemnification if the act or omission is taken in the person's official capacity and attributable to violations of the Fourteenth Amendment by the state or territory; and a U.S. Attorney may bring a civil action for a violation on behalf of any U.S. citizen or other person within the jurisdiction before the appropriate federal district court for appropriate relief.

Social Sciences Protect Our Nation Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020

Social Sciences Protect Our Nation Act This bill directs the Department of Defense to maintain a defense-wide basic research program with an emphasis on diverse social sciences.

Declaring unconditional war on racism and invidious discrimination and providing for the establishment of a Cabinet-level Department of Reconciliation charged with eliminating racism and invidious discrimination.

United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020

This resolution condemns racism and invidious discrimination as evil and antithetical to the U.S. Constitution and declares unconditional war on racism and invidious discrimination in America. The resolution declares that the House of Representatives shall pass legislation establishing a Cabinet-level Department of Reconciliation. The department shall be charged with ending racism and invidious discrimination, developing and coordinating the implementation of a comprehensive national strategy to eliminate racism and invidious discrimination, with a budget the equivalent of at least 10% of the Defense Department's budget. The department shall be headed by a Secretary of Reconciliation, who shall make semi-annual progress reports to Congress.

Military Spouse Career Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020

Military Spouse Career Education Act This bill (1) includes as qualified relicensing costs fees and continuing education courses, and (2) allows the reimbursement of a member of the uniformed services for the qualified relicensing costs of a spouse when such costs are imposed to maintain a license or certification to engage in the same profession that the spouse engaged in while in the state of the original duty station, and are imposed by the state of the new duty station to maintain a license or certification to engage in the same profession. The Department of Defense shall modify its My Career Advancement Account program to ensure that military spouses participating in the program may receive financial assistance for the maintenance (including continuing education courses) of a license, certification, or Associate's degree in any career field or occupation.

Defense Community Investment Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020

Defense Community Investment Act This bill renames the Office of Economic Adjustment of the Department of Defense as the Office of Defense Community Cooperation and Economic Adjustment and provides statutory authority for the office.

Ending Qualified Immunity Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020

Ending Qualified Immunity Act This bill eliminates the defense of qualified immunity in civil actions for deprivation of rights. Qualified immunity is a judicially created doctrine that protects government employees or those acting with state authority from being held personally liable for constitutional violations. The bill provides that under the statute allowing a civil action alleging deprivation of rights under color of law, it shall not be a defense or immunity to any such action that (1) the defendant was acting in good faith or believed that his or her conduct was lawful at the time it was committed; (2) the rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution or laws were not clearly established at the time of their deprivation; or (3) the state of the law was such that the defendant could not reasonably have been expected to know whether his or her conduct was lawful.

Elaine M. Checketts Military Families Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020

Elaine M. Checketts Military Families Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Defense to amend regulations to provide that approved parental leave shall not terminate upon the death of the child for whom the leave is taken.

CIVIL Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020

Curtailing Insurrection act Violations of Individuals' Liberties Act or the CIVIL Act This bill prohibits the President from invoking authority to use military force to enforce federal authority or suppress an insurrection in a state unless a certification is made to Congress by the President, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Justice that a state governor has requested such assistance or that the state is unable or unwilling to suppress such an insurrection. The President must consult with Congress, in every instance possible, before invoking the authority to use military force. The bill terminates the authority to use military force to suppress an insurrection after 14 days unless Congress enacts a joint resolution extending such authority. It also sets forth provisions for expedited consideration of a joint resolution in the House of Representative and the Senate. The bill allows individuals or entities who have been injured by, or have a credible fear of injury from, the use of military force to bring a civil action for declaratory or injunctive relief.

ELITE Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020

Equality in Leadership and Inclusion in Top Elements Act of 2020 or the ELITE Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of the Defense to seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center with relevant expertise to conduct an evaluation of the barriers to minority participation in specified units of the Armed Forces.

Homeless Veterans Coronavirus Response Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020

Homeless Veterans Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 This bill addresses the administration of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits for homeless veterans during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, the bill authorizes the VA to reallocate specified grant funds to provide homeless veterans and veterans participating in the Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program with transportation, assistance required for safety and survival, and communications equipment and services; collaborate with organizations to manage use of VA land for homeless veterans for living and sleeping; provide a maximum rate, in certain situations, for per diem payments that is three times the rate authorized for state homes for domiciliary care; provide amounts for additional transitional housing beds to facilitate access to housing and services provided to homeless veterans; and waive certain inspection and safety code requirements to allow grant recipients and therapeutic housing facilities to make adjustments (e.g., facilitating social distancing or isolation needs). Per diem payments may be used to provide assistance required for safety and survival (e.g., food) for homeless veterans and formerly homeless veterans residing in a facility operated by a grant recipient or entity that receives per diem payments for furnishing services to homeless veterans. Finally, the bill requires the VA to ensure that veterans participating in or receiving services under a program for homeless veterans have access to telehealth services. The VA must ensure telehealth capabilities are available to such veterans, VA case managers, and community-based service providers.

Veterans Economic Recovery Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020

Veterans Economic Recovery Act of 2020 This bill addresses the employment and retraining of veterans, specifically during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. The bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a program under which the VA must provide up to 12 months of nontransferable retraining assistance to up to 35,000 eligible veterans for the pursuit of a specified program of education. Under the bill, an eligible veteran is an individual who, among other requirements, is unemployed due to COVID-19. Veterans who receive retraining assistance may only use such assistance to pursue specified programs, including those designed to provide training for high-demand occupations. The Government Accountability Office must report on the outcomes and effectiveness of the retraining assistance program. The bill provides access to the National Directory of New Hires to the VA and the Department of Labor for the purpose of tracking the employment of veterans. The bill makes updates to the VA's High Technology Pilot Program, including by expanding the class of providers of high technology education programs. The bill reauthorizes and expands the program for the provision of off-base transition training for veterans and their spouses, including by requiring a preference for participation by states with economies significantly impacted by COVID-19. Finally, the bill implements a five-year grant program requiring the VA to make grants to organizations for the provision of transition assistance to members of the Armed Forces who are separated, retired, or discharged from the Armed Forces, and spouses of such members.