October 2020 Monthly Legislative Wrap-Up

October 2020 Legislative Updates

A monthly summary of the cross-partisan legislative activity sponsored by Congress’s independent, Member-led For Country Caucus comprised of principled military veterans.

PASSED LEGISLATION

H.R.2359 the Whole Veteran Act directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a report on the Department of Veterans Affairs advancing of whole health transformation.
Sponsored by Rep. Conor Lamb
Update: Bill became law​

H.R.6168 the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2020 increases, effective as of December 1, 2020, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans.
Sponsored by Rep. Elaine Luria
Update: Bill became law​

SPONSORED LEGISLATION

H.R.8444 the Vital STATS Act of 2020 directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Medicine under which the National Academy agrees to conduct a one-year study assessing the effectiveness of current vital statistics reporting and data sharing between State, local, and Federal agencies.
Sponsored by Rep. Van Taylor

H.R.8537 directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to modify any caps on emergency EIDL advances to certain veterans service organizations.
Sponsored by Rep. Jared Golden

H.R.8591 the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act of 2020 provides for judicial security and privacy.
Sponsored by Rep. Mikie Sherrill

H.R.8611 designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4755 Southeast Dixie Highway in Port Salerno, Florida, as the “Joseph Bullock Post Office Building”.
Sponsored by Rep. Brian Mast
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Greg Steube and Rep. Michael Waltz

H.R.8631 establishes competitive grant programs to incentivize the safe and responsible storage of firearms.
Sponsored by Rep. Jared Golden

H.Res.1199 congratulates the Tampa Bay Lightning for winning the 2020 Stanley Cup Final.
Sponsored by Rep. Greg Steube
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Brian Mast and Rep. Michael Waltz

CO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION

H.R.8480 the Visit America Act authorizes the position of Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism, to statutorily establish the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Jimmy Panetta

H.R.8483 the Pandemic Assistance for Student Veterans Act of 2020 amends title 38, United States Code, to make certain modifications to the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs in light of the COVID-19 emergency.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Max Rose

H.R.8494 the Guaranteeing Israel’s QME Act of 2020 reaffirms the critical role of congressional consultation and to require appropriate deliberation to assess the effects of the sale or export of major defense equipment to countries in the Middle East on the qualitative military edge of Israel.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Gil Cisneros, Rep. Elaine Luria, Rep. Jimmy Panetta, and Rep. Max Rose

H.R.8533 the Support Allowing Volume Exception for (SAVE) Federally-Assisted Housing Act provides an exception to the volume cap requirement for private activity bonds used to finance the preservation, improvement, or replacement of certain Federally-assisted buildings.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Gil Cisneros

H.R.8540 the Keeping Seniors Safe from COVID-19 Through Home Design Act requires the Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services to conduct a study of how housing design can help prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Max Rose

H.R.8560 provides first-time, low-level, nonviolent simple possession offenders an opportunity to expunge that conviction after successful completion of court-imposed probation.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Van Taylor

H.R.8598 the Social Security Expansion Act provides for a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment for social security and supplemental security income beneficiaries in calendar year 2021.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Salud Carbajal and Rep. Max Rose

H.R.8601 Payer State Transparency Act of 2020 assess the State by State impact of Federal taxation and spending.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Van Taylor

H.R.8619 awards posthumously the Congressional Gold Medal to Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Don Bacon

H.R.8623 the Securing Affordable Vaccines Equally (SAVE) for Seniors Act amends the CARES Act to clarify the inclusion of certain COVID-19 vaccines covered under the Medicare program without any cost sharing.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Chrissy Houlahan

H.R.8633 the Humane Research and Testing Act of 2020 amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment of the National Center for Alternatives to Animals in Research and Testing.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Mikie Sherrill

H.R.8638 the Status of Child Marriages in the United States Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study on the effect of State laws on child marriages and forced marriages.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Van Taylor

H.R.8662 directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to support research on, and expanded access to, investigational drugs for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Don Bacon and Rep. Gil Cisneros

H.R.8675 requires the Federal banking agencies to exclude Paycheck Protection Program loans from certain asset calculations.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Van Taylor

With Honor Action Advocates for Bipartisan Priorities to be Included in 2021 Defense Bill in Letter to Congress

CHARLOTTE, NC – With Honor Action – a cross-partisan movement dedicated to promoting and advancing principled veteran leadership in order to reduce polarization – sent a letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees stressing the need for bipartisan cooperation and highlighting 23 specific provisions in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

“Since 1961, the NDAA has served as a model of bicameral and bipartisan lawmaking,” said Rye Barcott, With Honor Action CEO and Co-Founder. “We urge Congress to continue this tradition by quickly passing a bipartisan defense bill that includes the 23 provisions outlined in our letter so that America’s servicemembers have the resources they need to continue protecting our great nation.”

In the letter, With Honor Action emphasized the historical and practical importance of Congress’ bipartisan cooperation in providing our military with the means to serve and protect our nation. The 23 provisions outlined in the letter will enhance civic education, strengthen our national security, and better the lives of those who serve and the ones they love.

The letter was sent to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe and Ranking Member Jack Reed, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith and Ranking Member Mac Thornberry.

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With Honor Action is a cross-partisan movement focused on supporting military veterans who want to work across the aisle and put principles before politics while serving again in Congress. With Honor Action’s advisory board includes post-9/11 veterans and Gold Star family members — Chris Howard, Ryan Manion, and Medal of Honor Recipient Florent Groberg — as well as prominent American leaders such as Secretary George Shultz, Secretary Robert Gates, Admiral Michael Mullen, Michèle Flournoy, and David Gergen. With Honor Action is a 501(c)(4), which serves as the organization’s policy and social-welfare arm. With Honor has an affiliated federally registered “super PAC” called With Honor Fund.

September 2020 Monthly Legislative Wrap-Up

September 2020 Legislative Updates

PASSED LEGISLATION

H.R.561 the Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2019 amends title 38, United States Code, to improve the oversight of contracts awarded by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans.
Sponsored by Rep. Jack Bergman
Update: Legislation passed both chambers of Congress

H.R.1702 the Free Veterans from Fees Act waives the application fee for any special use permit for veterans’ special events at war memorials on land administered by the National Park Service in the District of Columbia and its environs.
Sponsored by Rep. Greg Steube
Update: Legislation passed the House of Representatives

H.R.3659 Danny’s Law establishes an Anti-Bullying Roundtable to study bullying in elementary and secondary schools in the United States.
Sponsored by Rep. Max Rose
Update: Legislation passed the House of Representatives

H.R.4990 the Election Technology Research Act of 2020 directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Science Foundation to carry out research and other activities to promote the security and modernization of voting systems.
Sponsored by Rep. Mikie Sherrill
Update: Legislation passed the House of Representatives

H.R.6168 the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2020 increases, effective as of December 1, 2020, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans.
Sponsored by Rep. Elaine Luria
Update: Legislation passed both chambers of Congress

SPONSORED LEGISLATION

H.R.8147 the TREAT Act directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to expand an existing pilot program, and to establish a new pilot program, related to complementary and integrative health services for veterans.
Sponsored by Rep. Conor Lamb

H.R.8148 the VA DATA Act amends title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into contracts for statistical analyses and data evaluation.
Sponsored by Rep. Conor Lamb

H.R.8149 the VA Precision Medicine Act directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out an initiative to identify and validate brain and mental health biomarkers among veterans.
Sponsored by Rep. Conor Lamb

H.R.8172 the VA Research Technology Act directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to use accredited commercial institutional review boards to review research proposal protocols of the Department, and to establish an Office of Research Reviews in the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sponsored by Rep. Elaine Luria

H.R.8220 the Global Learning Loss Assessment Act of 2020 directs the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to submit to Congress a report on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global basic education programs.
Sponsored by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan

H.R.8293 the Teacher, Principal, and Leader Residency Access Act ensures that Federal work-study funding is available for students enrolled in residency programs for teachers, principals, or school leaders.
Sponsored by Rep. Jason Crow

H.R.8386 amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide for the eligibility of rural community response pilot programs for funding under the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Grant Program.
Sponsored by Rep. Conor Lamb

H.R.8415 the Restoring Education Access for Student Veterans Act provides for the continuation of certain educational assistance benefits during the COVID-19 emergency.
Sponsored by Rep. Gil Cisneros
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Jack Bergman

H.R.8426 the Protecting Apprenticeship Training for Veterans Act provides for modified requirements relating to apprenticeship and on-job training programs during the COVID-19 emergency under the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sponsored by Rep. Conor Lamb
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Gil Cisneros

H.R.8427 the Ensuring Phone and Internet Access for SNAP Recipients Act of 2020 provides for certain reports on enrollment in the Lifeline program.
Sponsored by Rep. Elaine Luria

H.R.8435 the HOV Lanes for Heroes Act allows certain veterans to use high occupancy vehicle lanes, including toll lanes.
Sponsored by Rep. Max Rose

H.R.8449 the Veterans’ Sentinel Act directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to collect and analyze data regarding suicides and attempted suicides by veterans on the property of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sponsored by Rep. Jason Crow

CO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION

H.R.8144 the VA Mental Health Staffing Act directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a plan to address staffing of mental health providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Greg Steube

H.R.8173 the VA High Altitude and Suicide Research Act directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on the connection between living at high altitude and suicide risk factors among veterans.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Gil Cisneros

H.R.8195 names the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic, located at 400 College Drive, Middleburg, Florida, the “A.K. Baker VA Clinic.”
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Brian Mast, Rep. Greg Steube, and Rep. Michael Waltz

H.R.8207 the Justice for Servicemembers Act of 2020 amends title 38, United States Code, to clarify the scope of procedural rights of members of the uniformed services with respect to their employment and reemployment rights.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Jared Golden

H.R.8223 the Cyber Essentials Act amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 promotes evidence-based controls for defending against common cybersecurity threats and cybersecurity risks.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Mike Gallagher

H.R.8229 the Parity for HUBZone Appeals Act of 2020 requires the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to issue a rule authorizing the Office of Hearings and Appeals to decide appeals relating to the status of HUBZone business concerns.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Chrissy Houlahan

H.R.8230 the Integrating New Technologies to Empower Law Enforcement at Our Borders Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to develop a comprehensive plan to identify, deploy, and integrate emerging technologies to achieve greater situational awareness along the northern and southern borders of the United States.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Van Taylor

H.R.8237 the Protecting the Employment Rights of Servicemembers Act amends title 38, United States Code, to clarify the scope of procedural rights of members of the uniformed services with respect to their employment and reemployment rights.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Jared Golden

H.R.8242 the National Women’s Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act of 2020 requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in recognition and celebration of the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Max Rose

H.R.8257 the Transparency for Wounded Warriors Act amends title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide to a member of the uniformed services who is denied a traumatic injury protection claim under Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance certain information related to that denial.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Jack Bergman

H.R.8259 prohibits Russian participation in the G7.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Adam Kinzinger

H.R.8266 the FEMA Assistance Relief Act of 2020 modifies the Federal cost share of certain emergency assistance provided under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, to modify the activities eligible for assistance under the emergency declaration issued by the President on March 13, 2020, relating to COVID-19.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Salud Carbajal and Rep. Jimmy Panetta

H.R.8270 the I am Vanessa Guillen Act of 2020 amends title 10, United States Code, to improve the responses of the Department of Defense to sex-related offenses.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Gil Cisneros, Rep. Jason Crow, Rep. Jimmy Panetta, Rep. Max Rose, and Rep. Mikie Sherrill

H.R.8274 the Dairy Pricing and Policy Commission Act of 2020 directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the Dairy Pricing and Policy Commission.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Mike Gallagher

H.R.8275 the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Act of 2020 amends title 38, United States Code, and the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012, to make certain enhancements to grants and agreements between the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and entities that provide services to homeless veterans.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Jack Bergman and Rep. Greg Steube

H.R.8304 the SCAM PAC Act prohibits the disbursement of funds to entities owned or controlled by individuals with executive or managerial authority over the operations of political committees.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Mike Gallagher

H.R.8305 the Fostering Accountability, Integrity, Trust, and Honor (FAITH) in Congress Act provides that Members of Congress shall not be paid if Congress has not approved a concurrent resolution on the budget and passed the regular appropriations bills on a timely basis, eliminates automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress, prohibits the use of funds provided for the official travel expenses of Members of Congress and other officers and employees of the legislative branch for first-class airline accommodations, establishes a lifetime ban on lobbying by former Members of Congress, prohibits the consideration in the House of Representatives of measures lacking demonstrable bipartisan support, and prohibits the consideration in the House of Representatives of any legislation containing an earmark.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Max Rose

H.R.8325 the Operation Feed Our Kids Act​ amends the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to extend National School Lunch Program requirement waivers addressing COVID-19.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Don Bacon

H.R.8330 the No Surprise Bills for New Moms Act amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for certain health coverage of newborns.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Gil Cisneros

H.R.8340 designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4110 Bluebonnet Drive in Stafford, Texas, as the “Leonard Scarcella Post Office Building”.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Van Taylor

H.R.8346 the Academic Research Protection Act protects federally-funded academic research from undue foreign influences and threats by better informing the academic and research communities about such influences and threats.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Chrissy Houlahan

H.R.8354 the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative Act of 2020 establishes the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative within the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Van Taylor

H.R.8402 directs the Joint Committee on the Library to obtain a statue of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and to place the statue in the United States Capitol in National Statuary Hall.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Salud Carbajal, Rep. Jason Crow, and Rep. Max Rose

H.R.8425 designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 430 South Knowles Avenue in New Richmond, Wisconsin, as the “Captain Robert C. Harmon and Private John R. Peirson Post Office Building”.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Mike Gallagher

H.R.8428 the Hong Kong People’s Freedom and Choice Act of 2020 provides for temporary protected status for residents of Hong Kong.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Adam Kinzinger and Rep. Van Taylor

H.R.8438 the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights and Sovereignty Act of 2020 reauthorizes the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Adam Kinzinger

H.R.8453 designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5302 Galveston Road in Houston, Texas, as the “Vanessa Guillén Post Office Building”.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Van Taylor

August 2020 Monthly Legislative Wrap-Up

August 2020 Legislative Updates

SPONSORED LEGISLATION

H.R.7927 the Military Spouses Retirement Security Actamends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit to small employers with respect to each employee who is a military spouse and eligible to participate in a defined contribution plan of the employer.
Sponsored by Rep. Jason Crow
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Jimmy Panetta

H.R.7931 the PIRCS Act directs the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish an interagency working group to coordinate Federal activities to advance research and development needed to address PFAS.
Sponsored by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan

H.R.7978 the Emergency Wildfire and Public Safety Actincreases wildfire preparedness and response throughout the United States.
Sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Panetta
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Salud Carbajal

H.R.8005 the Veterans Access to Online Treatment Actdirects the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide veterans access to computerized cognitive behavioral therapy.
Sponsored by Rep. Jared Golden

H.R.8040 the Small Business Last Mile Act of 2020 directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish a grant program to facilitate the provision of high-speed broadband service to small business concerns in rural areas.
Sponsored by Rep. Jared Golden

H.R.8076 the State Veterans Home Domiciliary Care Flexibility Actauthorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to waive certain eligibility requirements for a veteran to receive per diem payments for domiciliary care at a State home.
Sponsored by Rep. Jared Golden

H.R.8094 the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act addresses behavioral health and well-being among health care professionals.
Sponsored by Rep. Max Rose
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Gil Cisneros

H.R.8105 improves the ability of veterans with medical training to assist the United States in response to national emergencies.
Sponsored by Rep. Conor Lamb

CO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION

H.R.7950 the Emergency Family Stabilization Act provides emergency relief to youth, children, and families experiencing homelessness, in light of the health and economic consequences of COVID-19.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Don Bacon

H.R.7996 the Rural Equal Aid Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to subsidize payments on loans made under certain rural development loan programs.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Jared Golden

H.R.8000 the Ensuring Network Security Act amends the Secure and Trusted Communications Network Reimbursement Program to include eligible telecommunications carriers and providers of educational broadband service.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Adam Kinzinger

H.R.8002 the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Act of 2020 establishes a program to preserve jobs in the aviation manufacturing industry.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Salud Carbajal

H.R.8044 the Supporting Early-Career Researchers Act forestalls the loss of research talent by establishing a temporary early career research fellowship program.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Mike Garcia

H.R.8048 establishes in the Department of Homeland Security a program to make grants for emergency information technology expenses.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Don Bacon, Rep. Mike Gallagher,and Rep. Max Rose

H.R.8099 the Diversity in Defense Act of 2020 amends titles 10 and 14, United States Code, to include certain diversity-related requirements for the Armed Forces and the Coast Guard.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Gil Cisneros and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan

H.R.8103 the Protecting Federal Networks Act amends section 3553 of title 44, United States Code, to strengthen Federal networks.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Mike Gallagher

H.R.8112 the Increase Federal Disaster Cost Share Act of 2020 increases the Federal share provided under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for a certain time frame during fiscal year 2020.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Salud Carbajal, Rep. Gil Cisneros, and Rep. Jimmy Panetta

H.R.8118 the Foster Youth Dental Act of 2020 amends title XIX of the Social Security Act to strengthen coverage under the Medicaid program for certain foster youth individuals.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Don Bacon

H.R.8123 the Postal Service Emergency Assistance Act provides emergency appropriations to the United States Postal Service to cover losses related to the COVID-19 crisis and to directs the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service to develop a plan for ensuring the long term solvency of the Postal Service.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Jared Golden

H.R.8125 the Military Suicide Prevention in the 21st Century Act directs the Secretary of Defense to carry out a pilot program to pre-program suicide prevention resources into smart devices issued to members of the Armed Forces.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Gil Cisneros and Rep. Jimmy Panetta

With Honor Action Launches Six-Figure TV Ad Campaign Thanking Senator Roger Wicker for Sponsoring the CORPS Act for National Service

CHARLOTTE, NC – With Honor Action – a cross-partisan movement dedicated to promoting and advancing principled veteran leadership in order to reduce polarization – is running a new TV ad thanking Air Force veteran Senator Roger Wicker for sponsoring the bipartisan CORPS Act for national service and urging its inclusion in the next coronavirus relief package.

The CORPS Act, which is supported by 168 civilian and post-9/11 veteran service organizations, will strengthen America’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing 600,000 national service opportunities over a 3-year period. The bill targets specific local needs and prioritizes service programs in rural communities. National service programs like AmeriCorps and Senior Corps have a proven track record of helping our communities in a cost-effective manner.

“With Honor Action applauds Senator Roger Wicker’s strong leadership in authoring the bipartisan CORPS Act for national service,” said Rye Barcott, With Honor Action CEO and Co-Founder. “Our nation’s recovery from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will be buttressed if more Americans are given the opportunity to serve communities in need.”

The TV ad, titled “Moving Us Forward,” is running statewide on cable television throughout Mississippi beginning today. It can be viewed below:

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With Honor Action is a cross-partisan movement focused on supporting military veterans who want to work across the aisle and put principles before politics while serving again in Congress. With Honor Action’s advisory board includes post-9/11 veterans and Gold Star family members — Chris Howard, Ryan Manion, and Medal of Honor Recipient Florent Groberg — as well as prominent American leaders such as Secretary George Shultz, Secretary Robert Gates, Admiral Michael Mullen, Michèle Flournoy, and David Gergen.

With Honor Action is a 501(c)(4), which serves as the organization’s policy and social-welfare arm. With Honor has an affiliated federally registered “super PAC” called With Honor Fund.

July 2020 Monthly Legislative Wrap-Up

July 2020 Legislative Updates

SPONSORED LEGISLATION

H.R.7481 the RESTART Act establishes a loan program for businesses affected by COVID-19, and for other purposes.
Sponsored by Rep. Jared Golden

H.R.7562 amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for youth sports, to amend the Small Business Act to establish a loan program for youth sports providers, and for other purposes.
Sponsored by Rep. Max Rose
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Gil Cisneros

H.R.7603 amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to require congressional notice if the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States notifies a party to a covered transaction that the Committee has completed all action with respect to such transaction, and for other purposes.
Sponsored by Rep. Van Taylor

H.R.7639 imposes sanctions with respect to Turkey’s acquisition of the S-400 air and missile defense system.
Sponsored by Rep. Adam Kinzinger

H.R.7705 amends the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 with respect to the Susquehanna, Delaware, and Potomac River Basin Commissions, and for other purposes.
Sponsored by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan

H.R.7720 permits child care providers that receive payment for services provided under the of [sic] the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to use a portion of such payment to pay the cost of sanitization and other costs associated with the COVID-19 public health emergency, necessary to protect the health of participating children and child care workers.
Sponsored by Rep. Gil Cisneros
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Don Bacon

H.R.7770 provides Capitol-flown flags to the immediate family of frontline workers who died as a result of their service in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Sponsored by Rep. Gil Cisneros

H.R.7777 provides automatic forgiveness for paycheck protection program loans under $150,000, and for other purposes.
Sponsored by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan

H.R.7809 requires the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a HOPE Preferred Equity Facility to guarantee certain financial investments of commercial borrowers affected by COVID-19, and for other purposes.
Sponsored by Rep. Van Taylor

H.R.7837 provides a payroll tax credit for certain employee dependent care expenses paid by employers.
Sponsored by Rep. Conor Lamb

H.R.7843 amends the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 to promote reforestation following unplanned events on Federal land, and for other purposes.
Sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Panetta

H.R.7883 directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program under which the Secretary awards grants to States or State departments of agriculture for the purposes of providing support to agricultural fairs for losses sustained due to COVID-19.
Sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Panetta

H.R.7896 amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow the carbon capture credit to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the carbon oxide sequestration tax credit.
Sponsored by Rep. Jack Bergman

CO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION

H.R.7480 the COVID-19 Veterans Memorial Extension Act extends by one year the legislative authority under section 8903(e) of title 40, United States Code, for certain commemorative works.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Jason Crow

H.R.7484 the Preventing China from Exploiting COVID-19 Act directs the Director of National Intelligence to submit to Congress a report on efforts by the People’s Republic of China to exploit the COVID–19 pandemic to advance the national security and foreign policy interests of China.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Jared Golden and Rep. Max Rose

H.R.7485 the SAFE Workers Act directs the National Labor Relations Board to implement a system and procedures to conduct representation elections remotely using an electronic voting system, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Max Rose

H.R.7489 the Long Bridge Act of 2020 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Commonwealth of Virginia or the District of Columbia certain Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the National Park Service for the construction of rail and other infrastructure, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Elaine Luria

H.R.7496 the COVID PREPARE Act requires Federal agencies to submit plans for responding to any resurgence of COVID–19, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Jason Crow, Rep. Max Rose, and Rep. Mikie Sherrill

H.R.7500 the Limit on the Expansion of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Act limits further expansion of the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Don Bacon, Rep. Jason Crow, and Rep. Jimmy Panetta

H.R.7540 the PLANT Act of 2020 imposes enhanced penalties for conduct relating to unlawful production of a controlled substance on Federal property or while intentionally trespassing on the property of another that causes environmental damage, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Salud Carbajal

H.R.7541 the VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2020 directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish the Zero Suicide Initiative pilot program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Jack Bergman, Rep. Gil Cisneros, and Rep. Max Rose

H.R.7551 the Earned Income and Child Tax Credits Outreach Act of 2020 requires the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct outreach to inform certain individuals of their potential eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Jimmy Panetta

H.R.7552 the PREPARE Act reauthorizes and limits the pre-disaster mitigation program of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Jack Bergman and Rep. Jared Golden

H.R.7558 clarifies the authority of the Department of Energy to dispose of certain foreign-origin fissile or radiological materials at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Don Bacon

H.R.7565 authorizes the Seminole Tribe of Florida to lease or transfer certain land, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Brian Mast

H.R.7566 allows the Administrator of the General Services Administration to transfer certain surplus computers and technology equipment to nonprofit computer refurbishers for repair and distribution, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Elaine Luria

H.R.7574 the Strengthening America’s Strategic National Stockpile Act of 2020 amends the Public Health Service Act with respect to the Strategic National Stockpile, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Gil Cisneros

H.R.7577 amends title 10, United States Code, to authorize members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces to participate in the Skillbridge program of the Department of Defense.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Max Rose

H.R.7583 requires the disclosure of a camera or recording capability in certain internet-connected devices.
Sponsored by Rep. Seth Moulton

H.R.7588 requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to [sic] of the ability of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of the Department of Homeland Security to fulfill its current mission requirements, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Mike Gallagher

H.R.7589 amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish term limits for the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Mike Gallagher

H.R.7590 establishes in the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of the Department of Homeland Security a pilot program for the purpose of carrying out a talent exchange program between the private sector and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Mike Gallagher

H.R.7595 provides the Administrator of the Drug-Free Communities Support Program the authority to waive the Federal fund limitation for the Drug-Free Communities Support Program.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Salud Carbajal and Rep. Gil Cisneros

H.R.7623 requires the Secretary of State to submit a plan to eliminate the passport application backlog, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Adam Kinzinger

H.R.7631 amends title VI of the Social Security Act to extend the permissible use of funds timeframe under the Coronavirus Relief Fund.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Chrissy Houlahan

H.R.7632 prohibits a jurisdiction that defunds the police from receiving grants under certain Economic Development Assistance Programs and the Community Development Block Grant Program.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Jared Golden

H.R.7675 modifies and extends the update of the Department of Defense Freedom of Navigation Report.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Michael Waltz

H.R.7690 establishes a payment program for unexpected loss of markets and revenues to timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Jared Golden

H.R.7695 requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collect, analyze, and report qualitative and quantitative data on the use of telehealth during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Mikie Sherrill

H.R.7704 amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to establish the Food and Nutrition Education in Schools Pilot Program, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Don Bacon

H.R.7707 amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a credit for the uncollectible accounts of eligible wholesale distributors.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Jimmy Panetta

H.R.7728 amends title 38, United States Code, to establish presumptions of service-connection for members of the Armed Forces who contract COVID-19 under certain circumstances, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Jack Bergman

H.R.7747 directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress an annual report on the Solid Start program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Brian Mast

H.R.7761 provides for student loan forgiveness for public service workers whose employment may have been affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Gil Cisneros and Rep. Seth Moulton

H.R.7795 amends title 38, United States Code, to improve the ability of veterans to access and submit disability benefit questionnaire forms of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Elaine Luria

H.R.7797 establishes a comprehensive, long-term United States strategy and policy for the Pacific Islands, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Don Bacon

H.R.7799 designates a portion of United States Route 80 in Alabama as the “John R. Lewis Voting Rights Highway”, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Salud Carbajal and Rep. Gil Cisneros

H.R.7810 designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3519 East Walnut Street in Pearland, Texas, as the “Tom Reid Post Office Building”.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Van Taylor

H.R.7811 amends title 38, United States Code, to provide for a reduction in loan fees for certain veterans affected by major disasters.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Brian Mast

H.R.7832 designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4020 Broadway Street in Houston, Texas, as the “Benny C. Martinez Post Office Building”.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Van Taylor

H.R.7866 directs the Secretary of Defense to award grants and carry out other activities to develop alternatives to aqueous film-forming foam, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Mike Gallagher and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan

H.R.7868 amends the Public Health Service Act to improve the health and well-being of maltreated infants and toddlers through the implementation of infant-toddler court teams within States, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Greg Steube

H.R.7884 requires the Internal Revenue Service to establish a procedure by which parents may immediately claim the recovery rebate amount for children born in 2020.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Jimmy Panetta

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