GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE

Amendments

Dept. of Homeland Security: increase transparency, accountability, and community engagement, provide independent border security oversight, and improve training of border agents and officers (H.R. 2203), consideration (H. Res. 577), H7919 [25SE]

Federal agencies and departments: require collection of voluntary feedback on services provided by agencies (S. 1275), S5115 [25JY]

FEMA: ensure more effective use and management of advance contracts for goods and services in areas affected by disasters by incorporating GAO recommendations on such contracts (S. 979), S6484 [7NO]

U.S. Export Finance Agency: reauthorize, reform, and rename Eximbank (H.R. 4863), H8892 [15NO]

Appointments

Health Information Technology Advisory Committee, H7747 [17SE]

Bills and resolutions

American Red Cross: improve transparency (see S. 1568), S3004 [21MY] (see H.R. 2861), H4063 [21MY]

Budget: improve Federal fiscal controls and the congressional budget process (see S. 2765), S6333 [31OC]

Census: study census resources and evaluate coordination between States, nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Federal Government, to limit redundancy and determine best practices in carrying out decennial census (see H.R. 5404), H10123 [11DE]

Coast Guard: improve shore infrastructure, standardize facility assessments and maintenance of installations, and implement GAO recommendations on maintenance project management (see S. 2212), S5012 [23JY] (see H.R. 3210), H4432 [11JN]

Congress: address recommendations made by the GAO and detailed in the annual duplication report (see S. 2175), S4948 [18JY]

Consumers: restrict debt collection practices of certain debt collectors (see S. 2516), S5602 [19SE] (see H.R. 4403), H7834 [19SE]

Corps of Engineers: study contracting practices with a focus on compliance with and enforcement of requirement to pay prevailing wages on federally financed construction jobs (see H.R. 2122), H3128 [8AP]

Crime: conduct study on how virtual currencies and online marketplaces are used to facilitate sex and drug trafficking (see S. 410), S1133 [7FE] (see H.R. 502), H517 [11JA]

Dept. of Agriculture: establish a renewable energy grant program for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and conduct a GAO study on renewable energy efficiency in such territories (see H.R. 2360), H3283 [25AP]

——— prohibit certain activities and require greater transparency in commodity check-off programs (see S. 935), S2087 [28MR]

Dept. of Defense: study designation of installations as ‘‘remote’’ or ‘‘isolated’’ (see S. 1512), S2924 [16MY]

Dept. of Education: expand use of college textbooks available under an open license in order to achieve savings for students and improve textbook price information (see S. 1036), S2270 [4AP] (see H.R. 2107), H3100 [4AP]

Dept. of Homeland Security: increase transparency, accountability, and community engagement, provide independent border security oversight, and improve training of border agents and officers (H.R. 2203), consideration (see H. Res. 577), H7900 [24SE]

——— increase transparency, accountability, and community engagement, provide independent border security oversight, and improve training of border security agents and officers (see S. 2691), S6155 [24OC] (see H.R. 2203), H3252 [10AP]

——— review Trusted Traveler Programs (see H.R. 3675), H5583 [10JY]

Dept. of Justice: provide with greater authority to promote enforcement and disclosure requirements for agents of foreign principals (see S. 1762), S3284 [10JN]

Dept. of the Interior: ban venting and flaring of gas in oil and gas production operations (see S. 2818), S6475 [7NO]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: assess responsibilities, workload, and vacancy rates of suicide prevention coordinators (see S. 1392), S2770 [9MY] (see H.R. 2333), H3274 [18AP]

——— conduct reviews of certain budget requests for medical care accounts (see H.R. 1721), H2716 [13MR]

——— report biennially on actions taken to address issues that led to inclusion of veterans health care on GAO High Risk List (see H.R. 698), H996 [22JA]

——— report on handling of veterans considered high risk, review mental health and suicide prevention services, and report on efforts to integrate mental health care into primary care clinics (see H.R. 5030), H8739 [8NO]

——— submit a plan to address certain high risk areas identified by GAO relative to acquisition management (see H.R. 4477), H7901 [24SE]

Disasters: require Congress to budget in advance for disasters (see S. 1579), S3005 [21MY] (see H.R. 3217), H4432 [11JN]

Diseases and disorders: reauthorize Mosquito Abatement Safety and Health Act and epidemiology laboratory capacity grants and require a GAO study on existing mosquito and other vector-borne surveillance and control programs (see H.R. 345), H284 [8JA]

——— study barriers to participation in federally funded cancer clinical trials by populations that have been traditionally underrepresented in such trials (see S. 946), S2088 [28MR] (see H.R. 1966), H2915 [28MR]

Drugs: allow State and tribal regulation of marijuana, maintain application of certain criminal offenses relative to marijuana, prohibit its sale to individuals under 21, and study effects of legalization (see S. 1028), S2269 [4AP] (see H.R. 2093), H3099 [4AP] (see H.R. 3754), H5824 [15JY]

——— encourage development and use of new antimicrobial drugs in order to treat antibiotic-resistant infections (see S. 1712), S3215 [4JN] (see H.R. 4100), H7479 [30JY]

——— evaluate and report on the in-patient and outpatient treatment capacity, availability, and needs of the U.S. (see H.R. 1303), H2038 [15FE]

Executive Office of the President: deny security clearances to employees under Federal investigation for aiding a foreign Government, who fail to disclose foreign contacts, or in opposition to advice of intelligence experts (see H.R. 1604), H2582 [7MR]

——— prohibit obligation or expenditure of Federal funds for certain agreements relative to hosting the G7 Summit at Trump National Doral Miami (see S. 2654), S5922 [21OC] (see H.R. 4744), H8258 [18OC]

Federal Advisory Committee Act: increase transparency of Federal advisory committees (see S. 1220), S2435 [11AP] (see H.R. 1608), H2582 [7MR]

Federal agencies and departments: allow acceptance of donations intended for a specific purpose and provide for GAO oversight of such donations (see S. 761), S1792 [12MR]

——— analyze certain legislation in order to prevent duplication of, and overlap with, existing Federal programs, offices, and initiatives (see S. 2183), S4948 [18JY] (see H.R. 4365), H7754 [17SE]

——— ensure functionality and security of new Federal websites that collect personally identifiable information (see H.R. 455), H462 [10JA]

——— prohibit procurement of drones and other unmanned aircraft systems from countries identified as national security threats (see S. 2502), S5577 [18SE] (see H.R. 5125), H8908 [15NO]

——— provide for disclosure of cost, performance, and areas of duplication among Federal programs and leverage existing data to achieve a functional Federal program inventory (see S. 2177), S4948 [18JY] (see H.R. 3830), H7149 [18JY]

——— provide that major rules of the executive branch shall have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law (see S. 92), S142 [10JA] (see H.R. 3972), H7462 [25JY]

——— require collection of voluntary feedback on services provided by agencies (see S. 1275), S2569 [1MY] (see H.R. 2586), H3500 [8MY]

——— require procurement from the private sector the goods and services necessary for operations and management of certain Government agencies (see S. 2990), S6888 [5DE] (see H.R. 5329), H9294 [5DE]

Federal employees: provide for investment option under the Thrift Savings Plan that does not include investment in any fossil fuel companies (see S. 1460), S2815 [14MY]

——— study and report on Federal ability to hire and retain Chinese-language-capable employees (see H.R. 5228), H9168 [21NO]

Federal laboratories: strengthen reporting requirements relative to deficiencies in Federal research infrastructure and provide funding levels needed to make improvements (see H.R. 5356), H9346 [6DE]

FEMA: ensure more effective use and management of advance contracts for goods and services in areas affected by disasters by incorporating GAO recommendations on such contracts (see S. 979), S2188 [2AP] (see H.R. 3500), H5199 [26JN]

——— expedite decisions on applications for buyout assistance under Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and require GAO review and recommendations on property acquisition programs to streamline funds to disaster survivors (see S. 2796), S6447 [6NO]

——— require periodic GAO reviews of the flood insurance rates and flood insurance rate maps under the National Flood Insurance Program (see H.R. 3258), H4694 [13JN]

Fish and fishing: report on, and make recommendations to improve, efforts by fishery management agencies to address impact of climate change on fisheries (see H.R. 4679), H8143 [15OC]

Food additives: study and report on effects of food additives on children’s health (see H.R. 2269), H3255 [10AP]

FRS: require an audit of the Board of Governors and Federal Reserve banks (see S. 148), S273 [16JA] (see H.R. 24), H201 [3JA]

Government: provide for a joint session of House and Senate budget committees to receive a presentation on the audited financial statement of the Executive branch (see H. Con. Res. 68), H8054 [26SE]

Law enforcement: study how certain individuals who are granted pretrial release are monitored (see H.R. 3657), H5303 [9JY]

Legislative branch of the Government: making appropriations (see S. 2581), S5748 [26SE] (see H.R. 2779), H3922 [16MY]

Native Americans: ensure equitable distribution and increase allotment of Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act assistance to Indian tribes and provide for a GAO report on child abuse and neglect in tribal communities (see S. 1329), S2645 [6MY] (see H.R. 2549), H3474 [7MY]

——— provide for a study on protection of Native American seeds and traditional foods (see S. 2241), S5013 [23JY] (see H.R. 3916), H7241 [23JY]

——— study ways to increase reporting of missing Indians and effects of substance abuse on violent crime in tribal communities (see S. 1893), S3843 [19JN]

——— submit a report on response of law enforcement agencies to reports of missing or murdered Indians (see S. 336), S867 [5FE] (see H.R. 2029), H2985 [2AP]

Nuclear weapons: report on budget for international and domestic nuclear security and nuclear nonproliferation programs (see H.R. 4185), H7500 [13AU]

Pharmaceuticals: study role pharmaceutical benefit managers play in the pharmaceutical supply chain and provide Congress with appropriate policy recommendations (see S. 1532), S2924 [16MY] (see H.R. 3223), H4626 [12JN]

Political ethics: strengthen ethical standards in the Federal Government to prevent Government corruption and ensure transparency and accountability (see H.R. 706), H997 [22JA]

Sexual harassment: carry out a study on security impact of sexually harassing behavior in U.S. nuclear weapons complex sites (see H.R. 3042), H4180 [30MY]

Small business: require GAO report on access to credit for veteran-owned and controlled small business and SBA report on Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development (see H.R. 3734), H5774 [12JY]

Transportation Security Administration: require GAO review of screening protocols for formula, breast milk, purified deionized water for infants, and juice (see S. 2381), S5248 [31JY] (see H.R. 3246), H4693 [13JN]

Universal Service Fund program: conduct a study and submit a report on filing requirements (see S. 161), S273 [16JA] (see H.R. 711), H997 [22JA]

Veterans: conduct an assessment of all memoranda of understanding and agreement between Dept. of Veterans Affairs and non-departmental entities relative to suicide prevention and mental health services (see H.R. 2372), H3283 [25AP]

——— study disability and pension benefits provided to National Guard and Reserve components of the Armed Forces members by Dept. of Veterans Affairs (see S. 3110), S7207 [19DE] (see H.R. 4183), H7500 [13AU]

Virgin Islands: submit report on pension system (see H.R. 408), H358 [9JA]

Weather: enhance planning, preparation, and dissemination of best practices for extreme weather to increase resiliency, improve regional coordination, and mitigate financial risk (see H.R. 4347), H7753 [17SE]

Letters

Applicability of Congressional Review Act to State relief and empowerment waivers, S4901–S4903 [17JY]

GAO recommendations on Dept. of Justice DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program implementation: Senators Grassley and Cornyn, S7150 [18DE]

——— Stephen E. Boyd, Dept. of Justice, S7149 [18DE]

Homeland Security Improvement Act: Representative Bennie G. Thompson, Committee on Homeland Security (House), H7930 [25SE]

——— Representative Nadler, Committee on the Judiciary (House), H7930 [25SE]

——— Representative Neal, Committee on Ways and Means (House), H7930 [25SE]

Increase transparency of Federal advisory committees: Representative Cummings, Committee on Oversight and Reform (House), H2670 [12MR]

——— Representative Neal, Committee on Ways and Means (House), H2670 [12MR]

Motions

Dept. of Homeland Security: increase transparency, accountability, and community engagement, provide independent border security oversight, and improve training of border security agents and officers (H.R. 2203), H7974 [25SE]

Notices

Estimated budget effects of H.R. 1608, Federal advisory committees transparency increase, H2678 [12MR]

Remarks in House

Coast Guard: improve shore infrastructure, standardize facility assessments and maintenance of installations, and implement GAO recommendations on maintenance project management, H7285 [24JY], E1013 [30JY]

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: require GAO to study effectiveness and efficiency in meeting its statutorily mandated obligations, H4087, H4088 [22MY]

Corps of Engineers: investigate contracting practices relative to enforcement of payment of prevailing wages at Federal construction projects, H5691 [11JY], E913 [12JY]

Crime: conduct study on how virtual currencies and online marketplaces are used to facilitate sex and drug trafficking (H.R. 502), H1223–H1227 [28JA]

——— submit a report on economic benefits of investments in legal services for domestic violence victims, H3029, H3030 [3AP]

Dept. of Defense: conduct review of response to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination in and around military bases, H5648 [11JY]

——— examine cost reducing measures relative to military force structure and nuclear security, H5737–H5740 [12JY]

——— report to Congress on status of GAO priority recommendations implementation, H5692 [11JY]

Dept. of Homeland Security: increase transparency, accountability, and community engagement, provide independent border security oversight, and improve training of border agents and officers (H.R. 2203), consideration (H. Res. 577), H7913–H7920 [25SE]

——— increase transparency, accountability, and community engagement, provide independent border security oversight, and improve training of border security agents and officers (H.R. 2203), H5580 [10JY], H5643 [11JY], H7928–H7934, H7974–H7976 [25SE], H8042 [26SE]

——— increase transparency, accountability, and community engagement, provide independent border security oversight, and improve training of border security agents and officers (H.R. 2203), motion to recommit, H7974, H7975 [25SE]

——— review Trusted Traveler Programs (H.R. 3675), H8020, H8021 [26SE]

Dept. of State: implement recommendations of GAO study which found that Foreign Service vacancies may undermine U.S. foreign policy objectives and increase national security risks, H4678 [13JN], E795 [19JN]

Dept. of the Interior: require GAO study on costs and impacts of offshore drilling on coastal communities and their economies, H7618 [11SE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: assess responsibilities, workload, and vacancy rates of suicide prevention coordinators (H.R. 2333), H4039–H4041 [21MY]

——— report biennially on actions taken to address issues that led to inclusion of veterans health care on GAO High Risk List, H8753 [12NO]

——— submit a plan to address certain high risk areas identified by GAO relative to acquisition management (H.R. 4477), H8751–H8753 [12NO], H8793 [13NO]

Economy: report on economic and employment impacts of minimum wage increases, H7124, H7125 [18JY]

——— report on impact of increased minimum wage on national and regional economy, H7122 [18JY]

Elections: require a report on the challenges and progress made in making elections accessible to individuals with disabilities, H2530, H2531 [7MR]

FCC: report on efforts to assess competition in the wireline and wireless broadband Internet access market and how the government can increase competition, lower prices, and improve quality of service, H3225, H3226 [10AP]

——— study influence of all entities on virtuous cycle of the Internet ecosystem and whether such rules protect the access of consumers to a free and open Internet, H3179, H3180 [9AP]

Federal Advisory Committee Act: increase transparency of Federal advisory committees (H.R. 1608), H2667–H2671 [12MR]

Firearms: report to Congress on effectiveness of provisions to strengthen background check procedures for transfer of Federal firearms on prevention of such transfers to prohibited persons, H2287 [28FE]

Food additives: study and report on effects of food additives on children’s health (H.R. 2269), E441 [10AP]

Government regulations: determine accuracy and granularity of FCC broadband maps, identify programs and actions that rely on these maps, and make recommendations on how the FCC can produce more accurate maps, H3232, H3233 [10AP]

——— report to Congress on benefits of standalone broadband Internet access and recommendations to increase availability of such access to rural consumers, H3182, H3183 [9AP]

——— report to Congress on importance of open Internet rules to vulnerable communities, H3182 [9AP]

——— submit report with recommendations on how the FCC can expand broadband Internet service in rural and underserved areas, H3231 [10AP]

Insurance: conduct cost benefit analysis of establishment of State-administered health insurance plans for States that may want to offer a public option in their health insurance exchanges, H3888 [16MY]

——— report on whether Dept. of HHS has taken appropriate steps to ensure that routine maintenance to Healthcare.gov website is minimally disruptive to consumers, H3889 [16MY]

Legislative branch of the Government: making appropriations, H10589, H10592 [17DE]

——— making appropriations (H.R. 2779), H4425 [11JN]

Lobbyists: assess Foreign Agents Registration Act exemptions to prevent foreign funding from influencing U.S. elections and political campaigns, H8434, H8435 [23OC]

Native Americans: submit a report on response of law enforcement agencies to reports of missing or murdered Indians, H3050 [3AP]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: study effect of cuts to outreach and the Navigator Program on health insurance enrollment and costs of coverage, H3884, H3885 [16MY]

Puerto Rico: report to Congress on status of cleanup and decontamination process at former military training facilities, H5629 [11JY]

Small business: require GAO report on access to credit for veteran-owned and controlled small business and SBA report on Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development (H.R. 3734), H8803–H8805 [13NO]

Transportation Security Administration: require GAO review of screening protocols for formula, breast milk, purified deionized water for infants, and juice (H.R. 3246), H8024, H8025 [26SE]

U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change: require GAO report on impact of withdrawal from Paris Agreement on U.S. territories, including potential impacts on economies and climate change vulnerabilities, H3392, H3393 [1MY]

U.S. Export Finance Agency: report on effect closure would have on businesses that use its services, H8892, H8893 [15NO]

Veterans: conduct an assessment of all memoranda of understanding and agreement between Dept. of Veterans Affairs and non-departmental entities relative to suicide prevention and mental health services (H.R. 2372), H4043–H4045 [21MY]

——— study disability and pension benefits provided to National Guard and Reserve components of the Armed Forces members by Dept. of Veterans Affairs (H.R. 4183), H10271, H10272 [16DE]

——— study feasibility of establishing a program for servicemembers transitioning into civilian intelligence jobs, H5711 [11JY]

Remarks in Senate

Budget: improve Federal fiscal controls and the congressional budget process (S. 2765), S7080–S7083 [17DE]

Dept. of HHS: require congressional review of regulations regarding a State’s ability to offer waivers relative to certain health insurance exchange requirements, S4901 [17JY]

Dept. of Homeland Security: develop a comprehensive strategy to gain and maintain operational control of the international borders of the U.S., S689 [28JA]

Dept. of Justice: provide with greater authority to promote enforcement and disclosure requirements for agents of foreign principals (S. 1762), S3306 [11JN]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: assess responsibilities, workload, and vacancy rates of suicide prevention coordinators (H.R. 2333), S6966 [11DE]

——— assess responsibilities, workload, and vacancy rates of suicide prevention coordinators (H.R. 2333), unanimous-consent agreement, S6900 [9DE]

Economy: promote economic growth, provide tailored regulatory relief, and enhance consumer protections, S3470 [13JN]

Federal agencies and departments: require collection of voluntary feedback on services provided by agencies (S. 1275), S5115–S5117 [25JY]

FEMA: ensure more effective use and management of advance contracts for goods and services in areas affected by disasters by incorporating GAO recommendations on such contracts (S. 979), S6484 [7NO]

Native Americans: submit a report on response of law enforcement agencies to reports of missing or murdered Indians (S. 336), S2676 [7MY]

Reports filed

Bipartisan Congressional Budget Reform Act: Committee on the Budget (Senate) (S. 2765), S6566 [13NO]

Consideration of H.R. 2203, Homeland Security Improvement Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 577) (H. Rept. 116–217), H7900 [24SE]

Duplication Scoring Act: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (Senate) (S. 2183) (S. Rept. 116–113), S5628 [23SE]

Federal Advance Contracts Enhancement (FACE) Act: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (Senate) (S. 979) (S. Rept. 116–84), S5406 [10SE]

Federal Agency Customer Experience Act: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (Senate) (S. 1275) (S. Rept. 116–46), S3283 [10JN]

Homeland Security Improvement Act: Committee on Homeland Security (House) (H.R. 2203) (H. Rept. 116–631), H7156 [19JY]

Legislative Branch of the Government Appropriations: Committee on Appropriations (House) (H.R. 2779) (H. Rept. 116–64), H3922 [16MY]

——— Committee on Appropriations (Senate) (S. 2581) (S. Rept. 116–124), S5746 [26SE]

Successful Entrepreneurship for Reservists and Veterans (SERV) Act: Committee on Small Business (House) (H.R. 3734) (H. Rept. 116–233), H8142 [15OC]

Support for Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (House) (H.R. 2333) (H. Rept. 116–70), H3961 [17MY]

Taxpayers Right-To-Know Act: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (Senate) (S. 2177) (S. Rept. 116–154), S6188 [28OC]

Traveling Parents Screening Consistency Act: Committee on Homeland Security (House) (H.R. 3246) (H. Rept. 116–187), H7524 [27AU]

Trusted Traveler Reconsideration and Restoration Act: Committee on Homeland Security (House) (H.R. 3675) (H. Rept. 116–191), H7527 [30AU]

Veterans’ Care Quality Transparency Act: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (House) (H.R. 2372) (H. Rept. 116–72), H3961 [17MY]

Statements

Bipartisan Congressional Budget Reform Act: Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, S7081 [17DE]

——— Concord Coalition, S7082 [17DE]

Texts of

H. Res. 577, consideration of H.R. 2203, Homeland Security Improvement Act, H7913 [25SE]

H.R. 502, Fight Illicit Networks and Detect (FIND) Trafficking Act, H1223 [28JA]

H.R. 1608, increase transparency of Federal advisory committees, H2667–H2670 [12MR]

H.R. 2203, Homeland Security Improvement Act, H7928 [25SE]

H.R. 2333, Support for Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act, H4039 [21MY]

H.R. 2372, Veterans’ Care Quality Transparency Act, H4043 [21MY]

H.R. 3246, Traveling Parents Screening Consistency Act, H8024 [26SE]

H.R. 3675, Trusted Traveler Reconsideration and Restoration Act, H8020 [26SE]

H.R. 3734, Successful Entrepreneurship for Reservists and Veterans (SERV) Act, H8803 [13NO]

H.R. 4183, Identifying Barriers and Best Practices Study Act, H10271 [16DE]

H.R. 4477, Reducing High Risk to Veterans and Veterans Services Act, H8752 [12NO]

S. 979, Federal Advance Contracts Enhancement (FACE) Act, S6484 [7NO]

S. 1036, Affordable College Textbook Act, S2272–S2274 [4AP]

S. 1275, Federal Agency Customer Experience Act, S5116 [25JY]

S. 2990, Freedom From Government Competition Act, S6893 [5DE]