Diplomacy, Foreign Officials, Americans Abroad
US Congress 116th Congress
A bill clarifying that it is United States policy to recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights. [S.567]
[International ]
[Trade ]
[National Security ]
Establishes that it is U.S. policy to recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights. References to "Israel" in future acts of Congress relating to appropriations or foreign commerce shall be interpreted to include the Golan Heights.
Sponsored by: Sen. Susan Collins
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Foreign Relations. on 02/26/2019
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Digital GAP Act Digital Global Access Policy Act of 2019 [HB-1359]
[Telecommunications ]
[Technology and Innovation ]
[International ]
[Cybersecurity ]
[Human Rights ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
[Science ]
[Economic Development ]
Directs the Department of State to advance U.S. policy to promote public and private investments in secure Internet infrastructure and increase Internet access around the world. The U.S. Agency for International Development and the Peace Corps shall also make efforts to advance such policy. The President shall report to Congress about U.S. efforts to implement the policy, including government efforts to provide technical and regulatory assistance to developing countries and close the gender gap in Internet access.
Sponsored by: Rep. Ted Lieu
Received In The Senate And Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Foreign Relations. on 05/21/2019
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US Congress 116th Congress
Voter Empowerment Act of 2019 [S.549]
[Voting Rights ]
[Elections ]
Addresses access to voting, including by requiring states to allow online voter registration, establish automatic voter registration, permit same day voter registration, and accept voter registration applications from individuals under age 18; prohibiting interference with voter registration or voting; requiring paper ballots and manual counting for recounts and audits; requiring states to allow early voting and voting by mail without additional conditions; making grants to states for poll worker recruitment and training; prohibiting certain political
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Sponsored by: Sen. Edward Markey
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Rules And Administration. on 02/25/2019
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US Congress 116th Congress
Expressing support for addressing the Arab-Israeli conflict in a concurrent track with the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and commending Arab and Muslim-majority states that have improved bilateral relations with Israel. [HR-138]
[International ]
[Human Rights ]
This resolution reaffirms U.S. policy to support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The resolution urges Palestine and other Arab and Muslim-majority states to engage in negotiations with Israel in order to advance the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and improve bilateral relations.
Sponsored by: Rep. Ted Lieu
Committee Consideration And Mark-up Session Held. on 07/17/2019
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US Congress 116th Congress
First Responder Fair RETIRE Act First Responder Fair Return for Employees on Their Initial Retirement Earned Act of 2019 [S.531]
[Labor, Jobs, Employment ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Pensions ]
[Retirement ]
[Veterans ]
[Workers' Compensation ]
[Public Safety ]
[Healthcare ]
Allows disabled federal first responders (e.g., law enforcement officers, customs and border protection officers, and firefighters) to continue receiving federal retirement benefits in the same manner as though they had not been disabled. Under current law, federal first responders are subject to a mandatory retirement age of 57. To facilitate this earlier retirement, federal first responders are required to pay a greater percentage of their salary towards retirement. Additionally, their annuity amount is calculated at a higher rate than other federal
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Sponsored by: Sen. Susan Collins
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Homeland Security And Governmental Affairs. on 02/14/2019
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US Congress 116th Congress
National Security Diversity and Inclusion Workforce Act of 2019 [S.497]
[National Security ]
[Labor, Jobs, Employment ]
[Race and Civil Rights ]
[Veterans ]
[Human Rights ]
[Military ]
Requires each national security agency to report on its diversity and inclusion efforts. The bill defines "diversity" as diversity of persons based on gender, race, ethnicity, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and other demographic categories. It also requires each such agency to develop a system to collect and analyze applicant employment data to identify areas for improvement in attracting diverse talent, with emphasis on senior and management positions; conduct periodic interviews with a
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Sponsored by: Sen. Jack Reed
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Homeland Security And Governmental Affairs. on 02/14/2019
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US Congress 116th Congress
A resolution calling on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to immediately release Saudi Women's Rights activists and respect the fundamental rights of all Saudi citizens. [SR-73]
[Human Rights ]
[International ]
This resolution calls on the government of Saudi Arabia to release all political prisoners, including Saudi women's rights activists, and urges Saudi Arabia to abolish the mail guardianship system. The resolution also expresses the Senate's concern over human rights violations in Saudi Arabia and petitions the President to make a determination regarding the implementation of sanctions against those responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Sponsored by: Sen. Robert Casey
Referred To The Committee On Foreign Relations. on 02/14/2019
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US Congress 116th Congress
Voter Empowerment Act of 2019 [HB-1275]
[Voting Rights ]
[Elections ]
Addresses access to voting, including by requiring states to allow online voter registration, establish automatic voter registration, permit same day voter registration, and accept voter registration applications from individuals under age 18; prohibiting interference with voter registration or voting; requiring paper ballots and manual counting for recounts and audits; requiring states to allow early voting and voting by mail without additional conditions; making grants to states for poll worker recruitment and training; prohibiting certain political
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Sponsored by: Rep. Mike Quigley
Referred To The Subcommittee On The Constitution, Civil Rights, And Civil Justice. on 03/22/2019
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US Congress 116th Congress
KREMLIN Act Keeping Russian Entrapments Minimal and Limiting Intelligence Networks Act [HB-1273]
[International ]
[National Security ]
[Defense ]
Requires the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to report to Congress an assessment of Russia's political intentions, including (1) Russian leadership intentions in pursuing military scenarios against members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), (2) Russian leadership reactions to the European Reassurance Initiative, and (3) areas of possible joint cooperation between Russia and its Western adversaries.
Sponsored by: Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi
Introduced In House on 02/14/2019
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Prevention of Arms Race Act of 2019 [HB-1231]
[Defense ]
[International ]
[National Security ]
[Military ]
Restricts the appropriation of funds for the procurement, flight testing, or deployment of missiles banned by the Treaty between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Elimination of Their Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles (INF Treaty). Before such funds may be appropriated, the Department of Defense shall submit a report to Congress that includes (1) a memorandum of understanding from a North Atlantic Treaty Organization or Indo-Pacific ally committing to hosting the deployment of such a missile,
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Sponsored by: Rep. Barbara Lee
Referred To The Subcommittee On Strategic Forces. on 02/15/2019
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US Congress 116th Congress
Pawel Adamowicz Democratic Leadership Exchange Act of 2019 [HB-1270]
[International ]
[Education ]
Permanently reauthorizes the U.S.-Poland Parliamentary Exchange Program, which allows participants from both countries to visit the other to participate in educational and skills-development activities. It also establishes the Pawel Adamowicz Democratic Leadership Exchange Program, which is open to eligible adults (the current program is open only to individuals under the age of 19).
Sponsored by: Rep. Daniel Lipinski
Introduced In House on 02/14/2019
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US Congress 116th Congress
First Responder Fair RETIRE Act First Responder Fair Return for Employees on Their Initial Retirement Earned Act of 2019 [HB-1256]
[Labor, Jobs, Employment ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Pensions ]
[Retirement ]
[Public Safety ]
[Veterans ]
[Workers' Compensation ]
[Healthcare ]
[Disabilities ]
Allows disabled federal first responders (e.g., law enforcement officers, customs and border protection officers, and firefighters) to continue receiving federal retirement benefits in the same manner as though they had not been disabled. Under current law, federal first responders are subject to a mandatory retirement age of 57. To facilitate this earlier retirement, federal first responders are required to pay a greater percentage of their salary towards retirement. Additionally, their annuity amount is calculated at a higher rate than other federal
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Sponsored by: Rep. Gerald Connolly
Introduced In House on 02/14/2019
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US Congress 116th Congress
Climate Change National Security Strategy Act of 2019 [HB-1201]
[Climate Change ]
[National Security ]
[Science ]
[Energy ]
[Environmental ]
[Defense ]
Requires the impacts of climate change to be identified and considered in the development and implementation of national security policies and plans. Specifically, the bill requires the National Security Advisor and the Office of Science and Technology Policy to jointly establish an interagency Climate and National Security Working Group, which must develop an action plan on climate-related impacts on national security interests. Further, specified federal departments and agencies must each develop a plan that ensures that such impacts are identified
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Sponsored by: Rep. Gerald Connolly
Referred To The Subcommittee On Environment And Climate Change. on 02/14/2019
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US Congress 116th Congress
Countering the Chinese Government and Communist Party's Political Influence Operations Act [S.480]
[International ]
[National Security ]
[Human Rights ]
[Cybersecurity ]
[Immigration ]
[Race and Civil Rights ]
Directs the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security to devise a long-term strategy to counter the Chinese government's political influence operations. The strategy shall seek to counter the ruling Chinese Communist Party's campaigns to corrupt democratic countries and undermine democratic institutions, both in the United States and elsewhere. It shall also seek to increase awareness of such campaigns and help other countries develop the capacity to counter them. The strategy shall also ensure that Chinese nationals living in
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Sponsored by: Sen. Edward Markey
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Foreign Relations. on 02/13/2019
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US Congress 116th Congress
Condemning the Government of Saudi Arabia's continued detention and alleged abuse of women's rights activists. [HR-129]
[Human Rights ]
[International ]
[National Security ]
This resolution reaffirms that the promotion of human rights and democracies, including the empowerment of women and girls, is a longstanding bedrock of U.S. foreign policy. It also condemns Saudi Arabia's continued detention and alleged abuse of women's rights advocates and urges the immediate and unconditional release of such advocates. The resolution also urges Saudi Arabia to end its male guardianship system and calls on the United States to impose sanctions on Saudi Arabian government officials responsible for gross human rights violations.
Sponsored by: Rep. Raul Grijalva
Mr. Engel Moved To Suspend The Rules And Agree To The Resolution, As Amended. on 07/15/2019
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US Congress 116th Congress
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the importance and vitality of the United States alliances with Japan and the Republic of Korea, and our trilateral cooperation in the pursuit of shared interests. [HR-127]
[International ]
[National Security ]
[Defense ]
This resolution reaffirms the importance of the U.S.-Japan and U.S.-South Korea alliances in promoting peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region, and reaffirms the U.S. commitment to defend both Japan and South Korea. It also states the importance of deepening diplomatic and security cooperation between the three countries.
Sponsored by: Rep. Ted Lieu
Mr. Levin (mi) Moved To Suspend The Rules And Agree To The Resolution, As Amended. on 09/24/2019
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US Congress 116th Congress
Defending American Security from Kremlin Aggression Act of 2019 [S.482]
[Cybersecurity ]
[International ]
[National Security ]
[Elections ]
[Human Rights ]
[Defense ]
[Technology and Innovation ]
[Voting Rights ]
[Crime ]
[Military ]
[Law Enforcement ]
Imposes limits on any U.S. withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), amends provisions related to cybercrimes, and imposes sanctions on Russian individuals involved in various activities. No funds may be used to withdraw the United States from NATO unless the Senate passes a resolution consenting to the withdrawal. The bill also authorizes expedited transfers of excess defense articles to NATO member countries. establishes in the Department of State the Office of Cyberspace and the Digital Economy, to serve as the lead policy
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Sponsored by: Sen. Robert Menendez
Committee On Foreign Relations. Ordered To Be Reported With An Amendment In The Nature Of A Substitute Favorably. on 12/18/2019
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US Congress 116th Congress
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on the importance and vitality of the United States alliances with Japan and the Republic of Korea, and our trilateral cooperation in the pursuit of shared interests. [SR-67]
[International ]
[National Security ]
[Defense ]
This resolution reaffirms the importance of the U.S.-Japan and U.S.-South Korea alliances in promoting peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region, and reaffirms the U.S. commitment to defend both Japan and South Korea. It also states the importance of deepening diplomatic and security cooperation between the three countries.
Sponsored by: Sen. Edward Markey
Resolution Agreed To In Senate Without Amendment And An Amended Preamble By Voice Vote. on 04/10/2019
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US Congress 116th Congress
A resolution congratulating the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of North Macedonia on ratification of the Prespa Agreement, which resolves a long-standing bilateral dispute and establishes a strategic partnership between the 2 countries. [SR-65]
[International ]
[Human Rights ]
This resolution commends Greece and North Macedonia for the ratification of the Prespa Agreement, which changes the name of the Republic of Macedonia to the Republic of North Macedonia and ends a longstanding dispute regarding the country's constitutional name.
Sponsored by: Sen. Michael Enzi
Referred To The Committee On Foreign Relations. on 02/11/2019
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US Congress 116th Congress
A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress. [SJR-7]
[Defense ]
[International ]
[National Security ]
[Military ]
[Human Rights ]
This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting Yemen within 30 days unless Congress authorizes a later withdrawal date, issues a declaration of war, or specifically authorizes the use of the Armed Forces. Prohibited activities include providing in-flight fueling for non-U.S. aircraft conducting missions as part of the conflict in Yemen. This joint resolution shall not affect any military operations directed at Al Qaeda. The President must submit to Congress, within 90 days, reports assessing
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Sponsored by: Sen. Mike Lee
Failed Of Passage In Senate Over Veto By Yea-nay Vote. 53 - 45. Record Vote Number: 94. on 05/02/2019