U.S. Congress Legislative Watch

General Info

A Senate bill is known by a number and the designation S., e.g. S.1962

A House bill carries a number and HR, e.g. HR.1962

See below for definitions of Joint and Concurrent Resolutions as opposed to Bills.  Here are the steps required for a bill’s passage into law.  In this case the bill begins in the Senate.  If it is first introduced in the House, the process reverses:

1. Introduced; assigned to committee(s)

2. Hearings held

3. Sent to Senate floor and assigned debate time (or not)

4.  Passed/Failed Senate

5.  If passed, sent to House

6.  Assigned to committee (s)

7.  Hearings held

8.  Sent to House floor and assigned debate time (or not)

9.  Passed/Failed House

10.  If passed in both houses, sent to a Reconciliation Committee

11.  Returned to House and Senate for final vote

12.  If passed, sent to President for signing (or not)

JOINT RESOLUTION – Must be passed by both houses and signed by the president (unless the resolution proposes a constitutional change).  The difference is in the name, not the force as law.  e.g. Joint War Powers Resolution.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION – Must be passed by both houses but lacks the force of law (is non-binding) and need not be signed by the president.

SIMPLE RESOLUTION -a legislative measure passed by one chamber.  Simple resolutions are not presented to the President, and do not have the force of law.  The resolution is used for matters such as establishing the rules under which each body will operate.  Note that Rep. Cheney is on the House Rules Committee and presented several such resolutions in 2017.

ABOUT THE U.S. CONGRESS AND LEGISLATION[sta_anchor id=”top” /]

We send 468 people to congress every year.  Each senator employs an average of 34 aides while house members have staffs numbering around 14. Most such staffers are paid by with your tax money.  In addition there are 41 permanent committees in the House and Senate and 174 subcommittees.  Each of these also have permanent staffs (salaries also paid by your taxes) that shadow and often duplicate the work of the executive branch office/bureau/agency covering the same subject matter.  These thousands of people are principally employed in writing legislation and reports about the legislation.  Click on the photos below to see the legislative contributions of our Wyoming delegation in 2017.

Legislation Sponsored by Senator Mike Enzi, 115th Congress [sta_anchor id=”enzi” /]

S.811 — Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2017. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. This bill prohibits the federal government, and any state or local government that receives federal funding for any program that provides child welfare services under part B (Child and Family Services) or part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSAct), from discriminating or taking an adverse action against a child welfare service provider that declines to provide, facilitate, or refer for a child welfare service that conflicts with the provider’s sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions.

S. 1878— Voluntary Protection Program Act  (Introduced 09/27/2017)  Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.: This bill provides statutory authority for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) voluntary protection program, under which management, labor, and OSHA establish cooperative relationships at workplaces that have implemented a comprehensive safety and health management system.

S. 1818 —Small Business Health Plans Act  (Introduced 9/14/2017) Latest Action: Senate – 09/14/2017 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. This act allows for small businesses to pool their employees for purposes of obtaining health care.  Click here for text.

S. 1267 — State Mineral Revenue Protection Act  (Introduced 05/25/2017) Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. This act would amend the Mineral Leasing Act to require the Secretary of the Interior to convey to a State all right, title, and interest in and to a percentage of the amount of royalties and other amounts required to be paid to the State under that Act with respect to public land and deposits in the State, and for other purposes.  Click here for text.

S. 1092 — Interstate Transport Act of 2017  (Introduced 05/10/2017) Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. This act protects the right of law-abiding citizens to transport knives interstate, notwithstanding a patchwork of local and State prohibitions. Click here for text.

S. 976 — Marketplace Fairness Act of 2017 (Introduced 4/27/2017)  Hearings held – 05/18/2017 Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. The Marketplace Fairness Act of 2017 would grant states the right to require that out-of-state businesses, such as those selling online or through catalogs, collect state sales taxes on purchases sold into their states.

S. 940 —SEAL Act. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.This act amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to loans made from a qualified employer plan, to: (1) extend the period for repayment of loans if a plan terminates or a plan participant becomes unemployed, and (2) prohibit qualified employer plans from making loans using credit cards or any other similar arrangement.  The bill also requires the Department of the Treasury to modify regulations governing hardship distributions from qualified employer plans to allow participants to make additional contributions to a plan during the six-month period following a hardship distribution.

S. 749 — Transparency in Student Lending Act (Introduced 3/28/2017). Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand disclosure requirements for an institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in the Direct Loan program. Specifically, it requires an IHE to disclose, in federal student loan application materials, the annual percentage rate applicable to a Direct Loan.

S. 736 — Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act of 2017. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax-exempt charitable or educational organizations to make collegiate housing and infrastructure grants to certain tax-exempt social clubs (e.g. Greek organizations).

S. 735  — State, Tribal, and Local Species Transparency and Recovery Act (Introduced 03/27/2017) Latest Action: Senate – 03/27/2017 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. This bill would require the federal government to disclose to affected states all data used prior to any ESA listing decisions and require that the “best available scientific and commercial data” used by the federal government include data provided by affected states, tribes, and local governments.

S. 270 — Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2017.  (Introduced 2/1/2017)  Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget. To prohibit the use of premiums paid to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation as an offset for other Federal spending

S. 70 —A bill to designate the mountain at the Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming, as Devils Tower, and for other purposes. (Co-sponsor with Senator Barrasso)  Action: Senate – 01/09/2017 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS

S.Con.Res. 25 — An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. Latest Action: Senate – 10/13/2017 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 238

S.Con.Res.3 —A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2017 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2018 through 2026.Sponsor: Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY] (Introduced 01/03/2017) Cosponsors: (0)Committees: Senate – BudgetLatest Action: House – 01/13/2017 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

RESOLUTIONS

S.Res.234 — A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Retirement Security Week, including raising public awareness of the various tax-preferred retirement vehicles, increasing personal financial literacy, and engaging the people of the United States on the keys to success in achieving and maintaining retirement security throughout their lifetimes. Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by

S.Res.225 — A resolution designating July 22, 2017, as “National Day of the American Cowboy” Action: Senate – 08/02/2017 Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res.89 — A resolution supporting the designation of March 2017 as “National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month” Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res.46 — An original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee on the Budget.  (Introduced 02/03/2017) Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

AMENDMENTS

S.Amdt.1561 to S.Amdt.1116   — Purpose: To provide other enforcement provisions related to the House of Representatives. Amends Bill: H.Con.Res.71  (Submitted 10/19/2017)  Latest Action: 10/19/17 Amendment SA 1561 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 – 48. Record Vote Number: 244.

S.Amdt.1551 to S.Amdt.1116   —Purpose: Text of Amendment as Submitted: S6692-6695 Purpose displays after an amendment is proposed. Amends Bill: H.Con.Res.71  (Submitted 10/19/2017

S.Amdt.1116 — Purpose: In the nature of a substitute.  Amends Bill: H.Con.Res.71.  (Submitted 10/17/2017) (Proposed 10/17/2017)Latest Action: 10/19/17 Amendment SA 1116 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.  Back to the Top

Legislation Sponsored by Senator John Barrasso, 115th Congress[sta_anchor id=”barrasso” /]

AMENDMENTS TO S. CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 3

S.Amdt.181 —Purpose: To establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to strengthening Social Security and repealing and replacing Obamacare, which has increased health care costs, raised taxes on middle class families, reduced access to high-quality care, created disincentives for work, and caused tens of thousands of Americans to lose coverage they had and liked, and replacing Obamacare with patient-centered, step-by-step health reforms that provide access to quality, affordable private health care coverage for all Americans, including people with disabilities and chronic conditions, and their families, by increasing competition, State flexibility, and individual choice, and safe-guarding consumer protections, such as a ban on lifetime limits, that Americans support.Amends Bill: S.Con.Res.3 )Latest Action: 01/11/17 Amendment SA 181 ruled out of order by the chair.

S.Amdt.173 — Purpose: To establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to rural health and repealing and replacing Obamacare.  Amends Bill: S.Con.Res.3 (Submitted 01/11/2017) (Proposed 01/11/2017)Latest Action: 01/11/17 Amendment SA 173 ruled out of order by the chair.

BILLS

S.2068 — A bill to discourage litigation against the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management relating to land management projects, to require the Secretary of the Interior to develop a categorical exclusion for covered vegetative management activities carried out to establish or improve habitat for greater sage-grouse and mule deer, to address the forest health crisis on National Forest System land, to expedite and prioritize forest management activities to achieve ecosystem restoration objectives, and for other purposes. (Introduced 11/02/2017)

S.1879 — Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act  (Introduced 09/27/2017)  A bipartisan bill sponsored jointly with Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) the bill would allow America’s seniors access to marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and licensed professional counselors (LPCs) through Medicare. By providing these mental health professionals the opportunity to participate in the Medicare program, this bill expands the number of mental health would providers available to our nation’s seniors.  Referred to the Committee on Finance.

S.1514 — HELP for Wildlife Act  (Introduced 06/29/2017) The Hunting Heritage and Environmental Legacy Preservation for Wildlife Act, is a bi-partisan bill commonly called The Sportsman’s Act.  The bill contains several provisions important to conservationists, sportsmen, and fisheries managers including re-authorizations of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), and the Chesapeake Bay Program.  It also reaffirms a March decision by the DC Court of Appeals that upholds the de-listing of the wolf in Wyoming while closing the door on challenges to the WY wolf management programs. Co-sponsors include Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Sen. Shelly Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.).  Committees: Senate – Environment and Public Works Committee Reports: S. Rept. 115-168.  Latest Action: Senate – 10/05/2017 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 237. 

S.1359 — John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2017 (Introduced 06/14/2017) (4)Committees: Senate – Environment and Public Works.  Status: Held at the desk.
This bill has the status Passed Senate

S.1250 — Restoring Accountability in the Indian Health Service Act of 2017  (Introduced 05/25/2017) Committees: Senate – Indian Affairs; Latest Action: Senate – 06/13/2017 Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.

S.1230 — Water Rights Protection Act of 2017  (Introduced 05/25/2017) The bill would uphold federal deference to state water law and prevent federal takings of privately held water rights. in exchange for use of Federal lands.  A sister bill passed in the House of Representatives.  Latest Action: Senate – 07/26/2017  Hearings held.

S.879 — National Forest Ecosystem Improvement Act of 2017 (Introduced 04/06/2017) This is a bill “to improve forest and watershed health, reduce large scale wildfires, increase wildlife habitat, and support communities across rural America.”

Mike Anderson at The Wilderness Society says it:   “…would greatly increase logging of national forest lands, while reducing environmental safeguards and opportunities for public involvement in national forest management. Annual acreage mandates for mechanical treatments would compel the Forest Service to prioritize logging over all other uses and resources. Large expanses of forest up to 15,000 acres in size could be logged with no consideration of the impacts to water quality, wildlife habitat, or recreational opportunities. The legality of Forest Service management activities would be essentially unchallengeable in court, removing an essential check on federal agency compliance with the law. Two bedrock environmental laws – NEPA and ESA – would be undermined. In sum, the bill poses a serious threat to environmental stewardship, public involvement, wildlife conservation, and the rule of law in the national forests.”

 Latest Action: Senate – 04/06/2017 Read twice and referred to Committee

S.826 —WILD Act  (Introduced 04/04/2017) Committees: Senate – Environment and Public Works | House – Natural Resources, Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Space, and Technology;Committee Reports: S. Rept. 115-73Latest Action: House – 09/07/2017 Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans. (All Actions)

The Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver (WILD) Act aims to promote wildlife conservation, assist in the management of invasive species, and help protect endangered species. The bipartisan legislation will reauthorize government conservation programs to protect animals like elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers, turtles, and more.  THE WILD Act will also establish cash-prize competitions for technological innovations in the prevention of illegal poaching and trafficking, management of invasive species, promotion of conservation, and protection of endangered wildlife.  It has received wide bi-partisan backing from environmental and other groups.

This bill has the status Passed Senate.

S.677 — Water Supply Permitting Coordination Act   (Introduced 03/21/2017) Committees: Senate – Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.  This bill establishes the Bureau of Reclamation as the lead agency for purposes of coordinating all use of new surface water storage projects in 17 western states … The principal responsibilities of the Bureau are to: (1) serve as the point of contact for applicants, state agencies, Indian tribes, and others regarding qualifying projects; (2) coordinate preparation of unified environmental documentation that will serve as the basis for all federal decisions necessary to authorize the use of federal lands for qualifying projects; and (3) coordinate all federal agency reviews necessary for the development and construction of qualifying projects.

A sister bill has passed in the House of Representatives.  This bill has the status in the Senate as Introduced.

S.546 — American Soda Ash Competitiveness Act (Introduced 03/07/2017) Latest Action: Senate – 03/07/2017 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (All Actions)Tracker:
This bill has the status Introduced

S.512 — Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act  (Introduced 03/02/2017) S. Rept. 115-86  Latest Action: Senate – 05/25/2017 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders.

S.509 — Federal Land Invasive Species Control, Prevention, and Management Act (Introduced 03/02/2017) )Committees: Senate – Energy and Natural Resources  Latest Action: Senate – 03/02/2017 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S.378 — Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act (Introduced 02/14/2017) Latest Action: Senate – 02/14/2017 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. 
This bill has the status Introduced

S.302 — John P. Smith Act (Introduced 02/03/2017) Senate – Indian Affairs; Committee Reports: S. Rept. 115-27; Latest Action: Senate – 04/06/2017 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 33.

This bill modifies the approval process used for certain transportation projects on Indian reservations by allowing categorical exclusions from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements

S.216 —Bureau of Reclamation Transparency Act (Introduced 01/24/2017) Committees: Senate – Energy and Natural Resources. Committee Reports: S. Rept. 115-97. Latest Action: Senate – 06/08/2017 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 127.

Summary:  This bill directs the Department of the Interior to submit to Congress, make publicly available, and biennially update an Asset Management Report that describes the Bureau of Reclamation’s efforts to maintain in a reliable manner all reserved works (buildings, structures, facilities, or equipment owned by the Bureau for which operations and maintenance are performed by Bureau employees or through a contract with the Bureau) at Reclamation facilities (infrastructure assets that are owned by the Bureau at each Reclamation project owned by the Bureau) and to standardize and streamline data reporting and processes across regions and areas for the purpose of maintaining such works.
Such report shall include: (1) a detailed assessment of major repair and rehabilitation needs for all such works; and (2) an itemized list of major repair and rehabilitation needs of individual Reclamation facilities at each Reclamation project, including a budget level cost estimate of appropriations needed to complete each item and an assignment of a categorical rating for each item consistent with existing uniform categorization systems to inform the annual budget process and agency requirements.
(Sec. 5) Interior shall: (1) coordinate with the non-federal entities responsible for the operation and maintenance of transferred works (Reclamation facilities at which operations and maintenance are carried out by a non-federal entity under a formal agreement with the Bureau) in developing reporting requirements for Asset Management Reports with respect to major repair and rehabilitation needs for such works, and (2) develop and implement a categorical rating system for transferred works.
(Sec. 6) The bill reduces the maximum amount of the federal share of the cost of the Central Valley Water Recycling Project otherwise available as of the date of enactment of this bill by $2 million. (NOTE: $15 million project to convert waste water into usable water in the Sacramento area … amendment limits BuRec participation.)

S.199 —A bill to authorize the use of the active capacity of the Fontenelle Reservoir.  (Introduced 01/24/2017) Reports: S. Rept. 115-96; Latest Action: Senate – 06/08/2017 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 126.

JOINT RESOLUTION

S.J.Res.11 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the final rule of the Bureau of Land Management relating to “Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation”. (Introduced 01/30/2017) Committees: Senate – Energy and Natural Resources; Latest Action: Senate – 01/30/2017 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

This joint resolution nullifies the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management titled “Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation.” The rule published in the Federal Register on November 18, 2016, addresses waste generated during oil and gas production

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
S.Con.Res.6 — A concurrent resolution supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act. (Introduced 01/24/2017) Committees: Senate – Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Latest Action: Senate – 01/24/2017 Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Excludes radio stations from having to pay fees for music usage on the air.

SIMPLE RESOLUTION
S.Res.42 — An original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (Introduced 02/02/2017) Cosponsors: (0)Committees: Senate – Rules and Administration, Environment and Public Works; Latest Action: Senate – 02/02/2017 Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.   Agreed to in Senate.  Back to the Top

LEGISLATION INTRODUCED BY LIZ CHENEY[sta_anchor id=”cheney” /]

H.Amdt. #1 to H.R. 4239, Secure American Energy Act concerning oil and gas leasing on the outer Continental Shelf and to empower states to manage the development and production of oil and gas on Federal lands.  Cheney amendments, adopted by a vote along party lines, negates the bird protection of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. H.R. 4239 passed to the House floor 11/17/2017.  What this does:

• 4239, according to the National Parks Conservation Association “make extensive revisions to federal land use policy and weaken long-standing environmental safeguards that protect parks from the harmful side effects of oil and gas development.”
• Cheney Amendment, according to the National Audubon Society ends the protection of birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and is a Bird Killer.

H.R.2661 —State Mineral Revenue Protection (Introduced 05/25/2017)  Action: House – 09/06/2017 Subcommittee Hearings Held.  Tracker:  Introduced

H.R.1778 —To provide that an order by the Secretary of the Interior imposing a moratorium on Federal coal leasing shall not take effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted, and for other purposes. (Introduced 03/29/2017)  Committees: House – Natural Resources  Latest Action: House – 11/17.  Passed out of committee.

 H.R.648 —To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to amend the Definite Plan Report for the Seedskadee Project to enable the use of the active capacity of the Fontenelle Reservoir.  Latest Action: Senate – 03/21/2017 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. This bill has the status Passed House

H.R.401 —To designate the mountain at the Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming, as Devils Tower, and for other purposes.  Latest Action: House – 02/10/2017 Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

H.J.Res.44 — Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of the Interior relating to Bureau of Land Management regulations that establish the procedures used to prepare, revise, or amend land use plans pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. (Introduced 01/30/2017) Cosponsors: (16) Committees: House – Natural Resources.  Latest Action: 03/27/2017  Became Public Law No: 115-12.

H.Res.548 —Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 36) to amend title 18, United States Code, to protect pain-capable unborn children, and for other purposes. (Introduced 10/02/2017) )Committees: House – Rules Committee Reports: H. Rept. 115-338.  Latest Action: House – 10/03/2017 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

H.Res.481 — Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3180) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes; waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules; and providing for proceedings during the period from July 31, 2017, through September 4, 2017. (Introduced 07/27/2017)  Committees: House – Rules Committee Reports: H. Rept. 115-263.  Latest Action: House – 07/28/2017 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.   Status:  Agreed to in the House.

H.Res.454 — Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2910) to provide for Federal and State agency coordination in the approval of certain authorizations under the Natural Gas Act, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2883) to establish a more uniform, transparent, and modern process to authorize the construction, connection, operation, and maintenance of international border-crossing facilities for the import and export of oil and natural gas and the transmission of electricity; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 218) to provide for the exchange of Federal land and non-Federal land in the State of Alaska for the construction of a road between King Cove and Cold Bay; and for other purposes. (Introduced 07/18/2017) )Committees: House – Rules Committee Reports: H. Rept. 115-235Latest Action: House – 07/19/2017 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

H.Res.374 — Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2213) to amend the Anti-Border Corruption Act of 2010 to authorize certain polygraph waiver authority, and for other purposes. (Introduced 06/06/2017) Committees: House – Rules Committee Reports: H. Rept. 115-162  Latest Action: House – 06/07/2017 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

H.Res.174 — Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1301) making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2017, and for other purposes.   (Introduced 03/07/2017)  Committees: House – Rules Committee Reports: H. Rept. 115-26  Latest Action: House – 03/08/2017 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

H.Res.55 — Amends H.R. 7, prohibiting the use of federal funds, facilities, or personnel for abortions and amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Affordable Care Act to prohibit qualified health plans for covering abortions.  H.Res.55, sponsored by Cheney, sets forth the rules to prohibit taxpayer funded abortions. (Introduced 01/23/2017)  Committees: House – Rules Committee Reports: H. Rept. 115-5.  Latest Action: House – 01/24/2017 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

H.Amdt.186   —Amends Bill: H.R.2810. National Defense Authorization Act of 2017.  NDAA.  Passed both houses with bi-partisan support.  Cheney offered 3 amendments:

Cheney NDAA Amendment 11: Enhances Extended Deterrence in the Asia-Pacific Region

• In light of the North Korean’s recent successful test of an ICBM, this amendment reevaluates America’s extended deterrence (military assets, exercises, sales) in the Asia-Pacific region to ensure we have an effective deterrent in place.
• Requires the Secretary of Defense to consult with the Commanders to develop a plan to enhance extended deterrence in Asia-Pacific region.

Cheney NDAA Amendment 14: Prevents Further Reductions in Deployed Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) fleet.

• This amendment reaffirms our commitment to the nuclear triad and will ensure that our current fleet of deployed ICBMs remains at or above 400 deployed ICBMs.

Cheney NDAA Amendment 90: Combat Russian Non-Compliance with New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).

• Russia is currently non-compliant in two of the three categories agreed to in the New START Treaty.
• This amendment requires the Department of Defense and the State Department to develop a plan to respond if Russia fails to come fully into compliance by the treaty deadline of February 2018.

The 2018 NDAA also strengthens the role Wyoming plays in maintaining our national defense. Specifically the legislation:

• Expedites the procurement of replacement helicopters for the aging fleet of Vietnam-era helicopters that are currently tasked with keeping our missile fields secure.
• Requires the Air Force to review and develop options to improve dormitory and housing options for young airmen stationed at F.E. Warren and other Air Force bases.
• Provides the authority necessary for the Department of Defense to reimburse states for future costs incurred from fighting wildfires caused by DoD activities like the 2012 wildfire at Camp Guernsey.
• Advances the previously negotiated transfer of the decommissioned Peacekeeper Missile Alert Facility known as Quebec-01 from F.E. Warren to the state of Wyoming to create a museum highlighting the import strategic deterrent mission at F.E. Warren.
• Extends the current ban on removing the historic Bells of Balangiga from F.E. Warren.

Prevents reductions of ICBMs below the levels set by the New START Treaty. (Offered 07/13/2017) Latest Action: 07/13/17  Agreed to by voice vote.

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