Endorsed Policy and Legislation
Members of the Blue Dog Coalition actively work to build bipartisan support for legislation that supports their commitment to the financial stability and national security of the country. Whether it is a Republican idea or a Democratic idea, members of the Blue Dog Coalition introduce and work to pass legislation they believe to restore fiscal accountability, strengthen our economy and help the American people.
Legislation endorsed by the Blue Dog Coalition in the 116th Session of Congress:
Legislation endorsed by the Blue Dog Coalition in the 116th Session of Congress:
H.R.270, Government Shutdown Impact Report Act of 2019
In the event of a government shutdown, the Shutdown Impact Report Act of 2019 requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to prepare a daily report on the economic cost and the damage to our national security.
In the event of a government shutdown, the Shutdown Impact Report Act of 2019 requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to prepare a daily report on the economic cost and the damage to our national security.
H.R. 129, No Budget, No Pay Act
The No Budget, No Pay Act halts paychecks for all House and Senate members if they miss annual deadlines for budget and appropriations bills. It prohibits members from receiving pay for each day past Sept. 30 that budget and spending bills don’t pass. Under this legislation, members are not allowed to recover the pay retroactively.
The No Budget, No Pay Act halts paychecks for all House and Senate members if they miss annual deadlines for budget and appropriations bills. It prohibits members from receiving pay for each day past Sept. 30 that budget and spending bills don’t pass. Under this legislation, members are not allowed to recover the pay retroactively.
H.R. 1781, Payment Commission Act
The Payment Commission Act provides Congress’ independent advisory commissions, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), access to certain drug pricing data to help those commissions make recommendations to Congress on how to improve the Medicare and Medicaid programs and lower prescription drug prices. This legislation will increase transparency and help provide recommendations to Congress that are necessary to create policy reforms that help patients.
The Payment Commission Act provides Congress’ independent advisory commissions, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), access to certain drug pricing data to help those commissions make recommendations to Congress on how to improve the Medicare and Medicaid programs and lower prescription drug prices. This legislation will increase transparency and help provide recommendations to Congress that are necessary to create policy reforms that help patients.
H.R. 938, Bringing Low-cost Options and Competition while Keeping Incentives for New Generics (BLOCKING) Act
The BLOCKING Act keeps drug prices down by increasing competition in the generic drug market. Current law awards 180 days of exclusivity on the market to a drug manufacturer when they are the first to file a generic drug application with the FDA for a drug for which there is no generic. The 180 days begins once the manufacturer starts marketing the drug, but even before the manufacturer begins marketing, all other generic competitors are blocked from coming to market. This allows some manufacturers to “park” the exclusivity before receiving final approval, blocking competition for more than the 180 days intended by the law. In these cases, no other generics can come to the market until the first manufacturer receives final approval, begins marketing the drug, and the subsequent 180 days have passed. The BLOCKING Act would stop first generic drug “parking.” Under the BLOCKING Act, if a second generic drug application is blocked from receiving approval solely due to a first generic drug manufacturer parking their exclusivity at the tentative approval stage, the 180 days immediately begins to run, preventing limitless delays for other generics to come to the market.
The BLOCKING Act keeps drug prices down by increasing competition in the generic drug market. Current law awards 180 days of exclusivity on the market to a drug manufacturer when they are the first to file a generic drug application with the FDA for a drug for which there is no generic. The 180 days begins once the manufacturer starts marketing the drug, but even before the manufacturer begins marketing, all other generic competitors are blocked from coming to market. This allows some manufacturers to “park” the exclusivity before receiving final approval, blocking competition for more than the 180 days intended by the law. In these cases, no other generics can come to the market until the first manufacturer receives final approval, begins marketing the drug, and the subsequent 180 days have passed. The BLOCKING Act would stop first generic drug “parking.” Under the BLOCKING Act, if a second generic drug application is blocked from receiving approval solely due to a first generic drug manufacturer parking their exclusivity at the tentative approval stage, the 180 days immediately begins to run, preventing limitless delays for other generics to come to the market.
H.Res.246, Opposing efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement targeting Israel
This bipartisan resolution supports a two-state solution and opposes efforts to delegitimize the state of Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement targeting Israel.
This bipartisan resolution supports a two-state solution and opposes efforts to delegitimize the state of Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement targeting Israel.
H.J. Res. 55, Balanced Budget Amendment
H.J. Res. 55 would amend the U.S. Constitution to prohibit the federal government from spending more than it receives in any given fiscal year, except in the cases of war or recession. The Amendment also generally prohibits a court from enforcing this requirement by ordering cuts to Social Security or Medicare payments. The Amendment requires the President to annually submit to Congress a budget in which total outlays do not exceed total receipts. It also prohibits federal total outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year.
H.J. Res. 55 would amend the U.S. Constitution to prohibit the federal government from spending more than it receives in any given fiscal year, except in the cases of war or recession. The Amendment also generally prohibits a court from enforcing this requirement by ordering cuts to Social Security or Medicare payments. The Amendment requires the President to annually submit to Congress a budget in which total outlays do not exceed total receipts. It also prohibits federal total outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year.
H.R. 1931, Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2019
This legislation will address the growing threat of white supremacists and other violent right-wing extremists. The Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act would enhance the federal government’s efforts to prevent domestic terrorism by requiring federal law enforcement agencies to regularly assess this threat and provide training and resources to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement in addressing it.
This legislation will address the growing threat of white supremacists and other violent right-wing extremists. The Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act would enhance the federal government’s efforts to prevent domestic terrorism by requiring federal law enforcement agencies to regularly assess this threat and provide training and resources to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement in addressing it.
H.R. 2483, Fentanyl Sanctions Act
This legislation would apply pressure on the Chinese government to honor its commitment to make all forms of fentanyl illegal and provide the United States more tools and resources to go after illicit traffickers in China, Mexico, and other countries.
This legislation would apply pressure on the Chinese government to honor its commitment to make all forms of fentanyl illegal and provide the United States more tools and resources to go after illicit traffickers in China, Mexico, and other countries.
A Bipartisan Path Forward to Securing U.S. Elections
This is a package of legislative proposals endorsed by the Blue Dog Coalition in response to the conclusions presented in Volume I of the Mueller Report regarding Russia’s attack against the U.S. political system and attempts to interfere in the 2016 election. The solutions are based primarily on a set of 11 bills endorsed by the Coalition and have earned bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate.
This is a package of legislative proposals endorsed by the Blue Dog Coalition in response to the conclusions presented in Volume I of the Mueller Report regarding Russia’s attack against the U.S. political system and attempts to interfere in the 2016 election. The solutions are based primarily on a set of 11 bills endorsed by the Coalition and have earned bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate.
H.R. 2722, Securing America’s Federal Elections (SAFE) Act
This legislation requires voting systems to use individual, durable, voter-verified paper ballots, expands risk-limiting audits, and authorizes necessary funding to states to assist in securing election infrastructure. These solutions were included in a package of legislative proposals the Blue Dogs endorsed in response to the conclusions presented in Volume I of the Mueller Report.
This legislation requires voting systems to use individual, durable, voter-verified paper ballots, expands risk-limiting audits, and authorizes necessary funding to states to assist in securing election infrastructure. These solutions were included in a package of legislative proposals the Blue Dogs endorsed in response to the conclusions presented in Volume I of the Mueller Report.
H.R. 2592, Honest Ads Act
This legislation helps to prevent foreign interference in future elections and improve the transparency of online political advertisements. The bill would ensure online political advertisements are better monitored by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and would enable the FEC to enact rules for online advertisement similar to those in place for television, radio, and satellite ads, with the goal of making clear to the American public who is funding these online ads and to inhibit foreign actors from purchasing them.
This legislation helps to prevent foreign interference in future elections and improve the transparency of online political advertisements. The bill would ensure online political advertisements are better monitored by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and would enable the FEC to enact rules for online advertisement similar to those in place for television, radio, and satellite ads, with the goal of making clear to the American public who is funding these online ads and to inhibit foreign actors from purchasing them.
H.R. 2135, Preventing Adversaries Internationally from Disbursing Advertising Dollars (PAID AD) Act
This legislation closes loopholes that currently allow foreign interests and foreign governments to legally purchase digital and TV ads for the purpose of influencing U.S. elections.
This legislation closes loopholes that currently allow foreign interests and foreign governments to legally purchase digital and TV ads for the purpose of influencing U.S. elections.
S. 1692, Invest in Our Democracy Act of 2019
This legislation directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to provide grants in support of continuing education in election administration or cybersecurity for election officials and employees.
This legislation directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to provide grants in support of continuing education in election administration or cybersecurity for election officials and employees.
S.482, Defending American Security from Kremlin Aggression (DASKA) Act of 2019
This comprehensive legislation seeks to increase economic, political, and diplomatic pressure on the Russian Federation in response to Russia’s interference in democratic processes abroad, malign influence in Syria, and aggression against Ukraine, including in the Kerch Strait. It establishes a comprehensive policy response to better position the U.S. government to address Kremlin aggression by creating new policy offices on cyber defenses and sanctions coordination. The bill stands up for NATO and prevents the President from pulling the U.S. out of the Alliance without a Senate vote. It also increases sanctions pressure on Moscow for its interference in democratic processes abroad and continued aggression against Ukraine.
This comprehensive legislation seeks to increase economic, political, and diplomatic pressure on the Russian Federation in response to Russia’s interference in democratic processes abroad, malign influence in Syria, and aggression against Ukraine, including in the Kerch Strait. It establishes a comprehensive policy response to better position the U.S. government to address Kremlin aggression by creating new policy offices on cyber defenses and sanctions coordination. The bill stands up for NATO and prevents the President from pulling the U.S. out of the Alliance without a Senate vote. It also increases sanctions pressure on Moscow for its interference in democratic processes abroad and continued aggression against Ukraine.
S. 1060, Defending Elections from Threats by Establishing Redlines (DETER) Act of 2019
This legislation sends a clear and powerful message to Russia and any other foreign actors seeking to disrupt our elections: If you attack American candidates, campaigns, or voting infrastructure, you will face swift and severe consequences.
This legislation sends a clear and powerful message to Russia and any other foreign actors seeking to disrupt our elections: If you attack American candidates, campaigns, or voting infrastructure, you will face swift and severe consequences.
S. 1328, Defending Elections against Trolls from Enemy Regimes (DETER) Act
This bill responds to threats like those revealed by the Special Counsel’s indictment of Russians who traveled to the United States with the explicit purpose of learning more about American political and electoral processes and how they could interfere with such processes. Specifically, it prevents foreign governments from exploiting U.S. immigration laws to advance their efforts to undermine our democracy. The bill defines “improper interference in United States elections” as conduct by an alien that (1) violates federal criminal, voting rights or campaign finance law or is under the direction of a foreign government; and (2) interferes with any general or primary Federal, State, or local election or caucus, including the campaign of any candidate; or any ballot measure, including an amendment, bond issue, initiative, recall, referral, or referendum.
This bill responds to threats like those revealed by the Special Counsel’s indictment of Russians who traveled to the United States with the explicit purpose of learning more about American political and electoral processes and how they could interfere with such processes. Specifically, it prevents foreign governments from exploiting U.S. immigration laws to advance their efforts to undermine our democracy. The bill defines “improper interference in United States elections” as conduct by an alien that (1) violates federal criminal, voting rights or campaign finance law or is under the direction of a foreign government; and (2) interferes with any general or primary Federal, State, or local election or caucus, including the campaign of any candidate; or any ballot measure, including an amendment, bond issue, initiative, recall, referral, or referendum.
S.825, Protect our Elections Act
This legislation prohibits foreign adversaries from owning and controlling the companies supporting American elections.
This legislation prohibits foreign adversaries from owning and controlling the companies supporting American elections.
H.R.2754, Protecting American Votes and Elections (PAVE) Act of 2019
This legislation requires that all states use paper ballots or machines that produce a voter-verifiable paper audit trail and conduct risk limiting audits after all federal elections, among other changes.
This legislation requires that all states use paper ballots or machines that produce a voter-verifiable paper audit trail and conduct risk limiting audits after all federal elections, among other changes.
H.R. 1474, Strengthening Elections Through Intelligence Act
This legislation requires a federal assessment of the scope of potential threats to the security of America’s election systems, including cyber, terror, and state actor threats. Additionally, the legislation directs the U.S. Director of National Intelligence and DHS to update federal and state officials on possible vulnerabilities—and to provide recommendations on how best to stop these threats.
This legislation requires a federal assessment of the scope of potential threats to the security of America’s election systems, including cyber, terror, and state actor threats. Additionally, the legislation directs the U.S. Director of National Intelligence and DHS to update federal and state officials on possible vulnerabilities—and to provide recommendations on how best to stop these threats.
H.R.1272, Restoring Integrity to America's Elections Act
This legislation reforms the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) and enables it to more effectively carry out its mission to oversee and enforce campaign finance laws.
This legislation reforms the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) and enables it to more effectively carry out its mission to oversee and enforce campaign finance laws.
H.R. 3529, the Achieving Lasting Electoral Reforms on Transparency and Security (ALERTS Act)
This legislation requires the Department of Homeland Security to notify state and local officials, certain Members of Congress, and potentially affected voters when federal agencies identify an election system breach. The bill does, however, create a narrow exception to public alerts if federal officials determine notification would compromise intelligence sources or methods or cause harm to an ongoing criminal investigation.
This legislation requires the Department of Homeland Security to notify state and local officials, certain Members of Congress, and potentially affected voters when federal agencies identify an election system breach. The bill does, however, create a narrow exception to public alerts if federal officials determine notification would compromise intelligence sources or methods or cause harm to an ongoing criminal investigation.
H.R. 130, John Tanner Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act
This legislation requires each state to establish an independent, bipartisan redistricting commission to redraw congressional district lines once every 10 years that reflect contiguous communities. These districts would replace gerrymandered districts that protect partisan seats.
This legislation requires each state to establish an independent, bipartisan redistricting commission to redraw congressional district lines once every 10 years that reflect contiguous communities. These districts would replace gerrymandered districts that protect partisan seats.
H.R. 131, Redistricting Transparency Act of 2019
This legislation requires states to publicize redistricting information online, including the data used in the process, details of the process, proposed maps and public hearing dates. It also requires that the public be allowed to comment before maps receive final approval.
This legislation requires states to publicize redistricting information online, including the data used in the process, details of the process, proposed maps and public hearing dates. It also requires that the public be allowed to comment before maps receive final approval.
Blue Dog Coalition Health Care Priorities
These priorities focus on ways to protect the Affordable Care Act, improve it, and build on its success, rather than start from scratch. Additionally, they point out needs that are specific to rural and tribal communities, which do not typically have the same resources as urban areas. The priorities also focus on ways to lower the cost of prescription drugs and combat the opioid epidemic.
These priorities focus on ways to protect the Affordable Care Act, improve it, and build on its success, rather than start from scratch. Additionally, they point out needs that are specific to rural and tribal communities, which do not typically have the same resources as urban areas. The priorities also focus on ways to lower the cost of prescription drugs and combat the opioid epidemic.
Blue Dog Blueprint for Fiscal Reform
The Blue Dog Blueprint for Fiscal Reform outlines an extensive list of priorities that help reduce our budget deficits and begin to bring down our national debt.
The Blue Dog Blueprint for Fiscal Reform outlines an extensive list of priorities that help reduce our budget deficits and begin to bring down our national debt.
H.R. 3830, Taxpayers Right-To-Know Act
This bipartisan legislation would provide Americans with more information on how federal tax dollars are being spent and help eliminate duplicative and wasteful government programs. Specifically, the Taxpayers Right-To-Know Act requires federal agencies to report on their federal program activities and provide that information to the Office of Management and Budget to be published online as a complete inventory of the federal government’s programs.
This bipartisan legislation would provide Americans with more information on how federal tax dollars are being spent and help eliminate duplicative and wasteful government programs. Specifically, the Taxpayers Right-To-Know Act requires federal agencies to report on their federal program activities and provide that information to the Office of Management and Budget to be published online as a complete inventory of the federal government’s programs.
H.R. 965, the Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act of 2019
This legislation would prohibit pharmaceutical and biologic companies from engaging in anti-competitive conduct that blocks lower-cost generic drugs from entering the market.
This legislation would prohibit pharmaceutical and biologic companies from engaging in anti-competitive conduct that blocks lower-cost generic drugs from entering the market.
H.R. 1499, the Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act of 2019
This bill would prohibit the practice of “pay-for-delay,” in which brand name drug companies compensate generics to delay the entry of generic drugs into the market. This practice leads to decreased competition and increased drug prices for Americans.
This bill would prohibit the practice of “pay-for-delay,” in which brand name drug companies compensate generics to delay the entry of generic drugs into the market. This practice leads to decreased competition and increased drug prices for Americans.
H.R. 2115, the Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts Act
This legislation would require Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to report their aggregate rebates, discounts, and other price concessions for prescription drugs to a public website. This market transparency would help patients, doctors, employers, and other buyers better understand and compare the discounts PBMs receive so that there can be a full understanding of the impact and cost of PBMs’ involvement in prescription drug prices.
This legislation would require Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to report their aggregate rebates, discounts, and other price concessions for prescription drugs to a public website. This market transparency would help patients, doctors, employers, and other buyers better understand and compare the discounts PBMs receive so that there can be a full understanding of the impact and cost of PBMs’ involvement in prescription drug prices.
H.R. 1520, the Purple Book Continuity Act of 2019
This legislation would codify publication of the patents of approved biological products in the Purple Book in a similar format and with similar requirements to the Orange Book, specify that the Purple Book should be published electronically on FDA’s website and updated routinely, and direct FDA to consider the types of patents that should be listed in the Purple Book.
This legislation would codify publication of the patents of approved biological products in the Purple Book in a similar format and with similar requirements to the Orange Book, specify that the Purple Book should be published electronically on FDA’s website and updated routinely, and direct FDA to consider the types of patents that should be listed in the Purple Book.
H.R. 1503, the Orange Book Transparency Act of 2019
This legislation would ensure that the Orange Book is accurate and up-to-date, by requiring manufacturers to share complete and timely information with FDA, as well as ensuring that patents listed in the Orange Book are relevant to the approved drug product. Patents found to be invalid through a court decision or a decision by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board would be required to be removed promptly.
This legislation would ensure that the Orange Book is accurate and up-to-date, by requiring manufacturers to share complete and timely information with FDA, as well as ensuring that patents listed in the Orange Book are relevant to the approved drug product. Patents found to be invalid through a court decision or a decision by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board would be required to be removed promptly.
H.R. 4617, Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy (SHIELD) Act
This legislation protects U.S. elections from foreign interference and disinformation campaigns by doing the following: 1) creating a duty to report illicit offers of campaign assistance from foreign governments and their agents; 2) improving transparency of online political advertisements; 3) closing loopholes that allow foreign nationals and foreign governments to spend in U.S. elections; 4) restricting the exchange of campaign information between candidates and foreign governments and their agents; and 5) prohibiting deceptive practices about voting procedures.
This legislation protects U.S. elections from foreign interference and disinformation campaigns by doing the following: 1) creating a duty to report illicit offers of campaign assistance from foreign governments and their agents; 2) improving transparency of online political advertisements; 3) closing loopholes that allow foreign nationals and foreign governments to spend in U.S. elections; 4) restricting the exchange of campaign information between candidates and foreign governments and their agents; and 5) prohibiting deceptive practices about voting procedures.
H.R. 4820, Seeding Rural Resilience Act
This bipartisan, bicameral legislation helps to address the growing rate of suicide in rural communities across the country by doing the following: 1) Implementing a Farmer-Facing Employee Training Program; 2) Forming a partnership between the Department of Health and Human Services and USDA to create a $3 million PSA to increase public awareness of farm and ranch stress and destigmatize mental health care in rural communities; and 3) Directing the Secretary of Agriculture to work with state, local, and nongovernmental stakeholders to collaborate and determine best practices for responding to farm and ranch mental stress.
This bipartisan, bicameral legislation helps to address the growing rate of suicide in rural communities across the country by doing the following: 1) Implementing a Farmer-Facing Employee Training Program; 2) Forming a partnership between the Department of Health and Human Services and USDA to create a $3 million PSA to increase public awareness of farm and ranch stress and destigmatize mental health care in rural communities; and 3) Directing the Secretary of Agriculture to work with state, local, and nongovernmental stakeholders to collaborate and determine best practices for responding to farm and ranch mental stress.
H.R. 4907, Time to Rescue United States’ Trusts (TRUST) Act
This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would create congressional committees specifically tasked to develop legislation to restore and strengthen endangered federal trust funds.
This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would create congressional committees specifically tasked to develop legislation to restore and strengthen endangered federal trust funds.
H.R. 5211, Sustainable Budget Act of 2019
This bipartisan legislation would create a fiscal commission with the goal of achieving a balanced budget within a decade.
This bipartisan legislation would create a fiscal commission with the goal of achieving a balanced budget within a decade.
H.R. 4990, the Election Technology Research Act of 2019
This bipartisan bill would give the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) new resources to conduct research to promote the security and modernization of U.S. voting systems.
This bipartisan bill would give the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) new resources to conduct research to promote the security and modernization of U.S. voting systems.
H.R. 5226, Funding Deadline Enforcement Act
This commonsense legislation that would prevent government shutdowns and force Congress to do its job instead of relying on temporary budget extensions. If all appropriations bills are not passed by both chambers and signed by the President by October 1 each year, Members of Congress would be forbidden from using official Congressional funds to travel. Instead, Congress would be forced to remain in session until they reach a new, full-year funding agreement for the fiscal year in question.
This commonsense legislation that would prevent government shutdowns and force Congress to do its job instead of relying on temporary budget extensions. If all appropriations bills are not passed by both chambers and signed by the President by October 1 each year, Members of Congress would be forbidden from using official Congressional funds to travel. Instead, Congress would be forced to remain in session until they reach a new, full-year funding agreement for the fiscal year in question.
H.R. 5209, Raising the Bar Act
This legislation would help hold social media companies accountable and stop the spread of terrorist content online in a way that would “raise the bar” on how well social media companies shut down terrorist activity on their platforms. Specifically, the Raising the Bar Act, which is inspired by the European Union’s Code of Conduct on countering illegal hate speech online, would establish an exercise program in which online terrorist content is flagged for social media companies. During each exercise, approved flaggers identify terrorist content to help test a company’s ability to address such content on their platforms within 24 hours. Social media companies are then rated on their performance in each exercise by a lead institution, such as a university or non-profit organization, which will be selected by the Department of Homeland Security.
This legislation would help hold social media companies accountable and stop the spread of terrorist content online in a way that would “raise the bar” on how well social media companies shut down terrorist activity on their platforms. Specifically, the Raising the Bar Act, which is inspired by the European Union’s Code of Conduct on countering illegal hate speech online, would establish an exercise program in which online terrorist content is flagged for social media companies. During each exercise, approved flaggers identify terrorist content to help test a company’s ability to address such content on their platforms within 24 hours. Social media companies are then rated on their performance in each exercise by a lead institution, such as a university or non-profit organization, which will be selected by the Department of Homeland Security.
H.R. 2815, Training the Next Generation of Primary Care Doctors Act
This bipartisan, bicameral bill would improve access to physicians in rural communities by reauthorizing and expanding the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Program to address the physician shortage facing communities across the country.
This bipartisan, bicameral bill would improve access to physicians in rural communities by reauthorizing and expanding the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Program to address the physician shortage facing communities across the country.
H.R.5736, Transnational White Supremacist Extremism Review Act
This legislation would direct the Department of Homeland Security to develop and disseminate a terrorist threat assessment of foreign violent white supremacist extremist groups.
This legislation would direct the Department of Homeland Security to develop and disseminate a terrorist threat assessment of foreign violent white supremacist extremist groups.
H.R. 6429, National Commission on COVID-19 Act
This bipartisan legislation would establish bipartisan commission to assess the United States’ preparation for and response to pandemics. The bipartisan National Commission on COVID-19 Act is modeled on the 2002 law establishing the 9/11 Commission, which was enacted in the wake of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. The 10 members of the COVID-19 Commission, split equally between Democrats and Republicans, would examine the country’s preparation for and response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recommend concrete steps the U.S. should take to ensure a stronger, more effective government response to future pandemics. Because the COVID-19 crisis is still ongoing, the Commission would not begin its work until early 2021 and would produce a report by March 2022.
This bipartisan legislation would establish bipartisan commission to assess the United States’ preparation for and response to pandemics. The bipartisan National Commission on COVID-19 Act is modeled on the 2002 law establishing the 9/11 Commission, which was enacted in the wake of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. The 10 members of the COVID-19 Commission, split equally between Democrats and Republicans, would examine the country’s preparation for and response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recommend concrete steps the U.S. should take to ensure a stronger, more effective government response to future pandemics. Because the COVID-19 crisis is still ongoing, the Commission would not begin its work until early 2021 and would produce a report by March 2022.
H.R. 6668, Inspectors General Independence Act of 2020
This bill establishes seven-year terms for Inspectors General (IGs) and protects them from politically-motivated firings by only allowing for removal for cause.
This bill establishes seven-year terms for Inspectors General (IGs) and protects them from politically-motivated firings by only allowing for removal for cause.
H.R. 7484, Preventing China from Exploiting COVID-19 Act
This legislation would require the U.S. government to identify, analyze, and combat efforts by the Chinese government to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the Preventing China from Exploiting COVID-19 Act requires the Director of National Intelligence—in coordination with the Secretaries of Defense, State, and Homeland Security—to prepare an assessment of the different ways in which the Chinese government has exploited or could exploit the pandemic, which originated in China, in order to advance China’s interests and to undermine the interests of the United States, its allies, and the rules-based international order. The assessment must be provided to Congress within 90 days and posted in unclassified form on the DNI’s website.
This legislation would require the U.S. government to identify, analyze, and combat efforts by the Chinese government to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the Preventing China from Exploiting COVID-19 Act requires the Director of National Intelligence—in coordination with the Secretaries of Defense, State, and Homeland Security—to prepare an assessment of the different ways in which the Chinese government has exploited or could exploit the pandemic, which originated in China, in order to advance China’s interests and to undermine the interests of the United States, its allies, and the rules-based international order. The assessment must be provided to Congress within 90 days and posted in unclassified form on the DNI’s website.
H.R. 2543, Stopping Improper Payments to Deceased People Act
This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would, among other things, require federal agencies to make appropriate use of death data in order to curb improper payments to people who are no longer living.
This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would, among other things, require federal agencies to make appropriate use of death data in order to curb improper payments to people who are no longer living.
H.R 7553, Deadly Escalation by Foreign Entities Notification and Disclosure (DEFEND) Act
The DEFEND Act would require the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to swiftly brief key Members of Congress if the DNI determines, with moderate or high confidence, that a foreign government is deliberately seeking to kill or severely injure U.S. servicemembers. This would enable Congress to take appropriate action to deter and respond to such conduct.
The DEFEND Act would require the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to swiftly brief key Members of Congress if the DNI determines, with moderate or high confidence, that a foreign government is deliberately seeking to kill or severely injure U.S. servicemembers. This would enable Congress to take appropriate action to deter and respond to such conduct.
H.R. 7561, Stopping Malign Actions from Russian Terrorism (SMART) Act
The SMART Act would require the State Department to determine within 90 days and report to Congress whether the Russian Federation should be designated as a State Sponsor of terror under United States law. This designation is made by the Secretary of State for countries that “have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism” and currently includes North Korea, Iran, Syria, and Sudan.
The SMART Act would require the State Department to determine within 90 days and report to Congress whether the Russian Federation should be designated as a State Sponsor of terror under United States law. This designation is made by the Secretary of State for countries that “have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism” and currently includes North Korea, Iran, Syria, and Sudan.
H.R. 7481, Reviving the Economy Sustainably Towards a Recovery in Twenty-twenty (RESTART) Act
This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would provide America’s small businesses with the flexible, targeted relief they need to survive a prolonged economic downturn and provide jobs. The RESTART program created by the legislation would build on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to target small businesses hardest-hit by the COVID-19 crisis, offering loans for periods up to one year. Those loans would be partially forgivable for a broad array of expenses, including payroll, mortgage interest, rent and utility payments, PPE, and payments to independent contractors.
This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would provide America’s small businesses with the flexible, targeted relief they need to survive a prolonged economic downturn and provide jobs. The RESTART program created by the legislation would build on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to target small businesses hardest-hit by the COVID-19 crisis, offering loans for periods up to one year. Those loans would be partially forgivable for a broad array of expenses, including payroll, mortgage interest, rent and utility payments, PPE, and payments to independent contractors.
H.R. 6776, Jumpstarting Our Businesses’ Success Credit (JOBS Credit) Act of 2020
The JOBS Credit Act would make a number of targeted improvements to enhance the employee retention tax credit (ERTC) that Congress and the President recently enacted in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and better fulfill the ERTC’s goal of keeping workers connected to their jobs during the COVID-19 crisis. The ERTC incentivizes businesses of all sizes to retain their employees in active or furloughed status, rather than laying them off, so they continue to receive a paycheck, employer-sponsored health insurance, and other benefits.
The JOBS Credit Act would make a number of targeted improvements to enhance the employee retention tax credit (ERTC) that Congress and the President recently enacted in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and better fulfill the ERTC’s goal of keeping workers connected to their jobs during the COVID-19 crisis. The ERTC incentivizes businesses of all sizes to retain their employees in active or furloughed status, rather than laying them off, so they continue to receive a paycheck, employer-sponsored health insurance, and other benefits.
H.R.7496, COVID Preparedness, Response, and Effective Planning for Advanced Requirements by the Executive Branch (PREPARE) Act
This bipartisan legislation would require federal agencies to submit a report to Congress on the steps they are taking to respond to a potential resurgence of COVID-19, including measurable goals, anticipated challenges, and how they will consult with Congress.
This bipartisan legislation would require federal agencies to submit a report to Congress on the steps they are taking to respond to a potential resurgence of COVID-19, including measurable goals, anticipated challenges, and how they will consult with Congress.
Issues: