114 HR 3189 : FORM Act of 2015
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-12-17
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		IIB
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3189
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
		November 30, 2015ReceivedDecember 17, 2015Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban AffairsAN ACT
		To amend the Federal Reserve Act to establish requirements for policy rules and blackout periods of
			 the Federal Open Market Committee, to establish requirements for certain
			 activities of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and to
			 amend title 31, United States Code, to reform the manner in which the
			 Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is audited, and for other
			 purposes.

		1.Short title; table of contents
 (a)Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Fed Oversight Reform and Modernization Act of 2015 or the FORM Act of 2015. (b)Table of contentsThe table of contents for this Act is as follows:

					Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
					Sec. 2. Requirements for policy rules of the Federal Open Market Committee.
					Sec. 3. Federal Open Market Committee blackout period.
					Sec. 4. Membership of Federal Open Market Committee.
					Sec. 5. Requirements for stress tests and supervisory letters for the Board of Governors of the
			 Federal Reserve System.
					Sec. 6. Frequency of testimony of the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
			 System to Congress.
					Sec. 7. Vice Chairman for Supervision report requirement.
					Sec. 8. Economic analysis of regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
					Sec. 9. Salaries, financial disclosures, and office staff of the Board of Governors of the Federal
			 Reserve System.
					Sec. 10. Requirements for international processes.
					Sec. 11. Amendments to powers of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
					Sec. 12. Interest rates on balances maintained at a Federal Reserve bank by depository institutions
			 established by Federal Open Market Committee.
					Sec. 13. Audit reform and transparency for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
					Sec. 14. Reporting requirement for Export-Import Bank.
					Sec. 15. Membership of Board of Directors of the Federal reserve banks.
					Sec. 16. Establishment of a Centennial Monetary Commission.
					Sec. 17. Elimination of surplus funds of Federal reserve banks.
					Sec. 18. Public transcripts of FOMC meetings.

 2.Requirements for policy rules of the Federal Open Market CommitteeThe Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 221 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 2B the following new section:  2C.Directive Policy Rules of the Federal Open Market Committee (a)DefinitionsIn this section the following definitions shall apply:
 (1)Appropriate congressional committeesThe term appropriate congressional committees means the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
 (2)Directive Policy RuleThe term Directive Policy Rule means a policy rule developed by the Federal Open Market Committee that meets the requirements of subsection (c) and that provides the basis for the Open Market Operations Directive.
 (3)GDPThe term GDP means the gross domestic product of the United States as computed and published by the Department of Commerce.
 (4)Intermediate Policy InputThe term Intermediate Policy Input— (A)may include any variable determined by the Federal Open Market Committee as a necessary input to guide open-market operations;
 (B)shall include an estimate of, and the method of calculation for, the current rate of inflation or current inflation expectations; and
 (C)shall include, specifying whether the variable or estimate is historical, current, or a forecast and the method of calculation, at least one of—
 (i)an estimate of real GDP, nominal GDP, or potential GDP; (ii)an estimate of the monetary aggregate compiled by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Federal reserve banks; or
 (iii)an interactive variable or a net estimate composed of the estimates described in clauses (i) and (ii).
 (5)Legislative dayThe term legislative day means a day on which either House of Congress is in session. (6)Open Market Operations DirectiveThe term Open Market Operations Directive means an order to achieve a specified Policy Instrument Target provided to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York by the Federal Open Market Committee pursuant to powers authorized under section 14 of this Act that guide open-market operations.
 (7)Policy InstrumentThe term Policy Instrument means— (A)the nominal Federal funds rate;
 (B)the nominal rate of interest paid on nonborrowed reserves; or (C)the discount window primary credit interest rate most recently published on the Federal Reserve Statistical Release on selected interest rates (daily or weekly), commonly referred to as the H.15 release.
 (8)Policy Instrument TargetThe term Policy Instrument Target means the target for the Policy Instrument specified in the Open Market Operations Directive. (9)Reference Policy RuleThe term Reference Policy Rule means a calculation of the nominal Federal funds rate as equal to the sum of the following:
 (A)The rate of inflation over the previous four quarters. (B)One-half of the percentage deviation of the real GDP from an estimate of potential GDP.
 (C)One-half of the difference between the rate of inflation over the previous four quarters and two percent.
 (D)Two percent. (b)Submitting a Directive Policy RuleNot later than 48 hours after the end of a meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, the Chairman of the Federal Open Market Committee shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees and the Comptroller General of the United States a Directive Policy Rule and a statement that identifies the members of the Federal Open Market Committee who voted in favor of the Rule.
 (c)Requirements for a Directive Policy RuleA Directive Policy Rule shall— (1)identify the Policy Instrument the Directive Policy Rule is designed to target;
 (2)describe the strategy or rule of the Federal Open Market Committee for the systematic quantitative adjustment of the Policy Instrument Target to respond to a change in the Intermediate Policy Inputs;
 (3)include a function that comprehensively models the interactive relationship between the Intermediate Policy Inputs;
 (4)include the coefficients of the Directive Policy Rule that generate the current Policy Instrument Target and a range of predicted future values for the Policy Instrument Target if changes occur in any Intermediate Policy Input;
 (5)describe the procedure for adjusting the supply of bank reserves to achieve the Policy Instrument Target;
 (6)include a statement as to whether the Directive Policy Rule substantially conforms to the Reference Policy Rule and, if applicable—
 (A)an explanation of the extent to which it departs from the Reference Policy Rule; (B)a detailed justification for that departure; and
 (C)a description of the circumstances under which the Directive Policy Rule may be amended in the future;
 (7)include a certification that such Rule is expected to support the economy in achieving stable prices and maximum natural employment over the long term;
 (8)include a calculation that describes with mathematical precision the expected annual inflation rate over a 5-year period; and
 (9)include a plan to use the most accurate data, subject to all historical revisions, for inputs into the Directive Policy Rule and the Reference Policy Rule.
 (d)GAO reportThe Comptroller General of the United States shall compare the Directive Policy Rule submitted under subsection (b) with the rule that was most recently submitted to determine whether the Directive Policy Rule has materially changed. If the Directive Policy Rule has materially changed, the Comptroller General shall, not later than 7 days after each meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, prepare and submit a compliance report to the appropriate congressional committees specifying whether the Directive Policy Rule submitted after that meeting and the Federal Open Market Committee are in compliance with this section.
					(e)Changing market conditions
 (1)Rule of constructionNothing in this Act shall be construed to require that the plans with respect to the systematic quantitative adjustment of the Policy Instrument Target described under subsection (c)(2) be implemented if the Federal Open Market Committee determines that such plans cannot or should not be achieved due to changing market conditions.
 (2)GAO approval of updateUpon determining that plans described in paragraph (1) cannot or should not be achieved, the Federal Open Market Committee shall submit an explanation for that determination and an updated version of the Directive Policy Rule to the Comptroller General of the United States and the appropriate congressional committees not later than 48 hours after making the determination. The Comptroller General shall, not later than 48 hours after receiving such updated version, prepare and submit to the appropriate congressional committees a compliance report determining whether such updated version and the Federal Open Market Committee are in compliance with this section.
						(f)Directive Policy Rule and Federal Open Market Committee not in compliance
 (1)In generalIf the Comptroller General of the United States determines that the Directive Policy Rule and the Federal Open Market Committee are not in compliance with this section in the report submitted pursuant to subsection (d), or that the updated version of the Directive Policy Rule and the Federal Open Market Committee are not in compliance with this section in the report submitted pursuant to subsection (e)(2), the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall, if requested by the chairman of either of the appropriate congressional committees, not later than 7 legislative days after such request, testify before such committee as to why the Directive Policy Rule, the updated version, or the Federal Open Market Committee is not in compliance.
 (2)GAO auditNotwithstanding subsection (b) of section 714 of title 31, United States Code, upon submitting a report of noncompliance pursuant to subsection (d) or subsection (e)(2) and after the period of 7 legislative days described in paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall audit the conduct of monetary policy by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Open Market Committee upon request of the appropriate congressional committee. Such committee may specify the parameters of such audit.
 (g)Congressional hearingsThe Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall, if requested by the chairman of either of the appropriate congressional committees and not later than 7 legislative days after such request, appear before such committee to explain any change to the Directive Policy Rule..
 3.Federal Open Market Committee blackout periodSection 12A of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 263) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:  (d)Blackout period (1)In generalDuring a blackout period, the only public communications that may be made by members and staff of the Committee with respect to macroeconomic or financial developments or about current or prospective monetary policy issues are the following:
 (A)The dissemination of published data, surveys, and reports that have been cleared for publication by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
 (B)Answers to technical questions specific to a data release. (C)Communications with respect to the prudential or supervisory functions of the Board of Governors.
 (2)Blackout period definedFor purposes of this subsection, and with respect to a meeting of the Committee described under subsection (a), the term blackout period means the time period that—
 (A)begins immediately after midnight on the day that is one week prior to the date on which such meeting takes place; and
 (B)ends at midnight on the day after the date on which such meeting takes place. (3)Exemption for Chairman of the Board of GovernorsNothing in this section shall prohibit the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System from participating in or issuing public communications..
 4.Membership of Federal Open Market CommitteeSection 12A(a) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 263(a)) is amended— (1)in the first sentence, by striking five and inserting six;
 (2)in the second sentence, by striking One by the board of directors and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following: One by the boards of directors of the Federal Reserve Banks of New York and Boston; one by the boards of directors of the Federal Reserve Banks of Philadelphia and Cleveland; one by the boards of directors of the Federal Reserve Banks of Richmond and Atlanta; one by the boards of directors of the Federal Reserve Banks of Chicago and St. Louis; one by the boards of directors of the Federal Reserve Banks of Minneapolis and Kansas City; and one by the boards of directors of the Federal Reserve Banks of Dallas and San Francisco.; and
 (3)by inserting after the second sentence the following: In odd numbered calendar years, one representative shall be elected from each of the Federal Reserve Banks of Boston, Philadelphia, Richmond, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Dallas. In even-numbered calendar years, one representative shall be elected from each of the Federal Reserve Banks of New York, Cleveland, Atlanta, St. Louis, Kansas City, and San Francisco..
			5.Requirements for stress tests and supervisory letters for the Board of Governors of the Federal
			 Reserve System
 (a)Stress test rulemaking, GAO review, and publication of resultsSection 165(i)(1)(B) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 5365(i)(1)(B)) is amended— (1)by amending clause (i) to read as follows:

 (i)shall— (I)issue regulations, after providing for public notice and comment, that provide for at least 3 different sets of conditions under which the evaluation required by this subsection shall be conducted, including baseline, adverse, and severely adverse, and methodologies, including models used to estimate losses on certain assets; and
 (II)provide copies of such regulations to the Comptroller General of the United States and the Panel of Economic Advisors of the Congressional Budget Office before publishing such regulations;; and
 (2)in clause (v), by inserting before the period the following: , including any results of a resubmitted test. (b)Application of CCARSection 165(i)(1) of such Act is further amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

 (C)Application to CCARThe requirements of subparagraph (B) shall apply to all stress tests performed under the Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review exercise established by the Board of Governors..
 (c)Publication of the number of supervisory letters sent to the largest bank holding companiesSection 165 of such Act is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:  (l)Publication of supervisory letter informationThe Board of Governors shall publicly disclose—
 (1)the aggregate number of supervisory letters sent to bank holding companies described in subsection (a) since the date of the enactment of this section, and keep such number updated; and
 (2)the aggregate number of such letters that are designated as Matters Requiring Attention and the aggregate number of such letters that are designated as Matters Requiring Immediate Attention.. 6.Frequency of testimony of the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to Congress (a)In generalSection 2B of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 225b) is amended—
 (1)by striking semi-annual each place it appears and inserting quarterly; and (2)in subsection (a)(2)—
 (A)by inserting and October 20 after July 20 each place it appears; and (B)by inserting and May 20 after February 20 each place it appears.
 (b)Conforming amendmentParagraph (12) of section 10 of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 247b(12)) is amended by striking semi-annual and inserting quarterly. 7.Vice Chairman for Supervision report requirementParagraph (12) of section 10 of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 247(b)) is amended—
 (1)by redesignating such paragraph as paragraph (11); and (2)in such paragraph, by adding at the end the following: In each such appearance, the Vice Chairman for Supervision shall provide written testimony that includes the status of all pending and anticipated rulemakings that are being made by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. If, at the time of any appearance described in this paragraph, the position of Vice Chairman for Supervision is vacant, the Vice Chairman for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (who has the responsibility to serve in the absence of the Chairman) shall appear instead and provide the required written testimony. If, at the time of any appearance described in this paragraph, both Vice Chairman positions are vacant, the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall appear instead and provide the required written testimony..
			8.Economic analysis of regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
 (a)Amendment to Federal Reserve ActSection 11 of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 248) is amended by inserting after subsection (l) the following new subsection:  (m)Consideration of economic impacts (1)In generalBefore issuing any regulation, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall—
 (A)clearly identify the nature and source of the problem that the proposed regulation is designed to address and assess the significance of that problem;
 (B)assess whether any new regulation is warranted or, with respect to a proposed regulation that the Board of Governors is required to issue by statute and with respect to which the Board has the authority to exempt certain persons from the application of such regulation, compare—
 (i)the costs and benefits of the proposed regulation; and (ii)the costs and benefits of a regulation under which the Board exempts all persons from the application of the proposed regulation, to the extent the Board is able;
 (C)assess the qualitative and quantitative costs and benefits of the proposed regulation and propose or adopt a regulation only on a reasoned determination that the benefits of the proposed regulation outweigh the costs of the regulation;
 (D)identify and assess available alternatives to the proposed regulation that were considered, including any alternative offered by a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Open Market Committee and including any modification of an existing regulation, together with an explanation of why the regulation meets the regulatory objectives more effectively than the alternatives; and
 (E)ensure that any proposed regulation is accessible, consistent, written in plain language, and easy to understand and shall measure, and seek to improve, the actual results of regulatory requirements.
							(2)Considerations and actions
 (A)Required actionsIn deciding whether and how to regulate, the Board shall assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives, including the alternative of not regulating, and choose the approach that maximizes net benefits. Specifically, the Board shall—
 (i)evaluate whether, consistent with achieving regulatory objectives, the regulation is tailored to impose the least impact on the availability of credit and economic growth and to impose the least burden on society, including market participants, individuals, businesses of different sizes, and other entities (including State and local governmental entities), taking into account, to the extent practicable, the cumulative costs of regulations;
 (ii)evaluate whether the regulation is inconsistent, incompatible, or duplicative of other Federal regulations; and
 (iii)with respect to a proposed regulation that the Board is required to issue by statute and with respect to which the Board has the authority to exempt certain persons from the application of such regulation, compare—
 (I)the costs and benefits of the proposed regulation; and (II)the costs and benefits of a regulation under which the Board exempts all persons from the application of the proposed regulation, to the extent the Board is able.
 (B)Additional considerationsIn addition, in making a reasoned determination of the costs and benefits of a proposed regulation, the Board shall, to the extent that each is relevant to the particular proposed regulation, take into consideration the impact of the regulation, including secondary costs such as an increase in the cost or a reduction in the availability of credit or investment services or products, on—
 (i)the safety and soundness of the United States banking system; (ii)market liquidity in securities markets;
 (iii)small businesses; (iv)community banks;
 (v)economic growth; (vi)cost and access to capital;
 (vii)market stability; (viii)global competitiveness;
 (ix)job creation; (x)the effectiveness of the monetary policy transmission mechanism; and
 (xi)employment levels. (3)Explanation and commentsThe Board shall explain in its final rule the nature of comments that it received and shall provide a response to those comments in its final rule, including an explanation of any changes that were made in response to those comments and the reasons that the Board did not incorporate concerns related to the potential costs or benefits in the final rule.
						(4)Postadoption impact assessment
 (A)In generalWhenever the Board adopts or amends a regulation designated as a major rule within the meaning of section 804(2) of title 5, United States Code, it shall state, in its adopting release, the following:
 (i)The purposes and intended consequences of the regulation. (ii)The assessment plan that will be used, consistent with the requirements of subparagraph (B), to assess whether the regulation has achieved the stated purposes.
 (iii)Appropriate postimplementation quantitative and qualitative metrics to measure the economic impact of the regulation and the extent to which the regulation has accomplished the stated purpose of the regulation.
 (iv)Any reasonably foreseeable indirect effects that may result from the regulation. (B)Requirements of assessment plan and report (i)Requirements of planThe assessment plan required under this paragraph shall consider the costs, benefits, and intended and unintended consequences of the regulation. The plan shall specify the data to be collected, the methods for collection and analysis of the data, and a date for completion of the assessment. The assessment plan shall include an analysis of any jobs added or lost as a result of the regulation, differentiating between public and private sector jobs.
 (ii)Submission and publication of reportThe Board shall, not later than 2 years after the publication of the adopting release, publish the assessment plan in the Federal Register for notice and comment. If the Board determines, at least 90 days before the deadline for publication of the assessment plan, that an extension is necessary, the Board shall publish a notice of such extension and the specific reasons why the extension is necessary in the Federal Register. Any material modification of the assessment plan, as necessary to assess unforeseen aspects or consequences of the regulation, shall be promptly published in the Federal Register for notice and comment.
 (iii)Data collection not subject to notice and comment requirementsIf the Board has published the assessment plan for notice and comment at least 30 days before the adoption of a regulation designated as a major rule, the collection of data under the assessment plan shall not be subject to the notice and comment requirements in section 3506(c) of title 44, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Paperwork Reduction Act). Any material modification of the plan that requires collection of data not previously published for notice and comment shall also be exempt from such requirements if the Board has published notice in the Federal Register for comment on the additional data to be collected, at least 30 days before the initiation of data collection.
 (iv)Final actionNot later than 180 days after publication of the assessment plan in the Federal Register, the Board shall issue for notice and comment a proposal to amend or rescind the regulation, or shall publish a notice that the Board has determined that no action will be taken on the regulation. Such a notice will be deemed a final agency action.
 (5)Covered regulations and other actionsSolely as used in this subsection, the term regulation— (A)means a statement of general applicability and future effect that is designed to implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy, or to describe the procedure or practice requirements of the Board of Governors, including rules, orders of general applicability, interpretive releases, and other statements of general applicability that the Board of Governors intends to have the force and effect of law; and
 (B)does not include— (i)a regulation issued in accordance with the formal rulemaking provisions of section 556 or 557 of title 5, United States Code;
 (ii)a regulation that is limited to the organization, management, or personnel matters of the Board of Governors;
 (iii)a regulation promulgated pursuant to statutory authority that expressly prohibits compliance with this provision; or
 (iv)a regulation that is certified by the Board of Governors to be an emergency action, if such certification is published in the Federal Register..
 (b)Rule of constructionNothing in this section shall apply to the requirements regarding the conduct of monetary policy described in section 2.
			9.Salaries, financial disclosures, and office staff of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
			 System
 (a)In generalSection 11 of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 248) is amended— (1)by redesignating the second subsection (s) (relating to Assessments, Fees, and Other Charges for Certain Companies) as subsection (t); and
 (2)by adding at the end the following new subsections:  (u)Ethics standards for members and employees (1)Prohibited and restricted financial interests and transactionsThe members and employees of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall be subject to the provisions under section 4401.102 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, to the same extent as such provisions apply to an employee of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 (2)Treatment of brokerage accounts and availability of account statementsThe members and employees of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall— (A)disclose all brokerage accounts that they maintain, as well as those in which they control trading or have a financial interest (including managed accounts, trust accounts, investment club accounts, and the accounts of spouses or minor children who live with the member or employee); and
 (B)with respect to any securities account that the member or employee is required to disclose to the Board of Governors, authorize their brokers and dealers to send duplicate account statements directly to Board of Governors.
 (3)Prohibitions related to outside employment and activitiesThe members and employees of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall be subject to the prohibitions related to outside employment and activities described under section 4401.103(c) of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, to the same extent as such prohibitions apply to an employee of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 (4)Additional ethics standardsThe members and employees of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall be subject to—
 (A)the employee responsibilities and conduct regulations of the Office of Personnel Management under part 735 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations;
 (B)the canons of ethics contained in subpart C of part 200 of title 17, Code of Federal Regulations, to the same extent as such subpart applies to the employees of the Securities and Exchange Commission; and
 (C)the regulations concerning the conduct of members and employees and former members and employees contained in subpart M of part 200 of title 17, Code of Federal Regulations, to the same extent as such subpart applies to the employees of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 (v)Disclosure of staff salaries and financial informationThe Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall make publicly available, on the website of the Board of Governors, a searchable database that contains the names of all members, officers, and employees of the Board of Governors who receive an annual salary in excess of the annual rate of basic pay for GS–15 of the General Schedule, and—
 (1)the yearly salary information for such individuals, along with any nonsalary compensation received by such individuals; and
 (2)any financial disclosures required to be made by such individuals.. (b)Office staff for each member of the Board of GovernorsSubsection (l) of section 11 of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 248) is amended by adding at the end the following: Each member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System may employ, at a minimum, 2 individuals, with such individuals selected by such member and the salaries of such individuals set by such member. A member may employ additional individuals as determined necessary by the Board of Governors..
			10.Requirements for international processes
 (a)Board of Governors requirementsSection 11 of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 248), as amended by section 9 of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

					(w)International processes
 (1)Notice of process; consultationAt least 30 calendar days before any member or employee of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System participates in a process of setting financial standards as a part of any foreign or multinational entity, the Board of Governors shall—
 (A)issue a notice of the process, including the subject matter, scope, and goals of the process, to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate;
 (B)make such notice available to the public, including on the website of the Board of Governors; and (C)solicit public comment, and consult with the committees described under subparagraph (A), with respect to the subject matter, scope, and goals of the process.
 (2)Public reports on processAfter the end of any process described under paragraph (1), the Board of Governors shall issue a public report on the topics that were discussed during the process and any new or revised rulemakings or policy changes that the Board of Governors believes should be implemented as a result of the process.
 (3)Notice of agreements; consultationAt least 90 calendar days before any member or employee of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System participates in a process of setting financial standards as a part of any foreign or multinational entity, the Board of Governors shall—
 (A)issue a notice of agreement to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate;
 (B)make such notice available to the public, including on the website of the Board of Governors; and (C)consult with the committees described under subparagraph (A) with respect to the nature of the agreement and any anticipated effects such agreement will have on the economy.
 (4)DefinitionFor purposes of this subsection, the term process shall include any official proceeding or meeting on financial regulation of a recognized international organization with authority to set financial standards on a global or regional level, including the Financial Stability Board, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or a similar organization), and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (or a similar organization)..
 (b)FDIC requirementsThe Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1811 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:  51.International processes (a)Notice of process; consultationAt least 30 calendar days before the Board of Directors participates in a process of setting financial standards as a part of any foreign or multinational entity, the Board of Directors shall—
 (1)issue a notice of the process, including the subject matter, scope, and goals of the process, to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate;
 (2)make such notice available to the public, including on the website of the Corporation; and (3)solicit public comment, and consult with the committees described under paragraph (1), with respect to the subject matter, scope, and goals of the process.
 (b)Public reports on processAfter the end of any process described under subsection (a), the Board of Directors shall issue a public report on the topics that were discussed at the process and any new or revised rulemakings or policy changes that the Board of Directors believes should be implemented as a result of the process.
 (c)Notice of agreements; consultationAt least 90 calendar days before the Board of Directors participates in a process of setting financial standards as a part of any foreign or multinational entity, the Board of Directors shall—
 (1)issue a notice of agreement to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate;
 (2)make such notice available to the public, including on the website of the Corporation; and (3)consult with the committees described under paragraph (1) with respect to the nature of the agreement and any anticipated effects such agreement will have on the economy.
 (d)DefinitionFor purposes of this section, the term process shall include any official proceeding or meeting on financial regulation of a recognized international organization with authority to set financial standards on a global or regional level, including the Financial Stability Board, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or a similar organization), and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (or a similar organization)..
 (c)Treasury requirementsSection 325 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

					(d)International processes
 (1)Notice of process; consultationAt least 30 calendar days before the Secretary participates in a process of setting financial standards as a part of any foreign or multinational entity, the Secretary shall—
 (A)issue a notice of the process, including the subject matter, scope, and goals of the process, to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate;
 (B)make such notice available to the public, including on the website of the Department of the Treasury; and
 (C)solicit public comment, and consult with the committees described under subparagraph (A), with respect to the subject matter, scope, and goals of the process.
 (2)Public reports on processAfter the end of any process described under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall issue a public report on the topics that were discussed at the process and any new or revised rulemakings or policy changes that the Secretary believes should be implemented as a result of the process.
 (3)Notice of agreements; consultationAt least 90 calendar days before the Secretary participates in a process of setting financial standards as a part of any foreign or multinational entity, the Secretary shall—
 (A)issue a notice of agreement to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate;
 (B)make such notice available to the public, including on the website of the Department of the Treasury; and
 (C)consult with the committees described under subparagraph (A) with respect to the nature of the agreement and any anticipated effects such agreement will have on the economy.
 (4)DefinitionFor purposes of this subsection, the term process shall include any official proceeding or meeting on financial regulation of a recognized international organization with authority to set financial standards on a global or regional level, including the Financial Stability Board, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or a similar organization), and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (or a similar organization)..
 (d)OCC requirementsChapter one of title LXII of the Revised Statutes of the United States (12 U.S.C. 21 et seq.) is amended— (1)by adding at the end the following new section:

						5156B.International processes
 (a)Notice of process; consultationAt least 30 calendar days before the Comptroller of the Currency participates in a process of setting financial standards as a part of any foreign or multinational entity, the Comptroller of the Currency shall—
 (1)issue a notice of the process, including the subject matter, scope, and goals of the process, to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate;
 (2)make such notice available to the public, including on the website of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency; and
 (3)solicit public comment, and consult with the committees described under paragraph (1), with respect to the subject matter, scope, and goals of the process.
 (b)Public reports on processAfter the end of any process described under subsection (a), the Comptroller of the Currency shall issue a public report on the topics that were discussed at the process and any new or revised rulemakings or policy changes that the Comptroller of the Currency believes should be implemented as a result of the process.
 (c)Notice of agreements; consultationAt least 90 calendar days before the Comptroller of the Currency participates in a process of setting financial standards as a part of any foreign or multinational entity, the Board of Directors shall—
 (1)issue a notice of agreement to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate;
 (2)make such notice available to the public, including on the website of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency; and
 (3)consult with the committees described under paragraph (1) with respect to the nature of the agreement and any anticipated effects such agreement will have on the economy.
 (d)DefinitionFor purposes of this section, the term process shall include any official proceeding or meeting on financial regulation of a recognized international organization with authority to set financial standards on a global or regional level, including the Financial Stability Board, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or a similar organization), and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (or a similar organization).; and
 (2)in the table of contents for such chapter, by adding at the end the following new item:   5156B. International processes.. (e)Securities and Exchange Commission requirementsSection 4 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78d) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

					(j)International processes
 (1)Notice of process; consultationAt least 30 calendar days before the Commission participates in a process of setting financial standards as a part of any foreign or multinational entity, the Commission shall—
 (A)issue a notice of the process, including the subject matter, scope, and goals of the process, to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate;
 (B)make such notice available to the public, including on the website of the Commission; and (C)solicit public comment, and consult with the committees described under subparagraph (A), with respect to the subject matter, scope, and goals of the process.
 (2)Public reports on processAfter the end of any process described under paragraph (1), the Commission shall issue a public report on the topics that were discussed at the process and any new or revised rulemakings or policy changes that the Commission believes should be implemented as a result of the process.
 (3)Notice of agreements; consultationAt least 90 calendar days before the Commission participates in a process of setting financial standards as a part of any foreign or multinational entity, the Commission shall—
 (A)issue a notice of agreement to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate;
 (B)make such notice available to the public, including on the website of the Commission; and (C)consult with the committees described under subparagraph (A) with respect to the nature of the agreement and any anticipated effects such agreement will have on the economy.
 (4)DefinitionFor purposes of this subsection, the term process shall include any official proceeding or meeting on financial regulation of a recognized international organization with authority to set financial standards on a global or regional level, including the Financial Stability Board, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or a similar organization), and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (or a similar organization)..
			11.Amendments to powers of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
 (a)In generalSection 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 343(3)) is amended— (1)in subparagraph (A)—
 (A)by inserting that pose a threat to the financial stability of the United States after unusual and exigent circumstances; and (B)by inserting and by the affirmative vote of not less than nine presidents of the Federal reserve banks after five members;
 (2)in subparagraph (B)— (A)in clause (i), by inserting at the end the following:

 Federal reserve banks may not accept equity securities issued by the recipient of any loan or other financial assistance under this paragraph as collateral. Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this sentence, the Board shall, by rule, establish—(I)a method for determining the sufficiency of the collateral required under this paragraph; (II)acceptable classes of collateral;
 (III)the amount of any discount of such value that the Federal reserve banks will apply for purposes of calculating the sufficiency of collateral under this paragraph; and
 (IV)a method for obtaining independent appraisals of the value of collateral the Federal reserve banks receive.; and
 (B)in clause (ii)— (i)by striking the second sentence; and
 (ii)by inserting after the first sentence the following: A borrower shall not be eligible to borrow from any emergency lending program or facility unless the Board and all federal banking regulators with jurisdiction over the borrower certify that, at the time the borrower initially borrows under the program or facility, the borrower is not insolvent.;
 (3)by inserting financial institution before participant each place such term appears; (4)in subparagraph (D)(i), by inserting financial institution before participants; and
 (5)by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:  (F)Penalty rate (i)In generalNot later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this subparagraph, the Board shall, with respect to a recipient of any loan or other financial assistance under this paragraph, establish by rule a minimum interest rate on the principal amount of any loan or other financial assistance.
 (ii)Minimum interest rate definedIn this subparagraph, the term minimum interest rate shall mean the sum of— (I)the average of the secondary discount rate of all Federal Reserve banks over the most recent 90-day period; and
 (II)the average of the difference between a distressed corporate bond yield index (as defined by rule of the Board) and a bond yield index of debt issued by the United States (as defined by rule of the Board) over the most recent 90-day period.
 (G)Financial institution participant definedFor purposes of this paragraph, the term financial institution participant— (i)means a company that is predominantly engaged in financial activities (as defined in section 102(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 5311(a))); and
 (ii)does not include an agency described in subparagraph (W) of section 5312(a)(2) of title 31, United States Code, or an entity controlled or sponsored by such an agency..
 (b)Conforming amendmentSection 11(r)(2)(A) of such Act is amended— (1)in clause (ii)(IV), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;
 (2)in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and (3)by adding at the end the following new clause:

 (iv)the available members secure the affirmative vote of not less than nine presidents of the Federal reserve banks..
				12.Interest rates on balances maintained at a Federal Reserve bank by depository institutions
 established by Federal Open Market CommitteeSubparagraph (A) of section 19(b)(12) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 461(b)(12)(A)) is amended by inserting established by the Federal Open Market Committee after rate or rates. 13.Audit reform and transparency for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (a)In generalNotwithstanding section 714 of title 31, United States Code, or any other provision of law, the Comptroller General of the United States shall annually complete an audit of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal reserve banks under subsection (b) of such section 714 within 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
			(b)Report
 (1)In generalNot later than 90 days after each audit required pursuant to subsection (a) is completed, the Comptroller General—
 (A)shall submit to Congress a report on such audit; and (B)shall make such report available to the Speaker of the House, the majority and minority leaders of the House of Representatives, the majority and minority leaders of the Senate, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the committee and each subcommittee of jurisdiction in the House of Representatives and the Senate, and any other Member of Congress who requests the report.
 (2)ContentsThe report under paragraph (1) shall include a detailed description of the findings and conclusion of the Comptroller General with respect to the audit that is the subject of the report, together with such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Comptroller General may determine to be appropriate.
 (c)Repeal of certain limitationsSubsection (b) of section 714 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking the second sentence.
			(d)Technical and conforming amendments
 (1)In generalSection 714 of title 31, United States Code, is amended— (A)in subsection (d)(3), by striking or (f) each place such term appears;
 (B)in subsection (e), by striking the third undesignated paragraph of section 13 and inserting section 13(3); and (C)by striking subsection (f).
 (2)Federal Reserve ActSubsection (s) (relating to Federal Reserve Transparency and Release of Information) of section 11 of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 248) is amended— (A)in paragraph (4)(A), by striking has the same meaning as in section 714(f)(1)(A) of title 31, United States Code and inserting means a program or facility, including any special purpose vehicle or other entity established by or on behalf of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or a Federal reserve bank, authorized by the Board of Governors under section 13(3), that is not subject to audit under section 714(e) of title 31, United States Code;
 (B)in paragraph (6), by striking or in section 714(f)(3)(C) of title 31, United States Code, the information described in paragraph (1) and information concerning the transactions described in section 714(f) of such title, and inserting the information described in paragraph (1); and
 (C)in paragraph (7), by striking and section 13(3)(C), section 714(f)(3)(C) of title 31, United States Code, and and inserting , section 13(3)(C), and. 14.Reporting requirement for Export-Import BankThe Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall include, as part of the monthly Federal Reserve statistical release titled Industrial Production or Capacity Utilization (or any successor release), an analysis of—
 (1)the impact on the index described in the statistical release due to the operation of the Export-Import Bank; and
 (2)the amount of foreign industrial production supported by foreign export credit agencies, using the same method used to measure industrial production in the statistical release and scaled to be comparable to the industrial production measurement for the United States.
 15.Membership of Board of Directors of the Federal reserve banksSection 4 of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 302) is amended— (1)in the eleventh undesignated paragraph (relating to Class B), by striking and consumers and inserting consumers, and traditionally underserved communities and populations; and
 (2)in the twelfth undesignated paragraph (relating to Class C), by striking and consumers and inserting consumers, and traditionally underserved communities and populations. 16.Establishment of a Centennial Monetary Commission (a)Short titleThis section may be cited as the Centennial Monetary Commission Act of 2015.
 (b)FindingsCongress finds the following: (1)The Constitution endows Congress with the power to coin money, regulate the value thereof.
 (2)Following the financial crisis known as the Panic of 1907, Congress established the National Monetary Commission to provide recommendations for the reform of the financial and monetary systems of the United States.
 (3)Incorporating several of the recommendations of the National Monetary Commission, Congress created the Federal Reserve System in 1913. As currently organized, the Federal Reserve System consists of the Board of Governors in Washington, District of Columbia, and the Federal Reserve Banks organized into 12 districts around the United States. The stockholders of the 12 Federal Reserve Banks include national and certain State-chartered commercial banks, which operate on a fractional reserve basis.
 (4)Originally, Congress gave the Federal Reserve System a monetary mandate to provide an elastic currency, within the context of a gold standard, in response to seasonal fluctuations in the demand for currency.
 (5)Congress also gave the Federal Reserve System a financial stability mandate to serve as the lender of last resort to solvent but illiquid banks during a financial crisis.
 (6)In 1977, Congress changed the monetary mandate of the Federal Reserve System to a dual mandate for maximum employment and stable prices.
 (7)Empirical studies and historical evidence, both within the United States and in other countries, demonstrate that price stability is desirable because both inflation and deflation damage the economy.
 (8)The economic challenge of recent years—most notably the bursting of the housing bubble, the financial crisis of 2008, and the ensuing anemic recovery—have occurred at great cost in terms of lost jobs and output.
 (9)Policymakers are reexamining the structure and functioning of financial institutions and markets to determine what, if any, changes need to be made to place the financial system on a stronger, more sustainable path going forward.
 (10)The Federal Reserve System has taken extraordinary actions in response to the recent economic challenges.
 (11)The Federal Open Market Committee has engaged in multiple rounds of quantitative easing, providing unprecedented liquidity to financial markets, while committing to holding short-term interest rates low for a seemingly indefinite period, and pursuing a policy of credit allocation by purchasing Federal agency debt and mortgage-backed securities.
 (12)In the wake of the recent extraordinary actions of the Federal Reserve System, Congress—consistent with its constitutional responsibilities and as it has done periodically throughout the history of the United States—has once again renewed its examination of monetary policy.
 (13)Central in such examination has been a renewed look at what is the most proper mandate for the Federal Reserve System to conduct monetary policy in the 21st century.
 (c)Establishment of a Centennial Monetary CommissionThere is established a commission to be known as the Centennial Monetary Commission (in this section referred to as the Commission). (d)Study and report on monetary policy (1)StudyThe Commission shall—
 (A)examine how United States monetary policy since the creation of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in 1913 has affected the performance of the United States economy in terms of output, employment, prices, and financial stability over time;
 (B)evaluate various operational regimes under which the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Open Market Committee may conduct monetary policy in terms achieving the maximum sustainable level of output and employment and price stability over the long term, including—
 (i)discretion in determining monetary policy without an operational regime; (ii)price level targeting;
 (iii)inflation rate targeting; (iv)nominal gross domestic product targeting (both level and growth rate);
 (v)the use of monetary policy rules; and (vi)the gold standard;
 (C)evaluate the use of macro-prudential supervision and regulation as a tool of monetary policy in terms of achieving the maximum sustainable level of output and employment and price stability over the long term;
 (D)evaluate the use of the lender-of-last-resort function of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as a tool of monetary policy in terms of achieving the maximum sustainable level of output and employment and price stability over the long term;
 (E)recommend a course for United States monetary policy going forward, including— (i)the legislative mandate;
 (ii)the operational regime; (iii)the securities used in open market operations; and
 (iv)transparency issues; and (F)consider the effects of the GDP output and employment targets of the dual mandate (both from the creation of the dual mandate in 1977 until the present time and estimates of the future effect of the dual mandate ) on—
 (i)United States economic activity; (ii)Federal Reserve actions; and
 (iii)Federal debt. (2)ReportNot later than December 1, 2016, the Commission shall submit to Congress and make publicly available a report containing a statement of the findings and conclusions of the Commission in carrying out the study under paragraph (1), together with the recommendations the Commission considers appropriate. In making such report, the Commission shall specifically report on the considerations required under paragraph (1)(F).
				(e)Membership
				(1)Number and appointment
 (A)Appointed voting membersThe Commission shall contain 12 voting members as follows: (i)Six members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, with four members from the majority party and two members from the minority party.
 (ii)Six members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, with four members from the majority party and two members from the minority party.
 (B)ChairmanThe Speaker of the House of Representatives and the majority leader of the Senate shall jointly designate one of the members of the Commission as Chairman.
 (C)Non-voting membersThe Commission shall contain 2 non-voting members as follows: (i)One member appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury.
 (ii)One member who is the president of a district Federal reserve bank appointed by the Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
 (2)Period of AppointmentEach member shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. (3)Timing of appointmentAll members of the Commission shall be appointed not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this section.
 (4)VacanciesA vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers, and shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
				(5)Meetings
 (A)Initial meetingThe Commission shall hold its initial meeting and begin the operations of the Commission as soon as is practicable.
 (B)Further MeetingsThe Commission shall meet upon the call of the Chair or a majority of its members. (6)QuorumSeven voting members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold hearings.
 (7)Member of Congress DefinedIn this subsection, the term Member of Congress means a Senator or a Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress. (f)Powers (1)Hearings and sessionsThe Commission or, on the authority of the Commission, any subcommittee or member thereof, may, for the purpose of carrying out this section, hold hearings, sit and act at times and places, take testimony, receive evidence, or administer oaths as the Commission or such subcommittee or member thereof considers appropriate.
 (2)Contract authorityTo the extent or in the amounts provided in advance in appropriation Acts, the Commission may contract with and compensate government and private agencies or persons to enable the Commission to discharge its duties under this section, without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5).
				(3)Obtaining official data
 (A)In generalThe Commission is authorized to secure directly from any executive department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, independent establishment, or instrumentality of the Government, any information, including suggestions, estimates, or statistics, for the purposes of this section.
 (B)Requesting official dataThe head of such department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, independent establishment, or instrumentality of the government shall, to the extent authorized by law, furnish such information upon request made by—
 (i)the Chair; (ii)the Chair of any subcommittee created by a majority of the Commission; or
 (iii)any member of the Commission designated by a majority of the commission to request such information.
						(4)Assistance From Federal Agencies
 (A)General services administrationThe Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Commission on a reimbursable basis administrative support and other services for the performance of the functions of the Commission.
 (B)Other departments and agenciesIn addition to the assistance prescribed in subparagraph (A), at the request of the Commission, departments and agencies of the United States shall provide such services, funds, facilities, staff, and other support services as may be authorized by law.
 (5)Postal serviceThe Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States.
				(g)Commission personnel
				(1)Appointment and compensation of staff
 (A)In GeneralSubject to rules prescribed by the Commission, the Chair may appoint and fix the pay of the executive director and other personnel as the Chair considers appropriate.
 (B)Applicability of civil service lawsThe staff of the Commission may be appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that an individual so appointed may not receive pay in excess of level V of the Executive Schedule.
 (2)ConsultantsThe Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, but at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the rate of pay for a person occupying a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule.
 (3)Staff of federal agenciesUpon request of the Commission, the head of any Federal department or agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of such department or agency to the Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties under this section.
				(h)Termination of commission
 (1)In generalThe Commission shall terminate on June 1, 2017. (2)Administrative Activities before terminationThe Commission may use the period between the submission of its report and its termination for the purpose of concluding its activities, including providing testimony to the committee of Congress concerning its report.
 (i)Authorization of AppropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000, which shall remain available until the date on which the Commission terminates.
			17.Elimination of surplus funds of Federal reserve banks
 (a)In generalSection 7 of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 289 et seq.) is amended— (1)in subsection (a)—
 (A)in the heading of such subsection, by striking and surplus funds; (B)in paragraph (2), by striking deposited in the surplus fund of the bank and inserting transferred to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for transfer to the Secretary of the Treasury for deposit in the general fund of the Treasury; and
 (C)by striking the first subsection (b) (relating to a transfer for fiscal year 2000). (b)Transfer to the TreasuryThe Federal reserve banks shall transfer all of the funds of the surplus funds of such banks to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for transfer to the Secretary of the Treasury for deposit in the general fund of the Treasury.
 18.Public transcripts of FOMC meetingsSection 12A of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 263), as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:  (e)Public transcripts of meetingsThe Committee shall—
 (1)record all meetings of the Committee; and (2)make the full transcript of such meetings available to the public..

	Passed the House of Representatives November 19, 2015.Karen L. Haas,Clerk


116 HR 2223 IH: Helping Homeless Veterans Act of 2019
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-04-10
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
116th CONGRESS1st Session
H. R. 2223
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 10, 2019
Ms. Brownley of California introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to make permanent certain programs that assist homeless veterans and other veterans with special needs, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Helping Homeless Veterans Act of 2019. 2.Programs assisting homeless veterans and other veterans with special needs (a)Homeless veterans reintegration programsSection 2021(e)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

(G)$50,000,000 for each fiscal year after 2020.. (b)Referral and counseling services for veterans at risk of homelessness who are transitioning from certain institutionsSection 2023 of such title is amended—
(1)by striking subsection (d); and (2)by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d).
(c)Treatment for seriously mentally ill and homeless veteransSection 2031 of such title is amended— (1)in subsection (a), by striking (a); and
(2)by striking subsection (b). (d)Housing assistance for homeless veteransSection 2041 of such title is amended by striking subsection (c).
(e)Financial assistance for supportive services for very low-Income veteran families in permanent housingSection 2044(e)(1) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:  (H)$380,000,000 for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2019..
(f)Grant program for homeless veterans with special needsSection 2061(d)(1) of such title is amended— (1)by striking each of fiscal years 2007 through 2020 and inserting each fiscal year; and
(2)by striking such. (g)Advisory Committee on Homeless VeteransSection 2066 of such title is amended by striking subsection (d).


		III
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. RES. 131
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			April 5, 2011
			Mr. Akaka (for himself
			 and Mr. Inouye) submitted the following
			 resolution; which was considered and agreed to

		RESOLUTION
		Designating April 2011 as “Tsunami
		  Awareness Month.”

		Whereas a tsunami is a series of ocean or sea waves
			 generated by a sea floor disturbance, such as an earthquake, landslide,
			 volcanic eruption, or meteorite;
		Whereas a tsunami could occur during any season and at any
			 time;
		Whereas a tsunami is a threat to life and property for all
			 coastal communities, and tsunamis have caused serious injuries and millions of
			 dollars in property damage in the United States;
		Whereas the danger posed by a tsunami cannot be
			 eliminated, but the impact of a tsunami can be mitigated through community
			 preparedness, timely warnings, and effective response;
		Whereas tsunamis historically have posed the greatest
			 hazard to Hawaii, Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Guam,
			 the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto
			 Rico, and the Virgin Islands, tsunamis also pose risks to all ocean coasts of
			 the United States;
		Whereas Federal, State, and local officials have partnered
			 to coordinate a national effort to reduce the impact of tsunamis through the
			 National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program;
		Whereas the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
			 Administration’s National Weather Service operates 2 tsunami warning centers,
			 the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami
			 Warning Center, that detect potential tsunamis and issue warnings;
		Whereas Tsunami Awareness Month provides an opportunity to
			 highlight the importance of tsunami preparedness and to encourage the people of
			 the United States to take steps to be better prepared for tsunamis at home,
			 work, and school;
		Whereas the people of the United States can prepare for
			 tsunamis by finding out if their home, school, workplace or other frequently
			 visited locations are in tsunami hazard areas, and by identifying evacuation
			 routes; and
		Whereas additional information about tsunami preparedness
			 may be obtained through TsunamiReady at National Oceanic and Atmospheric
			 Administration, at www.tsunamiready.noaa.gov: Now, therefore, be it

		That the Senate—
			(1)designates April
			 2011 as “Tsunami Awareness Month”; and
			(2)encourages the
			 Federal Government, States, localities, schools, nonprofit organizations,
			 businesses, and other applicable entities, along with the people of the United
			 States, to observe Tsunami Awareness Month with appropriate events and
			 activities to promote tsunami preparedness.


115 HR 2491 IH: Global Respect Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-05-17
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2491IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 17, 2017Mr. Cicilline (for himself, Ms. Bonamici, Mr. Brendan F. Boyle of Pennsylvania, Ms. Brownley of California, Ms. Clark of Massachusetts, Mr. Connolly, Mr. Delaney, Ms. DelBene, Mr. Deutch, Mr. Ellison, Mr. Engel, Mr. Espaillat, Ms. Esty of Connecticut, Ms. Frankel of Florida, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Gutiérrez, Mr. Hastings, Ms. Norton, Mr. Huffman, Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Miss Rice of New York, Mr. Keating, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Mr. Kildee, Mr. Kilmer, Mr. Langevin, Ms. Lee, Mr. Lowenthal, Mrs. Lowey, Mr. Lynch, Ms. McCollum, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York, Mr. Peters, Ms. Pingree, Mr. Pocan, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Rush, Mr. Ryan of Ohio, Ms. Sánchez, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Shea-Porter, Mr. Sherman, Ms. Sinema, Mr. Sires, Mr. Smith of Washington, Ms. Speier, Mr. Takano, Ms. Titus, Mrs. Torres, Ms. Tsongas, Mr. Walz, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Mr. Welch, and Mr. Yarmuth) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
			 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo impose sanctions with respect to foreign persons responsible for gross violations of
			 internationally recognized human rights against lesbian, gay, bisexual,
			 and transgender (LGBT) individuals, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Global Respect Act. 2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
 (1)The dignity, freedom, and equality of all human beings are fundamental to a thriving global community.
 (2)The rights to life, liberty, and security of the person, the right to privacy, and the right to freedom of expression and association are fundamental human rights.
 (3)An alarming trend of violence directed at LGBT individuals around the world continues. (4)More than one-third of all countries have laws criminalizing consensual same-sex relations, and countries such as Nigeria, Russia, Uganda, and Kyrgyzstan have recently considered or passed legislation that would further target LGBT individuals.
 (5)Every year thousands of individuals around the world are targeted for harassment, attack, arrest, and murder on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
 (6)Those who commit crimes against LGBT individuals often do so with impunity, and are not held accountable for their crimes.
 (7)Homophobic and transphobic statements by government officials in many countries in every region of the world promote negative public attitudes and can lead to violence toward LGBT individuals.
 (8)In many instances police, prison, military, and civilian government authorities have been directly complicit in abuses aimed at LGBT citizens, including arbitrary arrest, torture, and sexual abuse.
 (9)Celebrations of LGBT individuals and communities, such as film festivals, Pride events, and demonstrations are often forced underground due to inaction on the part of, or harassment by, local law enforcement and government officials, in violation of freedoms of assembly and expression.
 (10)Laws criminalizing consensual same-sex relations severely hinder access to HIV/AIDS treatment, information, and preventive measures for LGBT individuals and families.
 (11)Many countries are making positive developments in the protection of the basic human rights of LGBT individuals.
 3.DefinitionsIn this Act: (1)Appropriate congressional committeesThe term appropriate congressional committees means—
 (A)the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Homeland Security, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives; and
 (B)the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate.
 (2)Foreign personThe term foreign person has the meaning given that term in section 595.304 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act).
 (3)Gross violations of internationally recognized human rightsThe term gross violations of internationally recognized human rights has the meaning given that term in section 502B(d)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2304(d)(1)).
 (4)PersonThe term person has the meaning given that term in section 591.308 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act).
 (5)United states personThe term United States person has the meaning given that term in section 595.315 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act).
			4.Identification of foreign persons responsible for gross violations of human rights
 (a)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and biannually thereafter, the President shall transmit to the appropriate congressional committees a list of each foreign person that the President determines, based on credible information—
 (1)is responsible for or complicit in torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, prolonged detention without charges and trial, causing the disappearance of persons by the abduction and clandestine detention of those persons, and other flagrant denial of the right to life, liberty, or the security of person based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity;
 (2)acted as an agent of or on behalf of a foreign person in a matter relating to an activity described in paragraph (1); or
 (3)is responsible for or complicit in inciting a foreign person to engage in an activity described in paragraph (1).
 (b)UpdatesThe President shall transmit to the appropriate congressional committees an update of the list required by subsection (a) as new information becomes available.
 (c)Guidance relating to submission of certain informationThe Secretary of State shall issue public guidance, including through United States diplomatic and consular posts, relating to how names of foreign persons who may be included on the list required by subsection (a) may be submitted to the Department of State.
			(d)Form
 (1)In generalThe list required by subsection (a) shall be transmitted in unclassified form. (2)ExceptionThe name of a foreign person to be included in the list required by subsection (a) may be transmitted in a classified annex only if the President—
 (A)determines that it is vital for the national security interests of the United States to do so; (B)uses the annex in a manner consistent with congressional intent and the purposes of this Act; and
 (C)not later than 15 days before transmitting the name in a classified annex, provides to the appropriate congressional committees notice of, and a justification for, including or continuing to include each foreign person in the classified annex despite any publicly available credible information indicating that the foreign person engaged in an activity described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a).
 (3)Consideration of certain informationIn preparing the list required by subsection (a), the President shall consider— (A)information provided by the Chairperson or Ranking Member of each of the appropriate congressional committees; and
 (B)credible information obtained by other countries and nongovernmental organizations that monitor violations of human rights.
 (4)Public availabilityThe unclassified portion of the list required by subsection (a) shall be made available to the public and published in the Federal Register.
 (e)Removal from listA foreign person may be removed from the list required by subsection (a) if the President determines and reports to the appropriate congressional committees not later than 15 days before the removal of the foreign person from the list that—
 (1)credible information exists that the foreign person did not engage in the activity for which the foreign person was added to the list;
 (2)the foreign person has been prosecuted appropriately for the activity in which the foreign person engaged; or
 (3)the foreign person has credibly demonstrated a significant change in behavior, has paid an appropriate consequence for the activities in which the foreign person engaged, and has credibly committed to not engage in an activity described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a).
				(f)Requests by Chairperson or Ranking Member of appropriate congressional committees
 (1)In generalNot later than 120 days after receiving a written request from the Chairperson or Ranking Member of one of the appropriate congressional committees with respect to whether a foreign person meets the criteria for being added to the list required by subsection (a), the President shall transmit a response to that Chairperson or Ranking Member, as the case may be, with respect to the status of the foreign person at issue.
 (2)FormThe President may transmit a response required by paragraph (1) in classified form if the President determines that it is necessary for the national security interests of the United States to do so.
				(3)Removal
 (A)In generalIf the President removes from the list required by subsection (a) a foreign person that has been placed on the list, the President shall provide the Chairpersons and Ranking Members of the appropriate congressional committees with any information that contributed to such removal decision.
 (B)Form of informationThe President may transmit the information requested by subparagraph (A) in classified form if the President determines that it is necessary to the national security interests of the United States to do so.
 (g)Nonapplicability of confidentiality requirement with respect to visa recordsThe President shall publish the list required by subsection (a) without regard to the requirements of section 222(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1202(f)) with respect to confidentiality of records pertaining to the issuance or refusal of visas or permits to enter the United States.
			5.Inadmissibility of certain individuals
 (a)Ineligibility for visas and admission to the United StatesAn individual who is a foreign person on the list required by section 4(a) is ineligible to receive a visa to enter the United States and ineligible to be admitted to the United States.
 (b)Current visas revoked and removal from United StatesThe Secretary of State shall revoke, in accordance with section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(i)), the visa or other documentation of an individual who would be ineligible to receive such a visa or documentation under subsection (a), and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall remove from the United States such an individual.
			(c)Waiver for national security interests
 (1)In generalThe Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the President, may waive the application of subsection (a) or (b), as the case may be, in the case of an individual if—
 (A)the Secretaries determine that such a waiver— (i)is necessary to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement between the United Nations and the United States of America regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, or other applicable international obligations of the United States; or
 (ii)is in the national security interests of the United States; and (B)before granting the waiver, the Secretaries provide to the appropriate congressional committees notice of, and a justification for, the waiver.
 (2)Timing for notice of certain waiversIn the case of a waiver under clause (ii), the Secretaries shall submit the notice required by subparagraph (B) of such paragraph not later than 15 days before granting the waiver.
 (d)Regulatory authorityNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary to carry out this section.
 6.Report to CongressNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the President, acting through the Secretary of State, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on—
 (1)the actions taken to carry out this Act, including— (A)the number of foreign persons added to or removed from the list required by section 4(a) during the year preceding each report, the dates on which those persons were added or removed, and the reasons for adding or removing those persons; and
 (B)an analysis that compares increases or decreases in the number of such persons year-over-year and the reasons therefor; and
 (2)efforts by the executive branch to coordinate with the governments of other countries to, as appropriate, impose sanctions that are similar to the sanctions imposed under this Act.
			7.Discrimination related to sexual orientation or gender identity
 (a)Tracking violence or criminalization related to sexual orientation or gender identityThe Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor shall designate a Bureau-based senior officer or officers who shall be responsible for tracking violence, criminalization, and restrictions on the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms, in foreign countries based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
 (b)Annual country reports on human rights practicesThe Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is amended— (1)in section 116(d) (22 U.S.C. 2151n(d))—
 (A)in paragraph (11)(C), by striking and at the end; (B)in paragraph (12)—
 (i)in subparagraph (B), by striking and at the end; and (ii)in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
 (C)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:  (13)wherever applicable, violence or discrimination that affects the fundamental freedoms, including widespread or systematic violation of the freedoms of expression, association, or assembly of an individual in foreign countries that is based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.; and
 (2)in section 502B(b) (22 U.S.C. 2304(b)), by inserting after the ninth sentence the following new sentence: Wherever applicable, such report shall also include information regarding violence or discrimination that affects the fundamental freedoms, including widespread or systematic violation of the freedoms of expression, association, or assembly of an individual in foreign countries that is based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity..


I
108th CONGRESS 2d Session
H. R. 4545
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 14, 2004
Mr. Blunt (for himself, Mr. Ryan of Wisconsin, Mr. Green of Wisconsin, and Mr. McCotter) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL
To amend the Clean Air Act to reduce the proliferation of boutique fuels, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the The Gasoline Price Reduction Act of 2004.
2.Waiver of fuel provisions in case of fuel supply disruptionSection 211(c)(4)(C) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7545(c)(4)(C)) is amended by adding the following at the end thereof: The Administrator may waive the provisions of any applicable implementation plan approved under this subparagraph with respect to a fuel or fuel additive if the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, determines that such waiver is necessary by reason of a significant fuel supply disruption in any area subject to such plan. Such waiver shall remain in effect in the area concerned for such period as the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, deems necessary by reason of such fuel supply disruption. No State or person shall be subject to an enforcement action, penalties, or liability solely arising from actions taken pursuant to the issuance of a waiver under this section..
3.Cap and reduction of boutique fuels
(a)EPA approval of State plans with boutique fuelsSection 211(c)(4) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7545(c)(4)) is amended by adding the following at the end thereof:

(D)In the case of gasoline, after the enactment of this subparagraph, the Administrator may give a preference to the approval of State implementation plan provisions described in subparagraph (C) if the control or prohibition in such provisions requires the use of either of the following:
(i)Reformulated gasoline as defined in subsection (k).
(ii)Gasoline having a Reid Vapor Pressure of 7.0 or 7.8 pounds per square inch (psi) for the high ozone season (as determined by the Administrator).The Administrator shall have no authority, when considering State implementation plan revisions under subparagraph (C), to approve any fuel or fuel additive if the effect of such approval would be to increase the total number of fuels and fuel additives approved in all State implementation plans nationwide prior to June 1, 2004..
(b)Cross referenceSection 211(c)(4)(C) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7545(c)(4)(C)) is amended by adding the following at the end thereof: After the date of enactment of subparagraph (D) of this paragraph, any State implementation plan revision under this subparagraph involving gasoline shall be considered only pursuant to both this subparagraph and subparagraph (D)..
(c)StudyThe Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in cooperation with the Secretary of Energy, shall undertake a study of the effects on air quality, on the number of fuel blends, on fuel availability, and on fuel costs of the State plan provisions adopted pursuant to section 211(c)(4)(D) of the Clean Air Act. In carrying out such study, the Administrator shall obtain comments from affected parties. The Administrator shall submit the results of such study to the Congress not later than 18 months after the enactment of this Act, together with any recommended legislative changes to the list of fuels in section 211(c)(4)(D), which, if expanded, shall not exceed 10 fuels.


 HR 6092 ENR: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 Tallapoosa Street in Bremen, Georgia, as the
U.S. House of Representatives
0
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
One Hundred Tenth Congress of the United States of America At the Second SessionBegun and held at the City of Washington on Thursday, the third day of January, two thousand and eight
H. R. 6092

AN ACT
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 Tallapoosa Street in Bremen, Georgia, as the Sergeant Paul Saylor Post Office Building.

1.Sergeant Paul Saylor Post Office Building
(a)DesignationThe facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 Tallapoosa Street in Bremen, Georgia, shall be known and designated as the Sergeant Paul Saylor Post Office Building.
(b)ReferencesAny reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the Sergeant Paul Saylor Post Office Building.
 Speaker of the House of Representatives.Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.


115 S1981 RS: Small Scale LNG Access Act of 2017
U.S. Senate
2017-10-18
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IICalendar No. 412115th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 1981[Report No. 115–248]IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESOctober 18, 2017Mr. Cassidy (for himself, Mr. Rubio, and Mr. Kennedy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural ResourcesMay 10, 2018Reported by Ms. Murkowski, without amendmentA BILLTo amend the Natural Gas Act to expedite approval of exports of  small volumes of
			 natural gas, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Small Scale LNG Access Act of 2017. 2.Expedited approval of export of certain volumes of natural gasSection 3(c) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b(c)) is amended—
 (1)by striking (c) For purposes of and inserting the following:  (c)Expedited application and approval process (1)Free trade agreements in effectFor purposes of; and
 (2)by adding at the end the following:  (2)Small-scale natural gas exportsFor purposes of subsection (a), any application for the exportation of natural gas in a volume that is equal to or less than 51,100,000,000 cubic feet per year of natural gas shall be—
 (A)deemed to be consistent with the public interest; and (B)granted without modification or delay.
 (3)ExclusionsParagraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to any nation subject to sanctions imposed by the United States..May 10, 2018Reported without amendment


116 HRES 908 EH: Condemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment as related to COVID–19.
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-09-17
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EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 908
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

September 17, 2020

RESOLUTION
Condemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment as related to COVID–19.

Whereas 23 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders account for 7 percent of the Nation’s population in the United States; Whereas over 2 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are working on the frontlines of this COVID–19 pandemic in health care, law enforcement, first responders, transportation, supermarkets, and other service industries;
Whereas the use of anti-Asian terminology and rhetoric related to COVID–19, such as the Chinese Virus, Wuhan Virus, and Kung-flu have perpetuated anti-Asian stigma; Whereas since January 2020, there has been a dramatic increase in reports of hate crimes and incidents against those of Asian descent;
Whereas according to a recent study, there were over 400 cases related to COVID–19 anti-Asian discrimination between February 9, 2020, and March 7, 2020; Whereas the increased use of anti-Asian rhetoric has resulted in Asian Americans being harassed, assaulted, and scapegoated for the COVID–19 pandemic;
Whereas in March 2020, anti-Asian violence includes: a woman wearing a mask was kicked and punched at a New York City subway station; two children and two adults were stabbed at a wholesale grocery in Midland, Texas; a couple was assaulted and robbed by a group of attackers in Philadelphia; and a 16-year-old boy was sent to the hospital after being attacked by bullies in Los Angeles, California; Whereas the increased use of anti-Asian rhetoric has also resulted in Asian-American businesses being targeted for vandalism;
Whereas there are approximately 2 million Asian American-owned businesses that generate over $700 billion in annual revenue and employ nearly 4.5 million workers; Whereas the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognize that naming COVID–19 by its geographic location or linking it to a specific ethnicity perpetuates stigma;
Whereas in 2015, the WHO issued guidance calling on media outlets, scientists, and national authorities to avoid naming infectious diseases for locations to avoid stigmatizing groups of people; Whereas, on February 27, 2020, the Secretary of Health and Human Services stated ethnicity is not what causes the novel coronavirus and that it is inappropriate and inaccurate to call COVID–19 the Chinese virus;
Whereas, on February 28, 2020, Dr. Mitch Wolfe, the Chief Medical Officer of the CDC said, Stigma is the enemy of public health; Whereas, on March 10, 2020, Dr. Robert Redfield, the Director of the CDC, testified that use of the term Chinese coronavirus is wrong and inappropriate; and
Whereas the Secretary General of the United Nations called for international solidarity and an end to any ill-founded discrimination of the outbreak’s victims: Now, therefore, be it  That the House of Representatives—
(1)calls on all public officials to condemn and denounce any and all anti-Asian sentiment in any form; (2)recognizes that the health and safety of all Americans, no matter their background, must be of utmost priority;
(3)condemns all manifestations of expressions of racism, xenophobia, discrimination, anti-Asian sentiment, scapegoating, and ethnic or religious intolerance; (4)calls on Federal law enforcement officials, working with State and local officials—
(A)to expeditiously investigate and document all credible reports of hate crimes and incidents and threats against the Asian-American community in the United States; (B)to collect data to document the rise of incidences of hate crimes due to COVID–19; and
(C)to hold the perpetrators of those crimes, incidents, or threats accountable and bring such perpetrators to justice; and (5)recommits United States leadership in building more inclusive, diverse, and tolerant societies—
(A)to prioritize language access and inclusivity in communication practices; and (B)to combat misinformation and discrimination that put Asian Americans at risk.

Cheryl L. Johnson,Clerk.