🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readJohn 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 Reserve and Air Guard; fully funds a 2.6 percent pay raise for troops; and extends special pay … Continue reading “Stepping Up Defense Spending, Cybersecurity Tips for Small Business, a Possible National Suicide Hotline and Affirming the U.S. Press Is Not the Enemy”
🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readNorthern 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 Services must reduce the number of Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) transitional worker (CW) permits each year, with … Continue reading “Offshore Jobs for U.S. Workers, Money for North Korean Refugee and Human Rights Programs, and a New $1 Coin Honoring American Innovation”
🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readVA 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 private doctors and hospitals. It eliminates the previous rule stating that they could … Continue reading “Congress at Work: Benefits for Veterans, More Money to Counteract Gun Violence and a Higher Loan Limit for Small Business Loans”
🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readEconomic 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 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. The original bill was designed to tighten regulations on financial institutions … Continue reading “Dodd-Frank Rollback, Security Clearance Assistance, and Returning Assets from the Nazis”
🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readStrengthening 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) whose mental or physical condition prevents them from being able to manage their benefits. These individuals are assigned a representative to manage … Continue reading “Aid for African countries, national wildlife refuges, Social Security beneficiaries and Secret Service Agents”
🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readConsolidated 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 is a sampling of some of the provisions included in the 2,232-page bill: Service members … Continue reading “Federal Budget Allocated, Low-Income Veterans Protected, and Rural Phone Services to Meet Quality Standards”
🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readThomasina 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 Chickahominy Indian Tribe, the Chickahominy Indian Tribe-Eastern Division, the Upper Mattaponi Tribe, the Rappahannock Tribe Inc., the Monacan Indian Nation, … Continue reading “Protections for Indian Tribes, Caregivers, Child Victims of Sexual Abuse, Human Trafficking and 9-1-1 Callers”
🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readAn Act to Amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to improve foreign intelligence collection and the safeguards, accountability and oversight of acquisitions of foreign intelligence, to extend Title VII of such Act, and for other purposes (S. 139) – The text for this original bill was replaced with language … Continue reading “Spying, a Temporary Budget, Restitution for Child Porn Victims and a Possible Solution for Dreamers”
🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readTax 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: Lowers the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent Allows companies a one-time repatriation of overseas cash Retains seven individual … Continue reading “Making Changes to Corporate and Individual Income Taxes, Indian Tribe Resource Programs and Previous Legislation”
🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readTSP 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 options. The law eliminates the current restriction on taking partial post-separation withdrawals if the participant has already taken … Continue reading “Enhancing Access to Retirement Funds and Emergency Medications; Getting Tougher on Online Predators of Children”
