WASHINGTON, July 22 -- Rep. Matthew Cartwright, D-Pa., has introduced legislation (H.R. 7700) to "direct the Secretary of Labor to issue an emergency temporary standard that requires operators to develop and implement a comprehensive infectious disease exposure control plan to protect miners from exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)." The bill was introduced on July 21 and has 20 co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Reps. Alma S. Adams, D-N.C., William Clay Jr.,   more

WASHINGTON, July 21 -- Rep. Bill Flores, R-Texas, has introduced legislation (H.R. 7676) to amend the Public Health Service Act "to provide for hospital and insurer price transparency." The bill was introduced on July 20 and was co-sponsored by Reps. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo., Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, and Gary J. Palmer, R-Ala. It was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. For more information, Rep. Bill Flores, 2228 Rayburn House Offic  more

WASHINGTON, July 22 -- Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, D-N.Y., has introduced legislation (H.R. 7709) to amend the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act "to establish community investment programs." The bill was introduced on July 21 and has eight co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Reps. Al Green, D-Texas, Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, David Scott, D-Ga., Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., David Trone, D-Md., and William Clay Jr., D-Mo. The legislation   more

WASHINGTON, July 22 -- Rep. Gregory F. Murphy, R-N.C., has introduced legislation (H.R. 7710) to "provide liability protection for elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education during the COVID-19 public health emergency." The bill was introduced on July 21 and has 14 co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Reps. Randy Weber, R-Texas, Thomas Tiffany, R-Wis., Ralph Norman, R-S.C., Glenn R. Grothman, R-Wis., Ann Wagner, R-Mo., Ron Wright, R-Texas, Bradley Byrne, R-Ala., Jam  more

WASHINGTON, July 23 -- Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., has introduced legislation (H.R. 7715) to "encourage States to permit members of the Armed Forces who are outside of the State under orders to renew a permit to carry a concealed firearm through the mail." The bill was introduced on July 21 and has 24 co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Reps. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., David Rouzer, R-N.C., Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., Jeff Van Drew, D-N.J., Patrick T. McHenry, R-N.C., Randy Weber, R-Texas, Dav  more

WASHINGTON, July 23 -- Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., has introduced legislation (H.R. 7716) to establish defenses against crimes of violence. The bill was introduced on July 21 and was co-sponsored by Reps. Sam Graves, R-Mo., Billy Long, R-Mo., and Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo. It was referred to the House Judiciary Committee. For more information, Rep. Jason Smith, 2418 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515; 202/225-4404; or in district offices at 22 E. Columbia St., Farmington, MO 63640  more

WASHINGTON, July 25 -- Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., has introduced legislation (H.R. 7759) to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act "to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to forgive the repayment, extend the timeline of repayment, and lower the interest rate of Medicare hospital accelerated payments made during the COVID-19 public health emergency." The bill was introduced on July 23 and has seven co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Reps. David B. McKinley, R-W.Va., Carol Mill  more

WASHINGTON, July 25 -- Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., has introduced legislation (S. 4299) to "provide grants for tourism and events support and promotion in areas affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)." The bill was introduced on July 23 and was co-sponsored by Sens. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. It was referred to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. For more information, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, 516 Hart Senate Offic  more

WASHINGTON, July 25 -- Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., has introduced legislation (S. 4300) to amend the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018 "to require the Secretary of Defense to carry out the Pacific Deterrence Initiative." The bill was introduced on July 23. It was referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. For more information, Sen. Cory Gardner, 354 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510; 202/224-5941; or in state at 503 N. Main St., Ste. 426, Pueblo, CO 81003; 719/  more

WASHINGTON, July 25 -- Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., has introduced legislation (S. 4301) to "encourage States to permit members of the Armed Forces who are outside of the State under orders to renew a permit to carry a concealed firearm through the mail." The bill was introduced on July 23. It was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. For more information, Sen. Josh Hawley, 212 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510; 202/224-6154; or in state at 555 Independence St., Ste. 1600;  more

WASHINGTON, July 23 -- Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., has introduced legislation (S. 4241) to "require certain businesses to disclose the use of forced labor in their direct supply chain." The bill was introduced on July 21. It was referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. For more information, Sen. Josh Hawley, 212 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510; 202/224-6154; or in state at 555 Independence St., Ste. 1600; Cape Girardeau, MO 63703; 573/334-5995;  more

WASHINGTON, July 22 -- Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., has introduced legislation (S. 4212) to amend title 28, U.S. Code, "to strip foreign sovereign immunity of certain foreign states to secure justice for victims of novel coronavirus in the U.S." The bill was introduced on July 20 and has seven co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Mike Rounds, R-S.D., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.V  more