Stepping Up Defense Spending, Cybersecurity Tips for Small Business, a Possible National Suicide Hotline and Affirming the U.S. Press Is Not the Enemy

September 2018

John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (H.R. 5515) – Introduced by Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), this bill increases the size of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Naval and Air...

Offshore Jobs for U.S. Workers, Money for North Korean Refugee and Human Rights Programs, and a New $1 Coin Honoring American Innovation

August 2018

Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act of 2018 (H.R. 5956) – This bill is related to the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, which stated that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration...

Congress at Work: Benefits for Veterans, More Money to Counteract Gun Violence and a Higher Loan Limit for Small Business Loans

July 2018

VA MISSION Act of 2018 (S. 2372) – This bill was introduced by Sen. John Isakson (R-GA) on Feb. 5 and signed into law by the president on June 6. This legislation permits veterans to seek care from...

Dodd-Frank Rollback, Security Clearance Assistance, and Returning Assets from the Nazis

June 2018

Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act (S. 2155) – Sponsored by Sen. Michael Crapo (R-ID) in November 2017, this bill rolls back some of the provisions of the...

Aid for African countries, national wildlife refuges, Social Security beneficiaries and Secret Service Agents

May 2018

Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018 (H.R. 4547) – Sponsored by Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX), this bill is designed to protect Social Security beneficiaries (approximately 8 million)...

Federal Budget Allocated, Low-Income Veterans Protected, and Rural Phone Services to Meet Quality Standards

April 2018

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (H.R. 1625) – This is the latest budget bill that appropriates $1.3 trillion of Treasury funds until the end of September – which is the end of the fiscal year. The following...

Protections for Indian Tribes, Caregivers, Child Victims of Sexual Abuse, Human Trafficking and 9-1-1 Callers

March 2018

Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal RecognitionAct of 2017 (H.R. 984) – Sponsored by Rep. Robert Wittman (R-VA) on Feb. 7, 2017, this bill extends Federal recognition to the...

Spying, a Temporary Budget, Restitution for Child Porn Victims and a Possible Solution for Dreamers

February 2018

An Act to Amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to improve foreign intelligence collection and the safeguards, accountability and oversight of acquisitions......

Making Changes to Corporate and Individual Income Taxes, Indian Tribe Resource Programs and Previous Legislation

January 2018

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1) – The GOP-sponsored tax reform bill made final passage through Congress on Dec. 20. The following are provisions with the widest-ranging impact......

Enhancing Access to Retirement Funds and Emergency Medications; Getting Tougher on Online Predators of Children

December 2017

TSP Modernization Act of 2017 (H.R. 3031) – Sponsored by Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) on June 23, this bill will offer government employees who participate in the Thrift Savings Plan more flexible withdrawal......

Transparency for Elder Abuse, Internet Ads and Drug Pricing

November 2017

Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act (S. 178) – Sponsored by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) on Jan. 20, this bill is intended to prevent elder abuse and exploitation and improve the justice system's......

Disaster Assistance, Heroes and Gang Members

October 2017

Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 (H.R. 601) – This act temporarily lifts the nation’s debt ceiling, funding the federal government through......

Sanctions on Foreign Adversaries, Breakthrough DNA Technology, and Fast-Tracked Approval for Generic Drugs

September 2017

Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (H.R. 3364) – This Act expands U.S. sanctions against Russia (for annexing Ukraine’s Crimea and meddling......

New Food-Related Homeland Security Bill, Authorizing Inactivity for an Under-Staffed Agency, and Naming a New Federal Courthouse in Nashville

August 2017

Securing our Agriculture and Food Act (H.R. 1238) – Introduced by Rep. David Young (R-IA) on Feb. 28, this bill authorizes a program to coordinate the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts......

Making it Easier to Fire Government Employees, Reporting on Public Safety Benefits, and Extending Whistleblower Protections

July 2017

Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 (S. 1094) – This was one of Trump’s first piece of original legislation signed into law. The VA bill makes it easier for the Secretary......

Funding the Government, Hosting a Future World Expo and Modernizing Government Travel

June 2017

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (H.R. 244) – Negotiated as a bipartisan effort, this $1.1 trillion spending bill appropriates money to keep the federal government running through......

Promoting Space Travel, Weather Forecasting, and a Plethora of Executive Branch Memos

May 2017

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (S. 422) – Sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), this bill was signed into law by President Trump on March 21......

Repeal and Replace Obamacare; Eliminate the EPA and Department of Education Altogether

April 2017

Obamacare Repeal Act (TALENT) (H.R. 175) – As expected, this was one of the first pieces of legislation proposed in the new Trump Administration. The bill would fully repeal the Patient Protection...

Promoting Jobs for Government Contractors, Women, Vets and Making an Exception for the New Administrative Cabinet

March 2017

Tested Ability to Leverage Exceptional National Talent Act of 2017 (TALENT) (H.R. 39) - This is the last law that was signed by President Obama, just an hour before he left the White House to attend the inaugural proceedings......

Voluntary Abortions, Obamacare, United Nations, Conflicts of Interest, and Electoral College

February 2017

A bill to prohibit taxpayer funded abortions (S. 184) - This bill was introduced by Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) on Jan. 20 with no available text......

Taking Small Steps to Reduce Lawsuits, Government Waste, Travel Hassles and Unfair Taxes

January 2017

American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (S. 3084) - This bill was passed by Congress on Dec. 16 and went to the President for signature. Introduced in June 2016 by Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Cory Gardner (R-CO)......

Doing Right by Veterans, Citizen Trailblazing and Election Parity

December 2016

Gold Star Families Voices Act (H.R. 4511) – Introduced in February by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), this bill amends the Veterans’ Oral History Project Act to include biographical history......

Buy Cattle Online, No Taxes for Olympians, a New Wall and a Moment of Silence for Vets

November 2016

Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act of 2016 (H.R. 5578) – Introduced in June by Rep. Mimi Walters (R-CA), this bill guarantees specific rights for people who have been victimized by a sexual...

Families to Sue Terrorist Governments, Babies Get Bathrooms and Milk, and Native American Tourism Gets a Boost

October 2016

Special Needs Trust Fairness Act of 2015 (H.R. 670) – Introduced in 2015 by Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA), this legislation is designed to fix a 20-year-old law that puts people with disabilities......

Vets Get Dental Coverage, JFK Gets a Party, and the Possible End of Ticket Gouging

September 2016

Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (H.R. 3700) – On July 29, President Obama signed this bipartisan legislation into law. This bill impacts the...

Planning for America's 250th Birthday, Overdose Prevention, and Beefing up Benefits for Vets

August 2016

United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016 (H.R. 4875) - On July 22, President Obama signed this bill into law. The Act establishes a commission authorized to plan, develop and coordinate......

13 Post Offices Renamed, Native American Foster Children Get a Break, and Americans Might Get the Day Off to Vote

July 2016

An Act to Designate the United States Postal Facility Located At… – On June 13, President Barack Obama signed into law 13 separate bills......

Patriotic Bisons, Anonymous Funding, Faulty Airbags and the Right for Ex-Felons to Vote

June 2016

National Bison Legacy Act (H.R. 2908) - Sponsored by Rep. Lacy Clay Jr. (D-MO), this bipartisan bill was easily passed by both the House and Senate and was signed into law on May 9......

Benefits for Retired Moms

May 2016

Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission Act of 2016 (H.R. 1831) - This bipartisan bill, sponsored by Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), was signed into law by the President......

Congress at Work: Reducing Disaster-Related Expenses, Pensions and Prison Sentences

April 2016

Directing Dollars to Disaster Relief Act of 2015 (S. 2109) - This legislation was sponsored by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI). The bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency to develop a plan to...

Congress at Work: Fighting Weapons Development, ISIS and Dyslexia

March 2016

North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016 (H.R. 757) - This act is designed to block North Korea's access to hard currency and goods that could be used for its weapons program and requires enhanced...

Congress at Work: Attempting to Undermine Obamacare, Closing Bank Accounts and Protecting Children from Gummy Bear-Flavored Toxins

February 2016

An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 2002 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2016 (H.R. 3762) – If signed into law, this...

Congress at Work: Spending, Testing, Vetoing and Cleaning Up Global Waters

January 2016

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (H.R. 2029) - This is the omnibus spending bill that will fund the federal government for the remainder of the fiscal year...

Congress at Work: Balancing the Budget, Closing Borders and Exploring Air Space

December 2015

Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (H.R. 1314) - After three unsuccessful attempts, this bill was finally passed and signed into law on Nov. 2. The budget bill raises the government's debt ceiling to allow for higher government...

Congress at Work: Recruiting, Reimbursing and Educating

November 2015

Quarterly Financial Report Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3116) - This bill actively targets separating members of the Armed Forces to work as Customs and Border Protection officers. This bill...

Congress at Work: Parks & Reservations

October 2015

National Forest Small Tracts Act Amendments Act of 2015 (H.R. 1214) - This bill passed in the House on Sept. 16 and goes to the Senate next for consideration. Sponsored by Rep. Mark Amodel (R-NV), the...

Congress at Work: Education Reform Takes Center Stage

September 2015

Student Success Act (H.R. 5) - This education reform bill, sponsored by Rep. John Kline (R-MN) with bipartisan support, is designed to shift responsibility for student assessment and school accountability...

Congress at Work: Iran Nuclear Agreement, Phone Record Limits and Global Girl Power

August 2015

Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 (H.R. 1191) - On May 7, the Senate replaced the entire text of the Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act with...

Congress at Work: Where's the Beef, Trade Complexities, and Intelligent Spending

July 2015

Trade Act of 2015 (H.R. 1314) - To date, this controversial bill was passed in both the House and the Senate, but the Senate made changes and sent it back to the House on...

Congress at Work: Support for Heroes; Space and Technology Exploration

June 2015

Fallen Heroes Flag Act of 2015 (H.R. 723) - Introduced by Rep. Pete King (R-NY), this Act passed in the House on May 12 and goes to the Senate next. The bill enables immediate...

Congress at Work: Good News for Doctors, Credit Unions and NFL Teams

May 2015

Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (H.R. 2) - Introduced on March 24 by Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX), this bill passed the House and Senate...

Congress at Work: Marijuana, Secret Science and Cybersecurity

April 2015

Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act (H.R. 1013) - House Representative for Colorado's 2nd Congressional District, Jared Polis (R), introduced this...

Congress at Work: Extending/Expanding Tax Breaks and Protecting Americans in Peril

March 2015

Keystone XL Pipeline Act (S. 1) - This bill passed both the House and the Senate on Feb. 11, but was vetoed by the President on Feb. 24. The...

Congress at Work: Reviving Jettisoned Bills and Reversing Previous Legislation

February 2015

The new 114th Congress is dominated by Republicans in both houses. The Senate is comprised of 54 Republicans and 46 Democrats. In the House of...

Congress at Work: Fiscal Year Budget Passed, With Extras

January 2015

The 113th Congress, coming to a close, passed the second fewest laws of any Congress since 1947. Thanks to an outright sprint to the finish, the legislative body passed 96 bills...

Congress at Work: Executive Orders and Pending Actions

December 2014

There's been much debate lately regarding the legality of a president issuing executive orders. While the Constitution doesn't exactly state any provision for an executive order,...

Congress at Work: Approaching the End of the 113th Congress

November 2014

Each congressional term lasts two years. At any point when Congress is in session, a sitting member of Congress may introduce legislation. Once a bill has been introduced,...

Congress at Work: Protecting Production of Domestic Energy and Increasing Awareness of the Value of Small Businesses

October 2014

Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 (H.R. Res. 124) - In September, just before legislators returned home to campaign ahead of...

Congress at Work: Activity Before the 'District Work Period' (aka 5-Week Summer Vacation)

September 2014

Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014 (H.R. 3230) - Sponsored by Hal Rogers, a Republican from Kentucky, this is the bipartisan...

Bringing Jobs Home and Cracking Down on Human Trafficking

August 2014

Bring Jobs Home Act (S 2569) - This bill was passed in the Senate by a vote of 93-7 on July 23 and moves to the House for debate. If the bill were to become law, corporations would...

Congress at Work: Protecting Citizens, Encouraging Small Business Growth

July 2014

There was a flurry of activity in Congress in June, with themes focused on protecting citizens and encouraging small business growth. There's even...

Congress at Work: Accountability, Authority and Lots of Opinions

June 2014

Data Act (S. 994) - Introduced on May 21, 2013, it took nearly a year for this bill to be passed and signed by the President, who did so on May 9, 2014. Sponsored...

Congress at Work: Budgets, Physicians, Black Boxes and Pop Warner Football

May 2014

Establishing the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2015 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2016 through 2024...

Shaming Russia, Enforcing Laws and Honoring Plumbers

April 2014

A Resolution Condemning Illegal Russian Aggression in Ukraine (S. Res. 378) - This is a simple resolution that condemned Putin's seizure of Crimea and demanded...

Congress at Work: Single-Payer Healthcare, Airline Safety and Props to the Seattle Seahawks

March 2014

Expanded & Improved Medicare for All Act (H.R. 676) - On Feb. 13, 2014, this bill was assigned to a congressional committee for...

Congress at Work: Federal Funding, Oversight, Poison Centers and College Football

February 2014

If Congress awarded its members yearbook superlatives each year, here's how some members would have fared: Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana (R) introduced the most bills and resolutions...

Congress at Work: Budgeting and Keeping Loose Change

January 2014

Need more evidence that we have a controversially partisan Congress? In the 2013 session, only 58 new laws were...

Congress at Work: Farm Bill, etc.

December 2013

With so much attention surrounding the launch of the Healthcare Marketplace Exchange and the cancellation of millions of health care insurance policies, very little...

Shutdown Resolutions

November 2013

Congress created quite a bit of "busy work" for itself during the government shutdown, as a number of funding bills were proposed. Although many...

National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act of 2013

October 2013

This bill would repeal some of the previous contingent conditions that were established under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act that limited the oversight ability of the National...

Government Accountability for Spending, Compensation and Enforcement

September 2013

As part of an ongoing trend to rein in spending and provide more fiscal transparency, this Act is designed to limit how much the government spends to host or send employees to conferences...

Internet, Immigration and Health Incentives

August 2013

Currently, federal law requires that retailers only have to collect tax if they have an established nexus in the consumers' home state. Nexus...