WASHINGTON, March 14 -- Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., has introduced legislation (H.R. 1732) to amend the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 "to specify that the waiver authority under such Act includes the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 for purpose of construction of physical barriers along border." The bill was introduced on March 13. It was jointly referred to the House Homeland Security and Natural Resources co  more

WASHINGTON, March 15 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, has introduced legislation (S. 817) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to remove silencers from the definition of firearms. The bill was introduced on March 14 and has 12 co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, Bill Cassidy, R-La., James Risch, R-Idaho, John Boozman, R-Ark., Mike Rounds, R-S.D., Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Ind., Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Jerry Moran, R-Kan., Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, Joni Ernst  more

WASHINGTON, March 13 -- Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., has introduced legislation (S. 743) to "award a Congressional Gold Medal to the soldiers of the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), commonly known as Merrill's Marauders, in recognition of their bravery and outstanding service in the jungles of Burma during World War II." The bill was introduced on March 12 and has 21 co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Sens. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., John Boozman, R-Ark., Christopher Coo  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., has introduced legislation (S. 765) to "promote neutrality, simplicity, and fairness in the taxation of digital goods and digital services." The bill was introduced on March 13 and was co-sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. It was referred to the Senate Finance Committee. For more information, Sen. John Thune, 511 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510; 202/224-2321; or in the state at 246 Founders Park Drive, Ste. 102, Rapid City,  more

WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Sen. Patrick Toomey, R-Pa., has introduced legislation (S. 733) to protect the investment choices of investors in the U.S. The bill was introduced on March 11 and was co-sponsored by Sens. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., Mike Rounds, R-S.D., Gary Peters, D-Mich. It was referred to the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. For more information, Sen. Patrick Toomey, 248 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510; 202/224-4254; or in the state at 17 S. P  more

WASHINGTON, March 15 -- Sen. Patrick Toomey, R-Pa., has introduced legislation (S. 803) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to restore incentives for investments in qualified improvement property. The bill was introduced on March 14 and has 19 co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Sens. Doug Jones, D-Ala., Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., John Thune, R-S.D., Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., and Martha McSally, R-Ariz.   more