🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readNational Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2019 (S 1693) – This bill reauthorizes the National Flood Insurance Program, which was set to expire on May 31, through June 14. The bill was introduced by Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) on May 23, passed the Senate and the House in one week … Continue reading “Disaster Relief Funding, Expanded Benefits for Neglected Vietnam Veterans, and Bipartisan Reforms for the IRS”

🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readTarget Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act (H.R. 1222 – The Pittman-Robertson Act, passed in 1937, imposes an excise tax on the sale of firearms, archery gear and ammunition. Those proceeds are used to fund hunter education programs, land acquisition and improvement of wildlife habitat. This new bill allocates a higher … Continue reading “Enhanced Funding for Shooting Practice and Bulletproof Vests”

🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readRelating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019 (H.J.Res. 46) – This resolution was an effort to block the national emergency declared by President Trump to redirect funds to build a wall at the Mexico border. It was introduced on Feb. 22 by Rep. Joaquin Castro … Continue reading “Vetoes, Resolutions and Recognition”

🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readRelating to a national emergency declared by the President on Feb. 15 (H.J.Res. 46) – This resolution was an effort to block the national emergency declared by President Trump for the purpose of using funds previously allocated for other initiatives to build a border wall along the southern border shared with … Continue reading “Blocking Emergency Funds, Protecting Land, Withdrawing Troops, Spying on Russia”

🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 (H.J.Res. 31) – This is the budget appropriations bill that was finally agreed upon in order to avoid a second government shutdown in February. The bill authorizes funding for government agencies through the end of the fiscal year (Sept. 30, 2019). Among its hundreds of provisions, the … Continue reading “A Final Budget Bill, Military Support in the Middle East and Campaign Finance Reform”

🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readGovernment Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 (S. 24) – This bill was introduced by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) on Jan. 3 and signed into law on Jan. 19. It requires federal employees who are furloughed or working without pay to be compensated for the time of the government shutdown. Workers … Continue reading “Reimbursing Unpaid Federal Workers, Fact-Based Policy Making and Fighting Human Trafficking”

🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readCountering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 2018 H.R. 7213 – Sponsored by Rep. Daniel Donovan (R-NY), this bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish a Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction office as part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). All personnel, budget authority and assets of … Continue reading “Prisoner Reform, the Farm Bill, and Taking Aim at Weapons of Mass Destruction”

🖨 Print⏱ 2 min readHizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act of 2018 (S. 1595) – This bill amends the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Act of 2015 to impose sanctions on foreign nationals and governments that knowingly assist in funding or recruitment activities for the Hizballah terrorist organization. This includes providing arms or other assistance, as … Continue reading “Punishing Terrorists and Traffickers; Reinforcing Cybersecurity and Patents”

🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readAmerica’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (S. 3021) – This bill authorizes water pollution control activities as well as conservation and development of water and related resources to facilitate improvements to the rivers and harbors of the United States. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) on June 7 … Continue reading “Protecting Water, Music and Intellectual Property”

🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readMiscellaneous Tariff Bill Act of 2018 (H.R. 4318) – This bill is designed to cut or eliminate tariffs on articles such as chemicals, footwear, toasters and approximately 1,660 other items made outside the United States. About half of those items are produced in China. The legislation does not void any of … Continue reading “Miniscule Effort to Block Tariffs and Increased Efforts to Aid Veterans, American Indians, Assault and Terrorist Victims”