Defence

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE STRATEGY IN THE UNITED STATES SOUTHERN COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

United States · United States Senate · 9 July 2019

Caring For Our Women Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2019

Caring For Our Women Veterans Act This bill establishes various reporting requirements for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) related to women veterans and health care. Specifically, the bill requires the VA to submit reports on (1) women veterans' use of health care from the VA; (2) use by the VA of general primary care clinics, separate but shared spaces, and women's health centers as models of providing health care to women veterans; and (3) the staffing of the VA related to the treatment of women.

Hemp for Victory Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2019

Hemp for Victory Act of 2019 This bill requires various federal agencies to research and provide guidance on a wide-range of potential uses for hemp. Among other things, the bill requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a grant program for land-grant colleges or universities to conduct research on establishing hemp as a domestic agricultural commodity; the Department of Health and Human Services to study the presence of pathogens in hemp-based and hemp-blended products and the impact of that presence on the health and safety of consumers; the Small Business Administration to develop a guidance manual for persons who seek to start up a small business concern in the hemp industry; the Department of Defense to report on the procurement of items for which a hemp-based or hemp-blended product may be substituted; the Department of Labor to report on the application of provisions of federal law to ensure the health and safety of individuals working in the hemp industry; the Environmental Protection Agency to study the effects of cultivating hemp within agriculture; the Department of Housing and Urban Development to study the use of hemp as it relates to affordable and sustainable housing; and the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out scientific and medical research into the safety and efficacy of the use of hemp extracts and isolates, including cannabidiol, by veterans diagnosed with certain illnesses and injuries.

Housing Access for Blind Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2019

Housing Access for Blind Veterans Act This bill expands eligibility for the Department of Veterans Affairs Specially Adapted Housing grant, which assists veterans with certain service-connected disabilities with acquiring housing with special features. Currently, a disabled veteran must have blindness in both eyes and loss (or loss of use) of one lower extremity to be eligible. The bill revises this requirement to expand eligibility to veterans who have not lost a lower extremity but are disabled due to blindness in both eyes, having central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a standard correcting lens.

Gambling Addiction Prevention Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2019

Gambling Addiction Prevention Act This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to implement policies and programs on prevention, education, and treatment of gambling disorder. It requires integration of gambling disorder into existing mental health and substance use disorder programs. If DOD provides gambling activities at a morale, welfare, and recreation facility, it must (1) provide educational materials and a list of resources to assist service members in identifying the risks of gambling and seeking help, and (2) implement measures that encourage behavior consistent with measures used by commercial and tribal gaming regulators. Funding of measures under this bill shall come from gambling activity proceeds generated at DOD morale, welfare, and recreation facilities.

Defense Access Road Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2019

Defense Access Road Enhancement Act This bill revises the authority of the Department of Transportation to improve the construction and reconstruction of defense access roads, including repairing damage to roads caused by weather-related events, increases in mean high tide levels, recurrent flooding, or natural disasters.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2500) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2020 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules.

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2019

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2500) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2020 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules.

Impact Aid Infrastructure Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2019

Impact Aid Infrastructure Act This bill provides $1 billion in funding in FY2021 for impact aid construction grants. The grants provide infrastructure assistance to school districts that have lost property tax revenue due to tax-exempt federal property in the districts or that have increased expenditures due to the enrollment of children residing on Indian lands, military bases, or low-rent housing property, or children who have parents in the uniformed services or employed on federal properties.

SADRA

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2019

Saudi Arabia Diplomatic Review Act of 2019 or SADRA This bill requires the Department of State to review and report on U.S. policy with respect to Saudi Arabia, and it requires the President to impose certain sanctions related to Saudia Arabia and Yemen. Specifically, the bill requires the State Department to review and report on (1) the U.S.-Saudi Arabia bilateral relationship, (2) Saudi government activities within the United States, and (3) measures to facilitate the peaceful resolution of the war in Yemen and the protection of Yemeni civilians and cultural property. In addition, the bill directs the President to deny a visa for a citizen of Saudi Arabia who (1) is related to King Abd al Aziz bin Abd al Rahman Al Saud, and (2) is a high-ranking official in the Saudi government. The President must also deny a visa for the spouse or child of such an individual. The President must also impose sanctions on persons determined to be hindering humanitarian access in Yemen or threatening the peace or stability of Yemen. Additionally, unless the President determines that the Houthis (Iranian-sponsored rebels) have engaged meaningfully in certain efforts towards stability in Yemen, the President must impose sanctions on persons determined to be supporting the Houthis in Yemen. The President is authorized to enter a cooperative project agreement with countries in the Arabian Peninsula to produce defense articles and services for detecting and destroying armed drones that threaten the United States and its partners. Further, the Department of the Treasury is authorized to provide technical assistance to improve governance at the Central Bank of Yemen.

Veteran Housing Opportunities and Unemployment Support Extension Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2019

Veteran Housing Opportunities and Unemployment Support Extension Act of 2019 This bill expands eligibility for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Veterans Affairs-Supported Housing (VASH) rental voucher assistance to homeless veterans honorably discharged or released from active military, naval, or air service regardless of length of service. According to federal regulations, HUD was granted authority in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 to waive or provide an alternative for the current requirement that HUD-VASH assistance be targeted to homeless veterans who have chronic mental illnesses or chronic substance-use disorders.

Gambling Addiction Prevention Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2019

Gambling Addiction Prevention Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to implement policies and programs on prevention, education, and treatment of gambling disorder. It requires integration of gambling disorder into existing mental health and substance use disorder programs. If DOD provides gambling activities at a morale, welfare, and recreation facility, it must (1) provide educational materials and a list of resources to assist service members in identifying the risks of gambling and seeking help, and (2) implement measures that encourage behavior consistent with measures used by commercial and tribal gaming regulators. Funding of measures under this bill shall come from gambling activity proceeds generated at DOD morale, welfare, and recreation facilities.

Service Member and Family Operational Tempo Relief Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2019

Service Member and Family Operational Tempo Relief Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Defense and each military department to follow specific and measurable deployment thresholds for members of the Armed Forces when exceeding deployment time limits due to U.S. national security interests.

Restoring Unfairly Impaired Credit and Protecting Consumers Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 July 2019

Restoring Unfairly Impaired Credit and Protecting Consumers Act This bill revises requirements regarding consumer credit information included by a consumer reporting agency on a credit report, including by requiring removal of adverse information that resulted from specified fraudulent lending activity, shortening the time period adverse information stays on reports, and limiting the inclusion of certain medical debt on reports. The bill also requires a consumer reporting agency to provide free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services to certain consumers, including victims of fraud, active duty military, and those 65 years of age and older.

United States-United Kingdom Directed Energy Cooperation Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 July 2019

United States-United Kingdom Directed Energy Cooperation Act This bill authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD), upon request from the United Kingdom (UK) and with the concurrence of the Department of State, to jointly carry out research and testing of directed energy capabilities with the UK. (Directed energy systems are capable of converting chemical or electrical energy into radiated energy and focusing it on a target.) DOD may provide maintenance and sustainment support for such activities if the UK matches U.S. funds provided for such support or otherwise provides an amount that meets the UK's best efforts. The bill imposes various reporting requirements related to such joint research.

Article I Restoration Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2019

Article I Restoration Act of 20 19 This bill requires any covered rule issued by an executive agency after this bill's enactment to sunset three years after its effective date unless specifically reauthorized by Congress. A covered rule does not include a rule issued in accordance with specified formal rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act; issued with respect to a military or foreign affairs function of the United States; that the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs certifies is necessary for the enforcement of federal criminal laws; that is limited to agency organization, management, or personnel matters; or that is necessary due to an imminent threat to human health or safety or any other emergency. An agency may not reissue, enforce, revise, or take other regulatory action related to a covered rule that has sunset. The Office of Management and Budget or the relevant agency may oversee the sunset of covered rules. If the agency that issues covered rules wants to request a reauthorization for such rules, such agency shall, by the December 1 that is one year before the rule is scheduled to sunset, submit to Congress a report that includes (1) a justification for such reauthorization, (2) any related covered rules, and (3) any recommendation or request made by the chair or ranking member of an appropriate committee.

Honor and Remember Flag Recognition Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2019

Honor and Remember Flag Recognition Act This bill designates the Honor and Remember Flag, created by Honor and Remember, Inc., as a national symbol to honor service members who died in the line of duty and specifies federal locations and dates for its display.

Securing American Research From Cyber Theft Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2019

Securing American Research From Cyber Theft Act This bill establishes a pilot program and modifies a current program related to cybersecurity for federally supported research and data. The bill directs the Department of Defense to establish a pilot program to ensure the security of federally supported research data and to assist regional institutions of higher education and their researchers in complying with regulations regarding the safeguarding of sensitive information. The bill requires the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program to provide for improving the security, reliability, and resiliency of computing and networking systems used by higher education and other nonprofit research institutions for the processing, storage, and transmission of sensitive federally funded research and associated data.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the ability of veterans to receive in-state tuition using educational assistance administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2019

This bill updates provisions related to in-state tuition, including by removing a deadline that prevents certain veterans from receiving in-state tuition, regardless of their state of residence, using Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits at public institutions of higher education.

FREED Vets Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2019

Federally Requiring Earned Education-debt Discharges for Vets Act or the FREED Vets Act This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to automatically discharge loans under the Federal Family Education Loan program for certain borrowers who are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Specifically, ED must automatically discharge a veteran borrower's loan when the Department of Veterans Affairs has assigned the borrower a rating of total disability for a service-connected disability or has determined the borrower to be unemployable due to a service-connected condition, determine whether a state might impose a tax liability for the discharge of such a loan, and provide the borrower with a notification related to potential tax liability and an opportunity to opt out of such loan discharge.

A bill to authorize the honorary promotion of Colonel Charles E. McGee to brigadier general in the United States Air Force.

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2019

This bill authorizes the President to issue an honorary commission promoting Air Force Colonel Charles E. McGee (retired) to brigadier general.

Joint Long-Term Storage Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2019

Joint Long-Term Storage Act of 2019 This bill requires the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) in the Department of Energy to establish a demonstration initiative composed of demonstration projects focused on the development of long-duration energy storage technologies. The goals of the initiative include demonstrating the potential benefits of long-duration energy storage to efficient use of the electricity grid and increasing the commercial viability of long-duration energy storage technologies. As part of the initiative, ARPA-E must establish a joint program with the Department of Defense's Environmental Security Technology Certification Program office to (1) demonstrate promising long-duration energy storage technologies at different scales; and (2) help new, innovative long-duration energy storage technologies become commercially viable. The bill authorizes through FY2024 the Duration Addition to electricitY Storage program to develop energy storage systems that provide power to the electric grid for durations of 10 to approximately 100 hours.

A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to automatically discharge the loans of certain veteran borrowers, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2019

This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to automatically discharge loans under the Federal Family Education Loan program for certain borrowers who are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Specifically, ED must automatically discharge a veteran borrower's loan when the Department of Veterans Affairs has assigned the borrower a rating of total disability for a service-connected disability or has determined the borrower to be unemployable due to a service-connected condition, determine whether a state might impose a tax liability for the discharge of such a loan, and provide the borrower with a notification related to potential tax liability and an opportunity to opt out of such loan discharge.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the scope of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

This bill expands the scope of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans by including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals as minority group members. The committee reports on the issues of minority group members in relation to Department of Veterans Affairs programs.

Improving Confidence in Veterans’ Care Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

Improving Confidence in Veterans' Care Act This bill addresses licensure and employment requirements for medical providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, for VA medical provider positions that require a person to prescribe controlled substances, the bill prohibits a person from being employed if their Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration has been terminated, revoked, or surrendered, and they have not received a waiver from the DEA. The bill also requires the VA to take prompt adverse personnel actions against a medical provider employee (1) who is not licensed, registered, certified, or in receipt of a DEA waiver; or (2) who does not promptly notify the VA of any suspension in such license, registration, or certification. Additionally, the VA must conduct biennial audits of medical provider employees to ensure they are licensed, registered, or certified as required. The VA shall ensure that the hiring process includes a request for licensure status and a verification of licensure status before an individual begins employment. Finally, the VA shall provide annual training on these licensure and employment requirements to directors of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks, as well as chiefs of staff and directors of VA health care facilities.

Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act of 2019 This bill provides statutory authority for the Boots to Business Program, which provides entrepreneurship training to individuals including veterans and active members of the Armed Forces, to be administered by the Small Business Administration.

GI Bill Work Study Improvement Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

GI Bill Work Study Improvement Act of 2019 This bill updates provisions related to the work-study allowance benefit available to eligible veterans, including by authorizing educational institutions to make payments directly to veterans for work performed under the program and prescribing the annual amount that the Department of Veterans Affairs must provide to educational institutions for this purpose.

POW Priority Care Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

POW Priority Care Act of 2019 This bill increases the priority status of former prisoners of war in the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system to the highest priority for hospital care and medical services.

END Network Abuse Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

End National Defense Network Abuse Act of 2019 or the END Network Abuse Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Defense to establish (1) an initiative to improve the capacity of military criminal-investigative organizations to prevent child sexual exploitation, and (2) partnerships with various governmental and outside entities to improve practices and outcomes related to the prevention of child sexual exploitation.

Wartime Contracting Commission Reauthorization Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

Wartime Contracting Commission Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill reestablishes the Commission on Wartime Contracting. The commission was established in 2008 to study U.S. wartime contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill replaces the commission's general duties to direct it to study (1) contracting funded by overseas contingency operations funds, and (2) contracting for the logistical support of coalition forces operating under the authority of the 2001 or 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force or for the performance of security functions in countries where coalition forces operate under that authority.

Securing Americas Rare Earths Supply Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

Securing Americas Rare Earths Supply Act of 2019 This bill revises requirements related to the acquisition and disposal of certain rare earth materials, such as those that contain scandium. The Department of Defense must establish guidance for the acquisition of items containing rare earth materials and establish a secure supply chain from appropriate sources. The bill requires the disposal of 3 million pounds of tungsten ores and concentrates stored in the National Defense Stockpile. The bill also authorizes the acquisition of specified materials determined to be strategically and critically required to meet the defense, industrial, and essential civilian needs of the United States. In addition, the bill expands the prohibition on the exchange of sensitive materials with non-allied foreign nations to include additional materials.

China Technology Transfer Control Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

China Technology Transfer Control Act of 2019 This bill controls exports of certain national interest technology and intellectual property to China. Specifically, covered technology or intellectual property includes items that (1) would contribute significantly to the Chinese military to the detriment of U.S. national security, (2) are included in a designated list of product components compiled by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), or (3) are used by China to violate human rights or religious liberties. The bill requires the President to control exports to China of any covered technology or intellectual property. Additionally, the President must sanction (1) any foreign person who sells to, or purchases from, China any covered item; and (2) any Chinese person who knowingly uses a covered item provided to them in violation of U.S. export control law. In addition to a specified list of industries subject to the bill, the USTR must identify products manufactured or produced in, or exported from, China that either receive certain support from China or are used by China to violate human rights or religious liberties.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary of Defense should review section 504 of title 10, United States Code, for purposes related to enlisting certain aliens in the Armed Forces.

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

This resolution urges the Department of Defense to review exceptions to citizenship, residency, and disqualification standards for enlistment in the Armed Forces to make a determination regarding the enlistment of aliens who possess an employment authorization document issued under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program established by the Department of Homeland Security on June 15, 2012.

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the scope of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

This bill expands the scope of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans by including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals as minority group members. The committee reports on the issues of minority group members in relation to Department of Veterans Affairs programs.

Paul Benne Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

Paul Benne Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019 This bill revises the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Specially Adapted Housing Program, which provides grants to veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities to assist with constructing, purchasing, or remodeling homes to fit their needs. The program is comprised of two grants: the Specially Adapted Housing grant (for acquisition of housing with special features), and the Special Housing Adaptation grant (for adaptations to a veteran's residence). Specifically, the bill establishes grant priority for seriously ill veterans and directs the VA to define such term. The bill raises the cap on grants that may be issued per veteran from three to six and raises the number of applications that may be approved for the Specially Adapted Housing grant from 30 to 120. The bill increases the maximum amount of assistance available under the Special Housing Adaptation grant and also increases the aggregate amount of assistance available under both grant programs. The bill also authorizes certain veterans to apply for additional assistance under both grants, subject to specified limitations.

Veteran STEM Scholarship Improvement Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

Veteran STEM Scholarship Improvement Act of 2019 This bill reduces the credit hour requirement for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Specifically, an eligible individual must be enrolled in a program that requires at least the standard 120 semester (or 180 quarter) credit hours, instead of the current requirement for more than 128 semester (or 192 quarter) credit hours.

Dana S. Deasy, of Virginia, to be Chief Information Officer of the Department of Defense. (New Position)

United States · United States Senate · 26 June 2019

Ryan Kules and Paul Benne Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019

Ryan Kules Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019 This bill revises the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Specially Adapted Housing Program, which provides grants to veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities to assist with constructing, purchasing, or remodeling homes to fit their needs. The program is comprised of two grants: the Specially Adapted Housing grant (for acquisition of housing with special features), and the Special Housing Adaptation grant (for adaptations to a veteran's residence). Specifically, the bill establishes grant priority for seriously ill veterans and directs the VA to define such term. The bill raises the cap on grants that may be issued per veteran from three to six and raises the number of applications that may be approved for the Specially Adapted Housing grant from 30 to 120. The bill increases the maximum amount of assistance available under the Special Housing Adaptation grant and also increases the aggregate amount of assistance available under both grant programs. The bill also authorizes certain veterans to apply for additional assistance under both grants, subject to specified limitations.

Improve Well-Being for Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019

Improve Well-Being for Veterans Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to award grants for a period of three years to eligible entities for the provision of suicide prevention services to veterans and their families. Under the bill, eligible entities include tribally designated housing entities, community-based organizations, and other private entities that meet certain requirements. Entities must submit an application to receive financial assistance that includes a description of the services they propose to provide, among other elements. The bill requires the VA to equitably distribute grants across geographic regions and areas with the most need. Additionally, the VA shall give preference to entities that are experienced in providing suicide prevention services. Entities receiving funding must notify service recipients that funding is wholly or partially from the VA.

Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019

Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2019 This bill prohibits discrimination against individuals based on their source of income, veteran status, or military status in the sale or rental of housing and other related real estate transactions and services.

PROTECT Students Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019

Preventing Risky Operations from Threatening the Education and Career Trajectories of Students Act of 2019 or the PROTECT Students Act of 2019 This bill provides additional oversight of postsecondary education programs, including for-profit institutions of higher education (IHEs), and addresses protections for students and student loan borrowers from fraudulent or predatory practices. The bill sets forth a variety of provisions concerning oversight of for-profit IHEs. Specifically, the bill decreases the cap on the amount of revenue for-profit IHEs may receive from federal sources, including funds from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. In addition, it establishes (1) a process for reviewing for-profit IHEs that convert to nonprofit or public status, and (2) a For-Profit Education Oversight Coordination Committee. The bill also sets forth provisions to address predatory practices in higher education. For instance, the bill requires career education programs to prepare students for gainful employment. In addition, it requires the Office of Federal Student Aid to have a unit that enforces compliance with laws governing student financial assistance programs. The office must also maintain a system that tracks reports of suspicious activity of IHEs or student loan servicers, including anonymous complaints. Lastly, the bill allows borrowers of student loans to seek loan forgiveness if IHEs mislead the students or engage in other misconduct. Finally, the bill prohibits IHEs that receive federal funding from limiting students' legal actions, providing incentive compensation, and using educational assistance funds for recruiting and marketing activities.

South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019

South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act of 2019 This bill imposes sanctions on Chinese persons and entities that participate in certain activities related to China's territorial disputes in the South China Sea and East China Sea and addresses other related issues. The President shall impose property-blocking and visa-denial sanctions on Chinese persons and entities that (1) contribute to development projects in parts of the South China Sea contested by a member country of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or (2) engage in actions or policies that threaten the peace or stability in disputed South China Sea areas or in an East China Sea area administered by Japan or South Korea. The bill prohibits U.S. entities from investing in or insuring projects involving sanctioned entities in either sea. The President shall also impose prohibitions and restrictions on correspondent and payable-through accounts related to sanctioned entities if the Office of the Director of National Intelligence determines that China has taken certain actions, such as declaring an air defense identification zone over the South China Sea. The Government Publishing Office shall not publish any resources that portray the contested territories in either sea as part of China, with limited exceptions. The Department of Defense, U.S. flagged vessels, or U.S. aircraft may not take any action that implies recognition of China's claimed sovereignty over contested territories. The State Department shall periodically report to Congress identifying countries that recognize China's claims to the contested territories. Certain types of foreign aid may not be provided to such countries.

Damon Paul Nelson and Matthew Young Pollard Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2018, 2019, and 2020

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019

Damon Paul Nelson and Matthew Young Pollard Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 This bill reauthorizes for FY2020 intelligence activities in various U.S. government departments and agencies. It also establishes several intelligence-related programs and calls for reports on various topics. The bill establishes a paid parental leave program for intelligence community employees. The program provides 12 weeks of leave in the 12-month period following the birth or adoption of a child. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) shall report on intelligence community policies for awarding contracts, including research and development contracts, involving certain foreign countries. The report shall assess whether security and counterintelligence risks are being properly considered in such policies. The bill establishes the Climate Security Intelligence Center within the ODNI. The center's duties shall include analyzing climate security (such as climate developments that could substantially affect political stability in a country) and the role of the United States in influencing the climate policies of other countries. The bill transfers the National Intelligence University from the Defense Intelligence Agency to the ODNI. The bill requires reports on various issues, including (1) Russia's political leaders, (2) the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, (3) China's influence operations in the United States and Taiwan and its repression of ethnic Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang region, and (4) domestic terrorism in the United States. The bill also establishes (1) a task force to study the illicit finance of espionage and foreign influence operations in the United States, and (2) a prize to stimulate research in technology to detect fake video or audio created using machine-learning techniques.

Restore Honor to Service Members Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019

Restore Honor to Service Members Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to review the discharge characterization of a service member who was discharged on the basis of sexual orientation (i.e., on the basis of Don't Ask Don't Tell or a similar policy) if the service member requests such a review. If the service member's discharge is characterized as other than honorable, and if there were no aggravating circumstances that would have independently caused the discharge to be characterized as other than honorable, then DOD must change its characterization of the discharge to honorable.

To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Defense to access and inspect privatized military housing units, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019

This bill gives the Department of Defense the authority to inspect a completed military-housing project developed and operated by a private developer.

Veterans Small Business Ownership Improvements Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019

Veterans Small Business Ownership Improvements Act This bill establishes new veteran entrepreneurial development programs within the Small Business Administration (SBA) and makes adjustments to existing programs to provide access for veterans. Specifically, the bill authorizes the SBA to make grants to private nonprofit organizations to establish veteran's business outreach centers. Each center must provide individual counseling to small businesses, as well as training and counseling through online and in-person workshops and seminars. The bill also provides statutory authority for the Boots to Business Program, which provides entrepreneurship training to individuals including veterans and active members of the Armed Forces. The SBA must designate an individual in each district office as a veterans business development officer, who shall coordinate activities of the district office with entities receiving assistance under the program. The SBA must also establish an online tool to coordinate and aid the work of veterans' small business assistance providers. Finally, the SBA must develop the existing network of peer-to-peer counseling and mentoring resources that are available to veteran-owned small businesses as components of SBA programs. The SBA must also establish an online resource for veterans regarding all of the entrepreneurial development programs of the SBA. The Government Accountability Office shall report on the ability of veteran-owned small businesses to access credit, including an analysis of the sources of credit and the default rate for such businesses.

Restore Honor to Service Members Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019

Restore Honor to Service Members Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to review the discharge characterization of a service member who was discharged on the basis of sexual orientation (i.e., on the basis of Don't Ask Don't Tell or a similar policy) if the service member requests such a review. If the service member's discharge is characterized as other than honorable, and if there were no aggravating circumstances that would have independently caused the discharge to be characterized as other than honorable, then DOD must change its characterization of the discharge to honorable.

Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019

Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2019 This bill prohibits discrimination against individuals based on their source of income, veteran status, or military status in the sale or rental of housing and other related real estate transactions and services.

A resolution honoring the 100th anniversary of The American Legion.

United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2019

This resolution recognizes the legacy of The American Legion in honor of its 100th anniversary.

DHS Rotational Cybersecurity Program Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2019

Department of Homeland Security Rotational Cybersecurity Program Act of 2019 or the DHS Rotational Cybersecurity Program Act of 2019 This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a rotational cybersecurity research, development, and training program. Under such program, DHS shall detail to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) (including the national cybersecurity and communications integration center) Coast Guard Academy graduates and faculty. DHS shall detail to the Coast Guard Academy, as faculty, individuals with expertise and experience in cybersecurity who are employed by (1) CISA; (2) the Directorate of Science and Technology; or (3) institutions that have been designated by DHS as a Center of Excellence for Cyber Defense, or the equivalent.

Remove the Stain Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2019

Remove the Stain Act This bill rescinds each Medal of Honor awarded for acts that occurred on December 29, 1890, at Wounded Knee Creek, Lakota Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota. The bill requires the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard to remove the names of those award recipients from the Medal of Honor Roll.